MLB
Kenley Jansen’s $12 Million Tigers Option Decision Looms Before Monday’s Deadline
Detroit must decide whether to retain Jansen for 2027 or pay a $2 million buyout. A November 1 report anticipated the buyout.
The Detroit Tigers face a Monday, November 2, deadline to decide whether to exercise Kenley Jansen’s $12 million club option for 2027 or pay a $2 million buyout. The decision will determine whether the veteran reliever remains under contract for next season.
Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reported Sunday that Detroit was expected to choose the buyout. That was a reported expectation, rather than an announced decision. The option and buyout remain the two alternatives in Jansen’s contract.
Jansen finished the 2026 regular season with 22 saves and a 3.20 ERA in 50 appearances. He struck out 51 batters over 45 innings and posted a 1.04 WHIP. His season record was 4–6, according to MLB’s statistical records. He allowed 24 hits and 23 walks, with 16 earned runs charged to him over 45 innings.
The 39-year-old ended the season with 498 career saves, leaving him two short of 500. Across 17 major league seasons, he has appeared in 983 games and pitched 972⅓ innings. His career totals include 1,329 strikeouts and a 2.60 ERA.
Detroit also faces a $10 million option decision on pitcher Drew Anderson. McCosky reported the Tigers were expected to retain Anderson. The club additionally needs roster space for eight players who finished the season on the 60-day injured list.
Jansen’s 2026 workload was smaller than in 2025, when he made 62 appearances and pitched 59 innings. He recorded 29 saves with a 2.59 ERA that year. His saves fell by seven and his innings declined by 14 in his first Detroit season.
The Tigers had 36 players on their 40-man roster as of Sunday, McCosky reported. Their option decisions come alongside Monday’s end of the exclusive negotiating window with their own free agents. That window closes at 5 p.m. EST, opening negotiations with other clubs.
