The Los Angeles Dodgers have one of the most stacked bullpens in recent Major League Baseball history. But there may still be days where fans long for the mid-2010s.
Having a lockdown closer is one of the best feelings a team can experience, and the Dodgers had one for virtually an entire decade. Kenley Jansen, the franchise’s all-time saves leader, had a sparkling 2.37 ERA in his 11 years as a Dodger, twice winning Reliever of the Year honors.
Jansen left LA following the 2021 season, and he’s remained a big-league closer for the Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox ever since. While it doesn’t appear the Dodgers have any room left for him, he could still latch on in a ninth-inning role with another team.
It sure would be conflicting for Dodgers fans if he happened to join a team within the National League West.
On Friday, Chad Jennings of the Athletic projected one final free-agent signing that fit each team, and paired the Arizona Diamondbacks, perhaps the Dodgers’ greatest threats in 2025, with Jansen.
“A few days ago, we might have paired the D-Backs with a right-handed bat, but they just filled that need by re-signing Randal Grichuk. So, what’s left is to solidify the back end of their bullpen,” Jennings wrote.
“Putting Jansen in the ninth would leave Justin Martinez to serve as a high-octane setup man. And playing for a good team would give Jansen a chance to get the 31 saves he needs to tie Lee Smith for the third-most saves in history.”
Though Jansen wasn’t an All-Star last season, he still proved he can hang with the game’s best closers. He saved 27 of 31 opportunities with the Red Sox and had a more-than-respectable 3.27 ERA.
With 447 career saves, Jansen could be holding out in free agency until a team gives him a guaranteed shot at the closer role so he can keep increasing that total. Whether the D-backs will be that team remains to be seen.
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