The Los Angeles Angels are making significant moves as they aim to improve next season, recently announcing two key signings on Saturday. Veteran right-handed pitcher Kenley Jansen has been signed to a one-year contract worth $10 million, while infielder Yoán Moncada has also joined the team with a one-year deal valued at $5 million.
Kenley Jansen, now 37 years old, has an impressive resume, having spent the last two seasons with the Boston Red Sox after a successful 12-year tenure with the Los Angeles Dodgers. This signing marks the beginning of Jansen’s 16th major league season and is expected to enhance the Angels’ bullpen significantly. Following the trade of former All-Star closer Carlos Estévez to Philadelphia last July, Jansen will likely step into the closer’s role, allowing the talented Ben Joyce to handle setup duties.
Returning to Los Angeles, where he previously thrived with the Dodgers, Jansen continues to be a fan favorite. He was initially signed by the Dodgers as an undrafted free agent from Curacao. During his time with the Dodgers, Jansen secured a World Series title, led the National League in saves on two occasions, and made three All-Star appearances. He eventually became a free agent and signed with Atlanta in 2022.
Throughout his career, Jansen has consistently demonstrated his abilities, achieving at least 25 saves in each of the past 12 seasons. His signature cutter pitch has solidified his reputation as a top closer, making him the active leader in both career saves (447) and appearances (871). In the most recent season with the Red Sox, he recorded an impressive 27 saves in 31 opportunities and struck out 62 batters across 54 and two-thirds innings.
Alongside Jansen, the Angels have added other seasoned players in an effort to bounce back from a difficult season. They have also welcomed starting pitchers Yusei Kikuchi and Kyle Hendricks, catcher Travis d’Arnaud, outfielder Jorge Soler, and now Moncada. The 29-year-old Moncada, originally from Cuba, began his major league career with the Boston Red Sox in 2016 before spending eight seasons with the Chicago White Sox. Over his career, he boasts a .254 batting average along with 93 home runs and 339 RBIs.
To accommodate these new signings on the 40-man roster, the Angels placed infielder Anthony Rendon, who is dealing with a left hip impingement, and right-hander Robert Stephenson, who is recovering from elbow surgery, on the 60-day injured list.
