Giants pursuing elite free-agent closer

The Giants are moving aggressively in their pursuit of a top-tier closer this offseason, as club officials met this week with representatives for free agents Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen and Mark Melancon, according to MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi.
The trio of relievers the club met with this week are expected to command high-dollar deals.
Chapman, who helped the Cubs defeat the Giants in the National League Division Series, is reportedly seeking a contract of around $100 million. MLB Network's Ken Rosenthal has speculated that Chapman's deal will set the market, as the 100-mph fireballer is considered the most sought after. Jansen presents intrigue, as he would give the Giants a two-fold win by prying him away from the four-time NL West champion Dodgers.

The Giants had the fifth-highest payroll in 2016, per Cots Baseball Contracts, and they have displayed the financial flexibility to be aggressive in what is a remarkably deep class of game-changing relievers. Last year, San Francisco spent a combined $220 million on starters Jeff Samardzija and Johnny Cueto, who proved to be worthy additions.
Following their early exit this postseason -- one that ended on their 32nd blown save, worst in MLB -- the Giants have been vocal about their plans to restructure their bullpen, particularly at closer.
San Francisco's late-game headaches translated into what nearly became one of the worst second-half collapses in history. After surging to the Majors' best record at the All-Star break, the Giants limped to a 30-42 second-half record, and they just barely clung to the second NL Wild Card spot.