Over the past few days the Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Marlins and New York Yankees largely comprised the market for free agent Kenley Jansen. At various points during the offseason the San Francisco Giants and Washington Nationals were said to have interest.
The Yankees preferred to sign Aroldis Chapman, whereas the Dodgers had Jansen as their top target. Meanwhile, the Marlins steadily emerged as a serious suitor for the right-hander after initial reports of their interest.
Marlins manager Don Mattingly contacted Jansen to gauge his interest in a potential move to South Beach. Once Chapman agreed to terms with the Yankees on a five-year deal, it left the Dodgers and Marlins jockeying for Jansen’s services.
Miami’s reportedly made Jansen a contract offer similar to what Chapman received, leading to plenty of intrigue on whether the Dodgers would match it.
As Jansen’s decision hangs in the balance, the Nationals have again entered the picture, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports:
Sources: #Nationals making a push for Kenley Jansen, joining #Dodgers, #Marlins.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 8, 2016
The Nationals this week saw their closer, Mark Melancon, sign a four-year contract with the Giants that’s worth $62 million. Although it left a void in the Nationals bullpen, the club’s interest during the Winter Meetings was placed on potentially acquiring Andrew McCutchen and Chris Sale.
The Pittsburgh Pirates may be unlikely to move McCutchen after feeling out for interest, while the Boston Red Sox swooped in to trade for Sale once it was reported Washington and the Chicago White Sox were nearing a deal.
In November the Nationals were said to be ‘committed’ to signing one of Chapman, Jansen or Melancon. However, whether the club has the financial ability to compete with the Marlins’ reported offer, remains to be seen.
