The all-time active saves leader is headed to Motown. The Tigers have reportedly signed veteran reliever Kenley Jansen on a one-year deal, adding another reliever to a strong troupe that logged a lot of work for manager A.J. Hinch over the last two seasons. And, it means another notable reliever comes off the free agent board.
A Look at Jansen
The 2025 campaign was yet another strong one for Kenley Jansen, who notched 29 more saves last season. He also finished with the 18th-best wOBA (.246) among relievers who threw in at least 30 games last season.
Jansen finished the year with 57 strikeouts over 59 innings. The veteran reliever only conceded 37 hits but eight of those were home runs. It was Jansen’s most home runs allowed in a year since 2022 with the Braves. He spent all of last year with the Angels after he signed with LA in February.
On this site, I write a lot about relievers who can give opposing teams “different looks.” Jansen checks that box.
Jansen’s signature pitch is that rising cutter that sits in the low-90s and comes from a very high arm angle. It’s an offering that, when commanded well, can be a flummoxing pitch just because of how it moves and how it looks coming out of Jansen’s hand.
The numbers back that up, as opposing batters hit just .164 off Jansen’s cutter last season.
That cutter plays up well up in the zone, and given how much Jansen uses it, it’s not a shock to see that he posted a 28.7% GB% last season. Although that didn’t matter, given how hitters didn’t square him up all that well.
Jansen will use other pitches, including a two-seamer, slider, and sweeper. Those pitches, though, are more to give opposing hitters different looks — which is important.
His splits against lefties and righties were not equal. Five of Jansen’s eight home runs allowed came off left-handers. Opposing batters slashed .217/.317/.406 (.723 OPS) off him this past season, compared to .132/.164/.236 (.399 OPS) against same-sided hitters.
That is somewhat of a departure from past norms. Generally speaking, Jansen has been better against righties. However, the difference (.601 OPS vs. LHH, .510 OPS vs RHH) isn’t as pronounced when looking at his career results.
Per MLB.com, Kenley Jansen will get a one-year deal with the Tigers, plus a club option for the 2027 season.
Analysis
Yet another notable reliever comes off the board.
Relievers have been signed at a very high rate over the last few weeks, as contenders look to pad their bullpen with reliable, proven arms. Jansen, given how much he’s worked in the ninth inning over the years, both in the regular season and playoffs, certainly has the resume.
The move gives A.J. Hinch another potent reliever for 2026. Earlier this past week, the Tigers re-signed right-hander Kyle Finnegan after he pitched very well in Detroit late last season. The Tigers still have Brant Hurter, Beau Brieske, Tyler Holton, and Will Vest.
With Jansen, the Tigers get a durable arm who’s logged at least 50 games of work in every full season since 2011. Not to mention, a reliever who may very well solidify the ninth-inning/stopper role, a spot in the Tigers’ bullpen that’s been in flux over the past few seasons.
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