When free agency began three certainties were free-agent closers Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen and Mark Melancon would each sign a record contract. Entering this winter, Jonathan Papelbon’s four-year, $50 million deal was the largest contract signed by a reliever.
His record deal, signed in November 2011, was shattered this week when Melancon inked a four-year, $62 million contract from the San Francisco Giants. As expected, that was then exceeded by Chapman’s new agreement.
On Wednesday night the electric left-hander came to terms with the New York Yankees, agreeing to a five-year, $86 million contract.
That leaves Jansen as the last man standing, and if the Miami Marlins have it their way, the right-hander will receive a contract that rivals Chapman’s.