When the offseason began the Los Angeles Dodgers had three marquee free agents in Rich Hill, Kenley Jansen and Justin Turner. The trio didn’t figure to have any shortage of suitors, considering their standing as at least one of the top options in their position group.
Jansen and Turner were extended qualifying offers by the Dodgers, which both predictably rejected. Los Angeles identified the aforementioned trio as priorities to re-sign this winter. Though, luxury tax penalties in the new collective bargaining agreement make that a difficult proposition.
Hill was the first domino to fall, re-signing with the Dodgers on a three-year, $48 million contract.
In Jansen’s case, the Dodgers, Miami Marlins, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants and Washington Nationals were clubs with reported interest. The Yankees landed Aroldis Chapman, and it at one point appeared Jansen as bound for Miami or the nation’s capital.
But according to ESPN’s Jim Bowden, Jansen and the Dodgers agreed to a five-year contract:
Jansen and Dodgers agree on 5yr $80m deal according to Dodgers source confirmed.
— Jim Bowden (@JimBowden_ESPN) December 12, 2016
Jansen’s deal includes an opt-out clause after the 2019 season, when he’ll be 32 years old, per Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports:
Kenley Jansen chose Dodgers (5-$80m) over better offers elsewhere, according to sources. Can opt out after three seasons.
— Tim Brown (@TBrownYahoo) December 12, 2016
As was the case in July, general consensus at the Winter Meetings held that Jansen would receive a five-year contract. He’s coming off the best season of his career, and one that earned All-Star Game honors for the first time.
Jansen converted 47 saves with a 1.83 ERA and 0.67 WHIP. He broke the Dodgers franchise record for most saves all-time, finished tied for second in the Majors in saves, and led qualified National League closers in WHIP and strikeouts (104).
Jansen made seven appearances during the postseason, 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, and exceeded it by throwing three shutout frames against the Chicago Cubs in Game 6 of the NL Championship Series.
Since becoming a full-time closer in 2014, Jansen has 127 saves with a 2.32 ERA, 1.80 FIP, 0.86 WHIP and averaged 13.8 strikeouts per nine innings.
The Dodgers are also said to be nearing an agreement with Turner, which would check off their three primary targets this offseason.
