Red Sox in Reliever Crisis Mode: Kenley Jansen’s Exit Leaves Boston Scrambling for Solutions
The Boston Red Sox find themselves in a precarious situation as they enter the 2025 season without their former All-Star closer, Kenley Jansen. With Jansen departing via free agency, the Red Sox bullpen is in crisis mode, forcing the front office to explore immediate solutions to solidify their late-game pitching.
Jansen’s exit creates a major void in a bullpen that already struggled with consistency last season. Now, with the season fast approaching, Boston must act swiftly to find a reliable closer or risk facing serious consequences in high-pressure situations.
Kenley Jansen’s Impact and Departure
Kenley Jansen, a three-time All-Star and one of the most accomplished closers in baseball, spent the past two seasons anchoring the Red Sox bullpen. In 2024, he posted a 3.12 ERA with 29 saves, providing much-needed stability to a Boston team that often found itself in tight games.
His ability to shut down opponents in the ninth inning was a crucial asset, and his departure leaves Boston without a proven closer. With Jansen signing a multi-year deal with another team (reports suggest a lucrative contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers), the Red Sox must now address their bullpen needs urgently.
Current State of the Red Sox Bullpen
Without Jansen, the Red Sox bullpen is riddled with uncertainty. The team lacks an established closer, and internal options are limited. Boston’s top returning relievers include:
Chris Martin – A dependable setup man, but not a proven ninth-inning option.
John Schreiber – Has shown flashes of dominance but has struggled with consistency.
Josh Winckowski – A versatile pitcher who has worked as a long reliever but lacks closer experience.
Garrett Whitlock – Once considered a potential closer, but has battled injuries and may be used in a starting role.
With no clear-cut replacement, the Red Sox are in desperate need of reinforcements.
Possible Solutions for Boston’s Bullpen Woes
Boston’s front office is now under immense pressure to address the bullpen issue. Here are some of the potential solutions they could explore:
1. Signing a Free-Agent Closer
Several relievers remain available on the free-agent market, though the options are dwindling. Some of the names Boston could target include:
David Robertson – A veteran closer with experience in high-pressure situations.
Aroldis Chapman – A power pitcher who could be a short-term fix.
Jordan Hicks – A younger, high-upside reliever with closing potential.
If Boston wants to remain competitive in the American League, signing a proven closer is almost a necessity.
2. Exploring a Trade for a Closer
With limited free-agent options, the Red Sox could turn to the trade market to acquire a high-leverage reliever. Some potential trade targets include:
Ryan Helsley (St. Louis Cardinals) – An elite reliever with closing experience.
Scott Barlow (Cleveland Guardians) – A solid late-inning option with a history of success.
Evan Phillips (Los Angeles Dodgers) – Has shown dominant stuff but may not be available.
Boston has the prospect capital to make a trade, but whether they are willing to part with young talent remains to be seen.
3. Promoting an Internal Candidate
The Red Sox could take a gamble by promoting someone from within the organization to the closer role. However, this comes with significant risk. Chris Martin and John Schreiber are the most likely options, but neither has extensive closer experience. Garrett Whitlock has the stuff to handle the role, but durability concerns remain.
If Boston chooses this route, they would likely need to strengthen the rest of their bullpen to compensate for the uncertainty at closer.
Red Sox’s Urgency to Address the Issue
Boston’s lack of a dominant bullpen was a key reason they fell short of playoff contention last season. If they fail to secure a reliable closer, it could lead to more blown saves, late-game collapses, and lost opportunities in crucial games.
The Red Sox front office, led by Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow, has been aggressive in improving the roster this offseason. However, failing to replace Jansen would be a significant setback.
“We know how important the bullpen is, and we’re evaluating all options,” Breslow said in a recent interview. “We want to make sure we put our team in the best position to win close games.”
Looking Ahead: Will the Red Sox Find Their Answer?
With the start of the 2025 season approaching, the Red Sox must act quickly to address their bullpen issues. Whether through free agency, trades, or internal promotions, a solution must be found if Boston hopes to contend in the American League East.
Kenley Jansen’s departure has left a glaring hole, and unless Boston finds a reliable replacement, their postseason hopes could be in jeopardy before the season even begins. Fans will be watching closely to see if the Red Sox can pull off a last-minute move to stabilize their bullpen and avoid a crisis that could derail their season.
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