Tigers rumors point to surprising chase for aging arm that could reshape the bullpen

While there's mutual interest between the Detroit Tigers and Kyle Finnegan to get a deal done this offseason, it would seem that Scott Harris is also exploring contingency plans in the event that their 2025 trade deadline acquisition finds a new (more lucrative) opportunity somewhere else this winter.

According to MLB insider Ari Alexander of 7News in Boston, the Tigers are among the teams kicking the tires on aging veteran reliever Kenley Jansen. Alexander's sources claim that the Los Angeles Angels are also interested in a reunion with the four-time All-Star.

Jansen is a bit long in the tooth — he just turned 38 years old back in September — but the right-hander is still one of the better backend relievers in baseball and made 62 appearances out of the Angels' bullpen in 2025.

Tigers Rumors: Detroit interested in Angels' reliever Kenley Jansen

Obviuosly, Jansen doesn't have the same zip on his fastball that he did during his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers (2010-2021), and his strikeout numbers have dipped lately. The veteran, however, was still able to record 29 saves last season in Anaheim — thanks in part to devastating cut fastball — and his 2.59 ERA was the lowest since final year with the Dodgers in 2021.

Jansen was also able to lower his walk rate (8.5%) in 2025. There is concerns, however, about the long ball. Jansen allowed eight balls to leave the yard last season and his 1.22 HR/9 represented a huge spike from 2024. The pitcher-friendly confines in Detroit could help lower that number, however.

While so many Tigers rumors this offseason have centered around the idea of trading two-time Cy Young Award-winner Tarik Skubal, these latest whispers from the Winter Meetings in Orlando would seem to suggest that Detroit is looking to add, not subtract.

Jansen signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Angels last season, and after the success he enjoyed in 2025, one has assume he'll be looking for a similar number this winter.

A reunion with Finnegan is obviously still on the table, and Detroit has also been linked to former Tampa Bay Rays' closer Pete Fairbanks and (prior to his deal with the New York Mets) former All-Star reliever Devin Williams. But now Tigers fans can add Jansen to ever-growing list of names as Detroit looks to revamp their relief corps heading into 2026.