Right-hander Kyle Finnegan didn’t just find a new team at the trade deadline - he found a new level. After arriving in Detroit from Washington, Finnegan not only embraced the Tigers’ pitching tweaks but delivered the kind of late-season surge that has both sides eyeing a reunion.
Tigers GM Jeff Greenberg confirmed the mutual interest, highlighting Finnegan’s willingness to adapt and the impact he made both on the mound and in the clubhouse. And it’s easy to see why Detroit would want him back.
Just a year ago, Finnegan’s future looked far less certain. He was coming off a rough finish to his 2024 campaign and ended up being non-tendered by the Nationals.
Despite interest from the Tigers last offseason, he returned to D.C. on a smaller deal - $6 million, with some of that deferred - betting on himself. That bet paid off.
He pitched well in the first half of the season, but it was the move to Detroit that truly unlocked something. With the Tigers, Finnegan was given a fresh set of tools - more data, refined mechanics, and a game plan tailored to his strengths.
The coaching staff had him lean into his splitter more than ever before and made subtle changes to his release point. The results?
A dominant 18-inning stretch with a 1.50 ERA, a 34.8% strikeout rate, and just a 6.1% walk rate. That’s not just solid - that’s closer-caliber stuff.
While his swing-and-miss numbers dipped in the postseason, manager A.J. Hinch continued to rely on him in high-leverage spots. That trust speaks volumes, especially in a bullpen that’s facing some serious turnover.
Detroit’s relief corps showed flashes in 2025, but depth and swing-and-miss stuff were clearly lacking. Will Vest, Tyler Holton, Brant Hurter, and Brenan Hanifee all posted respectable ERAs, yet Holton and Hanifee struggled to generate strikeouts. Hurter and Hanifee, in particular, weren’t featured in many high-leverage situations, which says a lot about where they stand in the bullpen pecking order.
To make matters more pressing, veterans Rafael Montero, Tommy Kahnle, and Paul Sewald all hit free agency alongside Finnegan. That leaves a bullpen in flux - and in need of reinforcements.
The Tigers have reportedly kicked the tires on several high-end arms this offseason, including Devin Williams and Ryan Helsley. While their interest in Helsley was as a potential starter (he’s since signed on as the Orioles’ closer), the message is clear: Detroit is serious about retooling its pitching staff.
President of baseball operations Scott Harris has made it known that improving the offense’s contact rate is a priority, but Greenberg has been just as vocal about the need to shore up the pitching staff - especially the bullpen. Even with Jack Flaherty opting into his 2026 player option, the Tigers are still active in the rotation market, and Greenberg has been upfront: they “certainly” need to add quality relief arms.
That brings us back to Finnegan. He’s familiar with the organization, embraced their adjustments, and delivered when it mattered most. In a bullpen that’s suddenly short on proven late-inning options, bringing him back isn’t just a feel-good story - it’s a move that makes baseball sense.