Detroit Tigers: Pros and Cons of Signing Kenley Jansen

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Aug 8, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers executive vice president and general manager Al Avila before the game against the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Cons

Money

The only real con with Jansen is a potential contract. Detroit doesn’t exactly have the most salary flexibility in the world, and adding the reliever could prove problematic.

However, things could change if Detroit moves some contracts.

It would be an extremely successful offseason for the Tigers if the team can get out from the respective contracts of Anibal Sanchez, Mike Pelfrey and Mark Lowe.

Should that happen, signing Jansen would be an excellent way to reinvest.

Detroit does have a number of substantial contracts on the books, but the team is fortunate in the sense that three-fifths of their rotation, their starting catcher and a number of key relievers are still under team control and not eligible for arbitration.

In this sense, they could spend on Jansen as they don’t yet have to pay premiums for the likes of Michael Fulmer, Daniel Norris, Matt Boyd, James McCann and Kyle Ryan.

The team will also have Erick Aybar’s contract coming off the books to free up some salary.

Other Teams

Another issue could be competition. Should the Detroit Tigers make a run at Jansen, they will won’t be alone.

Next: Do Tigers Need Another SP?

The Dodgers pitcher led all relievers in WAR, WHIP and batting average against. He was second in FIP and SIERA. Jansen also ranked in the top 10 in xFIP (sixth), ERA (seventh), strikeouts per nine innings (eighth) and walks per nine innings (ninth).

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