After what has felt like an eternity, the Washington Nationals and 2024 All-Star closer Kyle Finnegan are officially in agreement to welcome him back to the Nationals on a 1-year, $6 million deal. I wrote not even 24 hours ago about Mike Rizzo's latest comments regarding the righty, and how the ball appeared as if it was in his court, and it seems like Finnegan finally decided that a return to DC was in his best interests.
This is obviously huge news for the Nationals, as now it appears as if their bullpen for 2025 has a much higher ceiling than it did even this morning. Finnegan, who was fantastic last season in the 1st half, earning that aforementioned All-Star appearance, tailed off drastically as the season wore on, and he was ultimately non-tendered in a surprising move after the season ended.
I can honestly say that I am not surprised, given the recent comments from Rizzo and the fact that the Nationals had not pursued any of the other top free agent relievers. I wrote back in early December that it sounded as if Kyle Finnegan could be back with the Nationals, and almost 3 full months later I was fortunately proven correct. It appears as if Rizzo may have had a plan all along to bring back Finnegan, and it was just a waiting game to see if any other teams would meet his asking price.
Unfortunately for Finnegan but fortunate for the Nationals, it appears as if his market never really materialized, and despite some whispers that he would be picked up by another team like the Mets or Cubs, teams that at one point this offseason needed help in the back end of their bullpen, a renunion was always in the cards, as we now know.
Free-agent reliever Kyle Finnegan and the Washington Nationals are in agreement on a one-year contract, according to a source familiar with the deal.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) February 25, 2025
The one question that I have at this point is whether or not he will step right back into the closer role for this team, or if he will have to earn it back. The Nationals had appeared set to roll with a combination of Jose A. Ferrer, who has looked sharp early on in spring training, and free agent addition Jorge Lopez. Will Finnegan's tenure in DC allow him to slide back into his 9th inning slot without competition? We will have to wait for public comment by either Rizzo or Nationals manager Davey Martinez, but I would expect him to be the team's closer barring injury on Opening Day.
Overall, I am glad that the Nationals were able to bring him back on a cheaper deal than he likely anticipated he would get after being non-tendered, and will now be turning my attention for the possibility of a battle for positioning in the back end of the Nationals 2025 bullpen.
What do you think of the Nationals bringing back Kyle Finnegan? As always, please let me know on X, @DCBerk.