With Kenley Jansen signing with the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts discussed who he plans to be the closer for the 2022 season.
The Los Angeles Dodgers made the big splash move to sign former Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman to a six-year contract. However, the Braves did get a player from the Dodgers in the form of closing pitcher Kenley Jansen, who they signed to a one-year deal. With Jansen out of the picture, Dodgers fans are wondering who will be the new closer.
Manager Dave Roberts was asked if he had a specific pitcher in mind to take over Jansen’s role in the bullpen. Here is his answer, provided by Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register.
Dave Roberts’ statement on closer role should have Dodgers fans worried
When looking at the team’s depth chart, Blake Treinen does slot in as the closer. Last season, Treinen recorded a 1.99 ERA, a 0.982 WHIP, 85 strikeouts and seven saves over 72.1 innings of work (72 games).
Even so, Roberts said he does not know “if that’s the right answer.”
The week prior, h/t Plunkett of the Orange County Register, Roberts said that he did not plan to have an exclusive closer, expressing his confidence in the relievers he has in the bullpen to fill in. Based on his comments on March 26, he appears to be sticking with that plan.
Jansen was coming off a 2021 season where he recorded a 2.22 ERA, a 1.043 WHIP, 86 strikeouts, 36 walks and 38 saves in 69 games (69.0 innings). The Braves signed him to a one-year deal, where he will get paid $16 million.
When it comes to who will replace Jansen, it will not be one option. It could be a closer-by-committee strategy utilized by Roberts throughout the 2022 season.