The Dodgers have had themselves a nice spending spree this offseason to address some needs across the roster. However, there are still a few areas that could be considered “holes.”
One is the lack of a traditional ninth-inning closer. They have been using a closer-by-committee approach since late in the 2022 season, with reliever Evan Phillips getting the brunt of save situations.
Los Angeles has been linked with a few closers already this offseason, signaling the front office might be looking to shift Phillips back to a set-up role. Red Sox beat reporter Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com predicts Boston will trade old friend Kenley Jansen this winter, and the Dodgers are one possible partner.
Bringing Jansen back would be a full-circle moment for the Dodgers. A fan favorite in his prime, Jansen recorded a franchise-record 350 of his 391 saves in a Dodger uniform. He would give manager Dave Roberts a dedicated closer and come with instant familiarity to many in the Dodgers’ clubhouse.
The 36-year-old right-hander only has one year left on his contract at $16 million. If the reunion doesn’t work out, the Dodgers aren’t saddled with a long-term payroll governor.
Jansen posted the second-highest ERA of his career (3.63) last season, but was far more effective in save situations (0.65 ERA) than in non-save situations (4.80 ERA). He saved 29 games in all, and he made the American League All-Star team.
Jansen would likely welcoame a return to the Dodgers, who have tried to build a powerhouse this offseason. He maintained his Southern California residence after signing with the Atlanta Braves in 2022, and could potentially finish his career where it began. The Dodgers signed Jansen — then a catcher — as an international amateur free agent out of Curaçao in Nov. 2004.
Getting Jansen back would theoretically move Phillips into a more flexible role, giving L.A. a solid end-game pecking order. Some fans might still be stung by some of his late-career hiccups in 2019 and 2021. Yet depending on Boston’s asking price, bringing back Jansen could be a low-risk/high-reward type of move.
