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We got a little more insight into Kenley Jansen and his decision to return to the Dodgers on Tuesday. Jansen’s agent Adam Katz was a guest on MLB Network Radio and discussed how Jansen picked the Dodgers over the Nationals and Marlins.
Katz explained that at the beginning of the offseason his instructions from Jansen were to find the best deal on the open market, to “extract best position,” as Katz put it. But things changed over the weekend when Jansen was married in Curacao.
"At his wedding on Saturday, something pivoted for him. I think it was being with his teammates and his family. He got a jolt of how important family and continuity was,” Katz said. “He called me over the weekend, and said he was having difficulty processing leaving the Dodgers, and instructed me to work hard and get it done.”
Jansen was joined in Curacao at his wedding by teammates Justin Turner, Yasiel Puig, and Scott Van Slyke.
What a great night with amazing people in a beautiful country!! #Curacao #Wedding @court_with_a_K @audreyvanslyke pic.twitter.com/gRQo1wntUZ
— Justin Turner (@redturn2) December 11, 2016
Katz confirmed the offers from both the Nationals and Marlins were “a little better economically” than the $80 million over five years Jansen got from the Dodgers, but that the closer preferred to remain with the only professional organization he has known since signing as a 17-year-old amateur catcher in 2004.
“In the beginning [of the offseason] we were authentic in exploration of the market and what was out there with other clubs,” Katz said. “He pivoted. Over the weekend, he wanted to be a Dodger, no matter what.”
No matter what.