Four-Time All-Star Closer Signs with the Angels
After two years with the Boston Red Sox, Kenley Jansen has signed a deal with the Los Angeles Angels. The deal is for one year for $10 million. The Angels make a move to bolster their bullpen and hopefully find a lockdown closer they have been missing. Coming off another year as a solid closer, Jansen hopes to continue to boost his Hall of Fame case. After finishing his tenure with the Dodgers strong, he signed a one-year contract with the Braves. After 2022, he signed with the Red Sox and now finds himself on his third team since leaving Los Angeles. The Red Sox signed Liam Hendriks, hoping for a little competition between the two for the closer role, but Hendriks did not make an appearance in 2024.
Over his 15-year career, Jansen has solidified himself as one of the top closers in the game. During his time in Los Angeles, he was arguably the best closer in the game. In the last couple of years, he has been overtaken by some flamethrowing arms such as Emmanuel Clase. Nonetheless, Jansen continues to be valuable in the bullpen for whatever team he pitches for. In 2024, he finished the season with a 3.29 ERA and a 1.061 WHIP. Besides the stats, perhaps the most valuable aspect of Jansen is the fact that he is continuously available. Although he has had a couple of injuries sprinkled throughout his career, he has never missed an entire season.
It was almost certain Jansen was leaving the Red Sox after he missed the last series of the Red Sox season to go home. He was met with a mix of emotions that almost certainly decided his Boston fate. However, he has been known as a great veteran clubhouse presence and has been a role model for many younger players. If Jansen can show any resemblance of his all-star seasons, then Angels fans will find themselves very happy. Just two years ago, he was an all-star, and after a rough second half, he bounced back in 2024 and had an even better overall season. He still can be one of the top closers in the game, especially in the AL West Division. Being on the Angels, he will find himself pitching in the ninth inning with a lead very often, and for just $10 million, the Angels got themselves a steal.
