After weeks of quiet in his market, suitors have emerged for two-year Boston Red Sox closer and current free agent Kenley Jansen.
The Toronto Blue Jays have been linked to the veteran, according to Héctor Gómez of Z101Digital, a Dominican publication. The Blue Jays lost their longtime closer, Jordan Romano, to the Phillies in free agency this winter and Jansen would fill his vacancy nicely.
Jansen posted a 3.29 ERA with 62 strikeouts, 20 walks and 27 saves in 54.2 innings for Boston last season. His 2024 slate improved upon his 2023 performance with the Sox — 3.63 ERA with 29 saves in 44.2 innings — for which he received an All-Star nod.
Blue Jays linked to two-year Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen in free agency
The 37-year-old has no known plans to retire soon, but he mentioned his hope to finish his illustrious career where it began in the Dodgers organization. There have been few to no rumors connecting the two parties this offseason, but LA has been tabbed as interested in fellow free agent closer Tanner Scott. Experts believe Scott is holding up the reliever market and that after he signs, a dozen more reliever signings will follow.
Despite his solid 2024 campaign, there have been few reported suitors for Jansen's services. His tenure with the Red Sox didn't exactly end on a high note — he left the team before the season officially ended, which left a sour taste in some of his teammates' mouths and potentially hurt his appeal to other clubs, although nothing is certain on that front.
Red Sox interested in righty first baseman free agent Pete Alonso
After their many pitching additions this offseason, the Red Sox have pivoted to scouting righty bats for their heavily left-handed offense. One of the most recent names to enter the running is free agent first baseman Pete Alonso.
MLB insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that the Red Sox and Blue Jays are two of eight teams that have shown interest in the slugger. While he would undoubtedly bring more thump to Boston's lineup, a few things need to be considered to gauge the extent of its interest.
Alonso would need to be either the first baseman or designated hitter in the Sox's lineup. Triston Casas is the team's everyday first baseman as of now, and Boston would have to move Masataka Yoshida to accommodate Alonso in the DH slot. Despite the team's promise that it isn't shopping Casas, sources believe he's still very much available in the trade market. The Red Sox hope to trade Yoshida to give the lineup more flexibility in the DH spot, but have had no luck so far.
Nightengale also reported that Alonso and his agent, Scott Boras, will use Prince Fielder's nine-year, $214 million deal as a benchmark for their contract negotiations. It's safe to say there's no chance Boston will meet that requirement, so if it can't talk him down to a more reasonable time and price, Alonso will not be a Red Sox in 2025.
Boston's reported "interest" in Alonso could be smoke to give it leverage in potential Alex Bregman contract negotiations. Bregman is the Red Sox's preferred infield option given his history with skipper Alex Cora, leadership skills and greater defensive versatility than Alonso.