On the day of the trade deadline, the Washington Nationals finalized a notable transaction by sending closer Kyle Finnegan to the Detroit Tigers. This Kyle Finnegan trade deadline move involves the Nationals receiving two right-handed pitching prospects, Josh Randall and RJ Sales, in exchange, aiming to bolster their farm system.
Details of the Trade and Player Profiles
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the trade saw Finnegan head to Detroit, with Grant Paulsen of MLB Network Radio confirming that the Nationals acquired prospects Randall and Sales in return. While neither prospect is considered a top-tier talent, Randall ranks 15th in the Tigers’ pipeline, and both have shown promise in Single-A this season.
Randall currently maintains a 3.92 ERA over 17 starts, and Sales has impressed with a 2.71 ERA and a 1.116 WHIP across 16 appearances, marking both as potentially valuable bullpen additions for the Nationals’ future.
Finnegan’s Performance and Career with Washington
At 33 years old, Finnegan has experienced a slight decline in performance, reflected in his 4.38 ERA and 1.282 WHIP across 40 appearances this year. Despite these numbers, he has already secured 20 saves during the season, demonstrating continued effectiveness. His lone All-Star appearance in 2024 highlighted a strong season, with a 3.68 ERA over 65 appearances and only 24 walks.
Since debuting with the Nationals in 2020, Finnegan has been a reliable closer, appearing in 331 games and accumulating 108 saves. With a career ERA of 3.66, he has been a dependable presence in Washington’s bullpen throughout his tenure.
Implications for Both Teams Moving Forward
While Finnegan’s departure will be felt in the Nationals’ bullpen, the trade provides him an opportunity to contribute to a contending Tigers team that seeks to strengthen its relief corps for the season’s final stretch. Meanwhile, Washington gains young pitching depth through Randall and Sales, positioning themselves for the future following recent struggles to leverage Finnegan’s value on the market due to his one-year contract.
This transaction also comes amid other Nationals news, such as prospect Trave Sykora preparing for Tommy John surgery, reinforcing the team’s focus on rebuilding and developing talent.