OXON HILL, Md. -- Albeit too late to save them this year, the San Francisco Giants got their closer.All-Star righty Mark Melancon and the Giants reached agreement on a $62 million, four-year contract Monday. As baseballs winter meetings heated up, lefty Rich Hill re-signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers for $48 million over three years.Chris Sale was still with the White Sox, for now. But the Washington Nationals were trying to put together a deal for the lefty ace.Nothing yet on the other top trade targets -- Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen and possibly two Detroit fixtures, slugger Miguel Cabrera and pitcher Justin Verlander.A couple smaller deals also developed as teams met inside a hotel on the banks of the Potomac River outside Washington. The Toronto Blue Jays signed versatile Steve Pearce and Philadelphia added reliever Joaquin Benoit.And the New York Yankees confirmed theyre trying to boost their bullpen with major free-agent talent.We have been pursuing Aroldis Chapman. We also have been talking to Kenley Jansen. We also had talked with Melancon, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said.Jose Reyes, meanwhile, might be changing positions, rather than teams. Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said the star infielder would get his first look at the outfield in spring training.And the Red Sox said they might fill their designated hitter spot -- left vacant by the retiring David Ortiz -- with a DH-by-committee. That would still leave room, of course, for them to sign slugger Edwin Encarnacion.Boston did make a move with manager John Farrell, picking up his contract option through the 2018 season.Melancon tweeted that he was excited to be joining the Giants. They certainly were thrilled to get him, pending a physical, giving the 31-year-old the richest deal ever for a reliever. Because he was traded during the season, from Pittsburgh to Washington, the Giants dont lose their first-round draft pick next June as compensation.The Giants bullpen was a troublespot all year, blowing 32 saves. Their woes peaked in their final loss, to the Cubs in Game 4 of the NL playoffs, when Chicago scored four runs in the ninth inning against five relievers.Melancon posted a combined 47 saves and a 1.64 ERA last season, a year after leading the majors with 51 saves for the Pirates.The 36-year-old Hill found stability, and a lot more in Los Angeles. He was on the scrap heap in 2015, pitching in independent ball for the Long Island Ducks, before resurrecting his career.I think its something that has been an incredible journey to get to this point, but never did I ever think that I would pack it in, he said.Hill went a combined 12-5 with a 2.12 ERA in 20 starts for the Dodgers and Oakland last season.Not everyone was in the holiday shopping spirit. Instead of hoping for hitters, pitchers or fielders, Kansas City manager Ned Yost was thinking about his field back home in Georgia.I got to refill the feeders at the farm. Planted some grass, finally got some rain, so my wish is that it comes up, he said. http://www.authenticshoptitans.com/tajae-sharpe-jersey/ . Neymar curled home a free kick from just outside the area to put the 2014 World Cup host ahead in the 44th minute. Three minutes after the break, a simple through pass from Paulinho freed Oscar and the Chelsea star rounded goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong to extend Brazils lead. http://www.authenticshoptitans.com/jonnu-smith-jersey/ .500 on the season. The Jets are now 0-5-1 in the second game of back-to-backs. The game started the same way the Vancouver game started the night before, with the Jets taking the first two penalties of the game and killing off the first, but the Oilers getting on the board first, scoring on the second man-advantage. http://www.authenticshoptitans.com/brian-orakpo-jersey/ . Robredo, ranked No. 16, bounced back from an upset loss to Leonardo Mayer in the second round of the Royal Guard Open in Chile last week to down Carreno Busta in 1 hour, 25 minutes. On a day filled mostly with qualifying matches, fifth-seeded Marcel Granollers of Spain also entered the second with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-2 win over Aljaz Bedene of Slovenia, while Guido Pella of Argentina defeated Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain 7-6 (6), 6-4 to advance. http://www.authenticshoptitans.com/hoodie/ . - The Oakland Raiders re-signed offensive lineman Khalif Barnes on Friday. http://www.authenticshoptitans.com/ben-jones-jersey/ .Y. - Detroit goaltender Jonas Gustavsson has earned NHL first star of the week honours after winning in his first three appearances of the season. MIAMI -- Chicago White Sox left-hander Carlos Rodon reached 100 mph with his fastball in his most recent start, Saturday against the Baltimore Orioles.Now Rodon, a native of Miami who is of Cuban ancestry, is headed straight toward his hometown team like, well, one of his breathtaking fastballs.Rodon (2-8, 4.49 ERA) will take on Miami right-hander Andrew Cashner (4-8, 4.96 ERA) in the series opener at Marlins Park on Friday.The Marlins (60-54) own a better record than the White Sox (54-60), who lost 2-1 to the Royals in Kansas City on Thursday night.Rodon, though, can be an equalizer if he is on his game.He moved to North Carolina in time for high school. Rodon threw a no-hitter as a junior, won a state title as a senior and signed with North Carolina State, turning down an offer from the Milwaukee Brewers, who drafted him in the 16th round.College proved to be a wise choice for Rodon, who became the first Atlantic Coast Conference player to win that leagues Pitcher of the Year award as a freshman, going 9-0 with a 1.57 ERA. He finished third nationally in strikeouts.He followed that in 2013 by leading N.C. State to its first College World Series since 1968, setting the Wolfpacks single-season record as a sophomore with 184 strikeouts.As a junior, he broke the schools record for career strikeouts, and the White Sox were convinced, drafting him third overall in 2014 -- and that is where the tie-in with Miami continues.The Marlins, who picked second in 2014, had a chance to draft the hometown hero, the college-ready pitcher.Instead, the Marlins opted for a high school pitcher, hard-throwing right-hander Tyler Kolek, who has yet to move past low Class A ball and is out for the year due to elbow surgery.Rodon, meanwhile, made his major league debut last year, going an impressive 9-6 with a 3.75 ERA.This season, Rodon went on the disabled list on July 9 due to a sprained left wrist. That injury has put a damper on his year. The 23-year-old returned to action July 31, but he has not won a road game since April 13.Last Saturday, in just his second start back from the DL, Rodon seemed to recapture his standout form, allowing just five hits and one run in six innings while striking out seven.Even in that first inning, he reared back and had some velocity, White Sox manager Robin Ventura said after the game. That was very impressive. His slider was great -- it had a lot of break.This was one of his better games, being able to go deep in a gaame and keep a lineup like that off balance.dddddddddddd He has great stuff.Ventura was asked about Rodons enthusiasm and fire on the mound.He has that fire, although sometimes its directed at the water cooler, Ventura said. You just hope he can direct it toward home plate.If Rodon can do that on Friday, he could be a load for the Marlins, who are suddenly struggling at the plate. Miami, shut down by the San Francisco Giants this week, has not scored in 17 consecutive innings.The Marlins also have scored just two runs in their past 25 innings, and that is a big reason why they dropped two out of three games against the Giants.Miamis offense -- which has been shut out five times since the All-Star break -- should see the return of right fielder Giancarlo Stanton on Friday. He did not start on Wednesday, largely due to a sore hip. He did serve as a pinch hitter, flying out to center.The Marlins could use help from power-hitting first baseman Justin Bour, who has been on the disabled list since July 5. Originally, the diagnosis called for a quick return, likely two weeks, but Bour has had setbacks.At this point, (Bours injury) has gone from his ankle to different areas, Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. His Achilles has been bothering him, and he has had trouble moving.Without Bour, the Marlins are using a platoon of Chris Johnson against left-handers and Derek Dietrich against right-handers. Johnson is likely to start Friday.Cashner, acquired from the San Diego Padres at the trade deadline, will be making his fourth appearance for the Marlins, although he has yet to win a game for Miami.He was solid in his first start (six innings, one run), got rocked in his second start (five innings, seven runs) and gave up the winning hit when used in an emergency relief role in the 14th inning on Monday against San Francisco.Now he aims to match Rodon, the prodigal son of Miami, pitch for pitch when they square off Friday night.In other story lines:--Ventura said he is not changing closers despite the fact that David Robertson blew two save chances earlier this week.--White Sox right-hander Miguel Gonzalez, who started on Thursday night against the Royals, departed after just 21 pitches due to a strained groin. As a result, the Chicago bullpen enters the Friday game depleted after picking up eight innings Thursday. 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