The Detroit Tigers’ bullpen is on the edge of being one of the best in all of baseball; meanwhile, the Washington Nationals have struggled through the season and were amid a five-game losing skid on Thursday.
The Nationals could have the reliever who would put the Tigers over the top and give the best of the American League more firepower as the stretch approaches.
Right-handed reliever Kyle Finnegan was an All-Star last season, and while he is on an expiring contract, the Nationals could look to gain value out of him when the trade deadline arrives. After racking up 38 saves last season, Finnegan has already accumulated 18 this season while the Nationals have only won 30 games.
Finnegan has been a key piece of the Nationals’ securing what few wins they have, closing out nearly two-thirds of the Nationals’ total victories. Sports Illustrated’s Michael Brauner tagged him as the reliever that should be the Tigers’ top target at the deadline.
Finnegan’s 18 saves have come on only 21 opportunities, so placing him in a game is nearly a sure thing for the Nationals. With the Tigers having aspirations of hoisting the Commissioner’s trophy at the end of the season, they will need as close to a guarantee as they can get in the ninth inning.
The Nationals are rebuilding and are likely to dump Finnegan as this season rolls on, but the Tigers should be calling now and getting the skeleton of a deal together for the closer.
