The San Francisco Giants landed the top-tier closer they have been seeking for months, agreeing to a four-year, $62 million contract with right-hander Mark Melancon on Monday.Its the richest contract ever for a closer, topping?Jonathan Papelbons four-year, $50 million deal with the Phillies from 2012-15 and Mariano Riveras $15 million annual value total in 2011-12 with the Yankees. But that record isnt expected to last long. Fellow closers?Aroldis Chapman?and Kenley Jansen?are set to sign new contracts this offseason.Really excited to have Mark, Giants 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 will receive a $20 million signing bonus, $8 million of which is deferred, then salaries of $4 million in 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.With the bullpen largely to blame for their postseason demise -- and for the teams collapse during the second half of the season -- the Giants have prioritized the acquisition of an established closer for the 2017 season.The Giants bullpen failed to hold a 5-2 lead in the ninth inning of Game 4 of the National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs, with five relievers unable to finish the game in an eventual 6-5 loss that ended their season.?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.Melancon, 31, was acquired by the Washington Nationals at this seasons trade deadline from the Pittsburgh Pirates, giving Washington a consistent solution to its closer problem, in contrast to the performance of usurped Washington closer Papelbon.Melancon finished with a combined 47 saves and 1.64 ERA in 71 1/3 innings over his 75 appearances, having converted 30 of 33 save opportunities for the Pirates last season and then 17 of 18 for the Nationals.The trade from Pittsburgh to Washington for left-handed reliever Felipe Rivero and pitching prospect Taylor Hearn was the fourth of Melancons career.He was traded from the New York Yankees to Houston at the 2010 deadline, from the Astros to the Red Sox in the winter of 2011 and from Boston to Pittsburgh in the winter of 2012. As an eligible free agent, the righty made $9.65 million last season.Melancon led the majors with 51 saves in 2015.Nationals GM Mike Rizzo, speaking at baseballs winter meetings in National Harbor, Maryland, said Washington made an offer to Melancon.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. Cheap Authentic NBA Jerseys . -- Sergey Tolchinksy scored his second goal of the game 3:56 into overtime as the Sault Ste. NBA Jerseys Outlet . Jeff Green scored 13 points and Kris Humphries 12 for the Celtics, who nearly blew an 18-point, second-half lead. Sullingers 20-20 was the first by a Celtics player since Kevin Garnetts first game in Boston in 2007. Garnett was dealt -- along with Paul Pierce -- to Brooklyn during the off-season. http://www.cheapjerseysnba.com/ . Tuesdays surgery at Atlantas Piedmont Hospital was performed by Dr. Xavier Duralde and Hawks team physician Dr. Michael Bernot. Cheap NBA Jerseys China . Barcelonas entertaining victory ensured the defending Spanish champions retained their share of the league lead with Atletico Madrid two rounds ahead of their meeting in the capital. Real Madrid needed a late goal by substitute Jese Rodriguez to earn a 3-2 victory at Valencia to stay in third place and three points behind its title rivals. Discount NBA Jerseys . Following a lopsided 5-2 loss against the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night, Paul MacLean told reporters that "theres a lack of focus, theres a lack of leadership and theres a lack of preparation" with his struggling team. That came on the heels of Bryan Murray taking the unusual step of going into the locker room at the Prudential Center and addressing the players himself. PRIDDIS, Alberta -- Brooke Henderson is the face of Canadian golf. Lydia Ko is a big hit, too -- and every bit as comfortable.I feel when I come to Canada, it feels a lot like New Zealand, feels a lot like home, Ko said Wednesday, a day before the start of play in the Canadian Pacific Womens Open. Just even how they say `eh at the end of sentences. A lot of people back at home say `eh, too. ... Everyone has just been super welcoming, and I think thats the thing about it. The 18-year-old Henderson had a large crowd for her pro-am round at Priddis Greens.Having Canadians and people from all over the world kind of celebrate this national championship is really cool, Henderson said. Even this morning, I teed off at 8 in a pro-am, and there were people following me right from the start. My gallery kind of grew throughout the day, and as I finished, that was probably the longest autograph session that Ive ever had.The top-ranked Ko has won the event three of the last four years, the first two as an amateur. The New Zealander won in 2012 at Vancouver Golf Club at 15 years, 4 months to become the LPGA Tours youngest winner and fifth amateur champion. She successfully defended her title in 2013, winning by five strokes in Edmonton. Last year back at Vancouver as a pro, she beat Stacy Lewis in a playoff.The 19-year-old Ko has four LPGA Tour victories this season, winning the ANA Inspiration in April for her second major title.Lydia is truly amazing, Henderson said. Shes an inspiration to me and I think everybody that knows her.Henderson beat Ko in a playoff in June in the KPMG Womens PGA Championship for her first major title, and successfully defended her Cambia Portland Classic title in early July.Shes not afraid to be out in front, veteran Canadian player Lorie Kane said. I truly respect the way she plays in that shes accepting of what happens and she moves past it. Ive had enough time to play with her to see shes got all kinds of game. She swiings a very big driver a very long way and Im extremely proud of her.ddddddddddddo was second last week in the Rio Olympics, five strokes behind winner Inbee Park.Its definitely a quick turnaround, but this is one of our best tournaments on our tour schedule, so even the girls that were in Rio I think were all excited to be here, Ko said. Last week, the course was a little bit like sand belt with a little bit of British flair. This is a bit more traditional. ... Its firm and fast. Last week, we were wearing shorts. This week, were wearing sweaters.Henderson tied for seventh in Rio.Rio was kind of just a sixth major on the LPGA Tour, Henderson said. Of course, there was lots of other things going on. ... It was cool, but the end of the day it was just four rounds of golf, regular stroke play individual that we do every single week, playing against the same players we play against every week.Ko and Henderson are on opposite sides of the draw. Ko will open play Thursday morning on the 10th tee with Jessica Korda and Sei Young Kim, and Henderson will start on No. 1 in the afternoon with Gerina Piller and Amy Yang.Kane, at 51, is making her record-tying 26th straight appearance in the event. The four-time LPGA Tour winner was inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame on Tuesday night.Im proud of myself. Ive accomplished some things that I never thought would have been possible, Kane said. To think in 20 years what I have achieved -- the four wins? It took me a long time to win the first one and then the next three came pretty quickly after that.Kane will match the tournament record for consecutive starts set by Hollis Stacy.Suzann Pettersen won the 2009 tournament at Priddis Greens.The tour will remain in Canada next week for the Manulife LPGA Classic in Cambridge, Ontario, with Pettersen the defending champion. ' ' '