Does Kenley Jansen Still Have 20-Plus Save Upside in Detroit?
Across 59 innings with the Los Angeles Angels in 2025, veteran relief pitcher Kenley Jansen recorded a 5-4 record with a 2.59 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 57 strikeouts, and 29 saves. The 38-year-old landed a one-year deal with the Detroit Tigers this past winter, and looks like the favorite to open the year as the team's primary closer. While Jansen's top-line numbers remained strong in 2025, his strikeout rate dipped to a career-worst 24.4%, and he benefited from an 85.2% strand rate, well above his career average of 79.9%. In Detroit, he lands with an organization that has typically preferred to spread saves around to multiple players. Should Jansen falter, the Tigers also have a quality ninth-inning option waiting in the wings in Will Vest, who recorded 23 saves last season. Jansen's proven track record as one of the best closers of the 21st century should give him the leg up to begin the year, but he may have a short leash if his shaky underlying metrics from 2025 start to show up in his overall results in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
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