The Phillies need bullpen help, and Kenley Jansen might be their answer. While Philadelphia’s offseason has been relatively quiet outside of acquiring Jesus Luzardo from Miami, there’s still work to be done in the relief department.
They’ve already brought in Jordan Romano, but with Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estevez heading elsewhere, there’s room for another veteran arm. That’s where Jansen comes in.
The four-time All-Star closer keeps getting it done, even at 37. He notched 27 saves for Boston last season, posting a 3.29 ERA across 54 appearances. It wasn’t that long ago – 2022 to be exact – that he led the National League with 41 saves for Atlanta.
“Despite turning 37 years old in September, the veteran closer has shown very little signs of slowing down,” writes Kenneth Teape of Sports Illustrated. “Jansen would be a nice addition to the mix to help replace the late-game experience that departed in free agency.”
Jansen’s resume speaks for itself:
- Two-time NL Reliever of the Year
- World Series ring from 2020
- 4-2 record with Boston in 2024
The Phillies are looking to bounce back from thier NLDS loss to the Mets, and adding Jansen’s postseason experience could make a difference. For a team that’s already among the NL’s best, strengthening the late-game relief corps might be exactly what they need.
