Red Sox rumors: 5 moves to make Boston World Series champions

Oct 20, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (11) celebrates with designated hitter J.D. Martinez (28) after hitting a solo home run against the Houston Astros during the seventh inning of game five of the 2021 ALCS at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

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Oct 23, 2021; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen (74) pitches during the ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves in game six of the 2021 NLCS at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

Red Sox rumors: Boston should sign Kenley Jansen

Seiya Suzuki and Carlos Rodon wouldn’t be prohibitively expensive acquisitions, so the Red Sox might be able to use more payroll space to address another area of need: the bullpen.

It’s clear Matt Barnes, who came up short in the second half of 2021 after a strong first half, isn’t the answer at closer for Boston, despite them extending him mid-season. And some of their other options like Josh Taylor, Hirokazu Sawamura, Adam Ottavino, Ryan Brasier are solid, but not closer material. Perhaps Garrett Whitlock assumes that role for them after blossoming onto the scene in 2021, but he was better utilized as a swiss army knife out of the bullpen, coming into tricky situations or providing long relief.

That’s where Kenley Jansen could be useful.

The former Dodgers closer was once again one of the best relievers in baseball in 2021, with a 2.22 ERA and 38 saves. He has tons of postseason experience and is as lockdown as it gets when needing to win a close game. He wouldn’t be cheap, but he’d be worth the price knowing the end of games would be in good hands.

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