Kenley Jansen Makes Proclamation About His Future in Baseball

Los Angeles Angels closer Kenley Jansen might be turning 38 before the season's over, but he's proving that he can still get the job done. 20 saves in 21 chances, and a 2.79 ERA. He's currently 4th overall on the all-time saves list, just 11 behind Lee Smith for 3rd. He just might get there before 2025 is out.

But if not, no worries, because Jansen has proclaimed that he's still got plenty in the tank, and plans to play for "at least" four more years, per Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register.

Jansen says he's happy with the Angels, and after they didn't part with him at the trade deadline, the team seems more than happy to have him. In fact, GM Perry Minasian said, “He’s somebody that affects everybody, not only our pitchers in the bullpen, but our young rotation, our young position players. His pedigree, his desire to win games, I think, is more than welcomed, obviously, in this place and in this clubhouse.”

Jansen would like to stay in Anaheim, but there has been no talk yet on 2026.

The Angels signed the four-time All-Star to a one-year, $10 million contract for this season.

And while his overall numbers look just fine this season, he's taken it up to another level in the past seven weeks. Jansen hasn't surrendered an earned run since June 15th. 18.1 scoreless innings since then, only nine hits allowed, and an 18:4 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Career-wise, over 16 seasons, most of them with the LA Dodgers, Jansen has recorded 467 saves with a 2.58 ERA while averaging 12.5 strikeouts per nine. That number is down into single digits for the first time in his career, at 8.6 K/9.

He might be a forgotten man when discussions turn to the best closers in baseball these days, but when he finally does hang 'em up, he'll be remembered as one of the best to ever do it.

But let's hold that talk for a few more years, at least according to Jansen.