Arizona alum Mark Melancon traded by Giants to Braves at MLB trade deadline

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Former Arizona Wildcats pitcher Mark Melancon was traded by the San Francisco Giants to the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday, just minutes before the MLB trade deadline.

The 34-year-old reliever joins a Braves squad that holds a 5.5-game lead in the National League East. Melancon has a 3.50 ERA in 46.1 innings this season, not quite the same pitcher he was earlier in the decade when he once led the Major Leagues in saves, but he is still an effective arm nonetheless.

#Braves acquiring Mark Melancon from #SFGiants in exchange for Tristan Beck and Daniel Winkler, sources tell The Athletic.

— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) July 31, 2019

The Braves also acquired Detroit Tigers closer Shane Green earlier in the day, fortifying their bullpen for the stretch run.

Melancon is in the third year of a four-year, $62 million contract he signed with San Francisco after the 2016 season. He is scheduled to make $14 million next season.

The Colorado native made 77 appearances in three seasons at the UA (2004-06), compiling 18 saves and a 3.32 ERA. Melancon was a ninth round pick by the New York Yankees in 2006 and made his MLB debut with the club in 2009.

The Yankees traded Melancon to Houston in 2010 for Lance Berkman, and he had a brief stint there (and in Boston) before his career took off with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Melancon was a three-time All-Star in four seasons in Pittsburgh, compiling 130 saves and a sparkling 1.80 ERA.

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