St. Louis continues its aggressive push for postseason relevance, acquiring Kenley Jansen in a deal that outpaced rival bids.
By Joey Mistretta | Apr 22, 2025 at 12:47 PM ET
The St. Louis Cardinals have emerged victorious in yet another high-stakes trade negotiation, securing veteran closer Kenley Jansen from the Los Angeles Angels and fending off serious offers from both the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs.
The move solidifies a shaky Cardinals bullpen and signals the front office’s commitment to competing now, even amid a turbulent start to the season. Jansen, who had drawn interest from multiple playoff contenders, was considered one of the most impactful bullpen arms available ahead of the deadline.
While Boston hoped to bring Jansen back after two strong seasons in 2023 and 2024, and the Cubs pushed hard to add late-inning reliability, it was St. Louis that ultimately put together the strongest package to convince the Angels to part ways with the 36-year-old right-hander.
Jansen had been nearly untouchable for the Angels this season, delivering seven scoreless innings and recording five saves. With Los Angeles stuck around .500 and trending toward another playoff miss, they opted to move their high-leverage veteran for future assets.
“We had to be aggressive,” said Cardinals GM John Mozeliak. “Kenley brings exactly what we need—poise, experience, and execution in the toughest moments of the game.”
With Jansen now anchoring the back end of the bullpen, the Cardinals not only fill a critical roster gap but also deal a blow to two potential postseason competitors in the Red Sox and Cubs. It’s another clear win for a front office that continues to make bold, calculated moves under pressure.
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