Converted catcher chasing 500 saves

Finishing the year on a last-place team is never a positive for a player, let alone one who has been in MLB a long time and has won on the game's biggest stage before. 

Kenley Jansen isn't letting how the 2025 season played out for the Los Angeles Angels dampen his love for the game. The veteran closer and pending free agent told reporters following Sunday's season-ending loss that he has no plans to consider retirement. 

Kenley Jansen has one goal in mind going forward

As a matter of fact, the right-hander wants to keep playing for several more years with an eye on reaching 500 career saves. Los Angeles signed Jansen to a one-year, $10 million contract last winter. He proved to be one of the bright spots on an Angels team that finished the season 72-90. 

"Four more years. That's the goal, man. The offseason begins tomorrow. No kidding. I'm getting in my gym at 5 a.m. I want to drop a few pounds, get stronger, get a little quicker. I'm dedicated," Jansen said. 

Jansen made 62 appearances out of the bullpen for Los Angeles, posting a 2.59 ERA (165 ERA+) over 59.0 IP while saving 29 games. His 2.4 bWAR ranks fourth on the club behind only shortstop Zach Neto (5.1), left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (3.3) and outfielder Taylor Ward (2.7).

The 16-year veteran spent 12 years with the Dodgers — who initially signed him as a catcher before moving him to the mound — a year with the Braves and two with the Red Sox before joining the Angels. He now has 476 saves in his career, just two behind Lee Smith for third on the all-time list. One more season should give him a shot at being the third player to reach 500 saves, behind Mariano Rivera (652) and Trevor Hoffman (601). 

Jansen, who turns 38 on Tuesday, is reportedly open to returning to the Angels next season. It is conceivable to see him attract interest from several clubs on the free-agent market, however, especially if he hopes to reach the postseason again before he finishes his career. The pending free-agent market features several veteran arms — such as Luke Weaver, Devin Williams, Robert Suarez (if he opts out), Raisel Iglesias, Ryan Helsley and others — but Jansen has more late-game experience than all of them.