Tigers' pending Kenley Jansen option decision will set the tone for Detroit's offseason

This offseason's free agent class got a few additions on Thursday, when a wave of players declined their player or mutual options to test the market instead of sticking with incumbent teams.

The Cubs' rotation was whittled down to basically no one when Clay Holmes and former Tigers starter Matthew Boyd opted out. Michael King also opted out of his deal with the Padres, and Dustin May declined his end of a mutual option with the Brewers.

Clubs with their own options over players have until Monday to make a decision, and the Tigers have two pretty significant ones. Drew Anderson has a $10 million option; Kenley Jansen $12 million.

Anderson's should be picked up. He did admirable work as a swingman after the Tigers took a flier on him coming back from Asia, and he could serve as a sixth starter — or even a fifth, if Reese Olson isn't healthy by Opening Day.

Tigers fans have come together almost unanimously that Jansen's should not be. Although his numbers on the season as a whole look fine, a 3.20 ERA over 45 innings with 22 saves, his six blown opportunities are hard to forget.

Scott Harris' decision on Jansen could set the tone for Detroit's entire offseason. If they keep him, it'll send a message that things will be business as usual. If they don't, maybe they're actually serious about tearing down the bullpen and getting to work on the free agent or trade markets.

Tigers' Kenley Jansen decision will be telling for the rest of their offseason

Jansen is just two saves away from a career 500. He's already an almost-guaranteed Hall of Fame closer, but getting to that round number would just solidify his case.

But the Tigers can't let sentimentality win here. While keeping Jansen to let him get just two more saves would be the nice thing to do, can the Tigers really afford to be nice after such a disappointing season? $12 million is a little too much money to pay for a feel-good story (...unless we're talking about Justin Verlander).

Harris declined to comment on Jansen's future with the team during the Tigers' end-of-season conference and shifted instead to praise for rookie Drew Sommers, who seems primed to take over as closer.

If Jansen goes, that's just an open spot on the active roster for the Tigers to sign a free agent reliever (Alex Vesia, anyone?) and an opportunity to take the necessary steps to fixing what was their greatest weakness in 2026.

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