Kenley Jansen could have an unlikely new home with former rival

Former Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen has received some interest from the San Francisco Giants in free agency.

The Giants are expected to be big spenders in this year’s free-agent market, having already been linked to the likes of Aaron Judge. While Judge is the biggest offseason prize San Francisco could land, they also need to upgrade their bullpen.

That’s where Kenley Jansen comes in.

San Francisco has already made a number of bold moves as it pertains to their bullpen, releasing the likes of Dominic Leone, Jarlin Garcia, Zack Littell, Alex Young, and Mauricio Llovera. Adding Jansen as the head of the snake, so to speak, would send a message to the rest of the NL West.

Giants interested in signing Kenley Jansen

The Giants will have plenty of competition for Kenley Jansen. Despite his advanced age, Jansen proved capable out of the Atlanta bullpen in 2022, finishing with a 3.38 ERA and 1.047 WHIP. He did bring some unnecessary drama upon the Braves at various points in the season — and unwelcome drama at that — but he’s no Will Smith.

Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos would welcome a Jansen return to Atlanta. Jansen himself even discussed signing in Los Angeles, where he spent the majority of his MLB career.

What would a Kenley Jansen contract look like?

If Kenley Jansen signs in San Francisco — or anywhere for that matter — it’ll likely come on a high priced, short-term contract. His last contract with the Braves was for just one year, but at a $16 million price tag. A similar offer could be enough to make him the newest Giant by week’s end.

At 35 years old, Jansen took some steps forward last season. He maintained the low walk rate which makes him such an attractive closer in the first place, but also decreased his barrel rate against to a new low.

That’s the sort of production any team which signs Jansen will be hoping for in 2023.