The Boston Red Sox on Dec. 3 signed reliever Aroldis Chapman to bring an experienced lefty into the pitching staff.
The Red Sox don't have a guaranteed closer this season, and Chapman could join Liam Hendriks and Justin Slaten in the running for the job. Boston signing Chapman puts a reunion with the team's 2024 closer firmly out of the question, though.
The Sox already weren't likely to try and lure Kenley Jansen back to Boston. The closer departed the team on rough terms after his two-year contract expired last season. Jansen was placed on the injured list soon after the Red Sox's shot at a Wild Card berth disappeared. He knew he wouldn't pitch again, so he left the team before the season ended.
Jansen's early exit left a sour taste in some of his former teammates' mouths. A few Red Sox anonymously shared their feelings about the veteran leaving early, and none of the statements were good.
Red Sox's Aroldis Chapman signing essentially guarantees there will be no reunion with former closer Kenley Jansen
It was already more than likely Jansen would never pitch for Boston again after his eventful departure, but the Chapman signing officially put any chance of a reunion to rest. Chapman will take on the veteran role in the bullpen, and the Red Sox have a clear preference for lefties this season, like Justin Wilson.
Chapman also brings more swing-and-miss than Jansen does. Jansen clocked a 3.29 ERA with 62 strikeouts over 54.2 innings of work for Boston last year while Chapman compiled a 3.79 ERA with 98 strikeouts over 61.2 frames.
Both relievers have their issues with walking too many batters — Chapman carried the league's worst walk percentage last year — but Chapman still boasts dangerous velocity that Jansen has lost with age. Jansen also started the season slow and spent some time on the IL. Both Jansen and Chapman will be 37 years old during the 2025 season, but Jansen's age may be catching up to him faster than Chapman's.
Jansen seemed frustrated with the Red Sox's lack of spending and playoff misses during his second year with the club. He was probably not going to return to pitch in Boston of his own accord, but his dramatic departure from the team and the Chapman signing make a reunion less likely than the chance of Red Sox fans falling in love with Chapman as closer.