Mariners see rival Angels get stronger after addition of future Hall of Famer

As tough as it has been for Seattle Mariners fans to watch their beloved team just miss out on the playoffs in thee of the past four seasons, it could always be worse. In their own division specifically, we're referring to the Los Angeles Angels, who have wasted having a prime Mike Trout and (previously) Shohei Ohtani in their lineup.

Last season represented a new low for the Angels, as they finished bottom of the AL West with a 63-99 record, with the 63 wins being the fewest in franchise history in a full season (since their inception in 1961). As a result, the only way is up for a team that hasn't been to the playoffs since 2014. And that shouldn't be perceived as a dig, considering the Mariners' own ongoing struggles to continue playing into October.

In any event, the Angels have made a notable move in their attempts to build a more competitive roster for the 2025 season. As per MLB.com, MLB Network's Jon Heyman was the first to report the signing of Kenley Jansen, with Heyman's co-New York Post columnist Joel Sherman adding that the deal is for one year and $10 million.

Kenley Jansen will make the Mariners' divisional rivals better

Jansen is one of the most productive closers in Major League history, with him currently ranked fourth all-time with 447 saves (and 31 behind Lee Smith for third place). The assumption is that the 37-year-old would like to aim for 500 saves, but can forget about first or second place on the list, with Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman at 652 and 601.

There will be those who claim Jansen is not as effective as he used to be, but consider that as recently as 2022 he lead the National League with 41 saves and was an All-Star for the American League just a season later. Last year, he produced a 3.29 ERA, 3.00 FIP and 1.061 WHIP, while coming through on 27 of 31 save opportunities for the Boston Red Sox.

For his career as a whole, the 2020 World Series champion's 447 saves have come on 507 opportunities for a 88.17% success rate, and he should continue to excel in the role with the Angels. Even in his late-30s he still has a powerful arm as he continues to rely on his cutter with a little bit of slider and sinker mixed in. Late and close situations vs the Angels just got a little bit more difficult for the Mariners.

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