Kyle Finnegan Knocks Down Third Save
Kyle Finnegan threw a scoreless ninth inning to finish off the Philadelphia Phillies in a 3-2 win. Finnegan walked one and struck out one. The 32-year-old had a bad outing in Cincinnati on opening weekend but has recovered nicely, going two-for-two in save chances with no hits allowed since. It appears that the Nats are running with Finnegan as the full-time closer given their bullpen usage, making him a must-roster reliever in any league where saves count.
Source: MLB.com
Washington Nationals relief pitcher Source: MLB.com
Kyle Finnegan Picks Up Save Over Dodgers On Monday
Kyle Finnegan pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings to preserve a 6-4 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday. Finnegan struck out two while allowing one walk and two hits to earn his fourth save in as many chances this season. The veteran has been a consistent force at the back of the Washington bullpen in the early going, allowing just one run through 5 2/3 innings of work while striking out five. He appears to have a firm grip on the closer role in Washington, although it remains to be seen just how many save chances the Nationals afford him this season.
Source: MLB.com
Washington Nationals right-hander Source: MLB.com
Nationals Re-Sign Kyle Finnegan To One-Year Deal
Kyle Finnegan to a one-year, $6 million deal on Tuesday, sources told ESPN's Jesse Rogers. The All-Star closer will return to D.C. after the Nationals non-tendered him late last year. The 33-year-old had a 3.68 ERA (4.25 FIP), 1.33 WHIP, a career-high 38 saves, 60 strikeouts and 24 walks in 63 2/3 relief innings for Washington in 2024 and should now be considered the favorite for closing duties again in 2025. Other than the 33-year-old, the Nationals' best options for high-leverage innings late in games are Jorge Lopez and Jose A. Ferrer, which makes sense why the Nationals chose to bring Finnegan back to pitch the ninth. Finnegan also had 28 saves in 2023, but his elevated hard-hit rate last year could be a sign of trouble to come. Even though the Nats don't have other great closing options, Finnegan could be on a short leash.
Source: ESPN Chicago - Jesse Rogers
The Washington Nationals are re-signing right-handed reliever Source: ESPN Chicago - Jesse Rogers
Kyle Finnegan's Market Starting To Heat Up
Kyle Finnegan's market is heating up. Murray noted that with numerous relief pitchers finding suitors, Finnegan is starting to draw significant interest from several clubs. Earlier this offseason, the Nationals non-tendered him. Last season, Finnegan tallied a career-best 38 saves with a 3.68 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP across 62 2/3 innings of work. Finnegan struck out batters at a below-average 22.1% rate and allowed walks at a high 8.9% rate. In addition, he generated hard contract at a poor 48.1% and had a hefty 4.34 xERA, which suggests the 33-year-old will likely face some regression in 2025. Finnegan will likely operate as a high-leverage option on most clubs but could find a role as a middle reliever on a competing club.
Source: Robert Murray
According to Robert Murray of FanSided.com, free-agent right-handed reliever Source: Robert Murray
Nationals Non-Tender Kyle Finnegan On Friday
Kyle Finnegan and Tanner Rainey on Friday, making them both free agents. Finnegan will hit the open market after five seasons in D.C., with his last one being his best. He earned his first All-Star bid by going 3-8 with a 3.68 ERA, a 1.33 WHIP and a career-high 38 saves in 63 2/3 innings out of the bullpen. The 33-year-old's 38 saves were third-most in baseball. Finnegan's strikeout rate the last two years wasn't representative of a closing arm, and it might be a stretch to expect him to land a closing gig in free agency. He should at least be a high-leverage option somewhere. Rainey had a 4.76 ERA and 1.49 WHIP in 50 relief outings for the Nats in 2024 in his return from Tommy John surgery, but he was much better in the second half. The 31-year-old should be able to turn that into a bullpen with another team in 2025.
Source: Nationals Communications
The Washington Nationals non-tendered right-handers Source: Nationals Communications
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