Closer Kyle Finnegan ultimately became one of the top acquisitions of the 2025 trade deadline. The right-hander was one of the most dominant relievers in the game after coming to the Tigers from the Nationals. Finnegan is now a free agent, but he is open to a return to Detroit, according to reports Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. “Being traded here was big for me. I have unlocked a lot of things that will help me move forward in my career, and that is a testament to the people this organization has” said Finnegan.
Finnegan will officially become a free agent after the World Series concludes tonight. As Petzold notes, he is ineligible to sign with a new team for five days, giving the Tigers an exclusive window to negotiate with him. Finnegan signed a one-year, $6 million deal with Washington last offseason.
Detroit landed Finnegan on July 31, providing good pitching prospects Josh Randall And RJ Sales back to Washington. He immediately took charge in the Tigers’ closer committee, scoring saves in his first three appearances. Finnegan did not allow a run in his first month at the club. His strikeout rate increased from 19.6% in 39 innings with the Nationals to 34.8% in 18 innings with the Tigers.
The postseason started out as more of the same for Finnegan. He pitched three scoreless innings in the Wild Card round to earn the win in the series clincher. The ALDS did not go so smoothly. Finnegan was charged with runs in three of his four appearances against Seattle, including the game-tying goal in the seventh inning of Game 5.
Washington took a flyer on Finnegan as a minor league free agent after the 2019 season. He got a major league deal and quickly emerged as a crucial part of their late-inning relief corps. Finnegan recorded 108 saves over the past five seasons with the Nationals. He slammed the door 38 times in 2024, earning an All-Star nod. Surprisingly, Washington non-tendered Finnegan after that season, only to bring him back to a one-year deal in February of this year.
Finnegan hasn’t posted any closing numbers, or at least not before coming to Detroit. He typically struck out an inning with good checking numbers and allowed a few too many home runs. Even in his high-profile 2024 campaign, Finnegan ranked in the first percentile for average exit rate and in the second percentile for percentage of hard-hit companies.
Detroit overhauled Finnegan’s pitch mix, favoring the splitter over the fastball. With the Tigers, he used the heater only 40.9% of the time. That number had never been lower than 67.6% for a full season. Finnegan’s swinging-strike rate has increased this year from a mediocre 9.2% at Washington to an elite 14.3% at Detroit.
The new approach could help Finnegan find more suitors in free agency than last offseason. However, he will have plenty of competition. Devin Williams, Ryan HelsleyAnd Raisel Iglesias are the big names on the market. Edwin Diaz And Robert Suarez could join them if they terminate their current contract. Emilio Pagan, Lucas WeaverAnd Shawn Armstrong come from strong seasons. Kenley Jansen And Kirby Yates have a long track record as strong backend relievers.
If Finnegan doesn’t return, Detroit could replace him with several in-house options. Will Vests was effective in a shutdown role for much of the season, working with Finnegan after the trade. Tyler Holton, Brenan HanifeeAnd Brant Hurter all had strong seasons in versatile roles. Former closers Jason Foley And Alex Lange remain in the organization. Free agent Tommy Kahnle would be the only other notable bullpen loss if he isn’t re-signed.
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