Detroit Tigers: Pros and Cons of Signing Kenley Jansen

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Oct 1, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen (74) delivers a pitch during the sixth inning against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Tigers closer Francisco Rodriguez enjoyed a solid first season in the Motor City, racking up 44 saves in 61 appearances. However, the bullpen was a problem again for Detroit. Kenley Jansen could be a fit.

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila did well to rebuild a struggling bullpen following the 2015 season.

After a season that saw Alex Wilson and Blaine Hardy function as the team’s only dependable relievers, Avila brought in Mark Lowe, Justin Wilson and Rodriguez to bolster the back end of the bullpen.

While Lowe struggled, the emergence of Bruce Rondon, Kyle Ryan and Shane Greene as useful relievers helped make up for it.

Despite some solid displays from a number of relievers, the team’s bullpen wasn’t the most consistent group. The Tigers will need consistency out of the team’s relievers if they want to advance in the postseason come the 2017 season.

One solution could be signing Kenley Jansen.

The longtime Los Angeles Dodgers closer is slated to hit free agency this offseason and is one of the game’s premier relief pitchers.

While the likes of Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman tend to get all the attention, Jansen has quietly posted numbers on par with the outstanding duo. He’d be an excellent fit in Detroit.

Here are the pros and cons as to whether the Detroit Tigers should sign Kenley Jansen.

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