*Photo from ESPN*
There's a bullpen transformation underway in Beantown. The Boston Red Sox and RHP Kenley Jansen have agreed to a two year, $32 million deal, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. The Red Sox have confirmed the signing.
The bullpen was the biggest weak spot for the Red Sox in 2022, stumbling to a 78-84 record and a last place finish. Closing was a big issue in particular, with the Red Sox converting just 39 of 67 save opportunities in addition to ranking 26th in the majors in ERA. Jansen will slot into the closers role immediately, the most established closer in Boston since Craig Kimbrel in 2018.
Last season was spent in an Atlanta Braves uniform for Jansen. He ended the year with a 3.38 ERA, 3.21 FIP, and 1.05 WHIP, throwing 64 innings while picking up 41 saves for the NL East champions in 65 appearances. He had a 4.50 ERA in two postseason appearances, throwing an inning each time.
Jansen started his professional career as a catcher, but transitioned to pitching while in the minors, making his debut in 2010 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He became the full time closer in 2012 and had a 44 save season two years after that. He appeared in 3 straight all star games from 2016-2018 and had a career high 47 saves in 2016.
12 seasons with the Dodgers and one with the Braves cover the 13 big league seasons for Jansen. Over that time, he has a 0.94 WHIP, 2.44 FIP, and 2.46 ERA, notching 391 saves in 766 appearances, totaling 769 innings pitched. He has 20 saves in 59 postseason appearances, throwing 65 1/3 innings.
Jansen has been one of the best closers in baseball since debuting, exceeding 30 saves in a season 8 different times, passing 40 saves 4 times. His 391 saves rank him 8th in baseball history, and he finished in 5th place in NL Cy Young voting in 2017 following 41 saves in 42 chances, also recording a 109-7 strikeout to walk ratio.
With Jansen in the fold, the back end of Boston's bullpen is set to include Jansen, Chris Martin, John Schreiber, and Matt Barnes, with Martin and Joely Rodriguez as new bullpen signings this offseason.
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