The Red Sox have other free agent signings they’d like to make, but the team has conveyed the idea that they need to further cut payroll before adding another contract.
Toward that end, Kenley Jansen is the most likely veteran to be moved. Jansen is owed $16 million for 2024 and dealing his contract would provide them with some financial flexibility.
Jansen was an All-Star last year and performed well, earning an All-Star selection to go with 29 saves.
Which clubs might have a need for the closer? The ones that make the most sense are contenders with the ability to spend. Yes, there are clubs without established closers, but unless they have designs on competing for the postseason, Jansen doesn’t really make sense.
Some teams may want to wait for the free agent picture to clarify. Josh Hader, among others, remains on the market. But here are a half dozen teams that could represent good trade partners with the Red Sox.
1) Los Angeles Dodgers. What do you get for the team that has everything? How about a reunion with the guy who notched 350 saves with them over a dozen years in Dodger Blue?
Jansen retains some hard feelings about how the Dodgers treated him in free agency after 2021, when he left to sign a one-year deal with the Atlanta Braves. But Jansen has no power to veto a trade, and despite some lingering ill will, would probably welcome a trade that allows him to pitch in LA, where he still lives in the offseason.
The Dodgers had Evan Phillips close out games for him last year, but could use Jansen in either his former role, or to set up Phillips.
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2) Chicago Cubs. The Cubs made a big splash with the hiring of Craig Counsell. Other than that, however, they’ve been strangely quiet, without a single major league transaction recorded.
The Cubs turned to Adbert Azlzolay last year, who saved 22 games for them. But they can use another trustworthy arm at the back end of their bullpen.
3) Texas Rangers. The defending world champs have a ton of uncertainty surrounding their pitching staff. Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer won’t be healthy at the start of the year and in the bullpen, free agent Will Smith has already signed elsewhere (Kansas City) and Aroldis Chapman is likely to leave, too.
The Rangers aren’t behaving like a one-and-done team; they want to win again. Dealing for an experienced closer like Jansen would make some sense, especially with the short-term commitment,
4) Philadelphia Phillies. Craig Kimbrell left as a free agent and signed with Baltimore and the Phillies still see themselves as World Series contenders.
The Phils have some other hard-throwers in the back end (Jose Alvarado, Seranthony Dominguez, Gregory Soto), but none has Jansen’s credentials or postseason experience.
Dave Dombrowski may not be thrilled about making a deal with the Red Sox, but if he sees Jansen as a good fit, he’d be willing to make a deal.
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5) Los Angeles Angels. Few would identify the Angels are legitimate contenders in the AL West, and there are bigger, more obvious needs such as starting pitching and a run-producing bat to replace Shohei Ohtani.
Still, you never know with Arte Moreno. And who knows? The Angels owner loves to mess with the Dodgers and perhaps he sees a trade for a former Dodger icon as an opportunity to do so.
6) New York Mets. In theory, the Mets should be set at the back end of their bullpen with Edwin Diaz expected back following knee surgery after last spring’s WBC. But Diaz’s injury is a reminder of how important bullpen depth can be and it wouldn’t be the worst thing to have an alternative on hand should Diaz run into complications.
And if there’s a team that isn’t concerned with payroll issues or the luxury tax, it’s the Mets.
