Report: Dodgers' Jansen won't opt out of contract
Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen won't exercise the opt-out clause in his contract to become a free agent, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.
Jansen has another two years and $38 million left on the deal he signed with the Dodgers in 2016.
His decision to stay in Los Angeles was anticipated after a rough 2019 season. Jansen did record 33 saves for the NL West champion Dodgers but posted career-worst marks in ERA (3.71) and ERA+ (112), along with an abnormally high 3.48 FIP.
Jansen's inconsistent season already led to questions about whether he'll continue to close games for the Dodgers.
"I'm not sure," Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said earlier this month when asked about Jansen's role, according to Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times. "I haven't gotten into the exact specifics of offseason planning. Just more kind of broad strokes. My sense sitting here is that Kenley will be our closer. We'll see how things play out."
The 32-year-old has spent his entire 10-year career with the Dodgers and is the franchise's all-time leader in saves, games pitched, and WHIP.