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Kyle Finnegan delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins during the ninth inning at Target Field on August 16, 2025.
The Detroit Tigers are finally getting in on the offseason fun with their first meaningful signing this winter. Detroit’s biggest needs include adding a depth starter, an infield bat, and help in the backend of the bullpen.
Well, manager AJ Hinch will get to see and utilize All-Star closer Kyle Finnegan for at least two more seasons. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Detroit Tigers are finalizing a two-year contract with Finnegan, worth $19 million guaranteed. Yet another relief pitcher drops off the market, as Finnegan joins a list of dominant relievers eager to ink their offseason contract.
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What Does Kyle Finnegan’s Signing Mean for Detroit?
This is an excellent signing for the Tigers, who are expected to be in a championship window if they can hold onto Tarik Skubal for at least 2026.
Detroit acquired Kyle Finnegan at the MLB trade deadline in July from the Washington Nationals, and he was excellent for the Tigers. He recorded four saves in 18 innings and had a 1.50 ERA with Detroit in 2025. It seemed as if Finnegan was more comfortable last season pitching in Comerica Park as opposed to in D.C.
Tigers’ reliever Kyle Finnegan
However, Finnegan was an All-Star for the Nationals in 2024, and that campaign is likely what sparked the interest from many teams to want to acquire him via a trade.
Finnegan had 38 saves in 2024 and posted a 3.68 ERA in 63.2 innings. A big change that Detroit has made to Finnegan’s repertoire is adding more splitters.
According to BaseballReference.com, Finnegan is projected to save 18 games and post a 3.90 ERA in 60 innings next season. As a powerful right-handed reliever, it will be hard for right-handed hitters to find much success against Finnegan in Comerica Park.
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Will Kyle Finnegan Be Detroit’s Closer + Remaining Offseason Outlook
Fellow reliever Will Vest controlled most of the closing duties for the Tigers in 2025, but it will be interesting to see if that is subject to change now that Finnegan is locked up under contract, and maybe Detroit could even use Vest as trade bait in a potential big splash for Ketel Marte.
The other options in the Tigers’ bullpen include Tyler Holton, Brenan Hanifee, and Tommy Kahnle as reliable options.
Pitching staff depth is basically an issue for every MLB organization at this point, but it would be a good idea for Detroit to target another starting pitcher and potentially another southpaw bullpen option.
If the Tigers roll with a closer-by-committee operation, it will be an interesting question AJ Hinch is faced with if either Vest or Finnegan doesn’t perform in that role.
As the winter meetings progress across the league, keep an eye out for the Detroit Tigers to continue making savvy moves that keep them going in the right direction.
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