Kenley Jansen, RHP, LAA
Kenley Jansen is an experienced reliever who may be in trade rumors leading up to the end of July. The Los Angeles Angels are off to an average start, and they could be taking offers for players if they are out of the playoff picture by the middle of the summer.
Jansen has been perfect for Los Angeles, saving six out of six games and not allowing a run in eight appearances. The veteran has an extensive track record of being one of the top closers for over a decade. That will be another reason front offices of playoff contenders will look to add him leading up to the trade deadline.
Alvarado is doing well so far this year for the Phillies, but has battled inconsistency in the past. Strahm may be used sometimes in the ninth inning, but is mostly used earlier in games. Romano has been unreliable for the most part (subscription required), as noted by The Philadelphia Inquirer's Scott Lauber. He is one of three Philadelphia relievers with two blown saves so far in the season.
Following the Phillies' series finale versus the Miami Marlins last weekend, Thomson said he did not think the bullpen had an issue, according to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki.
"I don't," Thomson said, per Zolecki. "Because it's still a small sample size. I know we have really good arms, really good stuff out there. We've just got to keep working at it, keep grinding through it."
Zolecki noted that Thomson has been forced to use Alvarado, Strahm and Orion Kerkering whenever they are available to pitch in a close game. Over the course of a six-month regular season, relying on those three relievers is not sustainable. It increases their chances of wearing down or potentially suffering injuries.
However, the rest of Philly's relief pitchers, specifically Joe Ross and Romano, need to improve before the bullpen issues further worsen. It looks like the club made the wrong decision letting Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estévez leave in free agency in favor of signing Romano, the former Toronto Blue Jays closer, to a more affordable one-year deal.
Estévez, while blowing two save opportunities so far in 2025, has still be relatively effective for the Kansas City Royals. He has six saves in eight opportunities along with a 3.60 ERA in 11 contests. Hoffman has flourished in the closer's role with the Blue Jays. He has six saves, which is tied with Estévez, Jansen, Pagán and the New York Mets' Edwin Diaz for eighth-most among relievers. Watching Hoffman do well is frustrating for Phillies fans. Choosing not to bring him back is a missed opportunity for the club. His 1.35 ERA in 12 contests is one of the best among relievers.
Angels reliever Ryan Zeferjahn spoke about the benefit of having a teammate like Jansen to communicate with, per Los Angeles Daily News' Doug Padilla.
"It’s the best," Zeferjahn said, per Padilla. "There are some guys that aren’t like that and that sucks. But when you have those guys, you use them. And you don’t even have to talk to them, just watch and see how he approaches the game, how he gets ready, warming up. I watch a lot of that and that’s the biggest part.”
Jansen also has playoff experience, appearing in 59 games, primarily with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He's 20-for-24 in postseason save opportunities. Philadelphia should have the veteran on their radar, especially if he continues to be among the best closers near the trade deadline.