Danny Jansen speaks on extension talks with Blue Jays heading into contract year

2018 was a long time ago, and the Blue Jays roster has undergone some significant development. The only position player that's been around every step of the way since then is Danny Jansen.
After what feels like just the beginning of the catchers career, he currently stands just one season away from free agency, raising questions on where he will end up.

At 28-years old, Jansen has emerged as a very productive player for the Jays. Over the last three seasons, he has a .237/.317/.487 slash line, with 43 home runs and 125 runs batted in, despite only averaging 76 games a year. The Illinois native become a legitimate power threat, especially for a catcher. He has a great feel for the barrel, and maximizes his contact to the left side of the park resulting in all 17 home runs hit last year.

The simple answer is that Jansen is a great player to keep around, and the Jays would be smart to consider extending him before he hits the open market. That being said, there's other factors to consider, such as if he would even be open to an extension with the team. Last November, Jansen was a guest on The Scott Mitchell Show, and the topic of a potential reunion came up. Jansen said, "We talked a little bit... and I think both parties just agreed to carry to see what happens this year." The talks have been minimal, and it's become more likely that Jansen will play through the 2024 season before any long term decisions are made.

The caveat to Jansen is the health risk, as he's unfortunately missed significant time in most seasons, most recently being a right middle finger fracture which promptly ended his season. Injuries like this are difficult to plan for, but it is still worth noting the impact these contusions have had on him.

Staying professional, Jansen stated his main priorities for the upcoming season on Saturday, "my focus is on the guys in the clubhouse and this season. That’s where I stand. Winning every game is the goal -- to go in and win as many ballgames as we can. That’s my focus." For now, letting the season play out stands to be the best decision for both parties, who will then reapproach the discussion once the season is underway.

Good catchers are difficult to come by, and the Jays have boasted one of the best catching tandems in the league with Jansen and Alejandro Kirk. If the Jays have confidence in Kirk to be their long-term catcher, it becomes more possible that Jansen gets more lucrative offers from other teams willing to make him their starting catcher. Jansen has been through the highs and lows of baseball throughout his six-year big league career, and his goals for the impending season could dictate whether he will have an extended stay in Toronto, or represent a new city by 2025.