While the Winter Meetings roll along and near their conclusion, Aroldis Chapman and Kenley Jansen remain among the more prominent players still on the open market. That’s of particular interest to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Though, they’re joined by the Miami Marlins, New York Yankees and Washington Nationals in pursuit of an elite closer. The San Francisco Giants were also part of that picture, but signed Mark Melancon to a four-year contract to address their need.
The Marlins inclusion came as somewhat of a surprise, considering their spotty history in free agency. Miami is said to prefer Jansen to Chapman, which can be tied to manager Don Mattingly’s history with Jansen in Los Angeles.
As Chapman and Jansen mull over their options, Mattingly reached out to his former closer. “You would like to find a level of interest so you’re not wasting your time talking about guys that really don’t want to play in Miami and we want guys that want to be there,” Mattingly said.
Mattingly also spoke with A.J. Ellis, but refuted the notion either conversation was meant to persuade Ellis and Jansen of the talent on the Marlins roster. “Players pay attention. They know we got a good, young club,” Mattingly said. ”
There aren’t too many people you talk to in baseball, they know we have a good club and we’re close with that core group of players that we have a chance to be a really good club. So you don’t have to sell them on that.”
It appears Mattingly’s persuasion worked on Ellis, as he inked a one-year, $2.5 million deal with Miami on Wednesday.
Getting Jansen may be a little tougher though, as despite Mattingly contacting Jansen and the Marlins’ willingness to spend for his services, Mark Saxon of ESPN notes the club doesn’t have an optimistic feeling:
I've heard the Marlins aren't feeling great about their chances of landing Kenley Jansen
— Mark Saxon (@markasaxon) December 7, 2016
Even with All-Star closer A.J. Ramos in the fold, the Marlins’ strategy to add to their bullpen is in response to a weak group of free-agent starting pitchers. Signing Jansen, as opposed to Chapman, would require Miami to lost their top pick in the 2017 Draft.
Jansen reportedly holds a contract offer from the Yankees, details of which have not been provided.
