Red Sox just cleared path for Dodgers to reunite with former star closer

Aroldis Chapman is a really weird guy, but for some reason, teams keep signing him. Outside of his misconduct off the field, related suspension, and social media moments that have gone viral for all of the wrong reasons, he's also just not the pitcher he used to be and has been known to be a difficult presence for teams to try to handle.

He was supposed to come over to the Dodgers during the offseason between 2015 and 2016, but the aforementioned misconduct and suspension halted the process and he ended up becoming the Yankees' problem instead.

He's been a member of four other organizations since then, and after a one-year stint with the Pirates in 2024, he agreed to another one-year deal with the Red Sox worth $10.75 million, surpassing Mariano Rivera's career earnings to become the highest-paid reliever in history.

Chapman is still closing games, even though he'll be 37 by the time the 2025 season starts, and he'll assume duties in Boston from Kenley Jansen, who became a free agent this offseason. If the Red Sox were looking at a reunion there, that's pretty much dead in the water now, but it could open a door for Jansen to get his much-desired reunion with the Dodgers.

Red Sox signing Aroldis Chapman could make room for a Dodgers-Kenley Jansen reunion

Jansen left the Dodgers in 2021 but has hasn't exactly been subtle about wanting to come back ever since. Recently, he said that he'd like to retire with the Dodgers (he'll have to get in line with Justin Turner on that one), and trade rumors popped up a few times during his time with in Boston.

The Dodgers do ostensibly have Michael Kopech locked in as next year's closer, but with the free-wheeling nature of LA's bullpen management this past season (which was partially forced, they might not be married to Kopech as their official closer.

Jansen has a long, incredibly successful history as the Dodgers closer, but he also seems eager enough to come back that he'd take on whatever role they wanted to give him in the bullpen.

ESPN predicted a two-year, $25 million deal for Jansen in free agency, which does seem a little high for a 37-year-old reliever who's clearly been regressing for years despite occasional flashes of brilliance, but even if the Dodgers offered him one year at a decent price, it seems like he'd jump at the chance to take it.