Dodgers To Re-Sign Kenley Jansen To Five-Year, $80 Million Deal

The Los Angeles Dodgers have re-signed Kenley Jansen on Monday, as FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports. 

Jansen has agreed to a five-year, $80 million deal, per Rosenthal. The deal does not include a no-trade clause but Jansen will receive an assignment bonus if he is traded. The contract also includes an opt-out after his third season. 

Jansen received interest from the Miami Marlins and Washington Nationals in addition to L.A. The Nationals, at least according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports, offered Jansen a contract in the $85 million range. 

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As expected, this offseason has seen the closing pitching market explode. Beginning with Mark Melancon's $64 million deal, the top three contracts in total guarantee for a relief pitcher were signed. Jansen falls just short of setting the record; Aroldis Chapman earned $86 million with the Yankees. 

But for Los Angeles, letting Jansen go may have ended up being a big mistake. They do have lots of money committed to their payroll next season, but that is not uncharacteristic for them. They made it apparent that they needed one of the "big three" closers on the market, and even though they did not offer Jansen the most money, they were still able to lure him back where he was familiar. 

As for Jansen, he, like all the other closers, did well. MLBTradeRumors.com projected him to earn an $85 million deal, so that was not quite what he did end up earning, but it still will end up being the second-largest reliever contract ever. It's hard to think that he did not blow through the roof on this deal. 

But, of course, an $80 million relief pitcher has to be quite good. And Jansen is. 

The 29-year-old enjoyed his most successful season as Dodgers' closer in 2016. In 68.2 innings, he posted a 1.83 ERA and a 104-11 K/BB ratio in 71 games. He also made 47 saves in 53 opportunities.

According to FanGraphs, his peripherals were also very good, and his 1.44 FIP and 2.41 xFIP reflect that. He was worth 3.2 WAR, making him the most vlauable reliever in baseball. And today, he was paid quite like it. 

--Devan Fink