Phillies Get Disappointing Jansen Update

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After losing Craig Kimbrel in free agency, the Philadelphia Phillies have been searching all offseason for a potential replacement. All-Star closers don’t just grow on trees, after all.

Phillies fans started getting excited by the recent rumors that Philadelphia is eyeing Kenley Jansen from the Boston Red Sox. Jansen has been one of the best closers in baseball for more than a decade and would be a perfect replacement for Kimbrel.

Unfortunately for the Phillies, MLB insider Ken Rosenthal doused cold water all over those rumors during Monday’s episode of “Fair Territory.”

“I don’t see it happening,” Rosenthal said regarding a potential Jansen trade. “Who is going to take Kenley Jansen at this point?”

Unfortunately for Jansen, he’s not a very attractive trade chip. He’s 36 and carries a $16 million salary for 2024, making him one of the highest-paid relievers in the game. He’s also going to be a free agent next offseason, so he’s likely a one-year rental.

That’s not exactly the type of player teams are willing to sacrifice precious prospect capital for in a trade.

The Red Sox have been shopping Jansen for much of the winter, but they may be stuck with him based on the limited interest they’ve received from Philadelphia and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Phillies could use him, but Dave Dombrowski doesn’t seem too interested in making aggressive moves at this stage of the offseason with Spring Training about to begin.

With Boston projected to finish last in the AL East again, the team will likely try to move Jansen at the Trade Deadline anyway, when his cost will be lower. If Philadelphia still needs a proven closer for the stretch run, that could be the time to strike.