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3 Moves I’m making for the Phillies if I’m Dave Dombrowski

By Gabrielle Starr

BOSTON, MA - JULY 5: Boston Red Sox President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski talks on the phone before a game between the Boston Red Sox and the Texas Rangers on July 5, 2016 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JULY 5: Boston Red Sox President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski talks on the phone before a game between the Boston Red Sox and the Texas Rangers on July 5, 2016 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /
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Kenley Jansen
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen (74) Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

2. The Phillies need to sign Kenley Jansen

The Phillies let longtime closer Hector Neris depart for the Houston Astros, further depleting their already-disastrous bullpen, which tied MLB’s all-time record for most blown saves in a single season when they matched the 2004 Colorado Rockies’ 34 blowups.

But after 12 years with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Kenley Jansen is a free agent, and he’d be a perfect fit for the far-from-perfect Phillies bullpen.

The three-time All-Star is coming off his best season in years. Over 69 games and exactly 69 innings, he posted a 2.22 ERA. The veteran righty struck out 86 batters, and only gave up 36 hits, 36 walks, and 17 earned runs all season. He finished 52 games and earned 38 saves.

The 2.22 ERA is Jansen’s lowest in a season since 2017, and this was the most games and innings he’s pitched, and most saves he’s earned since 2018. His 1.4 HR% is tied for the second-lowest of his career, and the lowest since his debut season in 2010, in which he only made 25 appearances.

Jansen’s impressive resumé is virtually unmatched in this year’s free-agent pitching market. He has years of regular-season excellence, as well as an abundance of postseason experience.

The Phillies did sign fellow former Dodger Corey Knebel before the lockout, but he hasn’t pitched as a full-time closer since 2018 and doesn’t have nearly as much experience as Jansen. Knebel has only finished five games total over the last two seasons and earned three saves.

If I’m Dombrowski, I’m making Knebel my set-up man and signing Jansen to be the Phillies’ new closer.

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