Phillies Linked to Nationals Kyle Finnegan By MLB Insider Jeff Passan

Phillies Linked to Nationals Kyle Finnegan By MLB Insider Jeff Passan originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Philadelphia Phillies have a desperate need for more bullpen help. With the departure of Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Esteves in the offseason and the 80-game suspension of Jose Alvarado, the need in the bullpen is apparent.

In an article by Jeff Passan of ESPN, he identified each team’s trade fits and the best way to maneuver the trade deadline. For the Phillies, Passan also pointed towards the bullpen as the most significant issue that needs to be solved.

“The Phillies’ bullpen has been one of the worst in baseball,” writes Passan. “Even if it was much better in May, their only reliever with a sub-3.00 ERA was Orion Kerkering. And with Jose Alvarado down for 80 games and out for the postseason following a PED suspension, the need for help is that much more grave.”

With a clear need, Passan has the Phillies linked to Washington Nationals closer Kyle Finnegan as one of the best fits at the trade deadline. While Passan points to Pete Fairbanks as the best fit, Finnegan is an equally acquirable asset.

Mark J&period; Rebilas-Imagn Images

Finnegan, despite being from an in-division team, would be a reasonable option for the Phillies. He’s under contract for just the 2025 season, and a $6 million contract would be a reasonably cheap deal to pick up.

He’s been put in trade rumors for over a year now, and after re-signing with the Nationals, he’s back in those conversations again.

So far in 2025, Finnegan has a 2.61 ERA in 20.2 innings pitched. He also has 16 saves, 18 strikeouts, and eight walks. He’s been a consistent reliever his entire career, sitting around the 3.50 ERA mark from 2020 to 2025.

In 2024, Finnegan had 38 saves and a 3.68 ERA. He was named to the 2024 All-Star team, and while he went unsigned in the offseason, there were plenty of teams keeping tabs on the Nationals reliever.

Now, back in trade talks, Finnegan would be an excellent fit for the Phillies. With a clear need for a right-handed reliever and bullpen help in general, Finnegan is an affordable option for the Phillies to acquire.

The Phillies need bullpen help, and Passan named Finnegan as one of the options for the Phillies to add at the trade deadline. With the priority of improving the bullpen, Finnegan would be a great addition to the Phillies’ lackluster bullpen.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.

Phillies Linked to Nationals Kyle Finnegan By MLB Insider Jeff Passan

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