It's not often a player under contract with one team speaks so candidly about his desire to join another team. But on Thursday, that's exactly what happened.
In an appearance on the Foul Territory show, Boston Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen was asked if he would want to retire with the team he spent the majority of his career with, the Los Angeles Dodgers.
"To be honest with you, if I have to speak for myself, yes. I want to see myself retiring in Dodger blue," Jansen said.
However, he understands it's not fully in his control.
"But is it a reality? No," Jansen said. "I don't know because I don't have control over that. Also, I don't know what they're thinking and at the end of the day, it's a business."
Jansen signed with the Dodgers as an international free agent out of Curacao when he was just 17 years old. He signed as a catcher and played the position until 2009 when the Dodgers told him he needed to find a new role if he wanted to make it in the big leagues.
Jansen transitioned to being a pitcher and rapidly rose in the minor league ranks before making his MLB debut in 2010. After that, he never looked back.
Jansen was one of the Dodgers' best relievers for the next few seasons and quickly became the full-time closer. Then, he turned into one of the best closers in the league, making three consecutive All-Star appearances from 2016-18. Jansen even finished fifth in National League Cy Young voting in 2017.
Jansen finished his Dodgers career as arguably the greatest closer in franchise history, sporting a 2.37 ERA with 350 saves, by far the most in franchise history. However, after the 2021 season, he became a free agent and ended up signing with the Atlanta Braves.
Jansen spent one season in Atlanta before joining the Boston Red Sox ahead of the 2023 season. He made the All-Star team in 2023 and has been even better in 2024, sporting a 2.01 ERA with 18 saves in 31 appearances. He was snubbed from the All-Star team this year.
Jansen didn't seem to mind the snub, though, as he expressed excitement to go back to his permanent home in Los Angeles for a week.
"I'm so happy about that, I ain't gonna lie," Jansen said. "When I heard my name wasn't going to the All-Star, I'm like, 'I'm gonna go home baby, I'm gonna go for a week.' ... I'm gonna spend a good seven days in L.A."
While Jansen is excited to spend a week in Los Angeles, he would likely be even more excited about the proposition of spending an entire season there before finishing his career. Jansen is on an expiring contract and has been talked about as a potential deadline candidate. However, with the Red Sox among the best teams in the AL, they may not look to move him as they compete for a postseason spot.
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Jansen is set to enter free agency this offseason, though, and it seems like he will have a reunion with Los Angeles atop his wish list. Of course, the Dodgers would need to be willing to bring Jansen back — but it sounds like Jansen will do what he can to show interest and make a return possible.
About the writer
Noah Camras graduated from USC in 2022 with a B.A. in Journalism and minor in Sports Media Studies. He's worked ... Read more
