Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Dodgers
5-0, 35 saves, 58.3 IP, 93 K, 1.23 ERA, 1.24 FIP, 0.69 WHIP
Jansen has been about as good as a reliever can be this season. He’s been successful in 35 of his 36 save opportunities and picked up a career-high five wins along the way. He’s stuck out 42.7 percent of the batters he’s faced, which is the highest rate in the NL. Only AL reliever Craig Kimbrel has struck out batters more often. Jansen also has a microscopic 2.8 percent walk rate. He’s been the anchor for the best group of relievers in the National League.
The Dodgers signed Jansen to a five-year, $80 million contract in January. It was the second-largest contract ever for a reliever (after Aroldis Chapman’s five-year, $86 million contract with the Yankees). Jansen will likely end this year in the range of 3-4 WAR, which equates to $24 to $30 million in value. It’s still only the first year of the deal, but it’s looking good so far.
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As good as Jansen has been, it will be tough for Jansen to get any traction in Cy Young voting. No NL relievers garnered any Cy Young votes last season. Two years ago, closer Mark Melancon was in the final spot on five ballots. Jansen will likely be good enough to get some down ballot votes like Melancon did, but won’t get much love at the top end of the ballot.