5 Black Friday deals the Red Sox should consider in free agency

Red Sox relief pitcher target Mark Melancon

Mark Melancon‘s brief tenure in Boston back in 2012 won’t make Red Sox fans eager for a reunion but the four-time All-Star has been one of the game’s more reliable relievers since then.

Melancon led the majors with 39 saves while posting a 2.23 ERA for the San Diego Padres this year. It’s the second time in his career that he’s led the league in saves and he has tallied 244 in his career.

A groundball-heavy approach led to Melancon ranking 14th among major league relievers with a 56.4 GB% (minimum 50 innings). He doesn’t miss a lot of bats but he thrives by generating weak contact with a barrel rate and average exit velocity both in the 76th percentile or better.

He doesn’t fit the profile of a modern closer since he’s not an overpowering strikeout pitcher but Melancon is a crafty veteran with a strong track record of being able to handle the ninth inning. The Red Sox could use an upgrade at the back of the bullpen in the wake of Matt Barnes’ brutal second-half slump. Even if they intend to give Barnes a shot at reclaiming the closer role,  Melancon would provide them with a valuable insurance policy.

Despite being an All-Star closer, Melancon isn’t expected to be paid like one with a projection of a two-year, $14 million deal. The lack of strikeouts might make teams hesitant to hand him a more lucrative contract and age could also be a factor for a pitcher who turns 37 before next season. That price would be a huge bargain if he continues to excel in the closer role and the cost is still reasonable if he settles into a setup role. The Red Sox aren’t likely to break the bank on a relief pitcher after giving Barnes an extension earlier this year but Melancon offers a cost-effective solution with plenty of upside.