Kenley Jansen Brings Big Name, Bigger Questions to Tigers Bullpen
The Detroit Tigers are rolling the dice on a familiar bet - a veteran closer with a Hall of Fame résumé and enough late-inning experience to fill a highlight reel. This time, it’s Kenley Jansen, one of the most accomplished relievers in MLB history.
But if you’re a Tigers fan, you’ve seen this movie before. And you know it doesn’t always have a happy ending.
Jansen will become the third pitcher in the top 10 on the all-time saves list to wear the Old English D, joining Joe Nathan and Francisco Rodríguez. That’s elite company on paper. But in Detroit, those names come with baggage.
The Ghosts of Closers Past
Let’s rewind. Joe Nathan came to the Tigers with 354 saves and a reputation for being automatic in the ninth.
What followed was anything but. His velocity dipped, his command wavered, and the blown saves piled up.
Tigers fans watched what was supposed to be a sure thing unravel in real time.
Then came Francisco Rodríguez - “K-Rod” - with 437 saves and a track record as one of the most electric closers of his generation. He had his moments in Detroit, sure.
But consistency? Not quite.
The ninth inning often felt like a tightrope walk, and by 2017, he was out of the closer role - and out of Major League Baseball altogether.
That’s the backdrop to Jansen’s arrival. And it’s why there’s a healthy dose of skepticism in the Motor City.
Jansen’s Resume: Legendary, But Lived-In
There’s no denying Jansen’s credentials. He’s a World Series champion, a four-time All-Star, and a postseason force who’s closed out October drama with ice in his veins. He’s sitting comfortably in the top 10 all-time in saves - a career that screams Cooperstown consideration.
But he’s also 38. His signature cutter doesn’t have quite the same bite.
His ERA and WHIP have crept in the wrong direction. And while he’s still capable of getting outs, the margin for error is slimmer than it used to be.
This isn’t about doubting Jansen’s ability. It’s about understanding what the Tigers are really getting - a veteran arm with a ton of experience, but also some wear and tear.
The Gamble Detroit Knows Too Well
To be fair, Detroit isn’t asking Jansen to be the lights-out version from five years ago. They need him to be solid, dependable, and capable of locking down games while a young, developing roster learns how to win close contests.
That’s a reasonable ask. But it’s also a risky one.
Because in Detroit, the track record with big-name closers past their prime hasn’t exactly inspired confidence. There’s a pattern here - and fans have every right to be wary.
This isn’t doom-and-gloom. It’s just realism.
Tigers fans have seen what happens when the cutter flattens out, the command disappears, and the ninth inning turns into a stress test. They’ve lived the disappointment when the name on the back of the jersey doesn’t match the performance on the mound.
If It Works, It Changes Everything
Now, if Jansen delivers? That’s a game-changer.
He brings instant credibility to the bullpen. He can mentor the younger arms.
He can help shorten games and give Detroit a real edge in tight spots. And if he’s even close to his old self, this signing could look like a savvy move come September.
But until then, Tigers fans are watching with cautious optimism - and maybe one eyebrow raised. They’re not rooting against Jansen.
Quite the opposite. They just know better than to assume the past guarantees the future.
After all, in Detroit, the ninth inning has never been just another inning. It’s a test of nerves - for the pitcher, and for the fans in the stands.