Free Agent Profile: Kenley Jansen, Rp

Kenley Jansen: A Legacy in Relief Pitching

Kenley Jansen, a right-handed pitcher (RP) who has earned the moniker “The Closer,” is making his way through the free agent market after a successful stint with the Los Angeles Angels. With 476 saves to his name, Jansen ranks fourth in MLB history for career saves, and he’s eyeing the milestone of reaching 500 saves by the end of 2026.

Ageless Excellence: A Cut fastball and Sinker

Despite being 38 years old, Jansen continues to impress with his cut fastball. His +13 run value last year was second only to Drew Rasmussen, according to Baseball Savant statistics. The cutter boasts a substantial horizontal break of 2.4 inches and a spin rate of 2,602 RPM, leading to an elite 25.3% whiff rate against batters.

In terms of effectiveness, batters faced hit .164 with a .302 slugging percentage when facing his cutter.

Complementing the cutter is Jansen’s sinker, which also has significant movement and generates a high chase rate of 37.5%. This pitch moves horizontally by 18.9 inches and vertically down by 7.9 inches, making it difficult for batters to make contact.

Advanced Analytics: A Look at Jansen’s Pitching Metrics

In the realm of advanced metrics, Jansen’s performance is largely in line with league averages. His strikeout rate sits at 24.4%, which places him in the 63rd percentile. Similarly, his walk rate (8.1%) and barreled rate (8.9%) are also around average.

While Jansen’s cutter continues to be an elite pitch, other offerings like his slider have less impact.

The slider moves with a glove-side break of 7.1 inches but fails to generate much whiff at 25.6%. It does, however, induce a high chase rate of 64%, making it an effective secondary pitch.

Future Prospects and Market Considerations

With Edwin Díaz choosing another team, the New York Mets are now in need of more high-leverage relievers. However, given Devin Williams likely being the closer, Jansen might prefer a less competitive environment for securing those final 24 saves to reach his career milestone.

The Mets could consider having both pitchers in setup roles with Jansen as the closer, but this arrangement might not be ideal for him. Jansen has been an integral part of winning teams and is likely seeking a role where he can cement his legacy as one of the best closers in baseball history.

According to Spotrac, Jansen’s market value could reach up to $13.7 million for a one-year contract, a figure that aligns with deals signed by Kirby Yates and Aroldis Chapman last offseason.

In conclusion, while Jansen’s advanced metrics may not be the most impressive in every category, his continued excellence on the mound makes him a valuable asset to any team looking for a proven closer. The 2026 season could well see Jansen cementing his legacy as he approaches that elusive 500-save mark.