Tigers Pursue Re-Signing Closer Kyle Finnegan to Shore Up Bullpen

The Detroit Tigers’ late-season bullpen revival had plenty of architects, but right-hander Kyle Finnegan made a bigger impression than most. After landing in Detroit at the trade deadline from the Washington Nationals, Finnegan stabilized the back end of A.J. Hinch’s bullpen and hinted he’d like to stick around for good.

As the Tigers enter a critical offseason focused on pitching, everyone’s wondering if that short, dominant stint in the Motor City could turn into something longer.

Kyle Finnegan, the Tigers, and a Mutual Interest in a Reunion

By the end of the postseason, both Finnegan and the club seemed to see the fit. Finnegan spoke openly about enjoying his time with the Tigers, and general manager Jeff Greenberg echoed that, confirming there’s mutual interest in bringing the 33-year-old righty back.

Finnegan’s path to Detroit wasn’t exactly direct. After a rough finish to his 2024 season, the Nationals non-tendered him—a surprising move for a late-inning arm.

Washington then brought him back on a $6 million deal with deferred money, betting on a rebound. Finnegan delivered a solid start to his 2025 campaign in D.C., but the mid-season trade to Detroit really changed everything.

How Detroit Unlocked a New Version of Finnegan

The Tigers’ pitching infrastructure has become more data-driven lately, and Finnegan benefited right away. Detroit’s analysts and coaches spotted two adjustments: heavier splitter usage and a tweak to his release point.

Those tweaks paid off. In 18 innings with Detroit, Finnegan put up:

That’s borderline elite for a late-inning reliever, especially when every game mattered. The increased splitter gave hitters a different look off his fastball, and the new release point sharpened his command and deception.

More whiffs, fewer free passes, and a reliever the Tigers trusted in big spots. That’s the kind of turnaround coaches dream about.

A.J. Hinch’s Trust and Finnegan’s October Role

Manager A.J. Hinch never hesitates to ride the hot hand, and Finnegan became one of those arms down the stretch. Even though his postseason strikeout numbers didn’t quite match his regular-season run, Hinch kept turning to him in leverage spots.

That trust wasn’t just about his stuff. Finnegan quickly built a reputation as a pro’s pro—adaptable, coachable, steady. Greenberg even praised how Finnegan embraced adjustments and blended into a contending environment on the fly.

Why the Clubhouse Factor Matters for Detroit

For a team trying to move from “up-and-coming” to “sustainable contender,” personality and professionalism matter. The Tigers are building a pitching culture that relies on collaboration between coaches, analysts, and players.

Finnegan’s willingness to buy in—and thrive—makes him more than just a stat line.

Bullpen in Flux: Veterans Depart, Holes Emerge

Despite the progress, Detroit’s bullpen isn’t a finished product. One of the big issues in 2025: several relievers posted respectable ERAs but didn’t have the strikeout punch that elite relief units need, or they weren’t trusted in the highest-leverage spots.

This winter, the Tigers are facing real turnover in their relief corps. Veterans who carried innings and experience are now on the open market:

That’s a lot of high-leverage experience leaving at once. Replacing it isn’t really optional if Detroit wants to compete deep into October.

Devin Williams, Ryan Helsley, and the Closer Question

The Tigers have checked in on some of the game’s more dominant late-inning arms. They’ve shown interest in Devin Williams, one of baseball’s best changeup specialists, and Ryan Helsley, a power righty who’s excelled as a closer.

Helsley, though, has already signed elsewhere to lock down the ninth inning, so he’s off Detroit’s board. That just makes a proven, adjustable arm like Finnegan even more appealing, especially if the Tigers want flexibility instead of a single traditional closer.

Pitching Priority: Beyond the Bullpen

Detroit’s offseason agenda is clear: add impact pitching in both the rotation and bullpen. Even with Jack Flaherty already locked up for 2026, the Tigers know they need more depth and more swing-and-miss to keep up in an American League loaded with power lineups.

The team’s willingness to explore upgrades on multiple fronts—big-name relievers, rotation help, and internal reunions like Finnegan—shows they’re aiming high. They aren’t just filling innings; they want arms that can change the game’s feel.

Why a Finnegan Reunion Makes Baseball and Business Sense

From a baseball perspective, Finnegan checks several crucial boxes. He misses bats, limits walks, and embraces adjustments.

He’s already shown he can perform in Detroit’s environment. From a business angle, he’s a known quantity, and his price tag—while not exactly cheap—should be lower than what top-tier closers command.

If the Tigers want a bridge between their younger internal arms and any big bullpen addition they might chase, bringing Finnegan back just makes sense. He brings that mix of performance, adaptability, and culture the front office seems to crave.

 
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