Red Sox add former All-Star in Kenley Jansen
After a quiet start to the Winter Meetings, the Red Sox got involved in the action on Wednesday. Boston continued to improve its bullpen with the addition of former All-Star Kenley Jensen. The Dodgers' product is a significant upgrade for a Red Sox bullpen that needed an elite arm.
In 65 games for the Braves in 2022, he posted a 3.38 ERA and struck out 85 batters. The thirty-five-year-old continued to be one of the most reliable closers in baseball as he converted 41 of his 48 save opportunities. It was the first time he reached the forty-save mark since 2017.
While Jansen’s ERA was a little high, Opponents posted a .192 batting average against him. The Curacao native only allowed 24 earned runs and added 45 holds to his resume. With Jenson on board, the Red Sox have one less hole to fill and a closer that they can rely on.
Over the last few weeks, Chaim Bloom has prioritized adding relief help. Less than a week ago, he signed another former Dodgers reliever Chris Martin to a two-year deal. Jensen is a more well-known name, but they have both shown that they can handle high-leverage situations.
Regardless of what other moves Bloom makes, Jensen will most likely be the one that Alex Cora turns to in the ninth next season. It is a role that he is familiar with, as, in 12 years with the Dodgers and Braves; he recorded 391 saves. He could reach the 400 mark in a Red Sox uniform.
With Opening Day still months away, the bullpen is much better off than it was a few weeks ago. Jensen brings a career 2.46 ERA to Boston, and he showed in 2022 that he is far from done.
For Red Sox fans, the ninth inning should be less stressful in 2023, with Jensen as an option to close games out.
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