The Yankees’ bullpen has hit some early roadblocks in 2025, with closer Devin Williams struggling to find his form. As pressure mounts in the Bronx, potential solutions are already being floated.
Colin Keane of Boston Red Sox on SI suggests the Yankees should target Angels closer Kenley Jansen if they decide to move on from Williams.
“Should the Yankees get to the point where they are ready to move on from Williams, they must have multiple trade targets at the ready,” Keane wrote. “That’s where Los Angeles Angels 37-year-old closer Kenley Jansen comes into play for New York. Jansen, formerly of the Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, and Los Angeles Dodgers, has been sharp thus far in 2025…”
Keane believes Jansen’s track record makes him an ideal fit: “Jansen could be just the guy the Yankees need to come in and shore up their closer situation. The two-time National League Reliever of the Year, four-time All-Star, and former World Champion has the type of winning pedigree the Yankees are looking for as they seek a return to the World Series.”
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There’s just one problem with this scenario. The Angels are playing good baseball, sitting atop the AL West with a 9-6 record. Teams in first place don’t typically sell off key bullpen pieces, especially this early in the season.
Jansen joined the Angels on a one-year, $10 million deal this offseason and has been exactly what they hoped for. He’s posted six scoreless innings with four saves and seven strikeouts so far. His resume speaks for itself: four All-Star appearances, two NL Reliever of the Year awards, and two NL saves titles.
The Yankees will likely explore bullpen reinforcements regardless of whether Jansen becomes available. Williams has struggled to lock down the ninth inning, creating a vulnerability for a team with championship aspirations.
Despite their bullpen concerns, the Yankees are 9-7 and leading the AL East. But in a division that figures to be tight all season, addressing the closer situation sooner rather than later could prove crucial.
