Kenley Jansen has drawn interest from the Giants, MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reports (Twitter link). The veteran reliever is a free agent for the second straight winter, after signing a one-year, $16MM deal with the Braves last offseason.
There is plenty of familiarity between Jansen and the Giants, and not only because San Francisco spent 12 seasons in direct competition with the closer back when Jansen pitched with the Dodgers. As Morosi notes, both Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi and manager Gabe Kapler were also working for Los Angeles back when Jansen wore the Dodger Blue.
The Giants have been active in retooling a bullpen that was pretty uninspiring in 2022, as the team has already parted ways with Dominic Leone, Jarlin Garcia, Zack Littell, Alex Young, and Mauricio Llovera. Signing Jansen would be a bold way of upgrading the relief mix, as Kapler could alternate between Jansen and incumbent closer Camilo Doval for save situations. The Giants have preferred a little ninth-inning flexibility during Kapler’s three years as manager, though Jake McGee received the bulk of save opportunities in 2021 and Doval the majority of chances in 2022. McGee’s early-season struggles and eventual release paved the way for Doval to become more or less the full-time closer this past season, and the Giants might prefer to return Doval to a high-leverage role behind an established closer.
Jansen is entering his age-36 season, but continued to pitch well in recording an NL-best 41 saves with Atlanta last season. The right-hander had a 3.38 ERA and his usual set of excellent strikeout, hard-hit ball, and fastball spin rates, though there were a few question marks. Jansen’s barrel rate was below-average for the first time since 2018, and for the third straight season, he had a subpar walk rate. On the plus side, Jansen’s 8.5% walk rate at least represented an improvement from an ugly 12.9% mark in 2021 that sat near the bottom of the league.
Between that walk rate, Jansen’s age, and perhaps just the limited timeframe of the lockout-shortened offseason, Jansen could only find a one-year contract last winter. However, his strong performance with the Braves has MLBTR projecting him for a two-year, $26MM contract this winter.
Any number of teams with more glaring needs at closer than San Francisco could be more willing to bid on Jansen’s services, yet it is quite possible he would have interest in a return to the NL West and a reunion with Zaidi and Kapler. The Giants are also planning to return to contention, and while splurging on a reliever isn’t usually Zaidi’s preferred strategy, the team has plenty of available payroll space and is expected to be quite aggressive in the free agent market.
He still has plenty in the tank to be a decent bullpen arm, but he’s gonna cost well more than his current performance and decline is worth. That’s the only reason I’d be hesitant to sign him
Well said, totally agree
“… cost well more than his current performance and decline is worth.”
bravesfan;
This is where desperate ownership and FO come into play every MLB off-season. Desperation brought on by years of not producing so their fans are bringing out the pitchforks and making demands.
Last year it was the Rangers. A half billion dollars for 2 middle infielders of which Cleveland and Baltimore have 4-5 of – that
within the next 2 years will all be better than them for a fraction
of the cost.
This year the most desperate teams are the Rangers (a command performance – they finished 38 games out of 1st place in their division last year with the 2 aforementioned half-billion dollar players) and the Giants – a FO that has been telling the fans about the next wave of legendary Giants that will be coming up from the farm system for 3 years….and all they have to show is Joey Bart.
These teams will pay whatever they have to for some players that seem to have some ML cred. Player agents are circling Dallas and
SF like buzzards.
As long as it’s a one year deal FZ will pay whatever it takes. Even throw in a player opt out for year two if needed. Giants fans should be prepared for them to swing and miss on Judge and Turner and a best case scenario would be Correa for 3 years 90 million with an opt out after one, Haniger 2 years 45 million with an opt out, and Grienke one year $20 million. They don’t have any more money left for Jansen after that and he won’t sign here unless he gets to close. Camilo needs to stay in that role without interruption next season.
Braves are smart enough to realize they squeezed 1 more year out of Jansen.
He was 3rd in blown saves with 7
Smith had 8 the year before
Let’s go with Iglesias
Smart move, my grandmother could steal a base off of Jansen
Yeah but how does your granny get to first base?
He walked her, like so many folks before. He’s done
frugalfarhan — [1] No more short-term opt outs. Besides, it’s been repeated many times that Correa wants a long-term deal with ONE team. He’s tired of moving. Giants can offer him that.
[2] Zach Grienke is no longer worth $20M a year.
[3] And why would you put Mitch Haniger into the Oracle outfield? You think he’s going to hit 39 HRs again?
[4] There are much better ways for the Giants to get more athletic and and provide a steadier offense.
frugalfarhan, No way Correa signs a 3 year deal, opt-outs or not, for a $30M AAV. Why would he opt-out of, what amounts, to a 2 year deal with an AAV of over $35M for that?
Free agent signings rarely move the needle… and when they do its for way to much money and the contract is almost always viewed as a burden by the time it’s half over? Drafting and developing, then making trades and signings to complement a core that’s what moves the needle
His xERA was 2.34 (97th percentile). What are you talking about
And I’m hoping the Giants sign Andrew Chafin to stabilize the bullpen. (2yrs/$15M)
2 fidgety relief pitchers I cannot watch: Jansen as he comes to the set and Lugo with his damn stutter foot. I tweeted about Lugo’s stutter foot last week and his mom liked the tweet. Maybe it tweaks her too.
Jansen should be called for a balk every time. He comes set and starts numerous times.
As annoying as it may be, not it isn’t. He does the same hip set every time he pitches, so the umpire doesn’t view it as a move towards home or deceptive to the hitter since he’s consistent with it.
It’s deceptive to the runner. Deceptive to the batter has nothing to do with it.
He added that hip move only a few years ago when he started having control issues. I believe it’s a mechanics thing that helps him get squared up. I don’t think it’s meant to be deceiving and for sure it isn’t a balk.
You can’t come to the set position twice no matter what your mechanics are. 100% a balk at any other level of baseball.
So deceptive to the runner that he’s the easiest pitcher in all of baseball to steal off of.
Good point. He’s very slow to the plate, always has been.
every other level of baseball follows MLB’s rulebook so no. It isn’t a balk, nor is it anything close to it.
Every other level of baseball most certainly not follow MLB playbook. Do high schools and colleges only use wood bats? The rule books aren’t even close to the same. There’s different rules in different levels of the minor leagues. Do you think because mlb bans the shift next year they can’t do it in college?
It really doesn’t matter whether the rule book is exactly the same because the balk rule is vague and the call entirely up to the individual umpire. But the fact that Jansen hasn’t been called for balks on his setup motion should tell you everything you need to know about whether it is one.
Which means you tagged Seth Lugo in your tweet. So you tweeted a MLB pitcher how much his foot bothers you as a fan. Then his Mom came long and Liked your tweet. Okay, got it.
Not quite. Replied to a – Heyman (or some writer’s) post. Did not tag Seth.
This just in: um, Kenley led the NL in saves.
Saves are possibly the biggest garbage stat in baseball history. I refer to legends like Jim Johnson as an example.
Todd Jones lol
The most fidgety pitcher who I cannot stand to watch is Mike Clevinger, and don’t even get me started about that infernal leg whip of his…….
Yea be interesting cause Jansen takes forever to pitch and now with a pitch clock, I think he will be greatly effected.
Good luck with that Giants!
They’re welcome to him. He did a good enough job with the Braves, but frankly, they have to committ his money elsewhere.
I’d love to be privy to Farhan’s free agent target dry erase board. They need a major retool this off-season or they fall behind the Diamondbacks in the NL West next year.
Vagiants PLEASE sign him so I can sit back and watch him blow save opportunities, he’ll fit right in with the Halloween colored Bad News Bears!!
What an angry woman you are.
What a misogynist you are
Relax lady, it’s a joke
Every free agent name will be thrown at the Giants. They will sign a top SS most likely Carlos.
Glad he’s out of Atlanta. No lead was safe when he came in.
True, but he was an upgrade from Will Smith. Glad we have moved on to The Church of Rafael (Iglesias de Rafael).
I’m not, he was the best close the braves had since kimbrel, although that’s not saying much.
I have no doubt that Kenley will come back to the Dodgers one day. But I feel if Jansen goes to the Giants, for some really weird reason, Dodger fans will boo the heck out of him. Yet they cheer on Joc Pederson every time he comes up to bat, even if he homers off us. I guess we’re just bipolar ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I think the writers misspelled Jansen instead of J U D G E
Judge can’t pitch. You want both.
Doval is good enough, Giants need a bat and a starter not a closer
@Manny, you’re right, we need a bat(s), and a starter……but we also need 7th & 8th inning guys. Not sure I’m thrilled about Jansen, but…we could do worse.
I think Kenley still has enough skill and talent, I just think the Giants need to use that money for a big bat and a starter, especially when Doval is capable.
Finally! The Giants need 2 starters and a 1b bat, I guess all those shortstops coming out force their hand, , so I understand all this talk of replacing Crawford. OTOH Judge would change that for sure. I’m not that high on Jansen’s age/cost, but I’ll live with it. For a thought that’ll have you all face palming I suggest Taylor Rogers or Will Smith. Hear me out: Rogers is much lower expectations, but he’s younger, cheap, and left handed. It means the Giants are gambling on Doval, but if you have to gamble somewhere there is the place. Smith has some pretty good history with the Giants, so at worst it’ll be little lost. And how about someone who can get on base for all those .225 15HR guys?
If he’s coming aboard as a setup guy, that’s fine. I can see him as the next Jake McGee (before McGee fell on hard times).
I’ve got to say, though, I’m getting pretty sick of Farhan targeting former players from his previous Dodgers and A’s regimes. That was a long time ago, and there’s a reason those guys have come and gone since. There’s something that seems a little lazy and disingenuous about “I knew Player X ten years ago and can vouch for his talents”.
Probably more about familiarity with there character than anything else.
Scottn59c;
Farhan’s claim to fame (which was not all his doing) is finding some seemingly washed up veterans and tuning them up to be productive players again.
He doesn’t appear to have the global vision to run an entire MLB baseball operation. I saw this a lot on the west coast with some technical people. They were extremely good at detail work if someone else sets up a framework – allowing for the interconnections – and gives them the responsibility to do a part of it. But when they’re pulled back they tend to get confused trying to get all the pieces to work in harmony. Not everyone of course. But Mr. Zaidi seems to miss the big picture.
Peter Principle at work here.
Samuel, I’m not sure if your “technical people” analogy makes any sense at all. Please clarify the great “framework” that you speak of that was handed to Zaidi. Out of control payroll and bottom feeder farm system. Bloated contracts for Melancon, Cueto and Samardziga to name 3. What a great “framework”!
I’m pretty tired of hearing how poor Farhan inherited a bad team with a high payroll and bad farm system. He gave very lucrative contracts to two of the guys who were part of that high payroll and just gave Joc $20 million! He also hasn’t contributed anything other than Harrison to the farm and swung and missed on 5 first round draft picks over the last 4 years if you include him paying $12 million for Will Wilson! No more tears for your cheap pal Farhan it’s time he does more than dumpster dive!
claude raymond;
Thank you for making my point!
He was over his head then. He’s over his head now.
Example – if you look at what Perry Minasyan walked into with the Angels it’s a similar situation. But Perry Minasian slowly cleaned out the deadwood, made some strategic moves with both players and coaches, and has pushed that organization in the right direction. He isn’t out there with the owner trying to throw money at name FA’s (although that what many Angels fans want).
The Giants have the most nondescript offense in the league, and they’re thinking of going after a high-dollar closer?
Joc Pederson is their biggest offensive star. Yaz is probably their second-best. That’s not good.
Assuming they’re content at catcher, that still leaves six positions that could stand to be improved upon. (And, really, seven, because I’m not a big Yaz believer.) Villar might be an impact bat and Crawford perhaps deserves some slack—though he is declining. So, say there four spots.
But Thairo Estrada, Wilmer Flores, JD Davis, Wade Jr. … They’re all the same level of player. And really, so are Yaz, Bart and Crawford. You can get by with some of them in a productive lineup, but you can’t have a lineup full of them.
Build an offense, sign an ace, and let Doval handle the 9th.
that last sentence seems brutally simplified…and nonetheless spot on
Moonlight Graham;
Exactly – they have to build an offense….without compromising on defense.
How does any team do that in one offseason, when they literally have nothing of value to offer other teams in trade, and seemingly nothing of value coming up from their farm system?
All they have is money. And they’re desperate.
They have 3 top 40 prospects per FG. What are you talking about
@GMoney: Don’t expect Samuel to say anything that makes sense. Read some of his player evaluations if you need a good laugh. “Kevin Newman is better than Dansby Swanson” is one of the more pathetic examples of his analytical eye. Btw, be careful how you speak to him. He’ll threaten to add you to his list of “over 100 banned” if you’re not properly deferential to his pompous proclamations.
I don’t know that they can rebuild the offense in one season. But that is where they should be focusing their efforts for now. And until they get that figured out, they really need forget about the most expensive closer on the market.
But what if they sign Carlos Correa to be the face of the franchise, and then bring in Mitch Haniger, and either Josh Bell or Trey Mancini? How would the offense look then? They wouldn’t be the Astros, but they’d sure be a lot more competitive. And while that would be a big haul, a team with money to spend can make that happen.
The organization does have good prospects. Marco Luciano and Kyle Harrison are big-time talents. Luis Matos was awful this past year, but that doesn’t mean he’s a lost cause.
I think they might be working on it. It’s not as if we are hearing crickets when it comes to their interest in free agents.
As for the prioritising of this one…the bullpen is young. Admittedly it is not right up there on my wish list, but after thinking about it, an old head, been there done that, leader type of guy that can still pitch wouldn’t be too bad of an option in there.
All are above average offensively. Collective output was 13th in MLB last year. One more big bat and they’re fine
GMoney2850;
I’m not going to argue with you.
I’ll watch to see them promote the prospects and find that one more bat.
And I’ve watched FG some over the years – they never miss. (I will say that I read some public prospect sites that noted that the Giants top prospects took steps back in 2022….which often happens with prospects.)
LOL
Hot take: Games Finished should become the new Save. Saves are flashy and all, but games finished is what the stat that really matters, as theirs plenty of times a Closer closes the game out without a save. Case in point: Jansen had 41 saves, but finished 54 games. So really, he was responsible for the sealing a victory in 54 games, not 41. Honestly think if this became the way to look at the 2 stats, relievers could extract more value for themselves.
This ain’t that complicated. Doval can’t pitch everyday–not when he’s hitting triple digits. On his days off Jansen will close.
It’s easy to imagine the Dodgers being interested in a reunion, since they lack a closer and their best setup guy is down for the season. But if they’re interested in anybody it’s sure flying under the radar.
Perhaps they’re trying to sign Chapman but he has yet to show up to sign his contract bc Miami.
The Dodgers passed on Chapman once before and I don’t see them being interested in him now that he hasn’t been very good for a couple of years now. I also can’t see them bringing Kimbrel back. That trade was a total bust even if he got better than terrible towards the end. Leaving him off the playoff roster tells the tale there.
Blue, could they feel kimbrell figured things out and keep him closing. He did finish the season well.
we aren’t at that point of the off-season yet really. About 2 weeks away
I think there is going to be much more movement of players than usual this offseason. A lot of FAs are going to change teams. Its going to be a wild winter.
I thought he had resigned with the Dodgers earlier this week.
You must be thinking of Kershaw, who is said to be working out another one-year contact.
Farhan on the hot seat if he doesn’t nail this off-season?
Not a fan. Do you see what’s happening here? He is bringing in Dodgers…old Dodgers…He is a Trojan Horse. Not a fan of the GM , the pitcher, and for that matter the manager. BOCHE!!
The Rangers will have a better record than the Giants.
So far, the GM has acquired exdodgers Pederson and Alexander. Am I forgetting anyone? Pederson was an allstar and Alexander was one of their most reliable relievers. Please GM, no more ex dodgers.
outside of picking up meaningless Catchers….am surprised he has time for other options
Is Kenley Jansen a hall of famer? 573 career saves
*391 career saves —>573 games finished does not equate to saves
Doval hit 104 several times last season, coupled with a wipeout slider. He’s the closer period. That said, I could see the Giants signing Taylor Rogers because 1. He throws from the left side, 2. He throws hard, 3. He’s really good and 4. His brother is a pretty good pitcher for the Giants.
Jansen is one of the best ever but he doesn’t throw hard anymore and he is possibly the slowest working pitcher in the league which could affect his game next year with the new pitch clock. Jansen want to close, and he should but the Giants already have a far superior closer in Doval and if the Giants do sign someone to be co-closer that player should be a lefty. IMHO
He’s always been a great regular season closer but he’s a ticking time bomb in the postseason.
rather have them use $$$,$$$, $$$$ on a power and/or run producing hitter that pitchers may fear that is under 30
I dont imagine he will be a Giant..
I can see Blue Jays, Rangers or Mariners giving him 2 years at or around 18-21 million.
Or 10-12 for a single year.
My bet is it will be the Rangers.
The Giants are interested in anyone they can get cheap. They’re more concerned about jacking up concession prices and developing the parking lot into condos, which was what they are really doing, than putting spending money on a decent player.