The Detroit Tigers expanded their bullpen on Thursday by acquiring closer Kyle Finnegan from the Washington Nationals, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. This trade took place as part of ongoing efforts to improve the Tigers’ relief pitching depth ahead of the season’s critical phase, marking another significant move in their bullpen revamp.
Trade Details and Player Exchange
As reported by The Washington Post’s Andrew Golden, the Nationals received two pitching prospects in return: Josh Randall and R.J. Sales. Randall, Detroit’s third-round pick in 2024, recently advanced to high-A and made an impressive scoreless debut at that level. Sales, drafted in the 10th round last year, has posted a 2.71 ERA over 66.1 innings in his first professional season at low-A.
Kyle Finnegan’s Role and Performance History
Finnegan has been a consistent closer for Washington over parts of five seasons, ranking among the franchise leaders in saves. At 33 years old, the six-foot-two right-hander signed a one-year, $6 million contract after being non-tendered last fall and is set to become a free agent following this season. In 2025, he has appeared in 40 games, contributing 20 saves with a 4.38 ERA, maintaining his role as a dependable late-inning option for the Nationals.
Additional Moves to Enhance Tigers’ Relief Corps
Earlier this week, Detroit also secured veteran reliever Paul Sewald from the Cleveland Guardians, building on Wednesday’s acquisition of Rafael Montero from the Atlanta Braves. These trades collectively demonstrate the Tigers’ commitment to bolstering their bullpen in pursuit of stronger late-game pitching performances.
Implications for the Tigers’ Season and Future Outlook
By adding Kyle Finnegan and other experienced relievers, the Tigers aim to solidify their pitching staff’s reliability in close contests. With Finnegan’s proven closing experience and the infusion of promising prospects in the trade, Detroit hopes to strike a balance between immediate impact and longer-term development. The team’s bullpen overhaul will be critical as they enter the final stretch of the season, potentially influencing their postseason ambitions.