Braves get bargain on Kenley Jansen replacement in trade with Tigers

The Atlanta Braves added reliever Joe Jimenez in a trade with the Detroit Tigers to offset losing closer Kenley Jansen to the Boston Red Sox in his MLB free agency.

Yes, Alex Anthopoulos has made a move in MLB free agency, Atlanta Braves fans.

It may not have been the high-profile move Braves Country was hoping for, but the general manager did orchestrate a trade with the Detroit Tigers to help re-solidify the bullpen. On Wednesday, Atlanta traded two prospects in outfielder Justyn-Henry Malloy and left-hander Jake Higginbotham to the Detroit Tigers for right-handed reliever Joe Jimenez and cash considerations.

By trading for Jimenez, this helps Atlanta offset losing last year’s closer Kenley Jansen to the Boston Red Sox.

Atlanta Braves trade for Kenley Jansen replacement with the Detroit Tigers

Is this a quid pro quo trade to replace Jansen? Not exactly. See, the Braves already have a strong closer candidate in-house in right-hander Raisel Iglesias. He was the big pickup for the Braves at the trade deadline, as Atlanta landed him in the final seconds from the Los Angeles Angels. While Iglesias closed games in Orange County, he was used primarily as Atlanta’s setup man last season.

Since Iglesias is under contract for the next few years, one would think he would assume the closer role with Jimenez either being elevated to the setup role, or finding something suitable in the latest variation of the Night Shift. The bullpen has been an area of strength for the Braves over their recent run of success, but the closer role has been one that has provided so much anxiety…

Whether it has been Jansen or Will Smith the two years before that, Braves fans recognized no lead is safe when those two men toed the rubber in the ninth. The good news for Braves Country is Iglesias throws harder and dominated in his setup man role after coming to Atlanta. If he can be some version of what the Braves had with Craig Kimbrel and John Smoltz before that, good luck!

By making this trade, it may be setting up Anthopoulos to make a big move or two this offseason.