Kenley Jansen, the Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star closer, has been a dominant force in the bullpen for years. However, his recent performance has left some fans and analysts wondering why he has not been sent down to the team’s AAA affiliate to work on his skills.
Despite his struggles, Jansen remains an important part of the Dodgers’ bullpen and has not been demoted to AAA. In this blog post, we will explore Jansen’s performance issues, why sending him to AAA might be a solution and the reasons why the Dodgers have not taken that step.
We will also discuss alternatives to AAA and whether they might be effective in helping Jansen regain his form.
Kenley Jansen’s Performance Issues
Kenley Jansen’s performance over the last few seasons has not been up to the standard he has set for himself. In 2021, Jansen has a 3.60 ERA, a 1.35 WHIP, and has struck out 9.9 batters per nine innings, which are not terrible numbers but are a far cry from the dominant closer he used to be.
One issue that Jansen has been facing is a decline in the velocity of his fastball. Once known for his overpowering fastball, Jansen’s average fastball velocity has dropped from 93.9 mph in 2017 to 91.4 mph in 2021.
This loss of velocity has made it easier for hitters to make contact and has resulted in an increase in hard-hit balls against him.
Another issue that may be affecting Jansen’s performance is his mechanics. In recent years, Jansen has made adjustments to his mechanics, such as changing his arm slot and delivery, to try to maintain his effectiveness as his velocity declined.
However, these changes may be affecting his command and making it more difficult for him to throw his pitches with the same consistency as before.
Overall, Jansen’s performance issues are likely a combination of these factors, as well as other factors that are difficult to measure.
While he is still a capable closer, his performance has not been up to his previous standards, and the Dodgers may need to consider other solutions to help him regain his form.
Aaa as a Solution
In baseball, AAA refers to the highest level of minor league baseball, just below the major leagues. Players on a team’s AAA roster are typically younger players who are still developing their skills, as well as major league players who are struggling or need additional playing time to improve.
If the Dodgers were to send Jansen to AAA, he would be temporarily demoted from the major league roster and would join the team’s AAA affiliate, the Oklahoma City Dodgers.
While at AAA, Jansen would continue to work on his skills and play against lesser competition than he would face in the major leagues.
There are several advantages to sending Jansen to AAA to work on his skills. One of the biggest benefits is that he would have the opportunity to work on specific aspects of his game without the pressure of performing at the major league level.
This could include working with coaches to improve his mechanics, experimenting with new pitches, or simply getting more game experience.
In addition, Jansen would have the opportunity to faceless skilled batters, which could help him regain his confidence and improve his performance.
Facing minor league batters could also help Jansen develop new strategies and pitches that he could use against major league hitters.
Overall, sending Jansen to AAA would provide him with a chance to work on his skills in a less high-pressure environment, which could ultimately help him regain his form and return to his previous dominant performance levels.
Reasons Jansen Has Not Been Sent to Aaa
Jansen’s Contract
Jansen’s contract with the Dodgers pays him a significant amount of money and includes a no-trade clause. Demoting him to AAA would result in a financial hit for the Dodgers, and it could also be a blow to Jansen’s ego.
Trade Value
Sending Jansen down to AAA could hurt his trade value, making it harder for the Dodgers to move him in the future. This could be another reason why the team has not sent him down to the minors.
Importance to the Team
Despite his recent struggles, Jansen remains a key part of the Dodgers bullpen and has played an important role in their recent success. The team may be hesitant to demote him to AAA and risk disrupting team chemistry.
Working to Address Performance Issues
Instead of sending Jansen to AAA, the Dodgers may be working with him to address his performance issues and improve his skills. This could involve refining his mechanics or experimenting with new pitches to improve his effectiveness.
Rest and Limited Innings
The Dodgers may also be giving Jansen additional rest or limiting his innings to help preserve his arm and keep him fresh for key situations. This could be another strategy that the team is using to help Jansen regain his form without sending him down to AAA.
Overall, there are several factors that the Dodgers must consider before deciding to send Jansen to AAA. While it might seem like a straightforward solution to his performance issues, the team may be working with him to address his issues and help him regain his form without demoting him to AAA.
Alternatives to Aaa
There are several alternatives to sending Jansen to AAA that the Dodgers might be exploring to address his performance issues.
One option is working with coaches to help him refine his mechanics or develop new pitches. Jansen has made adjustments to his mechanics in the past, and the Dodgers may be working with him to fine-tune his delivery to improve his effectiveness.
They could also be working with him to develop new pitches or strategies to use against hitters.
Another option is adjusting his role in the bullpen. While Jansen has been the team’s primary closer for several years, the Dodgers could consider using him in a different role, such as a setup man or middle reliever.
This could help take some of the pressure off him and allow him to focus on developing his skills without the added stress of being the team’s closer.
The effectiveness of these alternatives compared to sending Jansen to AAA is debatable.
While working with coaches and adjusting his role in the bullpen could help him improve his skills, it may not provide the same level of development and game experience that he would get by playing in AAA.
Additionally, adjusting his role could also disrupt team chemistry and potentially create other issues in the bullpen.
Overall, while there are alternatives to sending Jansen to AAA that the Dodgers might be exploring, it remains to be seen how effective these options will be in helping Jansen regain his form and improve his performance.
Kenley Jansen’s Performance and Potential Demotion to Aaa
| Topic | Key Points |
|---|---|
| Jansen’s Performance Issues | – Jansen has struggled with an ERA of 6.23 and a WHIP of 1.54<br>- His strikeouts per nine innings have also decreased |
| Potential Causes of Struggles | – Declining velocity and problems with mechanics may be contributing factors |
| AAA as a Solution | – AAA provides an opportunity for Jansen to work on his skills and regain his confidence<br>- He would face less skilled batters and be able to focus on specific aspects of his game |
| Reasons Jansen Has Not Been Sent to AAA | – Factors such as his contract and importance to the team’s success may be preventing the Dodgers from sending him down<br>- The team may be working with him to address his issues without sending him to AAA |
| Alternatives to AAA | – Working with coaches to refine mechanics or develop new pitches<br>- Adjusting Jansen’s role in the bullpen |
| Likelihood of Jansen Being Sent to AAA | – Unclear; the decision will depend on his performance and whether the Dodgers believe he would benefit from a stint in AAA |
The name of the table could be “Summary of Key Points Related to Kenley Jansen’s Performance and Potential Demotion to AAA”.
FAQs
Can Jansen refuse to be sent down to AAA?
Answer: No, Jansen does not have the ability to refuse a demotion to AAA. As an MLB player with options remaining, the Dodgers have the right to send him to AAA if they choose to do so.
Has Jansen been sent to AAA in the past?
Answer: Yes, Jansen was sent to AAA in 2018 during the regular season to work on his mechanics and regain his form. He spent a brief stint in the minors before returning to the major leagues.
What happens to Jansen’s salary if he is sent to AAA?
Answer: Jansen’s salary would remain the same if he is sent to AAA. He would continue to receive his MLB salary, but would not be eligible for bonuses or incentives based on MLB performance.
How long can Jansen stay in AAA before being called back up to the major leagues?
Answer: There is no set amount of time that Jansen would need to spend in AAA before being called back up to the major leagues. The Dodgers could recall him at any time but would need to make a corresponding move to open up a roster spot for him.
What is the likelihood of Jansen being sent down to AAA?
Answer: It’s difficult to say for certain what the likelihood of Jansen being sent down to AAA is. While it may seem like a logical solution to his performance issues, the Dodgers have several factors to consider before taking that step, such as his contract and importance to the team’s success. Ultimately, the decision will depend on how Jansen performs in the coming weeks and whether the Dodgers believe he would benefit from a stint in AAA.
Conclusion
Kenley Jansen’s recent struggles have raised questions about whether the Dodgers should send him down to AAA to work on his skills and regain his confidence.
While sending him down might seem like a logical solution, factors such as his contract and importance to the team’s success may be preventing the Dodgers from taking that step.
Instead, they may be exploring alternatives such as working with coaches or adjusting their role in the bullpen.
Ultimately, the effectiveness of these alternatives compared to sending Jansen to AAA remains to be seen. However, it’s clear that the Dodgers are aware of Jansen’s performance issues and are actively working with him to address them.
Whether Jansen remains in the major leagues or is sent down to AAA, the hope is that he will be able to regain his dominant form and continue to play a key role in the Dodgers’ success.
