Coming off a postseason in which closers and high-leverage relievers took center stage, timing broke in Kenley Jansen’s favor in terms of reaching free agency. Granted, Jansen isn’t alone, as he’s joined by fellow closers Aroldis Chapman and Mark Melancon on the open market.
Working in their favor is the number of clubs who are looking to address their bullpen. The Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants and Washington Nationals are among the teams with reported interest in Chapman, Jansen and Melancon.
Each is expected to sign for more than the four-year, $50 million contract Jonathan Papelbon received from the Philadelphia Phillies in November 2011; setting the record for largest deal a relief pitcher received.
In Jansen’s case, the expectation holds that he may sign a five-year contract, per ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick:
If Melancon's number sounds high, one exec predicts Kenley Jansen could get 5 yrs and $80-90M. It's a good winter to be a closer.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) December 2, 2016
That idea was previously reported in July, while Jansen was in the midst of another strong season, but had not completely announced himself on a national stage. The power right-hander finished the year with 47 saves, a 1.83 ERA and 0.67 WHIP.
Jansen then dazzled in the postseason, making seven appearances, six of which were scoreless. He threw a then-career-high 51 pitches and 2.1 innings in Game 5 of the NL Division Series against the Nationals.
The record number of innings pitched was then broken in Game 6 of the NL Championship Series when Jansen threw three shutout frames, albeit in an elimination loss.
Jansen finished tied for second in the Majors in saves, and led qualified National League closers in WHIP and strikeouts (104). When compared to Chapman and Melancon, Jansen was projected by MLB executives to have the most value in relation to a forthcoming contract.
The Dodgers publicly named Jansen one of their top priorities this offseason, though president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman added the club is mindful of allowing him to go through the full experience of free agency.
