The Boston Red Sox have not signed a star closer this offseason, while Kenley Jansen, the team’s 2024 closer, is still free agent. Boston will need to bring in a star to help the back half of its bullpen in 2025.
If everything comes together, they might be able to reunite with Jansen. However, Jansen’s most likely choice is to leave the Red Sox and join with another team. Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report recently projected that the Red Sox star would sign a free-agent deal with the Detroit Tigers. Miller even suggested that Jansen’s contract may be worth roughly $15 million for one year.
“Jansen has saved at least 15 percent of his team’s games played in 13 consecutive seasons, still pitching at a high level last season at 36 years old,” according to Miller. “Wherever he goes, the current fourth-place pitcher on MLB’s career saves leaderboard wants to know he’ll have consistent access to save opportunities.
“At this point in the summer, however, it’s becoming tough to find a team that can realistically afford the 37-year-old and does not already have a definite closer on its roster. Maybe Detroit makes another $15 million-ish acquisition?
Jansen was a dependable option for the Red Sox in 2024. Coming into the offseason, there was conjecture that he would return to the Dodgers and retire in Dodger Blue, but with Los Angeles already adding a couple high-leverage relievers, that possibility is unlikely.
The Tigers would be an ideal landing spot for the famous closer. Detroit has showed a willingness to add quality this winter, so it’s not surprising that the Tigers might pay money to acquire Jansen as well.
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