The Atlanta Braves struck again on Friday! They added a vital pitcher to their bullpen, as the team signed 3-time All-Star and former Dodger Kenley Jansen to a 1-year, $16 million dollar contract. The move comes just days after the Braves saw Freddie Freeman sign in Los Angeles with the Dodgers.
The Braves already feature one of the most electric bullpens in all of baseball. Their relief core was one of the main reasons for their success in last year’s postseason. But Jansen provides the team with a bonafide veteran winner who has dealt with plenty of pressure throughout his time in the league. He should have no problem transitioning to Atlanta after dealing with the Los Angeles media for so many years.
Jansen accumulated a career 2.37 ERA and 350 saves during his 12 years with the Dodgers. He continued to excel in 2021 with a 2.22 ERA and 38 saves. He has been one of the best closers in the MLB for a number of seasons and Atlanta believes he has something left in the tank at age 34.
The Dodgers and Braves are both poised for success in 2022. They have also swapped two of their greatest stars in Freeman and Jansen through free agency this offseason. But the Braves made sure to have a replacement for Freeman as they acquired Matt Olson from Oakland. It is unclear who the closer of the Dodgers will be moving forward.
But one thing that is for sure is that the Braves currently feature one of the most balanced rosters in the league in terms of offense, starting pitching, and bullpen. The presence of Kenley Jansen only enhances that narrative.
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