According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, closer Kenley Jansen has signed a two-year, $32 million deal with the Boston Red Sox. Jansen will serve as the Red Sox closer as the club now has an anchor to their bullpen. The three-time All-Star spent last season with the Atlanta Braves following 12 seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Previously, the Red Sox gave Matt Barnes an extension, who signed the contract in the middle of an excellent start to the 2021 season. Although, Barnes fell apart in the second half of that season as he didn’t rebound in 2022 as many had hoped.
Closer Kenley Jansen and the Boston Red Sox are in agreement on a two-year, $32 million contract, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 7, 2022
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Boston already had bullpen depth before acquiring Jansen by signing Chris Martin to a two-year, $17.5 million deal.
Kenley Jansen’s Career
Jansen was originally a catcher before transitioning to the minor leagues’ mound, making his MLB debut with the Dodgers in 2010. By 2012, he was the everyday closer for Los Angeles, who recorded a career-high 44 saves two seasons later. Jansen’s best season came in 2017, posting 41 saves in 42 chances with a 1.32 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and a 109:7 K/BB over 68 1/3 innings. He finished fifth in the NL Cy Young Award voting.
Jansen led all NL relievers with 41 saves and recorded a 3.38 ERA with 85 strikeouts in 64 innings. The 35-year-old comes to the AL East to a Red Sox team with 28 blown saves in 2022, the sixth-worst in the majors. He has reached the 30-save mark eight times in his career, including four 40-save campaigns. Altogether, Jansen ranks eighth in MLB history with 391 saves. Craig Kimbrel is the active leader with 394 saves.
His accomplishments as a closer come with inconsistencies in the postseason. However, the 2020 World Series champion owns a 2.20 ERA with 20 saves over 59 innings in his playoff career. Jansen owns a lifetime record of 42-28, 2.46 ERA, and 1,107 strikeouts. He’s also a two NL saves leader and Reliever of the Year recipient.
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Players mentioned:
Kenley Jansen, Matt Barnes, Chris Martin, Craig Kimbrel
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