MLB Trade Rumors: Former Red Sox Reliever In Demand Before Deadline

The trade market for MLB closers is red-hot following a pair of blockbuster trades Wednesday. That could make things interesting for the Los Angeles Angels and former Boston Red Sox reliever Kenley Jansen as Thursday’s 6 p.m. ET deadline approaches.

“Closer Kenley Jansen is the Angels’ most desirable potential free agent, and club officials sent conflicting signals after the trade with the Nationals on whether he might still be available,” The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported Thursday.

“The question might not even be that relevant. The bullpen market erupted Wednesday with deals for relievers with bigger stuff and better numbers than Jansen,” Rosenthal continued.

Among Wednesday’s blockbuster moves were the trades sending Minnesota Twins closer Jhoan Duran to the Philadelphia Phillies and St. Louis Cardinals reliever Ryan Helsley to the New York Mets.

But the Angels might be hesitant to follow suit.

“The Angels appear to be buyers, which likely takes Taylor Ward, Tyler Anderson, Kenley Jansen, Luis Rengifo and others off the trade market (if they were ever actually on it),” MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reported Wednesday. “The Angels are going for it, trying to get Mike Trout back to October for the first time since 2014.”

Rosenthal also noted the Angels are trying to play the long game with Jensen.

“(A deal) also might damage the chances of him returning to the team next season, an outcome both he and general manager Perry Minasian have said they desire. But with the Angels, nothing cannot be ruled out until the deadline passes,” Rosenthal concluded.

Jansen, 37, is 3-2 with 20 saves and a 2.93 ERA in 43 appearances this season. The right-hander anchored the Red Sox bullpen in 2023 and 2024, saving 56 games while posting a 3.44 ERA in Boston.

The four-time All-Star is fourth all-time with 467 career saves. According to Spotrac, Jansen is making $10 million this season and will be a free agent following the World Series.