Kenley Jansen is a legend in Los Angeles, and that’s not up for debate. For 12 seasons, he was the heartbeat of the Dodgers' bullpen, locking down games with that signature cutter and a presence on the mound that felt larger than life. But now, at 38 and well into the twilight of his career, Jansen might have just made a move that indirectly shuts the door on one of the Dodgers' biggest offseason hopes.
By signing with the Detroit Tigers, Jansen may have tilted the scales in a way that impacts more than just the ninth inning in Detroit. The Dodgers had long been linked to Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, arguably the best left-handed pitcher in the game right now. With Detroit in a bit of a transitional phase, there was growing buzz that Skubal could be on the move-and Los Angeles was seen as a top contender.
But Jansen's decision to join the Tigers might suggest that Detroit’s front office has other plans.
Let’s unpack why this matters.
After the Tigers were eliminated by the Mariners, Detroit’s president of baseball operations, Scott Harris, made it clear that he expects the team’s top prospects to play major roles in 2026. That kind of statement usually signals a shift toward development and possibly even a willingness to trade veterans like Skubal to stockpile assets for the future. It sounded like Detroit was preparing for life without their ace.
Then came the Jansen signing-and that changed the tone entirely.
Jansen isn’t just any veteran closer. He’s the active saves leader in MLB, and while he’s no longer at the absolute peak of his powers, he’s still highly effective.
Last season, he posted 29 saves and a 2.59 ERA for a struggling Angels team-proof that he can still lock down games at a high level. That kind of performance, paired with his Hall of Fame trajectory, means he’s not signing up for just any gig.
And that’s the key here.
Jansen is sitting on 476 career saves-just two behind Lee Smith for third all-time. He’s within striking distance of 500, a milestone only Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman have ever reached.
Every save counts now, and you better believe Jansen’s not spending these final seasons in a setup role or on a non-contender. He’s chasing history, and he’s doing it on his terms.
So for Jansen to choose Detroit, there had to be assurances. First, that he’d be the clear-cut closer.
Second, that the team plans to compete in 2026. And if the Tigers were truly planning to move Skubal and take a step back, it’s hard to imagine Jansen signing on.
This points to one thing: Detroit is likely keeping Skubal.
That’s a tough blow for the Dodgers, who had been circling Skubal for a while. At the Winter Meetings, the buzz around a potential blockbuster deal was loud. LA has the farm system and the financial muscle to pull off a move like that, and with their rotation in need of another frontline arm, Skubal looked like the perfect fit.
But now, that door may be closing.
Jansen’s arrival in Detroit isn’t just about saves. It signals intent.
The Tigers aren’t punting on 2026-they’re gearing up. And if that’s the case, Skubal’s staying put, at least for now.
For the Dodgers, that means all the noise from earlier this offseason might’ve been just that-noise. A Skubal trade felt like it had legs, but with Detroit signaling they're ready to compete, LA might have to look elsewhere for their next big move.
One thing’s for sure: Kenley Jansen still has a way of making an impact-just maybe not in the way Dodgers fans were hoping this time around.