Just a year ago, Kyle Finnegan’s future with the Washington Nationals looked anything but certain. Fresh off an All-Star nod in 2024, the right-hander had the résumé of a late-inning weapon.
But if you dug a little deeper, the numbers told a more complicated story. Despite the accolades, Finnegan wasn’t exactly blowing hitters away.
His strikeout rates lagged behind the elite closers in the game, and there were signs that some of his success had been buoyed by favorable batted-ball luck.
That’s part of what led to a surprising move: the Nationals non-tendered Finnegan, opting not to go to arbitration or meet his projected salary. It was a calculated decision-Washington clearly didn’t see him as a long-term piece at the back end of the bullpen, especially with a rebuild still in motion.
But the open market didn’t unfold the way Finnegan and his camp might’ve hoped. Despite his All-Star pedigree, interest was lukewarm.
Eventually, he circled back to D.C., re-signing with the Nationals during the offseason. And to his credit, he made the most of that second chance.
Finnegan put together a strong first half in 2025, even earning some light All-Star buzz once again.
Still, with the Nationals out of contention and Finnegan approaching free agency, the front office made the smart play: they moved him at the deadline. The Detroit Tigers, firmly in the playoff hunt, picked him up to bolster their bullpen for the stretch run.
In return, Washington landed two young arms-Josh Randall and RJ Sales. Both are still a ways off from reaching the majors, but for a reliever on an expiring deal, the Nationals got something rather than letting him walk for nothing.
Once in Detroit, Finnegan found another gear. The Tigers’ staff made some key adjustments to his pitch mix-less reliance on the fastball, more emphasis on movement and deception.
The shift paid off in a big way. He became a go-to weapon in high-leverage spots, not just the traditional ninth inning.
Detroit treated him like a true relief ace, and Finnegan responded with some of the best work of his career.
Now, the buzz around the Tigers is that a reunion could be in the works. For Detroit, it’s a logical move.
They’re in the thick of a competitive window, and Finnegan fits the mold of a veteran arm who can stabilize the bullpen and handle pressure-packed moments. For Finnegan, it’s a chance to keep the momentum going in a system that clearly knows how to get the best out of him.
As for Washington, there’s a bit of a “what if” hanging in the air. The Nationals now have a more analytically driven coaching staff-one that might’ve been able to help Finnegan unlock this version of himself sooner.
But that door appears closed. There’s no indication that a return to D.C. is even on the table, and frankly, it’s hard to imagine Finnegan looking back.
Sometimes, both sides just need a fresh start. Finnegan got his, and it looks like he’s not done writing the next chapter of his career just yet.