What It Means:

Melancon will be 34 by the start of that third season, so it's unlikely the right-hander opts out of being paid the $28 million he's now due over the second half of the deal. However, depending on the market at the time and his level of play, it could become a possibility.

Melancon twirled a 1.64 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 24.1 percent strikeout rate across 71 1/3 innings for the Washington Nationals and Pittsburgh Pirates last season. However, a 2.83 SIERA was his worst clip since the 2012 season.