Kenley Jansen is headed back to Los Angeles — but not with the Dodgers. The 37-year-old closer is joining the Angels on a one-year deal, aftter a two-year run with the Red Sox. Jansen, much like in past seasons, remained a valuable late-inning arm in 2024.
A Look at Jansen
The all-time active leader in saves, Kenley Jansen continued to be a formidable arm out of the pen for the Red Sox in 2024. Jansen finished the year with 27 saves, 62 strikeouts over 54.2 IP, and ranked above-average in hard-hit rates and extension.
The 37-year-old inched closer towards Lee Smith on the all-time saves list. Heading into 2025, Jansen has 447 career saves, 31 away from tying the Baseball Hall of Famer for third on the all-time list.
The key to Jansen’s arsenal is a low-90s cutter that had a mean MPH of 92.2. That was down two MPH compared to 2023 but was about the same compared to 2022.
Jansen’s cutter could be considered the gold standard of the pitch. The 37-year-old generates an extremely high IVB on his cutter (17.5” average), carry that is higher than most four-seam fastballs in the Majors. It creates a unique blend of carrying action, coupled with cut, to make it a pitch that generates whiffs and weak contact.
Not to mention, it’s a great pitch to work both up and in the zone.
Jansen used that cutter more than 80% of the time in 2024. To give hitters different looks, he’ll pair it with a sinker and slider, both of which obviously have different action. He didn’t concede a hit last season off the slider, a good weapon to use in tandem with the cutter thanks to both of the pitches breaking to the glove side.
Durability is a concern with Jansen. The former Red Sox’s dealt with heart issues throughout his career. He also dealt with back and shoulder problems in 2024.
Per reports, the Angels will sign Kenley Jansen to a one-year deal worth $10MM.
Analysis
The Angels’ bullpen will look significantly different in 2025, compared to 2024. Last year, Los Angeles (AL) heavily used the likes of Carson Fulmer, Matt Moore, and Luis Garcia, all of whom are no longer on the roster. Robert Stephenson, signed last offseason, underwent elbow reconstruction in 2024 and won’t be an option.
Jansen gives the Angels much-needed depth, given their existing bullpen included Hans Crouse, Jose Suarez, Brock Burke, Ryan Zeferjahn, and obviously Ben Joyce. Some of these names were very productive and have good stuff.
However, someone like Jansen — when he’s healthy and on — can make a difference.
From both a fantasy and late-inning perspective, this move will have an interesting consequence. Last season, Angels fans got a taste of what Ben Joyce could do as the team’s future closer, routinely hitting triple-digits with his fastball and notching four saves. However, how Joyce got to the closer’s role was a winding road.
The Angels used incumbent Carlos Estevez as their ninth-inning man for most of 2024, before he was traded to Philadelphia. After the trade, Hunter Strickland was originally tabbed to replace Estevez, until Strickland faltered. Then, Joyce took over.
Given Jansen’s experience, it would make sense for the all-time active saves leader to start the season as closer. Which, would leave Joyce as a high-leverage arm who will likely get some save opportunities — but certainly not the vast majority of them.
In other baseball-related news, the Marlins, Mets, and Twins confirmed their list of non-roster invitees for 2025 Spring Training on February 10.