Kenley Jansen Landing Spots: 3 teams that should pursue All-Star World Series champion after $10M Angels stint

MLB: Houston Astros at Los Angeles Angels - Source: Imagn
Kenley Jansen Landing Spots: 3 teams that should pursue All-Star World Series champion after $10M Angels stint - Source: Imagn

Kenley Jansen may be 38 now, but he isn’t pitching like someone anywhere close to the finish line. His one-year, $10 million run with the Angels in 2025 quietly turned into one of the most underrated success stories of the entire season.

Ad

Jansen wrapped up the year with 29 saves, a clean 2.59 ERA, and very little traffic on the bases, showing once again that he can still own big moments the way only a battle-tested closer can.

Ad

For front offices, the sell is straightforward: he’s experienced, he’s durable, he’s still capable of shutting teams down late, and he isn’t hunting for a long or expensive contract.

Jansen has already said he plans to keep pitching, and with his All-Star pedigree, World Series title, and nearly twenty years of postseason pressure on his resume, he’ll draw real interest. Here are three teams that fit him perfectly.

Ad

#1. Arizona Diamondbacks

Arizona’s biggest issue last season was the bullpen, especially in close games where leads disappeared too easily.

Jansen brings exactly the kind of presence the Diamondbacks have been missing: a veteran who knows how to control innings, protect slim margins, and calm a young pitching staff.

For a team trying to stay competitive without overspending, a one-year deal for one of the most accomplished closers of his era makes perfect sense.

Ad

#2. New York Yankees

The Yankees’ bullpen unraveled in far too many pivotal spots last season, and Jansen offers something they haven’t truly had since Aroldis Chapman’s dominant stretch a steady, unshakable closer who can absorb New York pressure and stabilize the entire relief unit.

Jansen no longer needs to hit 99 mph to be effective; he leans on command, experience, and the ability to stay composed when innings get loud.

Ad

New York loves short, targeted contracts for veteran arms, and Jansen fits that approach seamlessly. In a deep but inconsistent bullpen, adding someone with his résumé instantly pushes everyone else back into the roles they’re built for


#3. Miami Marlins

The Marlins made progress last season but still struggled to close games, and they’ve been open to adding inexpensive veterans who can shift the tone of their late innings.

Ad

Jansen fits the exact type of addition Miami usually targets: short-term, proven, and capable of handling leverage without needing an elite supporting cast.

His style also works well in Miami’s ballpark, where soft contact gets rewarded and mistakes don’t always leave the yard.

For a team trying to compete without heavy spending, adding a closer with Jansen’s postseason pedigree is one of the smartest, highest-upside moves they can make.

Quick Links

Edited by Shubham Soni
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
down arrow icon
More
bell-icon Manage notifications