Tigers cut ties with four-time All-Star, decline $12 million option

The Detroit Tigers are looking for a new closer.

Kenley Jansen, who in 2026 moved into third place on baseball's all-time saves leaderboard, is a free agent after the Tigers declined his $12 million contract option for 2027. Detroit will pay Jansen a $2 million buyout instead — one of several roster decisions the team made Monday, Nov. 2.

Jansen recorded a team-leading 22 saves and pitched to a 3.20 ERA in 50 games. He struck out 51 batters in 45 innings, suggesting he still has the stuff to succeed in his 18th major league season after turning 39 in September.

Jansen also blew six saves and lost six games in relief. The team that signs him will be betting on somewhat of a bounceback season from the 6-foot-5 closer whose 498 career saves trail only Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman, both Hall of Famers, on MLB's all-time list.

Jansen has made 983 appearances, the most among active pitchers, in a 17-year career with the Los Angeles Dodgers (2010-21), Atlanta Braves (2022), Boston Red Sox (2023-24), Los Angeles Angels (2025) and Tigers.

In addition to his four All-Star game nods, Jansen has won the Hoffman Award, given to the National League's best relief pitcher twice (2016, 2017). He helped the Dodgers reach the World Series in 2017, 2018 and 2020, winning the latter.

In other Tigers moves, pitcher Drew Anderson's $10 million option for 2027 by the team. The right-hander posted a 3.67 ERA in 49 games in 2026, his first season in MLB after returning from the KBO.

Pitcher Jacob Waguespack signed with the Tigers on a one-year, $1.3 million contract after going 2-2 with a 2.49 ERA in 35 games (one start) for Detroit in 2026. According to Jason Beck of MLB.com, the right-hander can earn an additional $200,000 in innings-based incentives.