Mets: Kenley Jansen’s struggles a warning sign for Jeurys Familia’s future
Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen is having a terrible season. He’s the perfect example as to why the New York Mets should not keep Jeurys Familia beyond 2018.
If you thought New York Mets closer Jeurys Familia was having a rough 2018 season, his struggles are nothing compared to what’s going on with Kenley Jansen. The highly-paid, highly-respected Los Angeles Dodgers closer is having an atrocious year.
The uncharacteristically awful year includes a 5.59 ERA and a pair of blown saves in five opportunities. This, through his first ten appearances, comes as a major surprise.
Dodgers fans have to wonder what happened to their prized closer. Just last season, Jansen went 5-0 with a 1.32 ERA and a league-leading 41 saves. Since debuting in 2010, he never finished a season with an ERA higher than 2.85. This year could be much different.
Unfortunately for the Dodgers, Jansen has a lot of money coming his way. He’ll take home $11.3 million this year before seeing a boost to $19.3 million next year. Jansen will then make a combined $38 million in 2020 and 2021.
Familia would never get paid nearly the same as Jansen. He doesn’t have the same pedigree.
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However, Familia should still earn himself a handsome payday. For the Mets, it’s important to take note of how quickly Jansen seems to have lost his stuff.
I personally don’t want to see Familia back with the Mets. It’s not a logical way to spend money. As much as I can appreciate what he gave this franchise, it’s important to move on from players before they decline. Familia is a closer and nobody flames at quicker.
If the Mets are going to pay big dollars to a closer, I want it to go into the pockets of someone they can fully trust. Familia isn’t a guy I believe anyone would like to see with the ball in an important situation. Although he’s a talented arm, a lead is never safe with him on the mound.
In their search for a new closer next year, the Mets need to look at reliability and consistency above anything else. My favorite pick is Cleveland Indians closer Cody Allen. Hopefully, a familiarity with Mickey Callaway can help the Mets convince him to sign a deal.
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It’s far too soon to move on from Familia just yet. He has plenty left in the tank and should give at least a few more credible years. Even if the Mets do decide to keep him, I hope they do it with caution.