The MLB off-season is in full swing and top free agents are beginning to decide where they will play next season. Aroldis Chapman recently returned to the New York Yankees, and now another elite closer has been taken off the market, as Kenley Jansen has signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Kenley Jansen Signs with Los Angeles Dodgers
Jansen signed a five-year deal worth $80 million. In his time with the Dodgers, Jansen distinguished himself as one of the most elite closers in the game.
Source confirms: Jansen and #Dodgers in agreement on five-year, $80M contract. First reported: @JimBowden_ESPN.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 12, 2016
Sources: #Dodgers close on both Turner AND Jansen.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 12, 2016
In his seven years in L.A., Jansen posted a career 2.20 ERA with 189 saves. He has collected 632 strikeouts in his career, and in 2016 Jansen racked up even more strike outs than Chapman. The righty has been the anchor in the Dodgers bullpen, and was a big factor in helping L.A. win the NL West for the past four years.
Jansen has also found October success, and did not allow a single run in the playoffs in four different years. In the 2016 postseason, he allowed no earned runs and struck out 10 batters in 6.1 innings pitched. In addition to helping the Dodgers reach the postseason four straight times, Jansen has had a consistently microscopic ERA. He had a great 2016 season, and posted a 1.83 ERA, with a .670 WHIP and 47 saves.
The 2016 season was also one of great personal success for Jansen, as he represented the Dodgers in the All-Star Game and won the Trevor Hoffman award. It looked for some time as if the Dodgers wouldn’t not be able to retain their closer; the Miami Marlins and Washington Nationals both made strong plays for his services. In the end, however, Los Angeles showed him the money and got him to re-sign for six million less than the deal the New York Yankees gave Chapman. Jansen’s return to the fold greatly increases the Dodgers chances of taking a fifth-consecutive division crown.
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