The Detroit Tigers have enhanced their relief pitching by acquiring Kyle Finnegan from the Washington Nationals as the trade deadline approached. In exchange, the Tigers have sent pitching prospects Josh Randall and R.J. Sales to Washington.
Finnegan represents a significant, albeit modest, boost to the Tigers’ bullpen. Although he is not known for his strikeout ability—ranking in the 24th percentile for whiff rate this season—he is recognized for being tough against left-handed hitters and carries a skill set that aligns well with the Tigers’ needs. His experience as a closer is highlighted by his 38 saves last season, and he comes with promising groundball rates. While his ERA stands at 4.38, his expected ERA (xERA) of 3.51 suggests he can be a valuable asset for the team moving forward.
The Tigers are parting ways with two low-level prospects. Randall was the No. 15 ranked prospect in the Tigers organization, showing development with a 4.18 ERA before a recent promotion to High-A West Michigan. Sales, meanwhile, has posted a 2.71 ERA in 16 starts at Class A, both signals of potential that the Nationals will look to cultivate as they continue their rebuild.
With this acquisition, the Tigers have bolstered their bullpen, which has struggled with an ERA above 5.00 since June 1. They have also brought in Rafael Montero and an injured Paul Sewald, although they have been cautious in utilizing top prospects for bigger trades. This conservative strategy has its critics, but it reflects the Tigers’ operational method, which has yielded success in the past.
Commentators have rated the trade, giving the Nationals an A for their side of the deal and the Tigers a B-. As the Nationals’ interim general manager Mike DeBartolo maneuvers through his first deadline, securing two promising young pitchers for a two-month rental in Finnegan appears to be a strategic move designed to strengthen their roster for the future.
While the Tigers’ trade may not be the flashiest move, it offers a glimmer of hope for improvement in their bullpen as they pursue a playoff spot. The potential for better performance from Finnegan, combined with other late-inning additions, could revitalize a pitching staff in need of depth and reliability as the season progresses.