The Los Angeles Dodgers have set a high bar for offseason moves in recent years, acquiring top-tier players such as Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell, Roki Sasaki, and Tanner Scott, which gives the impression they can land almost any player. However, despite their successful offseason strategies, a reunion with the franchise’s all-time saves leader, Kenley Jansen, seems unlikely. Although Jansen, a free agent expected to earn around $29 million in his next contract, expressed interest in returning to the Dodgers during an interview with TMZ Sports, the team instead opted to sign reliever Kirby Yates, signaling that there may not be space for Jansen on the roster.
According to Katrina Stebbins of Dodgers Way, the additions of Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates have essentially ruled out the possibility of a Kenley Jansen return, especially since the Dodgers now have a bullpen that includes nine names, many of whom could close for other teams. While Jansen, 37, had a solid 2024 season with the Boston Red Sox, it seems the Dodgers’ bullpen is already set for 2025, and they don’t appear to need additional help from the veteran closer. Stebbins notes that Jansen might find a deal with another contending team that is in greater need of relief pitching.
With Scott posting a 1.75 ERA last season and Yates excelling with a 1.17 ERA, the Dodgers are prioritizing younger, high-performing arms, leaving little room for sentimentality. While it’s possible Jansen could retire as a Dodger on a one-day contract in the future, it’s unlikely that his final pitch will come in a Dodgers uniform. Regardless of what happens this offseason, Jansen will always be remembered as an iconic Dodgers closer, with his 11-season tenure and unforgettable 2017 campaign, and will eventually receive a warm welcome back, though not necessarily as part of the current roster.
