Who is the Highest-Paid Relief Pitcher?
Relief pitchers have become an increasingly important part of Major League Baseball (MLB) teams, and with that comes the potential for hefty salaries. The highest-paid relief pitcher in MLB history is Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen, whose five-year contract extension with the team is worth $80 million. With his record-breaking deal, Jansen is one of the most highly-paid players in the game.
What is a Relief Pitcher?
A relief pitcher is a player who enters the game after the starting pitcher has left, typically in the late innings. They are specialists in the bullpen who are used to protect leads and preserve wins. Relief pitchers typically have an array of pitches, including a fastball, slider, curveball, and changeup.
What Makes Kenley Jansen the Highest-Paid Relief Pitcher?
Kenley Jansen is the highest-paid relief pitcher in MLB history thanks to his five-year contract extension with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The deal is worth $80 million and makes Jansen one of the highest-paid players in the game.
Jansen has been a stalwart for the Dodgers since joining the team in 2010, posting a 2.20 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP in 822 appearances. He has been an All-Star in four of the last seven seasons and is a two-time Rolaids Relief Man Award winner.
Other Highly-Paid Relief Pitchers
Though Kenley Jansen is the highest-paid relief pitcher in MLB history, he is not the only one commanding a hefty salary. Other relief pitchers who are highly-paid include:
- Wade Davis: Signed an $52 million contract with the Colorado Rockies in 2018
- Craig Kimbrel: Signed an $43 million contract with the Chicago Cubs in 2019
- Mark Melancon: Signed an $62 million contract with the San Francisco Giants in 2016
- Aroldis Chapman: Signed an $86 million contract with the New York Yankees in 2016
Factors that Impact Relief Pitcher Salaries
There are a variety of factors that impact a relief pitcher’s salary, including performance, length of contract, and the team’s need for relief pitching. Some of the most important factors that influence a relief pitcher’s salary include:
- Performance: Performance is key factor in determining a relief pitcher’s salary. Teams are more likely to pay a premium for pitchers who have had success in the past.
- Length of Contract: The length of a contract is also an important factor in determining a relief pitcher’s salary. Long-term contracts with guaranteed money often lead to higher salaries than short-term contracts.
- Team Need: The team’s need for relief pitching is also a major factor in determining a relief pitcher’s salary. Teams that are in need of relief pitching are more likely to pay a premium for a quality pitcher.
The Benefits of Highly-Paid Relief Pitchers
Having highly-paid relief pitchers can be beneficial to a team, as it can provide stability in the bullpen and help preserve leads. Highly-paid relief pitchers can also provide veteran leadership and mentorship to younger players in the bullpen.
Having a quality bullpen is essential for success, and having reliable and experienced relief pitchers can help a team win games. With the right combination of relievers, a team can be in a position to make a deep postseason run.
The Disadvantages of Highly-Paid Relief Pitchers
There are also disadvantages to having highly-paid relief pitchers, as teams can become locked into long-term contracts with players who do not perform up to expectations. This can lead to a team being stuck with a large salary for a player who is not providing value on the field.
Another disadvantage of having highly-paid relief pitchers is that teams are limited in their flexibility. Teams may have to make personnel decisions based on financial constraints, as they may not be able to afford the players they need due to the large salaries of their relief pitchers.
How Teams Can Manage Relief Pitcher Salaries
Teams can manage relief pitcher salaries by signing players to short-term contracts and avoiding long-term deals. This allows teams to evaluate players on a year-to-year basis and make personnel decisions based on performance.
Teams should also look to sign young, up-and-coming relief pitchers to low-risk contracts. This allows teams to add quality pitchers to the bullpen without breaking the bank.
Conclusion
Kenley Jansen is the highest-paid relief pitcher in MLB history, as his five-year contract extension with the Los Angeles Dodgers is worth $80 million. He is one of several highly-paid relief pitchers, along with Wade Davis, Craig Kimbrel, Mark Melancon, and Aroldis Chapman.
There are a variety of factors that go into determining a relief pitcher’s salary, including performance, length of contract, and team need. Teams can manage relief pitcher salaries by signing players to short-term contracts and avoiding long-term deals.
Overall, having highly-paid relief pitchers can be beneficial to a team, as they can provide stability in the bullpen and help preserve leads. However, teams must be careful to avoid getting locked into long-term contracts with players who do not perform up to expectations.