SAN FRANCISCO -- A thoughtful meeting in the Bay Area with the San Francisco brass and Mark Melancon didnt need much convincing. Not to mention he is 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 thats their top priority, Melancon said. Theyre set up with the Gold Glovers up the middle, Buster Posey, (Brandon) Crawford, (Joe) Panik. Being a groundball guy, thats 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.San Francisco blew 32 saves, including nine in September. Five relievers combined to squander Game 4 of the NL Division Series against the eventual champion Cubs, who scored four runs in the ninth inning to win 6-5.The Giants were willing to keep their payroll above the luxury-tax threshold for a third straight year to land Melancon. After paying $1.3 million for 2015 and about $3 million more for this year, their 2017 tax payroll already projects to $196 million, with plenty of moves left to make.One of the prices of getting Mark was paying the tax, as well, said CEO Larry Baer, who will have an overall payroll of more than $200 million for the first time. That was a pretty easy decision because of the value we believe Mark brings to the Giants.Melancon has saved at least 30 games in each of the past three seasons, recording a majors-best 51 in 2015. He went 47 for 51 in save opportunities in 75 relief appearances last season with Pittsburgh and Washington, tied for second-most saves with Baltimores Zach Britton and the Los Angeles Dodgers Kenley Jansen.The man gets big outs! Clint Hurdle, Melancons former manager with the Pirates, wrote in an email.Melancons three young children -- Brooklyn, 5; Jack, 2 +; and 1-year-old Ella -- are already learning about the iconic, bright orange Golden Gate Bridge and their soon-to-be new home. For Melancon, having some job security for four years means so much for his family to feel settled in a city and community.I saw the reason that they are such a good organization and why they want to win so much and the effort they will put in to winning, Melancon said. Im a huge proponentHe was traded from Pittsburgh to Washington midway through last season.A true professional in all aspects of the game and a class act off the field, Hurdle said. Always hunting for an edge or a way to improve his craft.Also Tuesday, general manager Bobby Evans said the Giants were finalizing a minor league deal with right-hander Bryan Morris that includes an invitation to big league spring training. Morris was 0-0 with a 3.06 ERA in 24 appearances for the Marlins in 2016 over 17 2/3 innings.---AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report. Zapatillas Puma Baratas España .Y. - Nelson Mandela will be honoured by the New York Yankees with a plaque in Monument Park. Puma Basket Baratas . Manuel was offered a position the day he was fired. He accepted earlier this week and the team made the announcement Friday. http://www.pumabaratas.es/ .com) - Christian Ponder will get another chance to prove himself for the Minnesota Vikings, with head coach Leslie Frazier announcing Wednesday that the struggling quarterback will start this weekends game against the Green Bay Packers. Puma Baratas España . During the athletes parade, the 23-strong Ukrainian team was represented by a lone flagbearer in an apparent protest at the presence of Russian troops in Ukraines Crimean peninsula. Zapatillas Puma Baratas Online . The incident occurred at 19:56 of the second period of the Kings 4-2 road win over Edmonton on Sunday. Nolan punched Oilers forward Jesse Joensuu in the jaw in front of the Kings goal during a scrum. Memphis native and IMG Academy big man Isaiah Stokes has signed with the?Florida Gators, he told ESPN on Friday.There was some uncertainty whether the 6-foot-9, 255-pound younger brother of NBA free-agent forward Jarnell Stokes had signed with the Gators. He told ESPN he signed with the Gators during the early signing period, but he had hoped to keep it quiet until he returned home for Christmas break so he could make an announcement in front of his family.My brother did that, and I was there, Isaiah Stokes said. So I wanted to do it in front of my 9-year-old sister, Kaitlin.Stokes, who is No. 60 in the ESPN 100 rankings, said he chose Florida over Iowa State, Tennessee, TCU and North Carolina.My heart was at Florida, Stokes said.ddddddddddddI love the plan that Coach (Mike) White has for me. Coach said hes going to give me the opportunity to expand my game. Its a great program and I felt like it was the best fit for me.Stokes was a two-sport star until about a year ago, when he decided to give up football. He played both sports as a sophomore in high school, but gave up football and lost about 50 pounds in order to focus on basketball.Jarnell Stokes played 28 games for three NBA teams over three seasons, and he was waived by the Denver Nuggets on Nov. 15.Thats my love -- basketball, Isaiah Stokes said. ' ' '