Trade Rumors Swirl Around Red Sox Closer Kenley Jansen
The Red Sox’s search for a suitable trade for closer Kenley Jansen has hit a roadblock due to his recent injury setback. However, this setback is not a dealbreaker for potential trade partners. The main issue at hand, according to Sean McAdam, a longtime Red Sox insider and beat reporter for MassLive, is money.
Jansen is owed the remaining $16 million of his two-year, $32 million contract, and the Red Sox are reluctant to pay it. When teams have inquired about Jansen, the Red Sox have made it clear that they are open to trade discussions but do not want to take on any of his contract.
According to McAdam on the “Fenway Rundown” podcast, “The Red Sox have let other teams know that while they’ll listen on Kenley Jansen, and that’s obviously been the case for much of the offseason, they are not interested, at least for now, in taking back any of the $16 million he’s due. They would prefer to have some team take that money off their hands and be able to give them a decent prospect or two.”
Throughout the winter, there have been talks about potential trades involving Jansen, but no progress has been made thus far. Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow described Jansen’s injury as “general lat soreness,” although he assured reporters that Jansen’s status is day-to-day.
During a recent press conference, Breslow addressed the trade rumors surrounding Jansen. He stated, “I think where we stand is he’s on this team. He is an All-Star caliber closer who’s had an incredible career, and we’re happy for that. We have talented players on our team that are potentially of interest to others. But as of right now, we’re excited about what he brings, what the backend of our bullpen brings, and the depth that we have down there.”
While Jansen has been remarkably durable throughout his 14 seasons in the major leagues, his age necessitates caution regarding his health. It is unlikely that a trade involving Jansen will materialize until he returns to the mound and proves his fitness.
McAdam believes that the Red Sox will likely hold onto Jansen for now and potentially explore trade options closer to the deadline. He stated, “We’ll see what the availability in the market is, but for now, the fact that Jansen is slowed, even if it is a minor injury, even if it is something that probably isn’t going to be a long-term concern, you would think that general managers would want to see Jansen throw sometime this spring now that he has that minor setback. I still believe that they’re going to hold onto him and maybe shop him at the deadline. I don’t think they’ll get much less at the end of July than you’d get right now.”
Red Sox Listening on Kenley Jansen Trade Market; Padres, Dodgers, Phillies in the Mix
In a surprising turn of events, the Boston Red Sox have reportedly been listening to offers for star reliever Kenley Jansen. According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers are among the teams expected to be interested in acquiring Jansen. However, MLB Network insider Jon Morosi also mentioned that the Philadelphia Phillies could potentially join the mix.
The Red Sox have not made any definitive decisions regarding Jansen’s future with the team, but they have made it clear that they are willing to at least entertain offers. This news comes as a shock to many fans, as Jansen is a four-time All-Star and has been a key contributor to the Red Sox bullpen.
If Jansen were to be traded, it would undoubtedly shake up the landscape of the MLB. The Padres and Dodgers, in particular, would greatly benefit from adding a player of Jansen’s caliber to their rosters. As for the Phillies, they have been actively seeking bullpen help and Jansen could be the solution they have been searching for.
It remains to be seen whether the Red Sox will ultimately pull the trigger on a trade involving Jansen. However, the fact that they are even considering it is a clear indication that they are open to making significant changes to their roster. As the trade market heats up, it will be interesting to see which team ultimately lands the talented reliever. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
According to the Source heavy.com