Tigers’ Kyle Finnegan Signals He’ll Cash In in Free Agency

The Detroit Tigers made a big move at the July trade deadline, picking up veteran reliever Kyle Finnegan from the Washington Nationals. They sent two prospects the other way to get him in the bullpen.

Finnegan wasted no time making an impact. Even with a short injury break, he became a go-to late-inning option for Detroit.

Now, with free agency looming, the Tigers face a tricky decision. Should they bring the 34-year-old back for the 2026 season?

Kyle Finnegan’s Impact in Detroit

The Tigers wanted to shore up a bullpen that flashed potential but needed steady hands. Adding Finnegan did exactly that.

He gave them quality innings in the second half of the regular season. The difference was clear almost right away.

Consistent Results From a Seasoned Arm

Before a right adductor strain put him on the shelf in early September, Finnegan looked like one of Detroit’s most reliable relievers. In 16 appearances, he threw 18 innings with a sharp 1.50 ERA.

He struck out 23 and walked just four. Only nine hits and three earned runs got past him during that stretch.

His command stood out. That fastball? It missed bats and kept hitters off balance, giving manager AJ Hinch a steady option in close games.

Postseason Performance Under Pressure

Finnegan’s nerves got tested in the American League Division Series against the Seattle Mariners. In Game 5, Detroit held a slim 2–1 lead in the seventh when he got two quick outs, then gave up a walk and a single.

Hinch brought in Tyler Holton, who unfortunately surrendered the game-tying hit. Sometimes, that’s just how baseball goes.

Looking Ahead: Free Agency and Offseason Decisions

With free agency here, both sides have talked about wanting to run it back. Finnegan said he “loved every second” in Detroit, and that sort of thing can matter in these decisions.

How Finnegan Fits into Detroit’s 2026 Bullpen

The front office has to weigh whether Finnegan is worth another contract at age 34. He still brings a lot to the table:

• Proven late-inning reliability—he’s handled tough lineups before.
• Veteran leadership—couldn’t hurt for the younger guys.
• Playoff experience—that’s always valuable when October rolls around.

Detroit’s bullpen could be a real force if they mix emerging arms with experienced guys like Finnegan. His presence would give Hinch more options and help lock down those tense late innings.

Final Thoughts

Midseason trades are always a gamble, but Finnegan’s stint in Detroit? That felt like a win. Sure, the postseason loss stung, but his regular-season work really showed what he can do.

He brings experience, a tough mindset, and throws strikes when it matters. That’s not something you find every day, and honestly, Detroit could use more of that.

The Tigers need to shore up their bullpen this offseason. Keeping Kyle Finnegan around might be the smartest call they make if they’re serious about chasing a deeper playoff run in 2026.

There’s mutual interest, or so it seems. If the numbers work out, maybe we’ll see #34 wearing the Old English D again next year. Fingers crossed, right?

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Here is the source article for this story: Tigers’ Kyle Finnegan Makes Strong Statement on His Upcoming Free Agency