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Former Dodger Hits Free Agency After Team Declines Option
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- Former Dodger Hits Free Agency After Team Declines Option
Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
A longtime Los Angeles Dodger is in search of a new club after his team declined their option on his contract.
Kenley Jansen, who played for the Detroit Tigers in 2026, won't return to the team for 2027.
Oct 21, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen (74) pitches against the Atlanta Braves in the ninth inning during game five of the 2021 NLCS at Dodger Stadium.
The Tigers declined their $12 million option on the closer, instead choosing to pay him a $2 million buyout.
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Now, Jansen's pursuit of history will have to continue with another squad.
What history could Kenley Jansen make with his next team?
Jansen is 39 years old, but he'll surely be looking to pitch for at least one more season.
He's currently sitting at third all time in career saves with 498.
While No. 2 on the list, Trevor Hoffman, is a ways ahead at 601 saves, Jansen likely wants to crack that 500 save mark, as only Hoffman and the all time save leader, Mariano Rivera with 652, have ever reached that milestone, per Baseball Reference .
The next closest active players to Jansen are Craig Kimbrel with 441 saves and Aroldis Chapman with 402, providing another reason for Jansen to continue playing.
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All three of those players are 38 years or older, so Jansen can help maintain his lead over those pitchers by continuing to play as long as they do.
His stats in 2026 show he can still be effective.
Per Jason Beck of MLB.com , Jansen had "solid" basic stats last year, including 22 saves and a 3.20 ERA, including a 2.40 ERA from June onward.
Additionally, "this winter's free-agent closer market is thinner than last year," Beck wrote, providing even further opportunity for Jansen to hit that 500 save mark.
What is Kenley Jansen's legacy with the Dodgers?
Jansen, a likely future Hall of Famer, has played for five teams already and may play for a sixth in 2027, but he'll be best remembered as a Dodger.
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He spent the first 12 years of his career in Los Angeles, and three of his four All-Star appearances came as a member of the Boys in Blue.
May 29, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen (74) and catcher A.J. Ellis (17) celebrate the win against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Los Angeles Dodgers won 4-2.
In those dozen seasons, he racked up 350 saves — about 70% of his career total — and 1,022 strikeouts, resulting in a bWAR of 18.7, per Baseball Reference .
Would you want to see Kenley Jansen remembered as a Dodger?
