The Detroit Tigers have just acquired one of baseball's most celebrated closers, Kenley Jansen, but the question on everyone's mind is: Who will be calling the shots when it comes to the ninth inning?
It's a decision that rests solely with Tigers' manager A.J. Hinch, as confirmed by General Manager Scott Harris. This move brings Jansen, a veteran with an impressive track record, to a team that's been operating without a designated closer under Hinch's leadership. The addition of Jansen, who finalized a one-year, $11 million contract with a club option for another season, adds a layer of intrigue to the Tigers' bullpen strategy.
Jansen's resume speaks volumes. He's a four-time All-Star and was named the National League Reliever of the Year in both 2016 and 2017. With 476 career saves, he holds the fourth-highest number in baseball history, trailing only Mariano Rivera (652), Trevor Hoffman (601), and Lee Smith (478). Harris, who previously worked with the San Francisco Giants, expressed his admiration for Jansen, calling him "one of the best to ever do it."
Last season, Jansen, a right-handed pitcher, played for the Los Angeles Angels, where he recorded 29 saves in 30 opportunities and maintained a 2.59 ERA. He's consistently been a reliable closer, notching 25 or more saves in each of the past 13 non-shortened seasons. In 2022, while playing for the Atlanta Braves, he led the National League with 41 saves.
At 38 years old, Jansen is set to earn a $9 million salary next season, with the Tigers holding a $12 million option for the following year, which includes a $2 million buyout. Jansen's experience also includes 10 postseason appearances, including a World Series victory with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020.
But here's where it gets interesting...
The Tigers, aiming to build on their recent playoff appearances, are also closely monitoring the situation with two-time American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal. Skubal, 29, is entering his final year of club control, and the decisions surrounding him could significantly impact the team's future.
General Manager Harris, however, has chosen not to discuss potential options regarding Skubal, stating the team's focus is on winning with the current roster. The Tigers have also bolstered their pitching staff by signing right-hander Kyle Finnegan to a two-year, $19 million contract and Drew Anderson to a one-year, $7 million deal.
And this is the part most people miss...
While the Tigers have strengthened their pitching, they haven't made any significant moves to address their offensive performance, which was somewhat inconsistent last season. They finished just one game behind the AL Central champion Cleveland, managed to defeat the Guardians in a three-game series, but ultimately lost to Seattle in a division series. Harris is banking on the team's current players developing further during the offseason.
"Just because a lot of the names are the same, doesn't mean the team is the same," Harris noted.
What do you think? Will A.J. Hinch utilize Jansen as the designated closer, or will he continue his current strategy? And how do you see the Tigers' chances of making a deep playoff run with their current roster? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
