Shortly after finalizing the signing of Freddie Freeman, the Los Angeles Dodgers saw longtime closer Kenley Jansen join the Atlanta Braves on a one-year contract for the 2022 season.
Jansen had been part of the Dodgers organization since he was signed as an amateur free agent out of Curacao in 2004. Both sides had mutual interest in a reunion, but with Spring Training already underway and clubs wanting to round out their rosters, his timeline to sign was accelerated.
Before settling for a one-year contract with the Braves, Jansen was said to have sought a three-year deal. The Dodgers reportedly countered by offering their all-time saves leader a two-year contract.
According to Jorge Castillo of the L.A. Times, the Dodgers were one of the few teams that offered Jansen a contract of two years:
The Dodgers were one of a few clubs willing to commit to two years.
While Jansen’s preference was to remain with the Dodgers, the club’s recent signing of Freeman and luxury tax threshold implications made a reunion unlikely.
After struggling with inconsistencies over parts of the past two seasons, Jansen posted a solid 2.22 ERA, 3.08 FIP and 1.04 WHIP with 38 saves across 69 appearances last year.
Although re-signing Jansen would have been beneficial for the Dodgers, the team is still in a good place without him. L.A. no longer has a clearly defined closer, but their roster allows for any combination of Phil Bickford, Brusdar Graterol, Daniel Hudson, Blake Treinen Tommy Kahnle and Alex Vesia to fill the role.
Jansen thanked Dodgers fans, former teammates
After the Braves made the signing official, Jansen thanked the Dodgers organization, fans and former teammates who helped make his time in Dodger Blue so memorable.
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