SAN FRANCISCO -- The San Francisco Giants landed the top-tier closer they have been seeking for months, agreeing to a $62 million, four-year contract with right-hander Mark Melancon on Monday.Its the richest contract ever for a closer, topping Jonathan Papelbons $50 million, four-year deal with the Phillies from 2012-15 and Mariano Riveras $15 million annual value total in 2011-12 by the Yankees.Really excited to have Mark, manager Bruce Bochy said in a text message. Got to know him on a trip to Taiwan in 2011. Fills an important need for us. Great to get one of the premier closers in the game.Pending a physical, the pitcher receives a $20 million signing bonus, $8 million of which is deferred, then salaries of $4 million for 2017, $10 million in 18 and $14 million in each of the `19 and 2020 seasons. He has a full no-trade clause and the chance to opt out after the first two years.Melancon has saved at least 30 games in each of the past three seasons, recording a majors-best 51 in 2015. He went 47 for 51 in save opportunities in 75 relief appearances last season with Pittsburgh and Washington, tied for second-most saves in baseball with Baltimores Zach Britton and Kenley Jansen of the Dodgers behind the Mets Jeurys Familia with 51.After San Francisco tried to acquire Aroldis Chapman at the trade deadline and missed out to the Cubs, finding a reliable ninth-inning option became top of the to-do list for the offseason. Melancon was dealt to the Nationals from the Pirates.Adding a premier closer was our main priority this offseason, general manager Bobby Evans said. Mark solidifies the back end of our bullpen and fills a critical role. He brings talent, leadership and experience to our pitching staff.Because the 31-year-old Melancon was traded during the season, the Giants dont have to give up their first pick in Junes amateur draft as compensation.The Giants blew 32 saves this past season, nine in September -- one fewer than Melancon had over the past three years -- and the last in a 6-5 Game 4 loss to the Cubs that ended San Franciscos season. Chicago scored four runs in the ninth as Bochy tried five relievers in the inning.Santiago Casilla and Sergio Romo, two reliable relievers in even-year championships of 2010, `12 and `14, were both inconsistent.Last offseason, the Giants made a splash by adding to their starting rotation, signing Johnny Cueto to a $130 million, six-year contract and Jeff Samardzija for $90 million over five years.Nationals GM Mike Rizzo, speaking at baseballs winter meetings in Oxon Hill, Maryland, said Washington made an offer.We gave him an offer that we felt was market value and what we were comfortable giving him. Youre talking about one of the elite closers in the game and a great teammate, Rizzo said. Conducted himself perfectly as a Washington National. At the end of the day, the Giants offered him more, and he took the deal. Thats what free agencys all about. ...Theyve got themselves a great citizen and a great pitcher.---AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum and AP Sports Writer Howard Fendrich in Oxon Hill, Maryland, contributed to this report. Kirk Gibson Jersey . This should be celebrated because it will not always be this way. With the amount of money given to players by their clubs these days, it is a wonder that so many of those teams allow the sport to continue to take away many of their assets so they can play for a different team in the middle of their season. Justin Turner Jersey .7 million, one-year contract, a raise of $2.2 million. Wieters had asked for $8.75 million and the Orioles had offered $6. http://www.cheapdodgersjerseys.com/?tag=cheap-clayton-kershaw-jersey . Vettel was 0.168 seconds faster than Red Bull teammate Mark Webber around the Suzuka circuit. Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg was two tenths of a second off Vettel. 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Bronze medals have little monetary value.Because the money is considered earned income, it is taxed -- a practice some lawmakers refer to the victory tax.The bill would still allow Olympic taxes on high-profile athletes such as swimmer Michael Phelps or NBA star Carmelo Anthony who earn more than $1 million a year.For Phelps, the tax bill for his five golds and one silver won in Rio could be steep -- as much as $55,000. Gymnast Simone Biles facees a possible $43,000 tax bill for her haul of four golds and one bronze.ddddddddddddThe Senate vote came as President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama hosted several hundred members of the 2016 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams at the White House. The U.S. won 121 medals at the Rio Olympics, including 46 gold medals.The president applauded American women for their performance in the Summer Games, where they won 61 medals, the most ever.2016 belonged to Americas women Olympians, he said, singling out Biles, swimmer Katie Ledecky and track star Allyson Felix. Obama also hailed Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time with a total of 28 medals.Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said many countries subsidize their Olympic athletes. The least we can do is make sure our athletes dont get hit with a tax bill for winning a medal, he said. ' ' '