The Los Angeles Dodgers lost another key talent from their 2020 World Series-winning run, as closer Kenley Jansen opted to sign with the Atlanta Braves on a one-year, $16 million deal in the ongoing free agency period.
Jansen’s Dodgers departure hit a bit more to Clayton Kershaw, who had been teammates with the veteran closer since the three-time NL Cy Young Award winner was selected by the team in the 2006 MLB Draft.
As he noted to MLB.com's Juan Toribio, Kershaw will miss not having his longtime Dodgers teammate around anymore.
“I've been with Kenley since 2006,” Kershaw said. “Went through the minor leagues together. Obviously he was a catcher too. But he's been here every year I have. … What he meant to the organization, too. He has dominated for a long time and he was always there every year. He went out there and did what he was asked to do.
“We're going to miss him, I'm going to miss him. There aren't many guys you can say you've been around that long in this game, so I hope it works out for him the way he wants it to and we're going to miss him, for sure.”
Jansen was regularly linked with the Dodgers since the start of free agency. Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman noted ahead of the lockout that the veteran closer simply needed to figure out what is “best” for him, and now, he is off to feature for the reigning World Series champions.
Jansen ended his Dodgers tenure with a team record 350 saves to go along with a 2.37 ERA in 705.0 innings pitched.
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