The Los Angeles Braves, I mean Los Angeles Angels continue to bring in old friends of ours. Most recently, the Halos inked former Braves closer Kenley Jansen to a one-year, $10 million free agent deal, per Ken Rosenthal.
Jansen joins Eric Young and Ron Washington, as well as Travis d’Arnaud and Jorge Soler, as former Braves in the City of Angels. The 37-year-old veteran closer is coming off yet another good season, finishing 38 games and tallying 27 saves for the Red Sox.
He put together a 3.29 ERA while fanning over 38% of batters faced in 54.2 innings of work. Some fans figured Jansen would be a target for Alex Anthopoulos, considering he led the National League in saves with the Braves a few years ago, but I’m not sure there was interest from either side.
Kenley Jansen was not keen on the idea of being a set-up man for any team. According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon, Jansen spoke to the Mets earlier in the offseason, but the long-time closer’s goal of reaching 500 saves “muddied the match” between the two.
“The Mets talked with free-agent reliever Kenley Jansen’s camp, according to sources briefed on the conversations. But Jansen’s goal of 500 saves plus his likely price tag muddied the match, people familiar with the matter said. Jansen, 37, needs 53 saves for 500, and with the Mets would set up for Edwin Díaz rather than pitch the ninth inning.”
The Braves were never going to bump Iglesias down because he’s just a flat-out better closer at this point. Ben Joyce will now be the Angels set-up man and likely learn a lot from one of the game’s most decorated finishers.
—
Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
You must log in to post a comment.