Dodgers right-hander Kenley Jansen has been named as the recipient of the 2016 Trevor Hoffman National League Reliever of the Year Award by Major League Baseball and presenting sponsor The Hartford.

Jansen posted a 3-2 record and remarkable 1.83 ERA in 71 appearances this season while converting 47 of his 53 save opportunities. The 29-year-old Willemstad, Curacao native struck out 104 of the 251 batters he faced (41.43 percent) while allowing only 35 hits and 11 walks in his 68.2 innings pitched. This equates to an MLB-best 0.67 WHIP. He also held opposing hitters to an MLB-low .150 batting average. Along the way Jansen set new Dodgers franchise records in saves with 189 (surpassing Eric Gagne‘s 161) and strikeouts by a reliever with 632 (surpassing Jim Brewer‘s 604). He now has an outstanding career ERA of  2.20 through his seven Major League seasons – which will undoubtedly play big in this, his free agency walk year.

Jansen’s 47 saves were tied with Nationals closer Mark Melancon for second most in the NL behind Mets closer Jeurys Familia, who had 51. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Runners up for the 2016 NL Trevor Hoffman award were Washington Nationals right-hander Mark Melancon (who won the award in 2015) with his outstanding numbers of: 75 G, 2-2, 1.64 ERA, 47 saves, 71.1 IP, 52 H, 12 BB, 65 SO, 0.90 WHIP and Mets right-hander Jeurys Familia with his equally impressive numbers of:  78 G, 3-4, 2.55 ERA, 51 saves, 77.2 IP, 63 H, 31 BB, 84 SO

On the American League side, the 2016 Mariano Rivera American League Reliever of the Year Award went to Baltimore Orioles star left-hander Zach Britton, who posted a 2-1 record and absolutely unheard of 0.54 ERA while converting all 47 of his save opportunities. In the 69 games in which the 28-year-old Panorama City, California native appeared, he allowed only 38 hits (one home run) while striking out 74 and walking 18. Opponents batted only .162 against him. Britton became only the third reliever in MLB history to post a sub 1.00 ERA in a season with at least 40 saves, joining Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley with the 1990 Oakland Athletics (0.61, 48 saves) and Fernando Rodney of the Tampa Bay Rays in 2012 (0.60, 48 saves). Not even the two baseball legends for whom these prestigious awards are named after accomplished this extraordinary feat.

Although there has been no new information whether or not the Dodgers are any closer to re-signing Jansen, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said last week that they definitely want him back.

“Kenley has had a tremendous career as a Dodger that we hope will continue,” said Friedman. “He has obviously set the Dodgers’ save record this year, he’s been a big part of our past success, we hope he’s a part of our future success.”

Some baseball experts are speculating that the extremely quiet, 6′-5 – 270-pound right-hander may be looking at a potential contract in the five-year/$80 to $100 million range. If he keeps piling up hardware like this, it’s hard to argue that he won’t get it.

…hopefully from the Dodgers.