According to a recent tweet from FanSided MLB Insider Robert Murray, the market for the former closer of the Washington Nationals, Kyle Finnegan, has picked up significantly in light of numerous free agent relievers signing with new teams.
Currently, it appears as if Finnegan and Carlos Estévez, who spent last season with the Los Angeles Angels before being dealt to the Philadelphia Phillies at the deadline, are being looked at as the most attractive free agent reliever options on the open market. Of course, the Dodgers signed two of the bigger prizes on the free agent market in lefty Tanner Scott from the Padres and righty Kirby Yates from the Rangers, but Finnegan is no slouch himself.
The 33-year-old righty is coming off of a career year that resulted in his first career All-Star appearance, and recorded 38 saves with a 3.68 ERA. Unfortunately for Finnegan, while the numbers on the surface are very solid, he had a strikeout rate that was below league average, and did not really have any sort of standout quality as a late-inning option.
One possibility that would make a lot of sense for Finnegan is a reunion with the Nationals, as currently the club only has one semi-proven option to be the guy for the 9th inning in Jorge López. However, due to how things ended with the Nationals seemingly non-tendering Finnegan out of nowhere, it is interesting to wonder if there is any sort of fracture in the relationship.
Luckily for Finnegan, there are still some other clubs that could use a proven late-inning option, such as the New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, and Boston Red Sox, among others, as the latter two missed out on the bidding war for Scott. It appears as if the Cubs could be potentially pivoting towards a trade for Houston Astros' righty Ryan Pressly, and if a deal is able to come to fruition, that would likely cross off another destination for Finnegan.
Righty Paul Sewald inked a deal with the Cleveland Guardians yesterday, and despite his inconsistencies in handling the 9th inning, he was another veteran option with closing experience. Outside of Finnegan and Estévez, there are still some other established options that have experience in closing games, although they are a bit longer in the tooth. Those names would include Craig Kimbrel, David Robertson, and Kenley Jansen, among others.
Overall, given the speed in which the reliever market is moving, it will be interesting to see who ends up being able to sign Kyle Finnegan, and I would anticipate that he is signed within the next week or so. Although I would be open to a return to the Nationals, today's signing of Japanese lefty Shinnosuke Ogasawara seems to cloud the rotation and bullpen picture even more. If I had to predict where Finnegan ends up, I would say he ultimately signs with the New York Mets, reuniting with former teammate Juan Soto.
Where do you think Kyle Finnegan will end up? As always, please let me know on X, @DCBerk.