The top five closer salaries in 2020 MLB, not accounting for the prorated totals that came after the season was shortened, was as follows:
1. Mark Melancon (ATL): $19 million
2. Kenley Jansen (LAD): $18 million
3. Aroldis Chapman (NYY): $17.2 million
4. Craig Kimbrel (CHC): $16 million
5. Alex Colome (CWS): $10.5 million
— via Spotrac
So when Cleveland closer Brad Hand — who would have been owed less than those five names($10 million) for the 2021 season after leading the majors in saves (16) and recording an impressive 2.05 ERA — was placed on outright waivers in late October, it caught several people by surprise. It was even more surprising when all other 29 teams passed on Hand, too, making him a free agent.
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But Steve Cohen wasn't at the helm of the Mets when Hand's whole waiver situation was going down, and he may rectify the league's passivity on the elite closer, according to RADIO.COM Sports MLB insider Jon Heyman.
The Mets just signed righty Trevor May to a two-year deal for $15.5 million to go along with fellow right-handed hurlers Edwin Diaz and Seth Lugo in the pen, so looking to sign a big-name lefty obviously adds in an area that is lacking.
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