Editorial

Boston Red Sox Land All-Star Closer Kenley Jansen On 2-Year, $32 Million Deal

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Kenley Jansen #74 of the Atlanta Braves delivers a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies during the ninth inning in game two of the National League Division Series at Truist Park on October 12, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Andrew Powell Sports and Entertainment Blogger
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Damn, my Atlanta Braves take yet another hit.

The Boston Red Sox and closing pitcher Kenley Jansen have agreed on a two-year, $32 million deal, according to ESPN, which beefs up a Red Sox bullpen that was one of the worst in Major League Baseball in 2022.

Jansen, who is 35 years old, was with the Atlanta Braves for the 2022 season after serving 12 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. In the campaign with the Braves, Jansen racked up 41 saves to lead the National League in the category, ESPN reported. Throughout his entire career, he’s compiled 391 saves, which is second most for active closers, and ranked No. 8 all-time.

To break down his numbers even more, Jansen struck out 85 batters in 64 innings with Atlanta last season, and also posted a 3.38 ERA. Jansen has been one of the most dominant closing pitchers in the history of baseball with his career, tallying 1,107 strikeouts and a lifetime 2.46 ERA.

Ouch.

As an Atlanta Braves fan, I’m gutted, and also starting to question some things.

The other day, I was bombarded by the news of the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets (NL East division rivals) picking up massive superstar talent in free agency, and now, I’m here sickened by this news that Kenley Jansen is leaving the Braves to go to the Boston Red Sox. (RELATED: Aaron Judge Re-Signs With The New York Yankees On 9-Year, $360 Million Deal)

And speaking of Atlanta, I’ve seen zero action from them this offseason, and I haven’t seen a single response to any of this.

What’s going on, Alex Anthopoulos? (The Braves general manager if you don’t know who that is.)

Thanks for the World Series championship last year, but quite frankly, I want more champagne.

Let’s get on it.