The Los Angeles Angels are preparing to begin the 2025 season, with pitchers and catchers reporting for Spring Training on Wednesday. And the Angels will get their first chance to see if the team they constructed in the offseason can truly compete for a postseason spot like they intended.
L.A. made minor upgrades at just about every part of the field. They brought in a host of new infielders to compete for starting jobs, adding a couple of starting pitchers and brought in a new full-time designated hitter in Jorge Soler. One area they hadn’t invested too much in this offseason was the bullpen.
The Angels were always in the market for a reliever, but also felt comfortable with the majority of what they had, especially if Robert Stephenson — their biggest signing from early 2024 — was able to return to the field. On Tuesday morning, though, they reportedly agreed to terms with former L.A. Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic:
Source confirms: Free-agent closer Kenley Jansen in agreement with Angels on one-year, $10M contract, pending physical. First: @JonHeyman, @Joelsherman1
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 11, 2025
Jansen, 37, is one of the most decorated closers in the history of baseball. He’s finished in the top three in saves in seven seasons, is the active MLB leader in saves and has the fourth-most in MLB history at 447. He has a career ERA of 2.57 and averages 35 saves per 162 games for his career.
Even as he moves past his prime, Jansen has still shown quality stuff. He had a 3.29 ERA and 27 saves with a 130 ERA+ for the Boston Red Sox last season. In 2022 with the Atlanta Braves, he led baseball with 41 saves in 54 appearances. He won the 2020 World Series with the Dodgers.
The Angels clearly felt they were missing a veteran and sure-handed presence in their bullpen. This move likely takes Ben Joyce back to a set-up role alongside Stephenson if healthy, with Jansen closing games.
Angels payroll with Kenley Jansen
With the Angels reportedly giving Jansen $10 million for the one season, that puts their projected competitive balance tax payroll at $205.7 million. This is a relatively sharp increase in spending from 2024, but is still about $25 million shy of the team’s payroll in 2023.
Arte Moreno has said the team will not approach that $230 million number this year, meaning this is likely to be one of the last major additions for L.A. this season.
