The Los Angeles Dodgers have the second-best record in the National League and the fifth-best in all of baseball. However, that won’t stop them from scouring the league for potential upgrades at the trade deadline. And one name they may have interest in is a familiar one with Boston Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen.
Jansen spent the first 12 seasons of his career with the Dodgers, serving as their primary closer from 2012-2021. Jansen has by far the most saves by any player in Dodgers history, collecting 350 over his tenure in L.A. The right-hander moved on to join the Atlanta Braves in 2022 and has spent the last two seasons with the Red Sox.
The former Dodgers closer has been excellent this season, posting a 2.30 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with 15 saves in 16 opportunities. The Red Sox, at a time, appeared poised to become sellers this season, making Jansen one of the most coveted bullpen names on the market.
They have won more recently — 8-2 in their last 10 — but the Dodgers would still be interested in a Jansen trade should he become available, according to Jon Heyman of The New York Post:
They’re contending so a trade is no certainty now. The Dodgers and Padres like him.
As is often the case, it seems as though it will be a battle of NL West rivals with the Dodgers and the San Diego Padres if the Red Sox do decide to part ways with Jansen. Boston has hovered around .500 for most of the season, and were 33-34 at one point.
They have won 10 of their last 13 and are now firmly in the MLB postseason picture via the expanded Wild Card. They are 1.5 games back of the Kansas City Royals for the sixth and final postseason spot in the American League. But if they feel that reaching for the postseason is not worth it when they could replenish their farm system, the Red Sox could easily pivot and go that route.
Jansen would make a welcomed return to a Dodgers bullpen that has dealt with injuries all season. They are still among the best relief crews in the sport, and Jansen’s arrival would only solidify that. It’s likely that he would return to his role as closer, bringing Evan Phillips back to setup alongside Daniel Hudson and Blake Treinen.
Dodgers considered Kenley Jansen trade?
Earlier this year, the Dodgers reportedly discussed a Jansen trade that was going to send Manuel Margot to the Red Sox. Negotiations weren’t believed to have advanced, and Margot ultimately was traded to the Minnesota Twins.
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