Why Kenley Jansen is a perfect fit for LA Angels after MLB Lockout

The LA Angels can't make any offseason moves right now due to the MLB Lockout going about as strong as ever.

If this lockout ever ends, however, free agency will resume. Kenley Jansen is objectively one of the top pitching targets for the Angels in free agency, and arguably THE top pitching target for the Angels in free agency.

He's a perfect fit, because the Angels had a truly atrocious bullpen last year, and Jansen is the best free agent still on the market. Jansen is coming off of a tremendous season, where he posted a 2.22 ERA and secured 38 saves. He posted an incredible 185 ERA+.

Kenley Jansen would be a major addition in fixing this poor LA Angels bullpen.

There's a common misconception that Kenley Jansen doesn't fit with the LA Angels because he wouldn't be the closer here. Of course, that's because we already have one of the best closers in baseball in Raisel Iglesias. The myth that Jansen would therefore not fit here is ridiculous, however.

Jansen can succeed in other roles within a bullpen. In fact, in his first two years in this league (when he was not a closer), he was sensational. Recording a 2.12 ERA, a 1.77 FIP, and an 0.3 HR/9 rate, nobody could square Jansen up.

They couldn't even hit the ball. Jansen struck out 15.3 batters per nine innings in that time. He posted a 178 ERA+, adding to his absolutely stacked two-year run.

Since then, he's added ten years of greatness to that run and that experience is going to be huge for all the young arms who will be up and down the Angels pitching staff next year. Having a pitcher who's been there and done that in this league will be great for our clubhouse.

Jansen boasts a 2.37 career ERA, a 2.37 career FIP, a 164 ERA+, and an 0.928 WHIP. Anytime the Halos can acquire a pitcher like that, they need to pursue a move aggressively. Jansen has been expensive in the past, but he's 34 now; he knows he can't demand the type of money he's received in the past.

This is a move the Angels need to be in on. As soon as the lockout ends, Jansen needs to be a prime target of Perry Minasian's.