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Mark Melancon knew Giants were the perfect fit right away

FILE - In a Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016 file photo, Washington Nationals relief pitcher Mark Melancon throws to a Los Angeles Dodgers batter during the eighth inning of Game 5 of a baseball National League Division Series, at Nationals Park, in Washington. The San Francisco Giants said Monday, Dec. 5, 2016, that they have agreed to a $62 million, four-year contract with closer Mark Melancon, pending a physical. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)
FILE - In a Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016 file photo, Washington Nationals relief pitcher Mark Melancon throws to a Los Angeles Dodgers batter during the eighth inning of Game 5 of a baseball National League Division Series, at Nationals Park, in Washington. The San Francisco Giants said Monday, Dec. 5, 2016, that they have agreed to a $62 million, four-year contract with closer Mark Melancon, pending a physical. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File) FILE - In a Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016 file photo, Washington Nationals relief pitcher Mark Melancon throws to a Los Angeles Dodgers batter during the eighth inning of Game 5 of a baseball National League Division Series, at Nationals Park, in Washington. The San Francisco Giants said Monday, Dec. 5, 2016, that they have agreed to a $62 million, four-year contract with closer Mark Melancon, pending a physical. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)

By Associated Press 3 min read

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – A thoughtful meeting in the Bay Area with the San Francisco brass and Mark Melancon didn’t need much convincing. He’s already looking forward to talking nutrition and sport science with Hunter Pence, his former Houston teammate and yoga pal.

“I think we get a kick out of one another,” Melancon said Tuesday, a day after reaching a $62 million, four-year contract with the Giants, the richest contract so far for a closer.

San Francisco felt right to Melancon – and the Giants needed him to stabilize the ninth inning.

“It was obvious that this organization knows how to win, and that’s their top priority,” Melancon said. “They’re set up with the Gold Glovers up the middle, Buster Posey, (Brandon) Crawford, (Joe) Panik. Being a groundball guy, that’s a huge priority. Just the character, being on the other side, you could tell how much character there is in that other clubhouse, so be able to join it and join a group of guys that are veterans in winning, it was the total package in my opinion.”

He also gets to finish games following ace starters such as 2014 World Series MVP Madison Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija. With a better bullpen this year, the Giants might have added another even-numbered year championship following titles in 2010, ’12 and ’14.