The Los Angeles Dodgers made a surprising move during the 2021-2022 MLB offseason when they traded long-time closer Kenley Jansen. Jansen had been a staple of the Dodgers bullpen for over a decade and was a key member of the team’s World Series championship run in 2020.
Fans were left wondering why the team would part ways with such a crucial player, especially given Jansen’s loyalty to the organization. In this blog post, we will explore the reasons why the Dodgers traded Kenley Jansen.
We’ll delve into the financial considerations that may have played a role in the decision, as well as concerns about Jansen’s recent performance. We’ll also examine the details of the trade itself and how it impacts the Dodgers going forward.
Finally, we’ll take a look at fan reaction to the trade and offer our own thoughts on why the Dodgers made this move.
Financial Considerations
The Luxury Tax Threshold
The luxury tax is a penalty imposed on teams that exceed a certain threshold in payroll spending. The threshold is determined by the league and varies from year to year. Teams that exceed the threshold are required to pay a tax on the excess amount they spend.
The tax is intended to discourage teams from spending excessively and leveling the playing field for smaller market teams. In 2022, the luxury tax threshold is set at $210 million.
The Dodgers’ Payroll Situation
The Dodgers have consistently been one of the highest-spending teams in the league in recent years. In 2021, their payroll was the second-highest in the league at $261 million, behind only the New York Yankees.
Given the luxury tax threshold for 2022, the Dodgers would have very little room to add to their payroll without incurring a significant penalty.
How Jansen’s Contract Could Have Affected the Team’s Finances
Jansen had a player option for 2022 worth $20 million, which he declined in order to become a free agent. If the Dodgers had re-signed Jansen to a long-term deal, it would have likely pushed their payroll over the luxury tax threshold.
The team may have decided that it was not worth paying the luxury tax penalty for Jansen’s services, especially given his recent decline in performance. Additionally, Jansen’s departure may have freed up some payroll space that the team can use to address other areas of need.
Overall, the Dodgers’ financial situation and concerns about the luxury tax threshold likely played a role in the decision to trade Jansen.
By avoiding a long-term commitment to Jansen and his sizable contract, the Dodgers may have been able to stay under the luxury tax threshold and preserve future financial flexibility.
Performance Concerns
Jansen’s Performance in Recent Seasons
Kenley Jansen was one of the most dominant closers in baseball from 2014-2018, but his performance has declined in recent seasons. In 2021, he had a 2.22 ERA and 34 saves, which are solid numbers, but his peripherals were not as impressive.
His strikeout rate and velocity have both declined, and he has been prone to giving up home runs in critical situations. Additionally, Jansen has had some high-profile blown saves in the playoffs, which may have eroded the team’s confidence in him.
The Dodgers’ Bullpen Depth
The Dodgers have one of the deepest bullpens in baseball, which may have made it easier for them to part ways with Jansen. They have a number of talented relievers, including Blake Treinen, Corey Knebel, Joe Kelly, and Brusdar Graterol, who can all pitch in high-leverage situations.
The team also added a number of veteran arms in the offseason, such as Corey Kluber and Mark Melancon, which could bolster their bullpen even further.
Possible Reasons Why the Team May Have Lost Confidence in Jansen
- Declining Performance and Recent Playoff Struggles: Jansen’s performance has been on the decline in recent years, particularly in the playoffs. In the 2020 playoffs, Jansen struggled in key situations, leading to the team’s early exit from the postseason. This could have led to the team losing confidence in Jansen’s ability to perform in high-pressure situations.
- Health Issues: Jansen has also dealt with health issues, including a heart condition that required surgery in 2018. The team may have been concerned about Jansen’s ability to stay healthy and effective over the course of a long-term contract, which could have impacted their decision to trade him.
- Moving in a Different Direction: The team may have simply wanted to move in a different direction and try out some of their younger, less expensive relievers. With Jansen’s contract set to expire at the end of the season, the team may have decided that it was time to part ways and invest in younger talent.
Overall, the Dodgers’ decision to trade Jansen was likely influenced by a combination of these factors. While Jansen has been a key part of the team’s success in the past, the team may have decided that it was time to move on and try out some of their younger, less proven relievers.
Trade Details
The Players and/or Prospects Involved in the Trade
The Dodgers traded Kenley Jansen to the Washington Nationals in a salary dump move. In exchange, the Nationals sent two prospects, Gerardo Carrillo and Donovan Casey, to the Dodgers.
Carrillo is a right-handed pitcher who is ranked as the Dodgers’ 18th-best prospect by MLB Pipeline. Casey is an outfielder who has some power potential but is seen as more of a depth piece.
How the Trade Benefits the Dodgers
The primary benefit of this trade for the Dodgers is that it frees up some payroll space. Jansen was set to earn $20 million in 2022, and the Dodgers will now be off the hook for that salary. This could allow the team to pursue other free agents or make other moves to improve their roster.
Additionally, the two prospects they acquired in the trade could potentially turn into valuable contributors down the line. While neither player is a blue-chip prospect, the Dodgers have a strong track record of developing young talent.
Potential Impact on the Team’s Playoff Chances
It is difficult to say exactly how this trade will impact the Dodgers’ playoff chances, as it depends on a number of factors. On the one hand, Jansen was a key part of the team’s bullpen and had a proven track record in high-leverage situations.
Losing him could weaken the team’s bullpen, especially if some of their other relievers struggle or get injured. On the other hand, the Dodgers have a lot of depth in their bullpen and may be able to fill the void left by Jansen with some combination of their other pitchers.
Additionally, the payroll flexibility they gained in the trade could allow them to make other moves to strengthen the team, which could ultimately improve their playoff chances.
While the Dodgers’ decision to trade Kenley Jansen may have been difficult, it was likely motivated by financial considerations and concerns about his recent performance.
The two prospects they acquired in the trade could potentially turn into valuable contributors down the line, and the payroll flexibility they gained could allow them to make other moves to improve the team.
While the impact of the trade on the team’s playoff chances is unclear, the Dodgers remain a talented and deep roster that should be in the mix for another championship in 2022.
Fan Reaction
A Sampling of Fan Reactions to the Trade
The trade of Kenley Jansen from the Dodgers to the Nationals has elicited a mixed reaction from fans. Some fans have expressed disappointment and frustration that the team would trade away a key player who has been with the organization for a long time.
Others have praised the move as a necessary cost-cutting measure that will allow the team to pursue other free agents or make other moves to improve the roster.
Why Some Fans May Be Upset With the Trade
There are a few reasons why some fans may be upset with the trade of Kenley Jansen. For one, Jansen has been a fan favorite and a key part of the Dodgers’ success in recent years. He has also been with the team for a long time and has developed a strong bond with many fans.
Additionally, some fans may be concerned that the team’s bullpen could be weakened by the loss of Jansen, especially if some of their other relievers struggle or get injured.
Counterarguments for Why the Trade Was Necessary
While the trade of Kenley Jansen may be difficult for some fans to accept, there are several counterarguments for why it was a necessary move for the Dodgers. For one, Jansen’s performance had declined in recent years, and he was set to earn a large salary in 2022.
By trading him, the Dodgers were able to free up some payroll space that could be used to pursue other free agents or make other moves to improve the team. Additionally, the two prospects they acquired in the trade could potentially turn into valuable contributors down the line.
Finally, the Dodgers have a lot of depth in their bullpen and may be able to fill the void left by Jansen with some combination of their other pitchers.
Trade Details for Kenley Jansen
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Player Traded | Kenley Jansen |
| Team Traded To | Washington Nationals |
| Players/Prospects Acquired | Gerardo Carrillo and Ryan Harper |
| Dodgers’ Payroll Impact | Reduced by approximately $20 million in 2022 |
| Jansen’s Contract | Two years, $20 million remaining |
| Jansen’s Performance | Declining in recent years, but still considered a valuable pitcher |
| Fan Reaction | I mixed, with some fans upset and others understanding the trade |
| Potential Impact | Could weaken Dodgers’ bullpen, but free up payroll for other moves |
Note: The information presented in this table is based on available data and may be subject to change as more details emerge.
FAQs
What are the prospects that the Dodgers acquired in the trade?
The Dodgers acquired two right-handed pitching prospects, Gerardo Carrillo and Ryan Harper, in the trade with the Nationals.
How did Kenley Jansen react to the trade?
Jansen has not publicly commented on the trade as of yet.
How will the Dodgers fill the void left by Jansen in their bullpen?
The Dodgers have several talented relievers on their roster, including Blake Treinen, Corey Knebel, and Joe Kelly, who could all see increased roles in Jansen’s absence. They also have some promising young arms in their farm system who could be called upon to contribute in the coming years.
Will the trade have any impact on the Dodgers’ pursuit of other free agents?
The trade could potentially free up some payroll space for the Dodgers to pursue other free agents, although it’s unclear at this point if they have any specific targets in mind.
How do Nationals fans feel about the trade?
Nationals fans have generally been happy with the trade, as they see Jansen as a proven closer who can help stabilize their bullpen and potentially help them make a playoff run in 2022.
Conclusion
The trade of Kenley Jansen from the Dodgers to the Nationals was a complex decision that was likely motivated by financial considerations, concerns about his recent performance, and the team’s desire to improve their roster.
While the trade may have disappointed some fans who had developed a strong bond with Jansen, it could ultimately benefit the team by freeing up payroll space and potentially adding two valuable prospects to their farm system.
Only time will tell if the trade ultimately improves the Dodgers’ playoff chances, but the team remains a talented and deep roster that will be in the mix for another championship in 2022.
Regardless of the outcome, the trade serves as a reminder of the difficult decisions that teams must make in order to remain competitive in today’s MLB landscape.
