Detroit Tigers Bolster Bullpen with Kyle Finnegan
The Detroit Tigers, leaders of the American League Central Division, are about to finalize a significant reinforcement for their bullpen. In an effort to strengthen their team for the postseason, they are finalizing a deal to acquire closer Kyle Finnegan from the Washington Nationals.
The transaction involves two minor league players, according to sources close to the negotiation.
Finnegan becomes the second veteran reliever to be added to the team in the last 24 hours, joining Paul Sewald, who was acquired from the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday night.
In return, the Nationals will receive right-handed pitchers Josh Randall and RJ Sales. This operation is part of Washington’s strategy to convert its veterans into prospects for its reconstruction.
Finnegan, 33, has an ERA of 4.38 and has recorded 20 saves in 40 appearances this season. He was an All-Star in 2024, a year in which he finished with an ERA of 3.68 and 38 saves in 65 games. Despite his numbers, his underlying statistics generated a weak market when he reached free agency, leading him to rejoin the Nationals on a one-year, $6 million contract. The Tigers will take over the remainder of Finnegan’s contract before he becomes a free agent again this offseason.
Finnegan is known for his velocity, with an average fastball velocity of 96.2 mph, ranking in the 80th percentile this season. However, his strikeout rate is 19.6%, and his whiff rate is 21.7%. Despite this, his FIP of 3.60 suggests that his performance has been better than his ERA indicates.
Finnegan is expected to improve the Tigers’ bullpen, which currently ranks 27th in MLB in ERA and 19th in “Win Probability Added” since June 1st.
Randall, 22, has an ERA of 4.71 in 80 1/3 innings in 17 starts between Low-A and High-A this season. He was selected in the third round of last year’s draft. Sales, also 22, has an ERA of 2.98 in 16 games (15 starts) in Low-A this season, after being selected in the tenth round in 2024.
