Free agent reliever Kyle Finnegan is returning to the Washington Nationals after coming to terms on a one-year deal. The team has not confirmed the deal, which Jesse Rogers of ESPN reports is worth $6 million. Finnegan has spent his entire five-year career with the Washington Nationals, where he compiled a 3.56 ERA and 88 saves. Washington non-tendered the 33-year-old in November, making him a free agent for the first time in his major league career.
Kyle Finnegan Back In D.C.
News: The Washington Nationals are re-signing reliever Kyle Finnegan to a 1-year, $6 million deal, sources tell ESPN. The all-star closer returns to Washington after they non-tendered him late last year. Finnegan saved 38 games for them last season.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) February 25, 2025
Drafted by the Oakland Athletics in 2013, Kyle Finnegan spent seven seasons in the A’s organization before signing a major league contract with the Nationals in 2019. He took over as the Nationals closer in 2021 and pitched the fifth immaculate inning in franchise history. Finnegan earned his first All-Star selection last season and finished the year with a 3.68 ERA and a career-high 38 saves. The veteran right-hander ranked second in the National League in saves and third among all major league closers. His 38 saves last season were the seventh most single season saves in Nationals’ franchise history, while his 88 career saves rank eighth all-time.
Finnegan was considered a trade candidate at the deadline but instead finished the season in the back end of the Nationals’ bullpen. He sports a three-pitch arsenal and relies heavily on a four-seam fastball that at 97.2 mph has ranked in the top 10% for three consecutive seasons. Consistently one of the National League’s top relievers, Finnegan has posted a sub-4.00 ERA in five straight seasons, while topping 60 innings over the past four. Only Finnegan and Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase have recorded at least 65 appearances and double-digit saves in each of the past four seasons.
The veteran reliever drew interest from several contenders before coming to terms on a new deal to remain in Washington. Finnegan returns to a completely revamped Nationals bullpen, joining recent additions Jorge López, Lucas Sims, Colin Poche, Evan Reifert, and Shinnosuke Ogasawara.
Main Photo Credits: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
The post Report: Nationals Bring Back All-Star Reliever Kyle Finnegan appeared first on Last Word On Baseball.