Kenley Jansen Opens up About Potential Dodgers' Reunion

Kenley Jansen, who spent eleven seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers has opened up about the possibility of returning to the Boys in Blue before his career is all said and done.

Jansen has spent the last couple of seasons testing out other teams and seeing how valuable he is in the closer position for both the Atlanta Braves and now the Boston Red Sox in which he's had a solid run for the most part. Still, he has opened up about wanting the team to add more key pieces to help them win and keep afloat for a shot at the postseason.

In 2024, Jansen has had an elite season for the most part. In 31 appearances with the Red Sox, he has posted a 2.01 ERA, 35 strikeouts and 18 saves out of 19 opportunities. The 36-year-old closer has had a very strong season to be a legitimate All-Star.

However, after being snubbed, the deep run for both him and the Red Sox postseason might not have a lot of meat on their bone if they can't make the right choices to fill in spots that could result in winning ways for Boston.

Jansen was a guest on Foul Territory, where he asked about the idea of retiring in Dodgers' blue. The four-time All-Star was drafted by LA in 2004 originally as a catcher.

However, after seeing how Jansen played on the mound, the switch for him to become their closer for the next eleven years was the best plan for him and resulted in becoming a champion in 2020 during the COVID season.

Here is the full quote below of Jansen's comments on the possibility of coming back to the Dodgers for his retirement year.

""To be honest with you, if I have to speak for myself, yes. I want to see myself retiring in Dodger blue," Jansen said. "But is it a reality? No," he said. "I don't know because I don't have control over that. Also, I don't know what they're thinking, and at the end of the day, it's a business.""

Jansen also spoke about how he didn't mind that he didn't get selected for the All-Star game, saying that he prefers to be back home in Los Angeles for a week without having to get ready for a game until he suits back up for another potential save this season to add on to the elite year he has had.

There has not been much talk about the Red Sox centering a deal around Jansen to ship him out to another team since the chances of making the postseason look high heading into the All-Star break on July 16.

Boston is currently 5.5 games behind first place. They are a top-5 team in the American League, and in their last ten games, they have won seven outings. In 2023, the Red Sox missed the postseason and were ten games behind the final spot to make it in.

The Dodgers are currently the second-best team in the National League. They are 6.5 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies and despite the losing slump that Los Angeles has faced, they do have good news with pitcher Clayton Kershaw getting ready to start his rehab in OKC during the All-Star break.

Walker Buehler could be another name who pops in as good news as long as his rehab assignments go well for him.

When Jansen becomes a free agent at the end of the season, there could be some hope that both sides can speak with each other and the legendary closer can make his return to Dodger Blue for a final season or two.

However, it depends on if he feels he can boost the morale of the players, and add to a legacy that is already incredibly cherished by the Dodgers organization and fans who would not mind getting the chance to see him back in LA one last time.

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