Red Sox Beat Writer Thinks Dodgers Could Trade for Kenley Jansen
The Dodgers have had themselves a nice spending spree this offseason to address some needs across the roster. However, there are still a few areas that could be considered “holes.”
One is the lack of a traditional ninth-inning closer. They have been using a closer-by-committee approach since late in the 2022 season, with reliever Evan Phillips getting the brunt of save situations.
Los Angeles has been linked with a few closers already this offseason, signaling the front office might be looking to shift Phillips back to a set-up role. Red Sox beat reporter Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com predicts Boston will trade old friend Kenley Jansen this winter, and the Dodgers are one possible partner.
“Things didn’t end well between Jansen and the Dodgers but a reunion there makes some sense.”
Per Chris Costillo of MassLive
Bringing Jansen back would be a full-circle moment for the Dodgers. A fan favorite in his prime, Jansen recorded a franchise-record 350 of his 391 saves in a Dodger uniform. He would give manager Dave Roberts a dedicated closer and come with instant familiarity to many in the Dodgers’ clubhouse.
The 36-year-old right-hander only has one year left on his contract at $16 million. If the reunion doesn’t work out, the Dodgers aren’t saddled with a long-term payroll governor.
Jansen posted the second-highest ERA of his career (3.63) last season, but was far more effective in save situations (0.65 ERA) than in non-save situations (4.80 ERA). He saved 29 games in all, and he made the American League All-Star team.
Jansen would likely welcome a return to the Dodgers, who have tried to build a powerhouse this offseason. He maintained his Southern California residence after signing with the Atlanta Braves in 2022, and could potentially finish his career where it began. The Dodgers signed Jansen — then a catcher — as an international amateur free agent out of Curaçao in Nov. 2004.
Getting Jansen back would theoretically move Phillips into a more flexible role, giving L.A. a solid end-game pecking order. Some fans might still be stung by some of his late-career hiccups in 2019 and 2021. Yet depending on Boston’s asking price, bringing back Jansen could be a low-risk/high-reward type of move.
Photo Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
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Ohh god no! He was washed up 6 years ago
Do not see this happening.
Please pass. We don’t need him blowing games and Dave Roberts sticking with him as a closer because of his stubbornness.
JANSEN BACK MAKES NO SENSE!! INSTEAD DODGERS SHOULD SIGN 2X CY YOUNG WINNER SNELL-LA HAS ZERO TOP-END LEFTY STARTERS! AND BE SMART-RE-SIGN JD MARTINEZ (2 YEARS) WHO’S PLAYED LEFT & WHO, MOST IMPORTANTLY, WANTS THE BLING TO END HIS CAREER! HE’S DEFINITELY SERVICEABLE IN LEFT FIELD, CAN PINCH HIT, & SPELL OHTANI IN CASE HIS ELBOW IS NOT FULLY RECOVERED FROM SURGERY TO DH EVERYDAY. FORGET ALL THESE “B” NAMES-JD’S THE MOVE! MAKE IT HAPPEN DODGERS!!! HE’S YOUR CLEAN-UP HITTER!
Absolutely agree re. JD. !! He could play 70-80 games in left. And is a much better hitter than anybody else they r gonna put out there
They don’t need bullpen help the guy is not knowledgeable about the Dodgers. Same as the guys saying they would trade for a SS.
Agreed. The Dodgers already have 13 bullpen guys and that doesn’t include Grove or stone who might have to be in the bullpen for long man duty, and they’ll only carry eight.
Jansen’s not coming back, the Red Sox writer who wrote about it just needed something to talk about that day. The Dodgers thought he was too old to resign 2 years ago so they signed the dumpster fire that was Kimbrel. That worked out well, not. Yeah, Jansen had a couple of hickups right after the all star break in his last season with the team, but still had a solid season. But they thought he was too old. So now 2 years later they’re going to change their minds? And he’s probably going to want a contract extension.
I wouldn’t mind seeing him come back, but it’s not going to happen.