The Washington Nationals are re-signing right-handed reliever 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.
According to Robert Murray of FanSided.com, free-agent right-handed reliever 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.
The Washington Nationals non-tendered right-handers 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.
Washington Nationals right-hander Kyle Finnegan allowed two hits on two unearned runs while striking out one over 1 1/3 inning to earn the save in Saturday's 6-4 win over the Milwaukee Brewers. Finnegan was called on in the eighth inning to protect a four-run lead. He allowed two inherited runs through a wild pitch and an RBI single to Brewers catcher Gary Sanchez. Finnegan bounced back and earned a four-save in Saturday's victory. The 32-year-old needed 18 pitches to notch his 29th save of the season. Before Saturday's appearance, Finnegan yielded six runs over his 1 1/3 innings. He owns a 3.38 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 45:14 K: BB across 45 1/3 innings in 2024. Finnegan is Washington's primary closer, and fantasy managers should continue to roll with him in all leagues as he continues to rack up saves in 2024.
Washington Nationals closer Kyle Finnegan collected his 23rd save of the season with a clean ninth inning in Wednesday night's win over the division-rival New York Mets. Finnegan didn't record a strikeout, but he was able to coax Mets catcher Luis Torrens into a flyout to seal the Nats' 7-5 win over New York. The hard-throwing 32-year-old right-hander remains one of the top closers in fantasy baseball, posting a 1.98 ERA and 0.94 WHIP while striking out 39 hitters and walking 12 over 36 1/3 innings in 2024. Finnegan has now gone 23-for-26 on converting save opportunities.
Washington Nationals relief pitcher Kyle Finnegan has been a feel-good story through the first three months of the regular season. The right-hander was called upon to hold a one-run lead against the Colorado Rockies on Sunday. Finnegan allowed back-to-back singles to start the inning. He was able to battle back and recorded the next three outs and notch his 22nd save of the season. For now, Finnegan remains a solid source for saves. However, that could change if he's moved at the trade deadline and ends up a set-up man elsewhere.
Washington Nationals relief pitcher Kyle Finnegan was called upon to close down Sunday's game against the Cleveland Guardians. The right-hander gave up one hit but worked a scoreless ninth inning to earn his 16th save of the season. There's only three pitchers with more saves than Finnegan this season. He has done a nice job at closing out games for the Nats this season.
Kyle Finnegan Keeps The Good Times Rolling On Thursday
Washington Nationals closer Kyle Finnegan collected his 15th save of the season on Thursday, slamming the door on the Atlanta Braves to secure a 3-1 win. Finnegan allowed just a walk and struck out one in his inning of work. The 32-year-old has been excellent as the Nats closer this year, going 15-for-17 in save opportunities while pitching to a 1.64 ERA and 0.95 WHIP. He is now fifth in the majors in saves and should remain a solid relief pitcher option in fantasy leagues.
Washington Nationals closer Kyle Finnegan secured Tuesday's win on the road over the Chicago White Sox, tossing a scoreless ninth inning for his 13th save of the season during Game 1 of a doubleheader. After getting Eloy Jimenez to ground out, Finnegan ran into some trouble by allowing two singles to get the tying run to the plate but was able to stymie a potential rally by striking out Nicky Lopez to end the game. It's been a great first quarter of the year for the hard-throwing 32-year-old right-hander, who now sports a 1.56 ERA and 0.92 WHIP while fanning 17 and walking eight with an MLB-high 13 saves over 17 1/3 innings as Washington's clear-cut closer. Finnegan's been one of fantasy's top value picks to this point, but it might be time to sell high when you consider his .113 BA and .247 xBA, .268 SLG and .464 xSLG, as well as his 1.65 ERA and 4.41 xERA on Baseball Savant entering Tuesday's action.
Washington Nationals relief pitcher Kyle Finnegan closed out the Miami Marlins on Sunday in a 12-9 victory to pick up his ninth save of the season. In his inning of work, Finnegan didn't allow a hit or a run while walking one and striking out one to lower his season ERA to 2.19. Hunter Harvey pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings in front of Finnegan with a walk and no strikeouts to earn his ninth hold of the year. It was the 32-year-old Finnegan's ninth save in 10 chances to start the 2024 season. He also owns a 0.97 WHIP and has fanned 11 batters in his 12 1/3 innings. Finnegan opened the year as a shaky closing option for fantasy managers, but he's held off Harvey to this point with April almost over.
Kyle Finnegan
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Nationals
