Tigers insider flags dilemma after Kenley Jansen's $11M deal with Detroit

Tigers insider Cody Stavenhagen acknowledges that Kenley Jansen gives the team a proven name in their bullpen. However, the insider also believes Jansen's arrival introduces uncertainty about his roles and expectations.

The 38-year-old pitcher reportedly agreed to a one-year, $11 million contract with the Detroit Tigers on Saturday. The deal also includes a club option for the 2027 season.

Stavenhagen is a staff writer covering the Tigers for The Athletic. He shared his thoughts about Jansen on Tuesday's episode of "Tiger Territory."

"Sometimes you got to be careful what you wish for," Stavenhagen said (Timestamp: 1:31). "You know, we want the Tigers to get aggressive. You want them to spend. Get some names. Kenley Jansen's a good pitcher. He's a name. Kenley Jansen is fourth on the all-time saves list."

The insider noted Jansen currently has 476 saves and is open about reaching 500. Stavenhagen also pointed out that Jansen's ERA was 1.97 since May 2, which he admits is a positive.

"There are a lot of things to like about this, but then it actually seems like a very un-Tigers-like signing," Stavenhagen added. "AJ Hinch has not really had a set closer for the better part of five seasons in Detroit. Are they suddenly going to reverse course and just hand Kimley Jansen the ninth inning?"

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Tigers insider highlights the positives of Kenley Jansen

In the same conversation with Kieran Steckley on "Tiger Territory," Cody Stavenhagen laid out Kenley Jansen's statistical red flags from the 2025 season. The insider cited analyst Chris Brown and noted Jansens recorded career lows in strikeout rate, BABIP and FIP.

Therefore, Stavenhagen said he had reservations about Jansen bouncing back in his age-38 season. Still, he found positives in the righty pitcher.

"He throws a cutter. He threw it 80% of the time," Stavenhagen said (Timestamp: 3:35). "He has done that the last couple years. Really vexed right-handed batter. He's been good against righties and lefties his whole career." "I'll be curious if the Tigers want him to throw 80% cutters," he added. "Could be a nice east-west compliment to other guys like Will Vest and Kyle Finnegan, who are a little bit more vert fastball, and then like Finnegan's, you know, splitter down and Vest's slider."

Kenley Jansen debuted in the MLB for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2011. Jansen played for the Dodgers till 2011. He earned three All-Star selections, two NL Reliever of the Year awards and won the 2020 World Series with the Dodgers.

Edited by Safeer M S