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MLB Rumors: Los Angeles Dodgers, Kenley Jansen agree to five-year deal

By Nick Ziegler

Oct 22, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen (74) throws against the Chicago Cubs during the sixth inning of game six of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen (74) throws against the Chicago Cubs during the sixth inning of game six of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Los Angeles Dodgers have reportedly reached an agreement to keep closer Kenley Jansen in Los Angeles for the next five years.

According to Jim Bowden, the Los Angeles Dodgers and closer Kenley Jansen have reached a five-year, $80 million deal. The signing of Jansen was one of the biggest priorities of the offseason for the Dodgers.

This offseason, there were a few very good closers on the market, and Jansen was one of the best. With the San Francisco Giants signing Mark Melancon and the New York Yankees signing Aroldis Chapman, Jansen was the last of the top closers left.

There was some interest from other teams, including the Miami Marlins, who were also seeking a closer. However, it was the Dodgers who got a deal done to keep Jansen in Los Angeles.

Jansen has been with the Dodgers for a seven seasons, but 2016 was certainly a banner year for him. Jansen totaled 47 saves, a 1.83 ERA and a ridiculously low 0.67 WHIP. With a strong rotation led by Clayton Kershaw, the Dodgers knew that they had to keep their lockdown closer to continue to contend in the National League.

The deal for Jansen was slightly less than what Chapman received from the New York Yankees. On Chapman’s deal, he made an additional six million dollars over the five years.

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Jansen has to be very happy with the deal. Not only will he continue to pitch in Los Angeles, he also cashed in on a big  pay day. The closers market was competitive this offseason, and Jansen was able to leave free agency with a nice contract.

Now that the Dodgers have signed both Rich Hill and Jansen, they will be attempting to get over the hump in the playoffs and reach the World Series next season.

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