Detroit Tigers Sign Kenley Jansen to Bolster Bullpen

The Detroit Tigers just landed one of the most decorated closers of his era, signing veteran right-hander Kenley Jansen to a one-year deal. This move signals a real shift in how they want to handle the late innings in 2026 and beyond.

With a club option for 2027 and a bullpen that needs both leadership and strikeout punch, Detroit’s betting that Jansen’s track record and late-season rebound in 2025 can finally stabilize a relief corps that’s lived dangerously for too long.

Kenley Jansen Joins Tigers on Short-Term Deal with Big Upside

The Tigers and Jansen agreed to a one-year, $11 million contract, with a club option for 2027. Represented by Wasserman Agency, Jansen arrives in Detroit with an impressive résumé and the kind of pedigree the Tigers haven’t had at the back of their bullpen in ages.

At 38, Jansen isn’t the overpowering force he once was with the Dodgers. Still, his presence immediately changes the bullpen’s hierarchy—probably ending Detroit’s interest in Pete Fairbanks, too.

Chasing History: Jansen Nears All-Time Saves Milestone

Jansen enters this Tigers stint with 476 career saves. He’s just three away from third place on the all-time list.

That chase adds some extra intrigue to his time in Detroit. Every ninth-inning chance now carries both competitive and historical weight.

For a Tigers franchise still clawing its way out of a long rebuild, pairing team progress with an individual milestone from a possible Hall of Fame closer? That’s a pretty nice boost for the clubhouse and the fans.

Breaking Down Jansen’s 2025 Performance with the Angels

Before landing in Detroit, Jansen put up a strong surface-level season with the Angels in 2025. The numbers on the back of the baseball card look good, but the advanced stats tell a more complicated story—one the Tigers believe they can tweak.

ERA vs. Underlying Metrics: A Mixed Bag

In 2025, Jansen posted a 2.59 ERA over 59 innings. Most teams would take that from their closer, no questions asked.

Jansen outpitched some of those underlying trends. Detroit isn’t just buying the stat line—they’re banking on what happened as the season went on.

Late-Season Rebound Offers Encouraging Signs

Jansen looked better as 2025 wore on with the Angels. His command sharpened, his cutter picked up some late life, and he started to look more like the veteran who closed big games in October.

That late surge is a huge part of why Detroit pounced. They’re hoping Jansen can still anchor a playoff-caliber bullpen, not just hang on for another year.

How Jansen Reshapes the Tigers’ Bullpen Hierarchy

Detroit’s bullpen has been a wild ride of volatility and experimentation lately. Bringing in Jansen signals a move toward a more traditional, role-based structure instead of the usual chaos.

New Roles for Will Vest and Kyle Finnegan

With Jansen set as the main closer, Will Vest should slide back into a high-leverage setup role. His stuff and mentality might actually play up without the nightly ninth-inning pressure.

Detroit also re-signed Kyle Finnegan, which further reinforces the back end. Between Jansen, Vest, and Finnegan, the Tigers finally have a clearer late-inning trio—something that’s been missing for a while.

Addressing the Strikeout Problem

Even with these moves, there’s still a big issue: strikeout power. In 2025, the Tigers’ bullpen had the second-lowest strikeout rate in MLB.

Jansen’s declining strikeout rate doesn’t fix that by itself, but his experience and game-planning could help the staff get more out of their stuff. If Detroit can squeeze just a bit more swing-and-miss out of Jansen and add a little more punch elsewhere, maybe this group finally takes a real step forward.

A Strategic Shift for a Club Seeking Stability

This move is about more than just one veteran reliever. By putting $11 million and a possible 2027 option on the table for Kenley Jansen, the Tigers are making a statement.

They’re done, at least for now, with the whole undefined, matchup-heavy ninth-inning experiment. Instead, they’re choosing the comfort of a proven closer, a real bullpen hierarchy, and a guy on the mound who’s actually chasing history.

If Jansen can mix some of his late-2025 magic with the calm he’s shown throughout his career, Detroit’s bullpen might finally get that identity it’s been missing. Who knows—maybe the Tigers’ path back to relevance runs right through the ninth inning.

 
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