Dodgers News: Kenley Jansen Stays in Los Angeles
A week ago, it looked as if Kenley Jansen would be trading California beaches for Florida beaches. Today, he has decided to stay on the west coast.
Jansen and the Dodgers agreed to a 5-year, $80 million contract, first reported by Jim Bowden of ESPN. The organization keeps its all-time saves leader.
Dodgers source confirms 5yrs $80m with Jansen
— Jim Bowden??? (@JimBowdenGM) December 12, 2016
Can confirm the Dodgers have reached an agreement with Kenley Jansen on a five-year, $80 million deal. First reported by @JimBowden_ESPN.
— Andy McCullough (@ByMcCullough) December 12, 2016
It was long assumed the Dodgers wouldn’t retain Rich Hill, Justin Turner and Jansen. After Hill signed, it looked as though the team would keep Turner and Jansen would find greener pastures. In the end, all three return to Los Angeles.
The lump sum for Jansen, Turner and Hill looks like it will be $192 million.
— Andy McCullough (@ByMcCullough) December 12, 2016
Dodgers' behavior this winter matches up w/ confidence before playoffs: This is close to a championship club, not many alterations needed.
— Andy McCullough (@ByMcCullough) December 12, 2016
It seemed the team was wary of the luxury tax in addition to the Los Angeles Times report they needed to trim payroll. Instead, the franchise was aggressive and kept the core together.
[graphiq id=”d0duEvb5dlP” title=”Kenley Jansen 2016 Complete Pitching Splits” width=”600″ height=”794″ url=”https://w.graphiq.com/w/d0duEvb5dlP” link=”http://baseball-players.pointafter.com/l/7984/Kenley-Jansen” link_text=”PointAfter | Graphiq” ]The Dodgers don’t have any glaring holes. The team will pursue a right-hander hitter and more bullpen depth, but the re-signings will extinguish plenty of concerns in Dodgers Nation.
Clayton Kershaw asked, and so he shall receive
I cannot honestly say that I expected both Jansen and Turner to sign, but I am extremely pleased that they did. Assuming that JT does sign, and with Rich Hill signing, I guess this goes a long way to dispel the notion that the FO will not pay for their own when they need to. They now have their closer, their 3B, and their #2 SP. Time will tell if it is money well spent, but the FO has demonstrated to fans that they recognize what needed to be done with their roster.
Now they need additional reliable bullpen pieces (which Friedman does know how to build), a RH hitting 2B, and a power hitting RH hitting OF. Could Dozier and Braun be wearing Dodger Blue this spring?