Angels Sign Kenley Jansen in Bid to Reinforce Bullpen

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Los Angeles Angels have secured their closer for the 2025 MLB season by signing veteran reliever Kenley Jansen to a one-year, $10 million deal, as reported by MLB Network’s Jon Heyman on Tuesday.

The 37-year-old Jansen, who previously played for the Boston Red Sox, will take over the closer role, providing an established option for manager Phil Nevin. Jansen finished the 2024 season strong, recording a 3.29 ERA and notching 27 saves in 54 appearances.

“He’s a proven commodity,” Nevin said in a statement. “Having a player like Kenley in our bullpen will not only help in games, but also provide valuable mentorship to our younger pitchers.”

Last season, Jansen tallied a career total of 447 saves, placing him fourth on the all-time list behind Mariano Rivera, Trevor Hoffman, and Lee Smith. While catching the all-time leaders may be out of reach, Jansen could soon surpass Smith’s total of 478 saves, which is within reach this season.

Despite not being the dominant closer he was during his tenure with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Jansen has maintained a solid performance over the past three seasons, with a combined ERA of 3.42. His average cutter velocity of 92.2 mph last year was consistent with recent seasons, and he managed to induce a swinging-strike rate of 13.7%, suggesting potential for strikeouts moving forward.

Jansen’s arrival will also affect fellow reliever Ben Joyce, a flamethrower regarded as one of MLB’s hardest throwers. With Jansen stepping in, Joyce, who averaged 102.1 mph on his fastball last season, will likely transition to a setup role as he further develops his skill set.

In reflecting on his past seasons, Jansen noted, “I’ve faced a lot of challenges, but I’m excited to continue my career with the Angels and contribute to a team that needs strong leadership.”

The Angels finished the 2024 season with a disappointing 99 losses and do not appear to be immediate contenders in the AL West. However, Jansen’s experience could enhance the overall performance of the Angels’ pitching staff, which struggled last season.

“We’re aiming to build a competitive team. Adding Kenley is a step toward achieving that goal,” said Angels’ general manager Perry Minasian.

As the Angels seek to improve their performance, the integration of Jansen into the bullpen will be closely monitored, particularly regarding how it impacts the team’s younger players and their development throughout the upcoming season.