The Boston Red Sox bullpen appears poised for significant changes heading into the 2025 season.
Following a challenging 2024 campaign, where the bullpen ranked 24th in MLB with a 4.39 ERA, the team faces both the need for reinforcements and the potential loss of key contributors.
One notable departure could be All-Star closer Kenley Jansen, who has anchored the Red Sox bullpen for the past two seasons. Jansen signed a two-year, $32 million contract before the 2023 season and delivered strong performances, including a 3.29 ERA and a 62-to-20 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 54 2/3 innings in 2024. However, with his contract expiring, speculation suggests Jansen may be headed for free agency.
According to FanSided’s Zach Pressnell, Jansen’s exit is “one of the more obvious moves” Boston is expected to make this offseason. Pressnell predicts a reunion with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where Jansen enjoyed the majority of his stellar career before joining the Red Sox.
The Dodgers, in need of bullpen help, could offer Jansen a one-year deal as either a closer or a setup option.
If Jansen departs, Boston will face the challenge of finding a reliable replacement for the closer role. Whether the team pursues a high-profile arm, like Scott Barlow, or opts for internal options, addressing the bullpen’s deficiencies will be a top priority for the Red Sox as they aim to bounce back in 2025.
Jansen’s departure would mark the end of a productive chapter in Boston, where he brought stability to a role that had long been a weakness.
For now, fans await official news as the offseason unfolds, with Boston seemingly entering a transitional phase in their bullpen strategy.
