Kenley Jansen Will Reportedly Not Opt Out of Final 2 Years of Dodgers Deal
By Adam Weinrib
This one won't surprise anyone who paid attention to the 2019 season, but following his backslide, and amid plenty of uncertainly, Dodgers ex-closer Kenley Jansen has chosen to remain locked into his high-dollar deal in LA.
Jansen, who could earn his rightful role back with a strong comeback next season, will remain under contract for $38 million over the next two years.
Kenley Jansen will not opt of the $38M and 2 years remaining on his contract #Dodgers
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) October 31, 2019
Jansen was the linchpin of the 2019 Dodgers' season, even while mired in inactivity. Because of his inconsistency over the course of the campaign, Dave Roberts opted to weave Clayton Kershaw through the eighth inning of NLDS Game 5, rather than go to his prototypical closer.
Two home runs later (and a few extra innings), the Washington Nationals were moving on instead.
No matter what your criticisms of Jansen, you cannot dog his work ethic.
The Dodgers season ended just 1 week ago. Kenley Jansen is already back and throwing at Dodger Stadium. ⚾️? pic.twitter.com/HQtK7r429D
— Baseball Lifestyle™ (@BsbLifestyle__) October 23, 2019
Much of what the cutter-reliant closer tried in 2019 didn't work as he expected it to, but well ahead of 2020, he's already working on his craft.
And since his deal is largely untradeable, he'll be doing so in Hollywood.