Kyle Finnegan returns to Nationals with $6M deal

The Washington Nationals have secured closer Kyle Finnegan for another term by agreeing to a one-year contract worth $6 million, contingent upon the successful completion of a physical examination. This deal was confirmed on Tuesday by two individuals familiar with the matter, although they requested anonymity because the agreement had yet to be finalized.
The news of the agreement was initially reported by a sports news outlet. Finnegan, who was honored as a National League All-Star for the first time in 2024, entered free agency this November after the Nationals did not extend a contract offer. Last season, he earned a salary of $5.1 million and was expected to command around $8.5 million through arbitration.
The 33-year-old right-handed pitcher concluded last season with a 3-8 record, posting a 3.68 ERA, alongside recording 38 saves in 43 opportunities and accumulating 60 strikeouts in 63 2/3 innings. His performance placed him second for saves in the National League, trailing only Ryan Helsley of the St. Louis Cardinals.
Finnegan, who has played five major league seasons—all with Washington—has a career record of 22-26, with an ERA of 3.56, achieving 88 saves in 109 chances and recording 288 strikeouts across 290 1/3 innings of play.
With this signing, Finnegan is poised to reinforce the Nationals’ bullpen. The team has been active in acquiring new pitching talent this offseason, welcoming relievers like Lucas Sims, Jorge López, and Evan Reifert, along with starting pitchers Michael Soroka and Shinnosuke Ogasawara.
After finishing the previous season with a 71-91 record for a second consecutive year, marking a fifth straight losing season since clinching the 2019 World Series title, the Nationals have also strengthened their lineup with additions such as Josh Bell, Nathaniel Lowe, and Paul DeJong.