After back-to-back last-place finishes in the American League East, the Boston Red Sox have been criticized by fans for a slow offseason that featured more subtractions than additions.
The team opted not to retain Justin Turner, who went on to sign a one-year contract with the rival Toronto Blue Jays. Meanwhile, Chris Sale and Alex Verdugo were traded away in what were essentially salary dumps.
With Spring Training workouts underway, the Red Sox may not be done listening to trade offers for some of their key players. Kenley Jansen, who was an All-Star in his first season with the team last year, is rumored to be on the block.
According to Christopher Smith and Sean McAdam of MassLive, the Red Sox are motivated to move Jansen but do not want to take on any of his 2024 salary:
The Red Sox are willing to listen to offers for closer Kenley Jansen. But to date, they have been reluctant to take on any of Jansen’s 2024 salary of $16 million, according to a source.
Jansen is due to earn $16 million in the final season of the two-year, $32 million contract he signed with the Red Sox during the 2022 offseason.
The right-hander posted the second-highest ERA of his career last season (3.63), but still converted 29 of 33 save opportunities and struck out batters at a 27.7% clip.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have been linked to Jansen on several occasions this offseason and could look to bring their all-time saves leader back to the organization.
With the Red Sox prioritizing salary relief, it shouldn’t cost much to acquire Jansen in terms of prospect capital. The Philadelphia Phillies have also been mentioned as a potential suitor for the 36-year-old.
What Kenley Jansen trade would mean for Dodgers
If the Dodgers acquire Jansen, he would presumably slot back in as the team’s closer, which would allow Evan Phillips to return to the fireman role the club prefers him in.
Brusdar Graterol, Ryan Brasier, Alex Vesia and potentially Blake Treinen and J.P. Feyereisen would be among the options to help bridge the gap to the ninth inning.
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