The Detroit Tigers need to make an addition to the bullpen at the MLB trade deadline. While there are a couple of solid relievers, like Will Vest and Tommy Kahnle, the team needs more options come the postseason.
Gia Nguyen of Sports Casting proposed that the Tigers could swing a deal with the Washington Nationals for closer Kyle Finnegan. The Nationals are well outside of he postseason hunt, and Finnegan is a free agent after the season.
"The 33-year-old has added 18 saves this season and will be a free agent at the end of the season," Nyugen writes, "So he likely won't cost the Tigers any of their top prospects in a potential deadline deal."
The veteran closer was a name often mentioned in trade talks a year ago at the 2024 MLB trade deadline after being an All-Star that season, but he wasn't moved. This year might be different, as the Nationals might finally find takers for their closer.
Finnegan is in the middle of a very strong season. He has 18 saves, but more importantly, has a 2.45 ERA in his 32 appearances this season. If the season ended today, that number would be the best in his career.
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In his 33 innings pitched, Finnegan has 26 strikeouts and 10 walks, along with a 1.091 WHIP, the best of his career. He's having a very strong season and will likely have plenty of teams inquiring about him at the deadline.
The only issue is that he's a righty. Finnegan would join Vest and Kahnle as the top relievers, with all three being righties. Tyler Holton and Brant Hurter are lefties, but have had their ups and downs this season.
Regardless, the potential addition of Finnegan would be a nice one for Detroit to make. He'd bolster the bullpen and provide a nice presence alongside Vest and Kahnle as the Tigers' trio of dominant righty relievers out of the bullpen.
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