A recurring theme in the Atlanta Braves’ recent era of success has been reuniting with former players. In 2024, the team brought back familiar faces like Adam Duvall, Jorge Soler, and Eddie Rosario in an effort to reconstruct their outfield. As the Braves explore roster upgrades in free agency, they might continue this trend by targeting players with whom they share a history. Among the possibilities is re-signing a potential Hall of Fame closer to bolster their bullpen.
Mark Powell of FanSided recently speculated that the Braves could consider a reunion with Kenley Jansen. Jansen served as Atlanta’s closer in 2022 before signing a two-year, $32 million deal with the Boston Red Sox. Powell highlighted Jansen’s continued reliability, noting that the 37-year-old remains one of the most dependable closers in the game.
Although the Braves already have Raisel Iglesias, who excelled in 2024 with 34 saves and a stellar 1.95 ERA, adding Jansen to their bullpen could further enhance their late-game pitching options. However, Jansen’s personal goals and preferences may complicate a potential reunion. Having spent the first 12 years of his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, he could prefer a return to Los Angeles.
More significantly, Jansen is just 53 saves away from reaching the 500-save milestone, a feat accomplished by only two pitchers in MLB history. Achieving that goal would likely require regular save opportunities, something Atlanta might not be able to provide. While the odds of Jansen choosing the Braves appear slim, the unpredictable nature of free agency leaves room for surprises.
