BoSox Injection
Fansided

5 External closer candidates for the 2023 Red Sox

By Daniel Cereghin

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 12: Kenley Jansen #74 of the Atlanta Braves reacts after a strikeout to end the game against the Philadelphia Phillies in game two of the National League Division Series at Truist Park on October 12, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 12: Kenley Jansen #74 of the Atlanta Braves reacts after a strikeout to end the game against the Philadelphia Phillies in game two of the National League Division Series at Truist Park on October 12, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 5
Next

Who will be the Red Sox closer in 2023 and beyond?

Do the Boston Red Sox need a full-time closer moving forward?

In 2022, the closer role was left to a committee, with no one reliever leading the team in saves – John Schreiber, Matt Barnes, and Tanner Houck tied with 8 – and the bullpen combining to blow 28, which tied for fifth-most in MLB.

It’s unclear if the Sox will designate any of them or Garrett Whitlock as the official closer moving forward, or pursue an external option. If they’re unsatisfied with internal options, they can peruse the free-agent market for high-end or low-end options, or make a trade.

Here’s a look at who the Red Sox could add, either via free agency or trade, to take over the role in 2023.

No. 5 – Kenley Jansen, FA

Kenley Jansen feels a little underwhelming at this point in his career, but he’s still one of the top relievers on the market. He led the National League with 41 saves in 2022, if that matters to you. On the season, he posted a 3.38 ERA, 3.21 FIP, 1.047 WHIP, 12.0 K/9, 3.1 BB/9, and 1.1 HR/9.

13 years into his big-league career, Jansen is still an above-average reliever who belongs in the closer spot. He has above-average swing-and-miss stuff (62nd percentile Whiff%) and is one of the best strikeout pitchers in baseball (93rd percentile). He’s even improving as a strikeout pitcher, seeing his highest K% (32.7%) since 2017.

Home runs are a bit of an issue for Jansen, and this comes down to him getting hit harder than ever before. Jansen has excelled in the past at inducing weak contact, but his 32.5 hard-hit% was his highest in the Statcast era (since 2015). He’s been trending up for the past two years, and that trend continuing in 2023 would be dangerous.

At 35 years old, Jansen is probably too risky to give anything more than a one-year deal with an option for 2024, but coming off a $16M year, it’s probably going to be another deal north of $10MM. He feels a little risky at his age, but his track record is one of the better ones on this list. He also has a career 2.20 ERA over 59 postseason games, experience that will be crucial for any team trying to contend next year.

Home/Red Sox News