Mattingly personally reaches out to Jansen

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- Familiarity may become a factor in the Marlins being able to land the services of closer Kenley Jansen, one of the top free agents on the market.
Miami manager Don Mattingly previously managed the All-Star right-hander during his time with the Dodgers. On Wednesday, Mattingly confirmed he's reached out to the durable closer to gauge if they're interested in signing with the Marlins.
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"My call was to let him know that we've talked about him," Mattingly said during his media session at the Winter Meetings on Wednesday. "There was legitimate interest, and we just wanted to make sure that he had interest. If there were zero interest, then we can go with another plan, or whatever that would be."
Back-end bullpen depth has been the Marlins top offseason objective. Jansen and Aroldis Chapman are the top two closers on the market, and Miami continues discussions with both.
The two are expected to sign contracts that would top what Mark Melancon signed for on Monday with the Giants.
Melancon's four-year, $62 million deal is the richest ever signed by a closer. The speculation is Chapman and Jansen could surpass four years and $80 million.

Internally, the Marlins are going back-and-forth on whether to spend big on Jansen or Chapman, or refocus on experienced, but lower-cost candidates.
Mattingly also confirmed the Marlins have had discussions regarding Japanese relievers Koji Uehara and Junichi Tazawa, who were with the Red Sox in 2016.
Miami also is eyeing side-arm tossing Brad Ziegler.
"It's something we continue to spend a lot of time on," Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill said. "Our bullpen was a strength for us last year, and you already have some quality at the back end."
A.J. Ramos was an All-Star closer for Miami in 2016, and David Phelps and Kyle Barraclough are two dependable right-handers.
"We have a 40-save closer, and one of the premiere setup men last year in Phelps," Hill said. "And an emerging, high-leverage potential closer in Kyle Barraclough. There's already some pieces in place."
If the Marlins sign Jansen, they would also have to surrender their first-round Draft pick -- 14th overall -- to the Dodgers as compensation, because the right-hander declined a $17.2 million qualifying offer.

Despite the risk, Jansen is a proven talent, and may be worth the high asking price.
"With Kenley, obviously there is a whole different level [financially] that's definitely above what I do," Mattingly said. "But I've had contact with those guys to see if they have any interest, because some guys may say, 'Hey, I don't want to play in Miami. I want to stay on the West Coast.'"
A converted catcher, Jansen has emerged into one of the top closers in the game. He has 189 career saves, including 47 in 2016.
Jansen impressed in the postseason, showing the ability to pitch multiple innings.
"If you look at him in the postseason, this guy is just incredible," Mattingly said. "He's durable. He's really a guy without a lot of innings on him. ... He caught until he started pitching. The number of innings you see on his arm are really the number of innings that he's pitched. A very short Minor League stint."