Kenley Jansen's Potential Dodgers Reunion Looms as Trade Deadline Approaches

Kenley Jansen, the veteran reliever, is being considered as a potential trade target for the Los Angeles Dodgers as the MLB trade deadline approaches. While Jansen, who signed his first professional contract with the Dodgers 21 years ago and won a World Series with them, had hoped to help the Angels end their playoff drought, he acknowledged he would be disappointed if traded but remains a professional. The Dodgers are actively seeking right-handed bullpen help, and Jansen is enjoying a strong season with 17 saves, a 1.00 ERA in save situations, and a 3.19 ERA overall, his lowest since 2021. Despite being 36 saves shy of 500, Jansen expressed a willingness to pitch in any inning (sixth, seventh, or eighth) if it means winning a World Series, prioritizing team success over individual milestones. The Angels, facing the longest playoff drought in MLB, are expected to trade pending free agents like Jansen to acquire pitching depth for the future.