MLB free agency 2017: 5 potential teams for Kenley Jansen

Oct 7, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen (74) pitches against the Washington Nationals in the eighth inning during game one of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

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Oct 8, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Hector Rondon (56) pitches against the San Francisco Giants during the eighth inning during game two of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

Chicago Cubs

As the postseason dragged on, it became very clear that Cubs manager Joe Maddon had very little trust in anyone in his bullpen outside of Chapman. In the end, the Cubs held on to win Game 7, but using a tired Chapman nearly cost Maddon and the Cubs a title. There has been no early indication that the Cubs have any interest in bringing Chapman back on a long-term deal.

The Cubs broke the bank last winter to sign Ben Zobrist, Jason Heyward and John Lackey, essentially squeezing three years worth of free-agent signings into one offseason. Theo Epstein has hinted that this offseason may be more conservative. If the Cubs do make one splashy purchase in free agency, it will likely be for a closer.

Hector Rondon saved 18 games for the Cubs before the Chapman trade, and saved 59 between 2014 and 2015. His ERA ballooned to 3.53 in 2016 after an outstanding 2015 with a 1.67 ERA. Rondon’s strikeout total rose, his WHIP and walk rate dropped, but his home run rate spiked up to 1.4 HR/9 from 0.5 per nine in 2015.

In addition to Rondon, Pedro Strop and Carl Edwards will be back next year and pitched well at times in 2016. Free-agent relievers Travis Wood and Trevor Cahill could be re-signed to bolster the ‘pen’s depth. With or without Chapman, the Cubs would have come close to matching their 103-win total, but he was acquired more for the playoffs. Chicago will need a new closer if they hope to repeat as World Series champions, and Jansen will be slightly less costly than Chapman and will come with fewer off-the-field headaches.

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