Dec. 10 (UPI) — The Detroit Tigers and Kyle Finnegan agreed to a two-year, $19 million contract, keeping the closer with the franchise through the 2027 season.
Sources told MLB.com, ESPN and The Athletic about the agreement. Finnegan, 34, joined the Tigers in a July trade from the Washington Nationals.
The veteran right-handed pitcher went 4-4 with a 3.47 ERA and 24 saves over 56 appearances last season for the Nationals and Tigers. He went 3-0 with a 1.50 ERA and four saves after the trade.
Finnegan went 26-30 with a 3.55 ERA and 112 saves over 347 career appearances. The sixth-round pick by the Oakland Athletics in the 2013 MLB Draft signed with the Nationals in 2019. He made his MLB debut in 2020. Finnegan went 3-8 with a 3.68 ERA and career-high 38 saves over 65 appearances in 2024 en route to an All-Star selection.
He’ll return to a Tigers bullpen that ranked ninth in the American League in ERA (4.05) and totaled the second-fewest strikeouts. Tigers relief pitchers logged the third-most innings (622) among American League bullpens.
Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier
Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali’s rivalry became one of boxing’s most defining trilogies. Frazier (R) staggers after taking a hard right from Ali during the 14th round of their title fight in Manila, on October 1, 1975. Ali won by TKO to retain the heavyweight championship. UPI File Photo | License Photo