Detroit – Tigers president Scott Harris is using the trade deadline to reshape his bullpen.
Having already added veterans Luke Jackson, Rafael Montero and Paul Sewald to the mix – three relievers who are in the process of redevelopment, either from injury or performance – the Tigers Thursday traded for right-hander Kyle Finnegan, who could make an immediate impact to the backend of the bullpen.
Finnegan, 33, was acquired from the Washington Nationals for a pair of High-A pitching prospects – 2024 draft picks Josh Randall (ranked No. 15 in the Tigers’ system, per MLB Pipeline) and RJ Sales.
Finnegan, in his sixth big-league season, has been the Nationals’ closer the last two years. He saved 38 games in 43 chances in 2024, and was named to the National League All-Star team. This season, he’d saved 20 out of 26.
Born in Detroit but raised in Texas, Finnegan is ground ball collector (48%) with his four-seam fastball (96 mph) and splitter mix. He doesn’t have big strikeout numbers, but hitters whiff on his splitter 32.6% of the time.
Manager AJ Hinch doesn’t limit any reliever to a specific role. He hasn’t named a closer in three years. Most likely, Finnegan will be used according to matchups late in games, sharing leverage situations with Will Vest and Tommy Kahnle.
The Tigers will pick up the remaining $1.79 million of Finnegan’s one-year, $5.375 million deal.
@cmccosky
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