Former Red Sox Closer Opens Up About Free-Agent Decision
Former Boston Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen began his MLB journey on the West Coast and for him, it was the perfect place to return in the final stages of his career.
Jansen moved on from the Red Sox this offseason after two seasons with Boston and signed a one-year, $10 million deal to join the Los Angeles Angels.
Jansen, who is fourth all-time in MLB history with 447 career saves, credited past relationships with Angels manager Ron Washington and third base coach Eric Young Jr. along with being closer to home for part of the reason behind his free agency decision.
“I never thought I’m going to be here with the Angels,” Jansen said on Rob Bradford’s “Baseball Isn’t Boring” podcast. “I started to get offers from other teams. Actually, the market was slow because you got to respect some starting pitchers are sitting on the market for a long time, some really good outfielders were on the market. I understand that it goes by order: the position players go, the starters go and then the relievers go.
“And then I had to make a choice of what I want to do. Being home plays huge for me, for sure this year, that I want a reset and be here. And also it was exciting to me because I see the Angels have really great arms in the bullpen. They have a young team. They are talented. … I think it was such a great fit for me to be here and be a part to help this team turn it around.”
