{"id":22444,"date":"2019-07-21T19:32:31","date_gmt":"2019-07-21T23:32:31","guid":{"rendered":"lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/\/?p=22444"},"modified":"2019-07-21T19:32:31","modified_gmt":"2019-07-21T23:32:31","slug":"kenley-jansen-los-angeles-dodgers-closer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2019\/07\/21\/kenley-jansen-los-angeles-dodgers-closer\/","title":{"rendered":"Will Kenley Jansen Remain Los Angeles Dodgers’ Closer?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Los Angeles Dodgers<\/a> have a problem: Kenley Jansen<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Despite being far and away the best team in the National League, their bullpen has plagued them for all of 2019. There have been stretches where guys like Pedro Baez<\/a><\/strong> and Joe Kelly<\/a><\/strong> have been straight-up dominant, but the pen never seems to be in sync, resulting in an unreliable bullpen.<\/p>\n

Dodger relievers have combined for 18 blown saves. That\u2019s tied for third-most in the entire league. With 46 total save opportunities, that\u2019s a 60.87% success rate, which is 19th<\/sup> in the bigs.<\/p>\n

One key issue has been with closer Kenley Jansen. The three-time All-Star has been good, but not great this year. He owns a WHIP of 0.98 and an impressive 12.25 K\/9. He also had a nice stretch where he converted eight straight saves without allowing a run from May 14 to June 14.<\/p>\n

However, his ERA currently sits at a career-high 3.63. This wouldn\u2019t be too much of a concern if Jansen didn\u2019t exhibit similar struggles in 2018 as well. Before that year, the most home runs he had allowed in any season was six. In 2018, he gave up 13 long balls. This year he has already allowed six, as he has given up home runs at a similar pace as last season.<\/p>\n

The Dodgers, in search of their first World Series title since 1988, have very little room for error. They cannot wait to see if Jansen figures things out. They also can\u2019t worry about hurting his ego.<\/p>\n

Is Kenley Jansen and his Pride Hurting the Team?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

When the Dodgers were interested in signing Craig Kimbrel<\/a><\/strong>, Kenley Jansen said he was excited to welcome Kimbrel as a teammate. However, he also insisted that the closer role should remain his no matter who the Dodgers acquire<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This tenacity is what made Jansen one of the best closers in baseball from 2012 to 2017. However, it is this same pride that could end up hurting his team, and apparently, it already has.<\/p>\n

There have been several incidents this year where has refused to throw his breaking ball, despite catchers Austin Barnes<\/a><\/strong> and Russel Martin<\/strong> calling for it. By adamantly sticking with his fastball, Jansen has been burned.<\/p>\n

At a certain point, the Dodgers and Jansen need to realize that keeping Kenley as the closer isn\u2019t the best move for the team. Obviously, demoting a player to less important role stings, especially when that player has been so vital to your team in years\u2019 past.<\/p>\n

But making Jansen the team\u2019s setup man isn\u2019t ripping away his value as a player. Some of the best relievers in the game are setup men. And perhaps a change of pace for Jansen could result in improved performance.<\/p>\n

But if Jansen takes over the eighth inning, who gets the ninth?<\/p>\n

Trading for a Closer<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Dodgers have been linked to almost every significant reliever on the trading block. Most recently, it was reported that they have an interest in the Tigers\u2019 closer Shane Greene<\/a><\/strong>. Greene is the definition of a reliable closer, converting 22 of 24 saves. He also owns a ridiculous 1.03 ERA. Perhaps most impressive, is he has only allowed four earned runs all year \u2013 all on home runs.<\/p>\n

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#Dodgers<\/a> showing continued interest in #Tigers<\/a> closer Shane Greene, sources say. @anthonyfenech<\/a> initially reported the Dodgers had inquired on him. @MLBNetwork<\/a> @MLB<\/a><\/p>\n

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 19, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n