Dodgers News: Kenley Jansen’s Contract Contains Opt-Out

The Dodgers gave Kenley Jansen a five-year deal worth $80 million. The financial compensation was less than what the Washington Nationals offered, and possibly less than the Miami Marlins’ contract, which was in the same ball park. In his agreement with L.A., Jansen received an opt-out clause after three years, according to Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports and other reports.

Opt-out clauses are baseball’s latest trend. Free agents are requesting them two or three years in to have more power over their future earnings. It can provide upside for the team as financial relief, but if a player is opting out, he is obviously set to earn a raise or more years.

https://twitter.com/TBrownYahoo/status/808393332741308416

It’s a solid move for Jansen, who copied Aroldis Chapman’s blueprint for an opt-out. If both find continued success, they’ll hit the market again when relievers’ contracts may be even richer. If that isn’t the case, the player has an extra two-year safety net.

[graphiq id=”2wz1RiYycEl” title=”Kenley Jansen” width=”600″ height=”624″ url=”https://w.graphiq.com/w/2wz1RiYycEl” ]

The Dodgers could benefit as well. Even if Jansen is dominant, hitting free agency a couple years early frees up salary. By that point, it’s reasonable to think L.A. would be interesting in a younger alternative.

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