After failing to sign free-agent relievers Darren O’Day and Ryan Madson, the Los Angeles Dodgers shifted their focus to Aroldis Chapman. Los Angeles struck a deal with the Cincinnati Reds on the first day of the 2015 Winter Meetings to acquire the closer in exchange for prospects.
However, the trade never came to fruition as later that evening a report surfaced detailing Chapman’s involvement in an alleged domestic violence dispute that occurred in October 2015. The trade was put on hold and eventually abandoned.
As Chapman was under investigation by Major League Baseball, the Reds trade the electric left-hander to the New York Yankees in late December.
The Dodgers’ pursuit of Chapman perplexed some given Kenley Jansen’s presence in the bullpen. It was reported team president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and manager Dave Roberts spoke with Jansen at the time to explain the club’s vision.
On Saturday, Jansen confirmed a conversation of that nature was held and said he is not bothered by the Dodgers’ attempt to pair him with another established closer, according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
Jansen said club officials explained the deal for Aroldis Chapman was part of a "life after Zack" strategy. "Why get bitter about it?"
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) February 20, 2016
Friedman reiterated on Friday that the Dodgers’ kept Jansen in the loop as the Chapman saga unfolded. “We talked to [Jansen] at the time it was going on and we talked to him after. Our approach is to communicate, explain things and be honest with guys,” Friedman said.
“It was actually a good conversation. Even when that was going on, it wasn’t even clear who was going to pitch the ninth [inning]. It wasn’t even decided. The point was, Kenley is one of the best relief pitchers in all of baseball, Chapman is one of the best relief pitchers in all of baseball. There’s a way to do it where it makes our team significantly better. Kenley wants to win, so that helped make the conversation better.”
The Dodgers avoided arbitration with Jansen by re-signing him to a one-year, $10.65 million contract. He earned a $7.425 million salary in 2015, also by avoiding arbitration. Jansen ranks second on the franchise’s all-time leaders list with 142 saves, which is only 19 behind Eric Gagne.
Last season, Jansen recorded 36 saves with a 2.41 ERA, 2.14 FIP, 0.78 WHIP and 80 strikeouts to eight walks in 52.1 innings pitched. Jansen missed the first 34 games of the 2015 season as he recovered from offseason foot surgery.
