Los Angeles Dodgers

Dodgers Close In On Resigning Justin Turner After Getting Jansen

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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On Monday the Dodgers and Kenley Jansen agreed to a five-year, $80 million dollar deal. Jansen, a top free-agent on the market, was rumored to be entertaining the Marlins and Nationals.  

Kenley Jansen’s return to L.A. will ensure the Dodgers remain a major threat in 2017. He was one of the best closers in the MLB last year. Re–signing him undoubtedly makes the Dodgers one of the best teams in the National League once again.

Jansen was a vital part of the Dodgers’ post-season run by being called upon by manager Dave Roberts much earlier in games than typical for a closer. Jansen answered the bell every time. He recorded three postseason saves and pitching 20⅓ innings. For the entire 2016 season, Jansen posted a career high 47 saves with a 1.83 ERA. He even limited opposing batters to a league best .150 average. His performance earned him Major League Baseball’s 2016 Trevor Hoffman National League Reliever of the Year Award. He also enshrined himself in Dodger history by becoming the all-time saves leader in Dodgers’ history with 189. That accomplishment took him pass Eric Gagne’s previous record Dodger of 161.

In other news, the Dodgers are also reportedly in talks to bring back third baseman Justin Turner. 

However, the club has yet to confirm these reports. Turner, 32, and a Long Beach, California native expressed interest in returning to the Dodgers.

With Jansen now re–signed and a deal close to being reached with Turner, this is a great day for the Dodgers and their fans. Both were amazingly productive for the Dodgers especially in their most recent postseason run. Currently, the Dodgers don’t have any players internally that could replace such production. Turner had season highs in hits (153), runs (79), doubles (34), homers (27), and RBIs (90). He also recorded a slash line of .275/.339/.493 and finished ninth in NL MVP voting.

Signing Rich Hill, Jansen, and Turner may come to a surprise to some as the Dodgers were thought to be held back by the luxury tax threshold but these three signings alone will cost the Dodgers an excess of $200 million.

Money seems to be an afterthought for the Dodgers as resigning talent and a few of last season’s greatest producers takes precedent. 

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