For the first time since 2013, Kenley Jansen will be suiting up on Opening Day with a different ball club. The closer and the Atlanta Braves agreed to a one-year contract worth $16 million the franchise announced on Friday.
The news is a shocker to baseball fans, especially considering the move happened in the same week as the Dodgers signing Freddie Freeman after the Braves replaced him with the younger Matt Olson.
Despite some struggles as of late, Jansen had sort of a bonce-back season last year, posting a 2.22 ERA with 38 saves in 69 appearances. The Dodgers decided to part ways with Jansen because they refused to pay a premium to keep the 34-year-old on the roster.
At one point, Jansen was arguably one of the best closers in the big leagues during the 2016 and 2017 seasons, almost exclusively throwing the cutter.
The Dodgers signed Jansen out of Curaçao in 2004 as a catcher before he transitioned over into a pitcher, making the majors in 2010 as a reliever before becoming a closer in 2012.
Even though Jansen is no longer the elite talent he was in the past, he's still a very effective player. His role with the Braves will presumably be as a set-up man for Will Smith in what is an already loaded bullpen.
Follow Jasper Jones on Twitter: @jonesj2342
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