What does the Signing of Kenley Jansen mean for Ben Joyce?
Feb 23, 2025 - Written by Isaias Acosta
Photo Credit : @Angels - X
The Angels front office finally got to work and added to a group that desperately needed help. Earlier in the month the Angels signed closer Kenley Jansen to a one year deal worth 10 million dollars. The future Hall of Famer, who will turn 38 in September, is coming off a two year stint with the Boston Red Sox in which he was still serviceable but not quite the same dominant pitcher he once was with the Dodgers. He pitched to a 3.29 ERA last season while tossing 54.2 innings and a 1.06 WHIP. Jansen currently has 447 career saves and sits 4th all time, trailing Lee Smith by 31 saves.
There is no doubt that he is one of the greatest closers of all time and his addition to the bullpen will be key and a big help, especially for Ben Joyce. Joyce is easily the best bullpen piece that the organization has aside from Jansen and is the future of the Angels bullpen. He's proven to be clutch and has shown he has the stuff to be an elite closer in this league, but the addition of Kenley Jansen can take him to the next level. Joyce pitched to a 2.08 ERA last season, while tossing 34.2 innings and had a 1.15 WHIP. He also racked up 33 strikeouts in that time. There is no doubt that the signing of Jansen was to give Joyce a Star Wars-esque master and padawan relationship, and the organization couldn't have chosen a better teacher. It is more than likely that Jansen will take the closer role, while Joyce will take the setup role in high leverage situations and occasionally enter during certain save situations. But Joyce won't be the only one to benefit from the signing of the veteran.
The rest of the bullpen unit still has to be decided, but whoever gets the remaining spots will also get help from Jansen. The Angels bullpen has lacked a true veteran leader for a long time, especially one of the caliber of Kenley Jansen. Joyce is still only 24 years old and doesn't turn 25 until September, which means there's still a lot that the young flamethrower has to learn. Jansen is most known for his time with the Dodgers, where he spent 12 seasons. He brings in tons of winning experience which is what this club needs right now. During his time with the Dodgers, he made three All-Star teams and finished 5th in C.Y Young voting in 2017. Jansen made three World Series appearances with the Dodgers with 2020 being the year they won it. In the three years since he's left LA, he’s pitched to a 3.42 ERA while boasting a 1.11 WHIP and making an All-Star team with Boston in 2023. It will be very interesting to see how Jansen perform this year but his experience is what will be needed and utilized the most during the season to help Ben Joyce blossom into what will hopefully be the future of the bullpen.
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