July 17th, 2019 at 9:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka There is no disputing that Dodgers right-hander Kenley Jansen‘s cut fastball is one of, if not the very best in the game today. In fact, it is the sole reason why the Dodgers gave the extremely likable yet extremely fierce 31-year-old Willemstad, Curacao native a monster 5-year / $80 million contract extension on January 10, 2017 that will run through the 2021 season. But the one problem with Jansen’s absolutely filthy cutter is that every opposing batter on the planet knows it’s coming … say, like 26-year-old Phillies slugger Bryce Harper, who is in the first year of an even more monster 13-year / $330 million contract that will run through the 2031 season. And for as good as Jansen’s cutter is, when a good (great) hitter knows it’s coming, it is they who have the advantage.
On Tuesday night, Harper used that advantage to turn a late 8-6 Dodgers lead into a ninth-inning 9-8 Phillies walk-off win.
“If I look back, man, I probably would have come out of the game,” Jansen told reporters after the game, having taken a line drive off of his right ankle off the bat of Phillies outfielder Adam Haseley, “But I’m not going to take myself out of the game. I didn’t help us.”
(Video capture courtesy of Sportsnet LA)
As Dodger fans know, Jansen has had his struggles this season. Even though he has successfully converted 23 of his 27 save opportunities thus far this season, he is (now) 3-3 with an un-Jansen-like 3.72 ERA. He has also given up six home runs and walked six in his 38.2 innings pitched thus far this season while striking out 51.
The again, the 6′-5″ / 265-pound gentle giant didn’t get much help from his defense on Tuesday night. In fact, Harper’s so-called walk-off double absolutely positively should have been ruled an error by Dodgers center fielder A.J. Pollock. Although Harper’s hit was clearly a single that cut it to a 8-7 Dodgers lead, Pollock muffed the routine play and allowed the ball to get past him and roll to the wall, thus allowing the tying and winning runs to score.
That being said and Pollock’s should-have-been-an-error notwithstanding, there is definitely something wrong with Kenley Jansen … and not just a bruised right ankle, if you get my drift.
(Image courtesy of MLB.com)
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This is not good for the Dodgers in the sense that the price for going after a prime closer at the trade deadline is gonna go way up SPECIFICALLY for them after what happened in that 9th inning last night. Now the whole league knows Jansen is clearly on the decline and the Dodgers are in limbo right now regarding their closer situation. I see only two viable options for them at this point: 1) bite the bullet and give the Pirates Keibert Ruiz (OK!) AND Dustin May (:::sob:::) for Felipe Vazquez and make him the primary closer for the remainder of his cost-controlled years, or 2) stay in-house and roll with a combination of Julio Urias, JT Chargois (he looks ready to pitch in this season for once), or even a “new-and-improved” Joe Kelly (O_O) for the rest of this season at least. I haven’t even included Caleb Ferguson, but he could also factor in still if he hasn’t been shipped out by the trade deadline. Lately, he appears to be regaining his form down at AAA but we won’t know for sure until he’s called back up for once. At the end of the day, this should be Jansen’s last hurrah in Dodger blue. No sense keeping him around beyond this season unless Friedman’s interested in a grossly-overpaid middle-reliever at best.
I also noticed Pollock’s defensive miscues in that 9th inning as well and that brings up another key issue. Why didn’t Dave Roberts pull him from the game for Verdugo or even Hernandez for maximum coverage out there in CF to begin the bottom of the 9th??? Pollock might still have some sock left in that bat of his, but the numbers don’t lie: his range has drastically diminished this season compared to seasons past. Friedman basically handed out a 4-year deal to a corner OF who might not even be an everyday player out there anymore. So what can be done about this? I like my idea better, TRADE JOC PEDERSON and let Matt Beaty platoon with Pollock in LF with Verdugo getting the bulk of the playing time in CF with Hernandez filling in occasionally (would rather have Chris Taylor filling in instead, but he’s got that broken forearm so…). Oh, and they do have that DJ Peters kid who can play a bit of CF and has really turned himself around offensively dating back to last month. Maybe he should be given a look-see at some point???
“This is not good for the Dodgers in the sense that the price for going after a prime closer at the trade deadline is gonna go way up SPECIFICALLY for them after what happened in that 9th inning last night.”
Agreed
“I see only two viable options for them at this point: 1) bite the bullet and give the Pirates Keibert Ruiz (OK!) AND Dustin May (:::sob:::) for Felipe Vazquez and make him the primary closer for the remainder of his cost-controlled years, or 2) stay in-house and roll with a combination of Julio Urias, JT Chargois (he looks ready to pitch in this season for once), or even a “new-and-improved” Joe Kelly (O_O) for the rest of this season at least.”
No, to option 1. To big of price for ANY reliever.
Maybe, to option 2. We have lots of options in-house.
There is an option 3. Trade for additional bullpen help, but not trading top-end talent to get it. This is where Friedman and the Dodgers scouting staff shines. I see this option happening.
Unfortunately, no matter who we get, would Roberts use them as the closer?
Forgot to ask, Who is going to trade for Jansen, “a grossly-overpaid middle-reliever at best”?
In my opinion, better to keep him and hope for the best.
Who said anything about trading for Jansen? I’m talking about letting him go after this season, PERIOD. Only way he sticks around is if he opts out of those final two years remaining (and he better, too) and has his contract reworked so it doesn’t hinder the team financially moving forward. Knowing Jansen, he’ll most likely not opt out and will have to force the Dodgers to move him in a salary dump anyway. Point is, he’s well past the point of sticking a fork in him and the front office needs to move quickly in getting a true successor in that closer role. Clock’s been ticking for the last couple seasons now and it’s about to run out at the trade deadline withing the next few weeks…
Well he is owed $18M and $20M for 2020 and 2021, so I don’t see him opting out either.
But what is gained by dumping him? A roster spot, but nothing else. I don’t think he’s finished yet, overpaid, but still valuable in a setup role. Maybe even a lightly used closer role. Don’t forget roster size might increase next year to 26.
I see the $38M for 2020 and 2021 as an overpayment partially in appreciation for prior services, kind of like Kershaw’s extra year.
Lastly, Dodgers are under the luxury tax threshold this year and have the Kemp/Bailey salary dropping off after this year. Keeping young studs like Ruiz and May constantly coming up will keep them under the luxury tax even with Jansen and Kershaw’s salaries.
I watch every game and last night there seemed to be something wrong with Kenley as every pitch did not seem crisp and the velo was down! Today. he came out and said he should have came out after getting hit in the ankle! Why didn’t he tell Dave that last night! Instead he cost us a great comeback win! Actually, the only time recently,that he has looked good was Sunday in the game against the Sox, after a week off for the break! Andrew better go out and get some good back-ups, while he still can!!! I love Kenley for his attitude, but there is definitely something wrong!
Remember this is not a sprint its a marathon. Monday night in NY Chapman the yankees closer blew a save gave up a three run homer does that mean the Yanks have to be completely concerned? NO it does not.
KJ is not the elite closer right now that he was 2 years ago. We do need to make a deal for some help. Luckily J Kelly has righted his ship and can help.
It’s time to go work Mr. Friedman. KJ cannot be counted on in a big game anymore.You have the money from a huge TV contract that most locals can’t enjoy,record breaking attendance, and assets or players in a loaded farm system .The current bullpen will cost us dearly in the playoffs,if not in the World Series. No excuses.No usual retreads,please.Bring up Smith as Barnes is also hurting our chances to succeed in October.It should not be an issue to worry about Smith’s service time in the majors.Also I would start working with Matt Beaty on being the back up catcher as that’s what he is listed on the depth chart.He and Smith would be a nice left right combination next year.
Andy do you know or anyone else know how many games Beaty has caught. And how did he do.
Unfortunately he has been. You can see it in his body language. His health is my number concern and I… https://t.co/gU0CjuEov9
harpers hit would have tied the game as the hit by kingery drove in knapp to bring the score to 8-7
manuel
you cant take pollock out for verdugo when verdugo was already playing left field. thats a lot of ground for one guy to cover. hernandez had already been used as a PH in the 7th. the only option would have been to pull pollock, move dugie to CF put beaty in LF and KJ in pollocks hole. lets be honest, pulling a premium free agent (a signing i’ll never understand) for a rookie out of position is not the kind of move many fans or front offices would understand, especially if it didnt work out. two runs should have been safe. the bottom line is that Doc has to be able to trust his guys or second guess them every step of the way. when he went to the mound and asked KJ if he was OK, KJ lied, trying to be the hero when the right thing would have been to hand the ball off and head for the ice.
Beaty in LF and Verdugo in CF?? Can definitely live with that, buddy.
😉
Oh, and I’m one of those fans that doesn’t care how much a player’s getting paid. If they’re not cuttin’ it out there at the position they were brought in to play originally, they need to be yanked for someone that can. Egos BE DAMNED! Want to win the WS this year or not, folks??? Last call for this roster because if they don’t get it done this time around, anyone 30 and over’s gonna get moved out in favor of the already up-and-coming homegrown movement that’s begun to push its way up to the parent club this year and it’s gonna keep going for the next year or two at the very least.
Yes.
Regardless of what they do, right now it’s a scary situation when the Dodgers go into the 9th inning in a save situation. I’ve just about lost all my confidence in Jansen, although it was not entirely his fault in Tuesday night’s game.