Veteran closer Jansen fills hole in back end of Tigers bullpen

Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Veteran closer Kenley Jansen fills hole in back end of Tigers bullpen

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Dec 17, 2025 2:26 PM ET

In an effort to take one more step in 2026, the Detroit Tigers officially announced the signing of veteran closer Kenley Jansen on Wednesday. Jansen's deal is for the 2026 season with a club option for 2027.

Jansen's contract is believed to be for $9 million for 2026 and then would bump up to $12 million if picked up for 2027.

Adding Jansen now solidifies the back end of a Tigers bullpen that has mostly operated without a true closer under manager A.J. Hinch. But knowing who to give the ball to with a slim lead in the ninth shouldn't be a problem anymore.

Kenley Jansen can still get the job done

Jansen, 38, is coming off recording 29 saves during his lone season with the Angels. He also posted a 2.59 ERA with 57 strikeouts, showing he can still be extremely effective at this stage in his career. He has been one of the most consistent shutdown closers in baseball for the better part of the last two decades.

The Tigers have signed RHP Kenley Jansen to a one-year contract for the 2026 season with a club option for 2027.⁰ ⁰Welcome to Detroit, Kenley! pic.twitter.com/N3bh3VNsqP
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) December 17, 2025

In fact, he's fourth on MLB's all-time saves list with 476. Jansen has exceeded 40 saves in four separate seasons and 30 or more in eight.

And assuming a return to October baseball, Jansen has plenty of valuable postseason experience to bring to the table. Jansen has appeared in 59 playoff games, registering 20 saves and a 2.20 ERA. He reached the World Series on three occasions during his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers, capturing a championship ring in 2020.

Kenley Jansen is exactly what Tigers have been missing

The addition of Jansen shows the Tigers are serious about improving a weakness — Detroit's bullpen totaled a rough 4.05 ERA collectively in 2025 — and contending again after falling in the American League Division Series each of the past two seasons.

Detroit finished the 2025 regular season at 87-75 before defeating the rival Cleveland Guardians in the wild-card round, doing so despite allowing the Guardians to catch them for the division title days prior.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

More must-reads: