Nats bring All-Star reliever Finnegan back on 1-year deal (source)
Jessica Camerato
@jessicacameratoJUPITER, Fla. -- The Nationals are addressing their closer role with a familiar right-hander.
The Nats are bringing back Kyle Finnegan on a one-year deal, pending a physical, a source confirmed to MLB.com. FanSided's Robert Murray first reported the agreement, and ESPN's Jesse Rogers reported the deal is for $6 million. The team has not confirmed the move.
Finnegan, 33, became a free agent this offseason when he was non-tendered by the Nationals in his final year of arbitration eligibility.
Finnegan was coming off his first All-Star selection and ranking third among all relievers in saves (38). He went 2-4 with a 2.45 ERA in the first half, compared to 1-4 with a 5.79 ERA in the second half for a 3.68 ERA on the season.
The Nationals entered Spring Training without a dedicated closer. They had identified left-hander Jose A. Ferrer and right-hander Jorge L¨®pez among the back-end options. General manager Mike Rizzo said on Media Day earlier this month that the team had been in touch with Finnegan, as well.
¡°We¡¯ve got some guys that are qualified to do it,¡± manager Dave Martinez said of the back-end of the ¡®pen. ¡°And we¡¯re always looking to add a couple more pieces.¡±
Finnegan, who made his Major League debut at age 28 in 2020, has been one of the more consistent relievers over the past half-decade. His 291 appearances since his debut season in 2020 -- all with the Nats -- are the seventh most among all pitchers.
Among Nationals relievers, Finnegan ranks third in career saves (88) and games (291), as well as fourth in single-season saves.
The 33-year-old right-hander has a 3.56 career ERA across those five seasons. Finnegan's 66 saves over the past two seasons were the fourth most in MLB, trailing only Emmanuel Clase (91), Josh Hader (67) and Raisel Iglesias (67).
Finnegan and Clase are the only pitchers with at least 65 appearances and double-digit saves in each of the past four seasons.