Breaking News: Veteran closer Kenley Jansen is heading to the Detroit Tigers! This move signals a significant shift for the Tigers' bullpen, and here's what you need to know.
According to a league source, the Tigers have secured a one-year deal with free-agent right-hander Kenley Jansen. The contract also includes a club option for the 2027 season. This is a strategic move to strengthen their bullpen, which has been without a traditional closer for much of manager A.J. Hinch's tenure.
Jansen, at 38 years old, is coming off a season with the Los Angeles Angels where he posted a 2.59 ERA and notched 29 saves. He'll be joining Will Vest, who had 23 saves last season, and Kyle Finnegan, who recorded 24 saves with the Nationals and Tigers. The Tigers' bullpen is aiming to improve its performance after ranking 30th in strikeouts per nine innings last season. This is a crucial area for improvement, and Jansen's experience could be a game-changer.
This marks Jansen's fifth free-agent contract. By the 2026 season, he will have played for his fourth team, after spending his first 12 seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was ranked 46th on The Athletic’s Big Board and was projected to land a one-year deal worth $10 million. However, the exact financial terms of his deal with the Tigers haven't been disclosed yet.
Jansen is among MLB's most successful closers and is only two saves away from Hall of Famer Lee Smith, who has 478 saves, ranking third all-time. Reaching the milestone of 500 saves is a major goal for Jansen. He stated in May, "I think I have a lot more left in my tank, and why not get that accomplishment? I think it’s a pretty awesome accomplishment. Only two guys have reached 500 before, so why not be the third one?"
Jansen has also emphasized that his decision to continue playing isn't solely about chasing milestones. He wants to keep pitching for several more years.
But here's where it gets controversial... Despite his impressive overall stats, some underlying metrics from last season raise concerns. His average exit velocity allowed was 91.5 mph, the worst of his career and in the bottom 3 percent of MLB. While his ERA was under 3.00, his expected ERA was 3.74. Furthermore, Jansen's strikeout rate continued to decline, finishing at only 24.4 percent, compared to his career average of 32.7 percent. These numbers suggest a potential decline in performance.
Despite these concerns, Jansen will have the opportunity to close for the Tigers. While the closer's role is never fully guaranteed, the pressure will be on him to secure another 24 saves this season. What do you think about this move? Do you believe Jansen can maintain his high level of performance, or will his underlying metrics catch up to him? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
