Should Dodgers consider unique Kenley Jansen move for one last ride after Tigers decision?

The Detroit Tigers let go of former Los Angeles Dodgers closer and future Hall of Famer Kenley Jansen on Monday, when they declined a $12 million club option. Jansen, now 39, pitched 45 innings with 22 saves during his one year in Detroit.

However, a round 500 career saves eluded him this year; he ended the season just two shy. Part of it was his own fault — he blew six opportunities — but he still finished out the year with a 3.20 ERA and might have more in the tank.

It's given Dodgers fans an interesting thought to chew on. Does LA re-sign him on a cheap one-year deal and let him get to 500 in the cap we already know he's going into Cooperstown with?

Jansen has expressed interest in coming back to the Dodgers previously and has been tabbed as a "target" basically ever since he left LA, but Andrew Friedman kept his eye on the future and signed guys like Tanner Scott and Edwin Díaz instead.

The Dodgers' roster is already the oldest in baseball and Jansen certainly wouldn't help matters. Tigers fans have no reason to feel particularly warm about his short tenure in Detroit after some truly horrific blown opportunities. But if he's cheap enough and healthy enough to put those last two saves away next year, LA might consider taking him back.

Tigers decline $12 million club option on Dodgers legend Kenley Jansen

Making a space on a competitive 26-man roster for an aging closer sounds like a lot to ask, and it kind of is. Even if the Dodgers were to DFA Jansen the second he got to 500, they'd still be going into the season without their best possible product, by choice.

But the Dodgers have also been very good about taking care of their veterans, and despite their NLCS exit this year, the regular season still isn't something they have to take all that seriously. It would be a lot of roster maneuvering and probably an overpay for what would amount to a symbolic gesture — but the Dodgers are one of the only teams in baseball who can afford to do it.

There are only three Los Angeles Dodgers in the Hall of Fame. Clayton Kershaw will bring the total up to four in 2031, and Jansen will make it five. That's something the Dodgers shouldn't take for granted, even if it means a little extra paperwork.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow