Braves make key addition to Night Shift bullpen, get back at Dodgers

The Atlanta Braves signed Kenley Jansen to a one-year, $16 million contract on Friday evening.

While the Dodgers got long-time Braves first baseman, Freddie Freeman, the Braves flipped the script and signed long-time Dodger relief pitcher, Kenley Jansen.

Jansen was signed to a one-year deal worth $16 million. To make room for Jansen on the 40-man roster, the Braves place pitcher Jay Jackson on the 60-day injured list with a right lat strain.

In 69 games with the Dodgers in 2021, Jansen had 38 saves in 69 innings pitched. He gave up 17 earned runs and had a 2.22 ERA. He has 350 saves in 12 seasons in the major leagues. Since 2010, when Jansen debuted with the Dodgers, only former Brave Craig Kimbrel had more with 372.

Jansen isn’t the shut-down closer he once was, but he is still effective.

Braves add Kenley Jansen to vaunted ‘Night Shift’ bullpen

Jansen joins a bullpen that includes Will Smith, Collin McHugh, A.J. Minter, Tyler Matzek, and  Luke Jackson. Jansen definitely adds a veteran arm in the pen that the Braves need. The Braves should definitely seek out some more veteran arms for their pen in the coming weeks.

The club will assuredly be looking for starters as well as they have Charlie Morton, Max Fried, Ian Anderson, and Huascar Ynoa. Touki Toussaint, Tyler Thornburg, and Jacob Webb could be called on to help either the rotation or bullpen.

With the addition of Matt Olson to replace Freeman and Ronald Acuna Jr. possibly returning early in the season, the Braves seem set with their line-up and defense, but pitching is essential and will be needed to repeat as World Series champs in 2022.

The Braves still have a few weeks before opening day to add some pitching depth. Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos seems passionate about reloading for a championship defense. They will have an interesting few weeks ahead.