Red Sox Star Projected To Receive $72 Million Making Things Difficult

Will the Red Sox find a way to keep the star in town?
Sep 6, 2020; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; An empty Fenway Park is seen during the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
Sep 6, 2020; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; An empty Fenway Park is seen during the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images / Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
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The Boston Red Sox will have some talented players hit free agency this winter.

Boston has had an up-and-down 2024 season. While this is the case, the Red Sox have gotten plenty of consistency from star closer Kenley Jansen. He has been everything the Red Sox could've hoped for over the last two seasons, but his future with the team is in question.

Jansen will be a free agent at the end of the season. He was in trade rumors last offseason, but Boston ultimately ended up hanging on to him as it looked to fight for a playoff spot. Jansen has shined for Boston and has a 3.48 ERA and 26 saves in 51 appearances.

It's unclear if he will be back, though. Boston has fellow star closer Liam Hendriks, who is expected to play a major role with the team in 2025. Jansen will be a free agent and is projected to receive a contract in the range of four years and $72 million by Spotrac.

While it would be great to bring Jansen back, that may be a high number when Boston already has another option to take the role. Jansen also has made it known that he wants to contend for a World Series. He hasn't ruled out a return to the Red Sox could contend next year, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him sign elsewhere.

If his days with Boston are numbered, he certainly was a great pickup. Sadly, the Red Sox haven't been able to give him more success.

More MLB: Red Sox, Yankees Could Get In Bidding War For Projected $165 Million Star


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Patrick McAvoy
PATRICK MCAVOY

Patrick McAvoy's experiences include local and national sports coverage at the New England Sports Network with a focus on baseball and basketball. Outside of journalism, Patrick also is pursuing an MBA at Brandeis University. After quickly rising as one of the most productive writers on the site, he expanded his reach to write for Baseball Essential, a national baseball site in Sports Illustrated Media Group. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding Inside The Cardinals, please reach out to Scott Neville: nevilles@merrimack.edu