The Boston Red Sox’ bullpen, much like last year, has been a weak spot for the team so far. Boston relievers currently have a combined 4.47 ERA, placing them in the bottom 10 of MLB. Apart from Aroldis Chapman and Garrett Whitlock, who have impressed in the early going, the Red Sox’s ‘pen could use some help.

ESPN recently proposed a strange reunion, one that would bring closer Kenley Jansen back to Boston. Jansen spent the last two seasons as the Red Sox’ closer and posted a combined 3.44 ERA in just under 100 innings of work, notching 56 saves in the process and making an All-Star team in 2023. He’s off to a fantastic start with the Angels in 2025, as he already has five saves and hasn’t allowed a run yet.

Although the Angels have been better than expected to start the season, ESPN predicts that they won’t be close to contention by the trade deadline. Given the Angels’ past, that’s not a crazy prediction. If they aren’t competing, then they’ll be sellers, making Jansen available.

ESPN proposes Red Sox bring back closer Kenley Jansen via trade at the deadline

Whether that’s a good thing for the Red Sox is up for debate. Jansen wasn’t bad in Boston, but whether he can be an effective reliever at age 37 is in doubt. Besides, the Red Sox already have have two relievers who are in their mid-30s in Chapman and Liam Hendriks. Unless it’s their goal to collect aging legends in their bullpen, trading for Jansen doesn’t make a ton of sense. The older your bullpen, the more likely you are to deal with injury problems, which won’t help your depth.

Is it possible that Jansen could help the back end of the Red Sox bullpen? Certainly. He’s one of the best closers of all time. Are there sure to be better and younger options on the trade market? Absolutely. The biggest attraction about Jansen right now is probably that he’s close to surpassing Lee Smith for third in all-time saves, a mark which he can hit with a good season. The Red Sox should do themselves a favor and avoid that distraction.