The Milwaukee Brewers are cruising into July with confidence, sitting comfortably atop the National League Central with a solid 50-30 record. As the trade deadline looms, there's chatter about potential roster enhancements that could cement their standing. One key area ripe for improvement is their bullpen, and there's a seasoned pitcher who might just fit the bill perfectly.
Enter Kenley Jansen, the veteran reliever from the Detroit Tigers, who could be a game-changer for the Brewers. As we edge closer to the Aug. 3 trade deadline, Jansen’s name is floating around as a potential acquisition for teams looking to bolster their bullpen. With a resume boasting two Hoffman Reliever of the Year awards, Jansen brings a wealth of playoff experience and a knack for delivering in high-pressure situations.
Currently, Jansen sports a 1-3 record with a 4.26 ERA over 19 innings in 22 games, along with a 103 ERA+. While these numbers might not leap off the page, his underlying stats tell a different story.
His Baseball Savant profile highlights an impressive career-best 85.9 MPH average exit velocity, with opponents hitting a mere .167 against his signature cutter. These metrics suggest that his traditional stats might be marred by some bad luck or the lack of competitive games, rather than a decline in skill.
Jansen's contract situation is also appealing, with a $12 million club option for the 2027 season and a $2 million buyout, providing some financial flexibility. Adding him to a bullpen that already features Trevor Megill, Abner Uribe, and Aaron Ashby could create a formidable late-inning force, keeping the Brewers' high-leverage arms fresh for the postseason push.
For manager Pat Murphy, having another veteran like Jansen could be invaluable. It not only strengthens the bullpen but also strategically weakens other National League contenders who might miss out on acquiring one of the top relievers available. As the Brewers eye a deep playoff run, securing Jansen could be the move that tips the scales in their favor.
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Made has been on a real tear over his past 10 games, piling up multiple hits in six of them and batting .385 with a 1.070 OPS in that stretch. For a player still so early in his pro career, the encouraging part is not just the production but the way it keeps coming in different ways, with the kind of all-around offensive form that tends to make an organization wonder how much more there is still to unlock. [Read more 🡒]