True Blue LA - Kenley Jansen signs 1-year deal, avoids arbitrationWhere The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2014-02-11T14:55:33-08:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/51045612014-02-11T14:55:33-08:002014-02-11T14:55:33-08:00Jansen gets $4.3 million, avoids arbitration
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<figcaption>Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Dodgers closer will receive a raise of $3.788 million in 2014, agreeing to terms with the club on a one-year contract to avoid an arbitration hearing scheduled for Feb. 18 in Tampa.</p> <p>GLENDALE -- The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> on Tuesday agreed to terms with closer <span>Kenley Jansen</span> on a one-year deal, avoiding salary arbitration. Jansen in 2014 will make $4.3 million, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgersnow/la-sp-dn-kenley-jansen-dodgers-20140211,0,4762307.story#axzz2t35CCUFE">per Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times</a>.</p>
<p>The settlement comes exactly a week before a scheduled hearing, which would have required all parties to travel to Florida.</p>
<p>The closer and the Dodgers <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2014/1/17/5320566/kenley-jansen-aj-ellis-salary-arbitration-exchange-dodgers">exchanged salary figures on January 17</a>, with Jansen filing at $5.05 million and the Dodgers submitting a salary of $3.5 million. The settlement is just north of the midpoint of $4.275 million.</p>
<p>On January 7, I <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2014/1/7/5282528/kenley-jansen-salary-arbitration-dodgers">predicted a salary of $4.4 million for Jansen in 2014</a>. Matt Swartz at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.mlbdailydish.com">MLB Trade Rumors</a> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/11/projected-arbitration-salaries-for-2014.html">projected a salary for Jansen of $4.8 million</a>.</p>
<p>Jansen said on Monday that he wasn't distracted by not yet having his contract done, having confidence in agent Adam Katz.</p>
<p>"I'm just trying to get ready for the season. I leave that to my agent. Right now is <i>his</i> season," Jansen said. "I'm still going to be a Dodger no matter what. Worst case scenario is that I have to go to Florida. All I'm doing is trying to help the Dodgers win. We all have a goal of getting to the World Series so my mind has to be ready for that, to have a great season."</p>
<p>Jansen, 26, made $512,000 in 2013 and with three years and 73 days of service time in the major leagues was eligible for salary arbitration for the first time. He was one of three Dodgers on Jan. 14 to file for salary arbitration, along with <span>Clayton Kershaw</span> and <span>A.J. Ellis</span>, both of whom signed.</p>
<p>Jansen had his finest season to date last year, going 4-3 with a 1.88 ERA in 75 games, with a career-high 111 strikeouts and just 18 walks in 76⅔ innings. He took over the closer role on June 11 and converted 28 of 32 save opportunities on the season.</p>
<p>He had a streak in 2013 of 27 consecutive batters retired, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/8/9/4604824/kenley-jansen-perfect-game-dodgers">a hidden perfect game</a>, from July 23 to August 8. Jansen also went 18 full appearances without a walk from May 25 to June 29, with 28 strikeouts in 18⅔ innings.</p>
<p>In the postseason Jansen allowed two runs in his 4⅓ innings, but also converted both save opportunities and struck out 10 of the 20 batters he faced.</p>
<p>The Dodgers haven't had a player go to an arbitration hearing since 2007, when the team beat Joe Beimel. They came the closest in 2009, when Andre Ethier and the team agreed to a contract just outside the room of his scheduled hearing.</p>
<p>The Dodgers <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/10/21/4861112/los-angeles-dodgers-payroll">have $249.025 million committed to 26 players in 2014</a>, and including dead money have a total 2014 payroll of $256.4 million.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2014/2/11/5306706/kenley-jansen-contract-dodgers-salary-arbitrationEric Stephen2014-01-17T19:21:26-08:002014-01-17T19:21:26-08:00Jansen, Ellis exchange salary arbitration figures
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<figcaption>Stephen Dunn</figcaption>
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<p>If unable to bridge their respective gaps with the team, catcher A.J. Ellis and closer Kenley Jansen would have an arbitration hearing some time during the first three weeks of February.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> were unable to come to an agreement on Friday with their two remaining arbitration-eligible players by the 10 a.m. PT deadline, so <span>Kenley Jansen</span> and <span>A.J. Ellis</span> exchanged salary figures.</p>
<p>Jansen filed at a salary of $5.05 million with the Dodgers filing at $3.5 million, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/JonHeymanCBS/status/424326765087969280">per Jon Heyman of CBS Sports</a>. Ellis filed at $4.6 million, with the Dodgers filing at $3 million, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/424378342213578753">per Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports</a>. The number from Ellis seems high to me, but I was way off on the other end last year, so what do I know?</p>
<p>When asked on Friday if a multi-year contract was being discussed with either Jansen or Ellis, general manager Ned Colletti declined comment, citing the ongoing negotiations.</p>
<div class="read-more">
<b>More arbitration</b>: <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2014/1/6/5278808/2014-salary-arbitration-aj-ellis-dodgers" target="new">Ellis preview</a> <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2014/1/7/5282528/kenley-jansen-salary-arbitration-dodgers" target="new">Jansen preview</a> <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2014/1/14/5296730/salary-arbitration-file-clayton-kershaw-aj-ellis-kenley-jansen-dodgers" target="new">3 Dodgers file Monday</a>
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<p>If the two sides can't come to an agreement, an arbitration hearing will be scheduled between February 1-20, with each side - player and team - presenting its case before a three-person panel, who would then pick one side of the other, with no in-between. The Dodgers haven't had an arbitration hearing since 2007 with <span>Joe Beimel</span>.</p>
<p>The midpoint is key in all arbitration cases, as both sides will essentially argue the player is worth either $1 more or less than the midpoint to prove their case. In Jansen's case, his first year eligible for salary arbitration, the midpoint is $4.275 million.</p>
<p>If it goes to a hearing and Jansen's representatives can prove he is worth at least $4,275,001 then they will win the case and Jansen would be paid $5.05 million. If the Dodgers can prove Jansen is worth not more than $4,274,999, they'll win and the closer will be paid $3.5 million.</p>
<p>But the most likely outcome is that both sides settle at some point in between, likely at or near the midpoint.</p>
<p>Jansen was at Dodger Stadium on Friday during the press conference, running and workout out with teammate Hyun-Jin Ryu.</p>
<p align="center"><img src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3878613/ryu-jansen-011714-dodgers.jpg"><br><i><a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/424255891504775168" target="new">per @Dodgers</a></i></p>
<p>Last week I <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2014/1/7/5282528/kenley-jansen-salary-arbitration-dodgers">predicted a salary of $4.4 million for Jansen in 2014</a>. Matt Swartz at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.mlbdailydish.com">MLB Trade Rumors</a> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/11/projected-arbitration-salaries-for-2014.html">projected a salary for Jansen of $4.8 million</a>.</p>
<p>Last week I <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2014/1/6/5278808/2014-salary-arbitration-aj-ellis-dodgers">guessed a $3.1 million salary for Ellis in 2014</a>. Matt Swartz of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.mlbdailydish.com">MLB Trade Rumors</a> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/11/projected-arbitration-salaries-for-2014.html">projected a salary of $3.2 million</a>.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2014/1/17/5320566/kenley-jansen-aj-ellis-salary-arbitration-exchange-dodgersEric Stephen2014-01-14T15:15:10-08:002014-01-14T15:15:10-08:00Kershaw, Jansen, Ellis file for salary arbitration
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<figcaption>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Spor</figcaption>
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<p>Three Dodgers took the first step in the salary arbitration process on Tuesday.</p> <p>LOS ANGELES -- The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> had three players file for salary arbitration on Tuesday, with <span>Clayton Kershaw</span>, <span>Kenley Jansen</span> and <span>A.J. Ellis</span> among 146 major league players following the procedural trail.</p>
<p>The next step in the process is Friday, when players and teams exchange salary figures. Players submit one salary to the Players Association, while teams submit one salary to the MLB Labor Relations Department. If the two sides can't come to an agreement on a 2014 contract, an arbitration hearing will be scheduled for some time between February 1-20, with a three-person panel picking one side or the other.</p>
<p>In 2013, 133 players in MLB filed for salary arbitration, and for the first time no cases made it to a hearing. The Dodgers haven't had an arbitration hearing since 2007, when the Dodgers beat relief pitcher <span>Joe Beimel</span>, giving him a salary of $912,500 rather than the $1.25 million he sought.</p>
<p>Last year the Dodgers had two players file for salary arbitration — Ellis and <span>Ronald Belisario</span> — and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/1/15/3881378/a-j-ellis-salary-arbitration-dodgers-2013">reached contract agreements with both</a> on the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/1/15/3881390/ronald-belisario-salary-arbitration-dodgers-2013">day of the exchanging salaries</a>, three days later.</p>
<p>Kershaw is the most important case of the three Dodgers, with his value skyrocketing thanks to two Cy Young Awards in the last three seasons and with free agency just one year away. I predicted — perhaps <i>guessed</i> is a better word choice — <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2014/1/8/5288122/clayton-kershaw-salary-arbitration-dodgers">a salary for Kershaw of $21 million in 2014</a>.</p>
<p>Jansen at three years, 73 days of service time is eligible for arbitration for the first time. I <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2014/1/7/5282528/kenley-jansen-salary-arbitration-dodgers">predicted a salary of $4.4 million for Jansen in 2014</a>, a hefty raise from the $512,500 he earned in 2013.</p>
<p>Ellis made $2 million in 2013 as a Super Two, among the top 22% of players with more than two but fewer than three years of service time. I <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2014/1/6/5278808/2014-salary-arbitration-aj-ellis-dodgers">penciled in Ellis for a $3.1 million salary in 2014</a> in his second of four arbitration seasons.</p>
<p>Not counting these three players, the Dodgers <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/10/21/4861112/los-angeles-dodgers-payroll">have $218.675 million committed to 21 players in 2014</a>.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2014/1/14/5296730/salary-arbitration-file-clayton-kershaw-aj-ellis-kenley-jansen-dodgersEric Stephen2014-01-13T17:50:38-08:002014-01-13T17:50:38-08:00Crowd sourcing: Dodgers salary arbitration
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<figcaption>Stephen Dunn</figcaption>
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<p>How much will A.J. Ellis, Kenley Jansen and Clayton Kershaw make combined in 2014?</p> <p>It's arbitration week in Major League Baseball, with scores of players ready to file for arbitration on Tuesday and then exchange salaries with teams on Friday. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> have three players still unsigned eligible for the process: <span>Clayton Kershaw</span>, <span>Kenley Jansen</span> and <span>A.J. Ellis</span>.</p>
<p>I went through the cases for each player last week, but now turn the projection over to the readers.</p>
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<b>Arbitration previews</b>: <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2014/1/6/5278808/2014-salary-arbitration-aj-ellis-dodgers" target="new">Ellis</a> <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2014/1/7/5282528/kenley-jansen-salary-arbitration-dodgers" target="new">Jansen</a> <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2014/1/8/5288122/clayton-kershaw-salary-arbitration-dodgers" target="new">Kershaw</a>
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<p>In the comments below, make a single prediction for the 2014 salaries for all three of Kershaw, Jansen and Ellis combined. A few caveats:</p>
<ul>
<li>If a player signs a multi-year deal, any signing bonus would be counted in 2014</li>
<li>If a player signs a one-year deal with an option for 2015 (highly unlikely for this trio), the amount of the option buyout counts for 2014</li>
<li>Any performance bonuses will not count; for our purposes, only base salary, bonuses and option buyouts will be considered</li>
<li>There will be no prize for this contest, other than earning additional respect and admiration<br>
</li>
</ul>
<p>Using my predictions of $21 million for Kershaw, $4.4 million for Jansen and $3.1 million for Ellis, my guess for this contest is $28.5 million.</p>
<p>What's yours?</p>
<p>All guesses must be entered in the comments by the earlier of (a) 11:59 p.m. PT Tuesday night; (or) (b) the time of the first news of the first of the three players agreeing to a contract.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2014/1/13/5306122/dodgers-salary-arbitration-crowdsourcingEric Stephen2014-01-07T06:00:25-08:002014-01-07T06:00:25-08:002014 arbitration preview: Kenley Jansen
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<figcaption>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The dominant Dodgers closer had his best season in 2013 and is likely to cash in through the salary arbitration process for the first time in his career.</p> <p>It's nearly salary arbitration season, with the filing date on week from today, on January 14. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> have three players eligible for arbitration this winter, including closer <span>Kenley Jansen</span>, who is about to start making some real money.</p>
<p>Jansen at three years, 73 days of service time is arbitration eligible for the first time. He made $512,000 under team control in 2013.</p>
<div class="read-more">
<b>More arbitration previews</b>: <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2014/1/6/5278808/2014-salary-arbitration-aj-ellis-dodgers" target="new">Monday: A.J. Ellis</a> <a href="http://www.truebluela.com" target="new">Wednesday: Clayton Kershaw</a>
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<p>With nearly two full years as closer — and 62 career saves — Jansen will get a bump over the garden-variety setup man. The Dodgers' most recent experience with a closer through the arbitration process was <span>Jonathan Broxton</span>, but at his three-year mark (entering 2009) he only had 19 career saves.</p>
<p>Broxton earned $1.825 million in 2009, his first year in salary arbitration. Jansen will earn much more.</p>
<p>Here is a look at a few comparable closers to Jansen in recent years, at similar service times.</p>
<table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" align="center" border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2">
<tbody>
<tr bgcolor="#cccccc">
<th colspan="13" align="center">Recent closers comparable to Kenley Jansen </th>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#cccccc">
<td><u><b>Closer</b></u></td>
<td><u><b>Years</b></u></td>
<td align="center"><u><b>Svc Time</b></u></td>
<td align="center"><u><b>IP</b></u></td>
<td align="center"><u><b>Saves</b></u></td>
<td align="center"><u><b>BB</b></u></td>
<td align="center"><u><b>K</b></u></td>
<td align="center"><u><b>ERA</b></u></td>
<td align="center"><u><b>ERA+</b></u></td>
<td align="center"><u><b>FIP</b></u></td>
<td align="center"><u><b>rWAR</b></u></td>
<td align="center"><u><b>fWAR</b></u></td>
<td align="right"><u><b>Salary</b></u></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffcc">
<td>Kenley Jansen</td>
<td>2010-13</td>
<td align="center">3.073</td>
<td align="center">222.1</td>
<td align="center">62</td>
<td align="center">81</td>
<td align="center">347</td>
<td align="center">2.10</td>
<td align="center">177</td>
<td align="center">2.03</td>
<td align="center">6.7</td>
<td align="center">6.3</td>
<td align="right">tbd</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span>Andrew Bailey</span></td>
<td>2009-11</td>
<td align="center">3.000</td>
<td align="center">174</td>
<td align="center">75</td>
<td align="center">49</td>
<td align="center">174</td>
<td align="center">2.07</td>
<td align="center">205</td>
<td align="center">2.74</td>
<td align="center">6.5</td>
<td align="center">4.3</td>
<td align="right">$3,900,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span>Tyler Clippard</span></td>
<td>2007-12</td>
<td align="center">3.148*</td>
<td align="center">349.2</td>
<td align="center">33</td>
<td align="center">152</td>
<td align="center">393</td>
<td align="center">3.11</td>
<td align="center">131</td>
<td align="center">3.46</td>
<td align="center">8.2</td>
<td align="center">4.2</td>
<td align="right">$4,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span>Chris Perez</span></td>
<td>2008-11</td>
<td align="center">3.136*</td>
<td align="center">221.1</td>
<td align="center">68</td>
<td align="center">103</td>
<td align="center">210</td>
<td align="center">3.13</td>
<td align="center">130</td>
<td align="center">4.07</td>
<td align="center">4.1</td>
<td align="center">1.0</td>
<td align="right">$4,500,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="13"><i>*Super Two </i></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Clippard was a Super Two but needed that extra service time to surpass Jansen in strikeouts, in 127 more innings.</p>
<p>Perez, now a teammate of Jansen, was also a Super Two but his innings and saves line up quite nicely with Jansen at this point in their careers. Jansen also has an ERA a full run lower and 137 more strikeouts than Perez.</p>
<p>Jansen and Bailey have similar run-prevention numbers, though Jansen's huge edge in strikeouts give him a bump over Bailey's $3.9 million made in 2012.</p>
<p>Matt Swartz at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.mlbdailydish.com">MLB Trade Rumors</a> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/11/projected-arbitration-salaries-for-2014.html">predicted a salary for Jansen of $4.8 million in 2014</a>, but I'll stick to the range between Bailey and Perez's Super Three campaign.</p>
<p>My guess for Jansen in 2014 is a salary of $4.4 million, though with two more arbitration years in 2015-16 it wouldn't surprise me to see a multi-year contract explored.</p>
<p>As a reminder, the date to watch as with most arbitration cases is January 17. That's the day salary figures are exchanged, and often a pseudo deadline of sorts for deals to be made.</p>
<p>Whatever the final number for Jansen, he will lead the most expensive bullpen in Dodgers history. In 2014 the team will, in addition to Jansen, pay $10 million to <span>Brian Wilson</span>, $7.5 million to <span>Brandon League</span>, $7 million to <span>J.P. Howell</span> (including all of his signing bonus), $2.3 million to Perez, and $1.8 million to <span>Jamey Wright</span>.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2014/1/7/5282528/kenley-jansen-salary-arbitration-dodgersEric Stephen