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Four-time All-Star closer Kenley Jansen enters the 2025 MLB season fourth on the all-time saves list. With 447 career saves, Jansen is just 32 away from passing Hall of Fame closer Lee Smith for third all-time.
After spending the first 12 seasons of his MLB career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Jansen left LA for the Atlanta Braves in 2022 before spending the last two seasons with the Boston Red Sox. An All-Star in 2023, Jansen had another strong season in 2024, finishing his two-year Red Sox tenure with a 3.44 ERA and 114 strike outs in 105 appearances out of the bullpen.
On Feb. 11 it was reported by ESPN that Jansen had signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels. On Saturday, the Angels made that news official.
“OFFICIAL: The Angels have agreed to one-year contracts with RHP Kenley Jansen and INF Yoán Moncada,” the Angels announced on X.
The news of Jansen’s departure leaves a vacancy in the backend of Boston’s bullpen, one that could be filled by another multi-time All-Star.
On Jan. 30 it was reported by Ken Rosental of The Athletic that two-time All-Star pitcher Lance Lynn was drawing interest around MLB as a potential closer. On Tuesday, Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer named Boston the best fit for the free agent right-hander.
“What makes the Red Sox an interesting fit for Lynn is that they’re one of the only contenders in MLB that lacks a clear answer at closer,” Rymer wrote. “Kenley Jansen was that guy in 2023 and 2024, but he’s in Anaheim now. The role is basically up for grabs, with Liam Hendriks, Aroldis Chapman and Justin Slaten among those vying for it this spring.”
Lynn has made 364 career outings, 340 of which have come as a starter. That said, the 37-year-old pitcher may be able to extend his career with a move to the bullpen. After Jansen’s departure from Boston, a deal with Lynn could make sense for the Red Sox.
After an up-and-down 2023 between Los Angeles and Chicago, Lynn had a better 2024 campaign with the St. Louis Cardinals, posting a 109 ERA+ in 23 games (all starts).
How the Red Sox Can Resolve Rafael Devers Situation and Save $27.5 Million
The standoff between the Boston Red Sox and Rafael Devers has elicited many possible scenarios for resolution.
Devers is refusing to move off third base even after the Red Sox announced the $120 million signing of the reigning American League Gold Glove Award winner at third base, Alex Bregman. For his part, Bregman told reporters he’s willing to play “wherever AC (manager Alex Cora) tells me to play.”
Even Red Sox first baseman Tristan Casas has offered his opinion on who should play where.
“I think it’s Raffy Devers’ position,” Casas told reporters in the Red Sox’s spring training camp in Fort Myers, Florida. “I think he’s the third baseman. He’s done it for a really long time now. And I think he’s only getting better at that position. I think his defense is getting better every single year. We don’t know what the future holds, but we know it holds Raffy Devers.”
Opinions abound, but ultimately those that matter most belong to Cora and Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow. For proof, look no further than the example of former Washington Nationals star Alfonso Soriano.
In spring training in 2006, Nationals manager Frank Robinson and general manager Jim Bowden — who had acquired Soriano in a trade with the New York Yankees months earlier — tried moving the former All-Star from second base to the outfield. Washington already had a slick-fielding second baseman, Jose Vidro, who had played the position the previous eight seasons and made three All-Star teams.
Robinson listed Soriano in left field for his spring training debut. Soriano refused to play.
According to the Associated Press, Bowden threatened to put Soriano on the disqualified list, which would prevent him from playing, accruing service time, and receiving his $10 million salary. Soriano then acquiesced to playing the outfield.
If any of this story sounds familiar, it’s worth noting the Red Sox could take the same hard-line approach with Devers. Writes Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors:
That’s what needs to be done here with Devers: Craig Breslow must convince him to move to DH and/or first base for the good of the team. If Devers refuses, he’d be placed on the disqualified list and would not receive his $27.5 million salary. The Nats did not leave the door open for Soriano to back up Jose Vidro second base; I’m not sure if the Red Sox should take the same approach with Devers and third.
This might not be Plan A for Cora and Breslow at the moment, but it’s an option baseball’s rulebook permits.
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