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Dodgers’ Closer Market Shrinks, Jansen to Decide Soon

By Kyle Zweng |
Jul 19, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen (74) is congratulated by catcher Yasmani Grandal (9) after recording the final out against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 19, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen (74) is congratulated by catcher Yasmani Grandal (9) after recording the final out against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Aroldis Chapman is officially no longer a free agent. He agreed to five year deal with $86 million. Chapman can elect to opt out after the third year. Where does this leave the Dodgers.

Aroldis Chapman represented arguably the best closer on the market this winter. After posting year after year of elite numbers he was due for a huge payday. And he certainly got it. His five year, $86 million deal set a record for relievers. But with Chapman off the market, what does that mean for the Dodgers?

Well, to begin, Chapman doesn’t represent a huge loss for the Dodgers.

Although the Dodgers did show interest in Chapman, Andrew Friedman and Co. are certainly more interested in Kenley Jansen. This shouldn’t come as a surprise. The Dodgers tried to trade for Chapman last year before the trade deadline but negotiations fell apart after Chapman’s domestic violence charges came to light.

Pair Chapman’s off field issues and his reluctance to play on the west coast with the fact that Jansen will cost less because of the resulting draft pick loss, Jansen has seemed like the most obvious choice since day one. And currently, it seems Jansen is deciding between the Dodgers, Miami Marlins, and the Washington Nationals.

The Nationals come as a bit of a surprise. Before today, reports were only talking about the Dodgers, Marlins, and Yankees as pursuing Jansen. However, they may no longer be in the running.

This is good and bad news. It’s good that the Dodgers have one less team to bid against. But it’s bad because it means Jansen’s asking price is soaring quickly. In fact, this may ultimately throw a wrench in the Dodgers’ plan.

That tweet was posted this morning. In all likelihood, Jansen will sign within the next couple of days. If Jansen wants to play for a contender, the Dodgers are the obvious choice. But if he wants to pursue more money, which he is completely justified, he will probably be playing in Miami next year.

Next: Check Out the Dodgers' Latest Trade Rumors on the Last Day of the Winter Meetings

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