MLB Rumors: 3 Potential Landing Spots for Kenley Jansen

He's been one of the top relievers in baseball for 11 seasons, and while he's now 33 years old, Kenley Jansen—aside from one hiccup midseason—didn't show too many signs of slowing down in 2021. 

Spending his entire career in the Los Angeles Dodgers' bullpen,  Jansen has racked up 350 career saves (13th all-time), including 38 last season, tied for 2nd, just a single save off the major league lead. His 2.22 ERA was slightly better than his lifetime mark, and he still struck out batters at an 11.2 K/9 clip. 

He did slump in early July, when his BABIP jumped to .560 (league avg. is about .300) for  a short period, but he  bounced back, and after July 7th he did not allow a single inherited runner to score through the end of the season.

Can he still help some teams in need of bullpen help in 2022? Undoubtedly. Is he a slam dunk to return to the Dodgers? That remains to be seen. 

Three potential landing spots for Jansen in 2022 once the lockout is lifted:

Toronto Blue Jays

The Jays' bullpen was a sore spot for much of the season in 2021, though it finished with a solid enough crew after some trades, and the official emergence of Jordan Romano as an elite closer. But the team had the bullpen pegged as in need of improvement this offseason, starting with the addition of former Miami Marlins' closer Yimi Garcia. The front office, however, could have bigger plans, and they have been connected to Jansen this winter. 

Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies have lots of work to do in the bullpen this offseason. Their relief core was a sore spot all season, blowing 34 saves, and finishing with the 6th-worst ERA in baseball in '21. They started the 'pen rebuild with the addition of Corey Knebel to a one-year deal. He's a former closer, who picked up a total of 55 saves with the Milwaukee Brewers across 2017 and '18. He looked solid in a relief role for the Dodgers last year. 

Los Angeles Dodgers

Yes, those very same Dodgers are still interested in bringing Jansen back; they reportedly tried to re-sign him before the lockout, but it wasn't to be, at least not before Dec. 1st. 

According to a report by Dodgers Insider David Vassegh, the holdup in getting a deal done was contract length. At 33, this could be Jansen's last crack at a big free agency payday, and he's going to make sure he gets the dollars and the term he wants. 

Photo Credit:  Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports, Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports