6 trade destinations for Kenley Jansen as Red Sox look to shed payroll
The Red Sox could shake up their bullpen while cutting costs.
As the Boston Red Sox look to make additional roster moves this offseason, they may have to manipulate the current roster and move on from any number of big-league contributors.
As MassLive’s Chris Cotillo has reported, the Red Sox’ front office – presumably under the direct command of ownership – feels that it needs to “shade more payroll” before aggressively pursuing free agents or trades where they'd inherit more salary.
One potential trade candidate is Kenley Jansen, who was valuable in the closer role last season but comes with a significant $16 million price tag for the 2024 campaign. And if the Red Sox are once again going to be at the bottom of the division -- which is what it seems like right now -- then what's the point of paying an escalated cost for a luxury position such as closer?
Contenders need high-priced closers, not middling teams stuck in neutral. As the Red Sox look to revamp their roster, there's little need for Jansen for 2024.
Here are six potential landing spots for the veteran hurler if the Red Sox eventually make the move.
6 trade destinations for Kenley Jansen as Red Sox look to shed payroll
Los Angeles Angels
The Angels have some financial flexibility after Shohei Ohtani left for the Dodgers. While this club shouldn’t be viewed as a serious contender, they will feel obligated to make aggressive trades and signings for as long as Mike Trout remains under contract.
They could look to upgrade at closer, especially after Carlos Estevez amassed a 4.55 xFIP and 4.48 BB/9 through 63 outings last year. He did post 31 saves but felt like a temporary fill-in for the Halos, who still have time to make a splash before Spring Training begins next month.
Should the Red Sox pursue a deal with the Angels, they could target players like Taylor Ward, Jose Suarez, or prospect Camden Minacci.
Miami Marlins
The Marlins have been linked as a potential trade partner for the Red Sox, who remain interested in acquiring a young starting pitcher like Jesus Luzardo or Edward Cabrera. While it’s unlikely the Red Sox could land the 25-year-old without surrendering prospects, perhaps including Jansen in a deal would allow the club to inflict less of a farm system implosion.
Jansen represents a fit for the Marlins, who are currently projected to enter 2024 with Tanner Scott in the closer’s role. The southpaw should really be Miami’s setup option, especially after leading the team in holds last year.
If the Red Sox don’t want to part with Jansen plus prospects for Luzardo or Cabrera, perhaps they could look into minor leaguers Jacob Miller, Joe Mack or Josh Simpson.
Texas Rangers
The rich get richer? The Rangers, fresh off a World Series victory, don’t have too many holes on their roster. However, one area where they could improve is the back of the bullpen, specifically the closer role.
As Texas looks to defend its title, it can’t afford to enter 2024 with Jose Leclerc and Josh Sborz splitting save situations. Bringing Jansen onto the roster would allow the AL West contender to remain aggressive and achieve a sense of well-roundedness. If they're considering Josh Hader, then why not Jansen?
The Rangers depleted their farm system a bit after their trades for Aroldis Chapman, Jordan Montgomery and Max Scherzer, which brought them a World Series title, but the main focus here is getting Jansen's money off the books. Should the Rangers' TV deal reach the finish line, $16 million will be a drop in the bucket for them to upgrade at closer, and the Red Sox should be happy with whatever return they can get. Also, the Rangers just hired a former Sox pitching coach, so why not?
Philadelphia Phillies
Losing Craig Kimbrel in free agency could prompt the Phillies to make a splash in the back of their bullpen. While Jose Alvarado and Gregory Soto are fine late-inning options, Philadelphia would love to use them in a setup role while giving someone like Jansen the ninth.
The Phillies have been notoriously aggressive over the past few years and could afford to splurge for someone like Jansen, especially considering they’ve only made one major move this offseason (re-signing Aaron Nola).
Mick Abel and Justin Crawford are two dream targets for the Red Sox, but it’s hard to imagine the Phillies parting with either top prospect for an aging veteran closer (albeit a dominant one). Again, offloading this salary is the main goal. A top-20 prospect in the Phillies' system would be a bonus.
San Diego Padres
The Padres face key questions about how they should handle their own money problems, so a trade for Jansen could only happen if San Diego decides that it thinks it can contend and wants to remain aggressive heading into 2024.
FanGraphs’ current projected Padres bullpen combined for just one save last year, so adding Jansen – who had 29 – would be huge. Such a move would allow the Padres to save face in the NL West in an offseason that has seen the Dodgers dominate left and right.
Adam Mazur, who has a nasty slider and boasted an impressive 2.81 ERA in the minors last season, feels like a reasonable target for Boston. Meanwhile, a deal that sees the Red Sox bring back Xander Bogaerts and his hefty salary would be fascinating (but unlikely due to Boston’s new fear of spending money). Perhaps this could be a larger deal that incorporates Ha-Seong Kim? That would require the Sox to part with prospects, but it could be the move.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Last, but not least: the Dodgers. Nobody would be surprised to see Jansen return to his old stomping grounds in Los Angeles. Through 12 seasons with the Dodgers from 2010 to 2021, Jansen amassed a 2.37 ERA, 13.05 K/9, and 350 saves.
The fit here is natural. Much like Boston has been looking to shed payroll, Los Angeles seems to be operating without any financial restrictions whatsoever. After bolstering their rotation, outfield, and lineup, it would make sense for their next task to be adding a top-tier closer to fill a noticeable void in the bullpen.
If Boston did send Jansen to Los Angeles, an ideal return package could include Thayron Liranzo, Yeiner Fernandez, or Maddux Bruns.