The Los Angeles Dodgers entered the offseason staring a potential franchise-altering winter in the face. Instead, it appears the Dodgers will have a familiar look in the 2017 season.
The Dodgers already re-signed starting pitcher Rich Hill and reportedly are close to re-signing third baseman Justin Turner. Perhaps the most important L.A. free agent, closer Kenley Jansen, also appears to be making his return to Tinseltown.
Jansen and the Dodgers reportedly agreed to a five-year contract worth $80 million, an agreement first reported by ESPN’s Jim Bowden.
Jansen, a former catcher, is now one of the best closers in all of baseball. The 29-year-old has 189 career saves, including 127 over the last three seasons. He’s been able to strike out a ridiculous 13.9 batters per nine innings and after battling issues with command early in his career, Jansen walked just a little more than one batter per nine innings over the last two seasons.
With Jansen’s reported signing, the three top closers on the free-agent market are settled. Mark Melancon signed with the San Francisco Giants, while Aroldis Chapman is back with the New York Yankees. If there’s another closer domino to fall, it could be Chicago White Sox reliever David Robertson.
Thumbnail photo via Jon Durr/USA TODAY Sports Images
