{"id":219835,"date":"2025-10-12T19:24:07","date_gmt":"2025-10-12T19:24:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/219835\/"},"modified":"2025-10-12T19:24:07","modified_gmt":"2025-10-12T19:24:07","slug":"tigers-kyle-finnegan-makes-strong-statement-on-his-upcoming-free-agency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/219835\/","title":{"rendered":"Tigers’ Kyle Finnegan Makes Strong Statement on His Upcoming Free Agency"},"content":{"rendered":"

At the trade deadline back in July, the Detroit Tigers added some key bullpen arms for the stretch run and the postseason. One relief pitcher they acquired<\/a> was veteran Kyle Finnegan from the Washington Nationals for a pair of prospects.<\/p>\n

Finnegan ended up being a vital piece of the Tigers bullpen after the trade, despite landing on the injured list<\/a> in early September after suffering a right adductor strain warming up before an appearance against the New York Mets. When he returned and in the playoffs, he was a key piece to A.J. Hinch’s bullpen.<\/p>\n

After Detroit was eliminated from the American League Division Series in Game 5 Friday night by the Seattle Mariners, the 34-year-old spoke about his time with the Tigers and sounded like someone who wants to return in 2026.<\/p>\n

\"Detroit<\/p>\n

Junfu Han \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n

When he was healthy<\/a>, Finnegan was a big addition to the Tigers’ bullpen. In 16 regular-season appearances following the trade, he worked 18 innings, allowed nine hits, three earned runs, and finished with a 1.50 ERA. He had 23 strikeouts and just four walks.<\/p>\n

In Friday’s Game 5, he started the seventh inning looking to protect a 2-1 lead after Tarik Skubal was pulled by Hinch. He got a pair of fly-balls, but a walk to Jorge Polanco and a Josh Naylor single put two runners on with two outs. He was relieved by Tyler Holton, who allowed a game-tying single to Leo Rivas.<\/p>\n

After the game, Finnegan reflected on his time with the Tigers following the trade. As he enters free agency this winter, he will explore his options, which also could mean a return to Detroit for 2026.<\/p>\n

“I loved every second of my time here,” said Finnegan<\/a>. “Hopefully, the feeling is mutual. We\u2019ll head into free agency and see what that has in store for me, but I can’t say enough good things about the Tigers.”<\/p>\n

The Tigers have a lot of young arms that are going to slide into bullpen roles next season, but Finnegan is a player that the front office needs to consider long and hard about bringing back. There will be a market for him as teams are always looking to add bullpen pieces, but Finnegan is someone who fits in very well following the trade deadline for Hinch.<\/p>\n

There are going to be a lot of big decisions coming up for Detroit’s front office this winter, and Finnegan is someone who will be on the list of players for whom a key decision needs to be made.<\/p>\n