Nationals reuniting with All-Star closer on 1-year, $6 million deal

The Nationals and Kyle Finnegan: A Reunion No One Saw Coming?

Baseball is weird. One moment you’re an All-Star closer, the next you’re being shown the door, and a few months later—surprise!—you’re back, but for less money. That’s the story of Kyle Finnegan, who just re-signed with the Washington Nationals on a one-year, $6 million deal, as first reported by Jesse Rogers of ESPN.

Finnegan’s return feels like an awkward breakup where both parties realize they were better off together—except the Nationals get to pay him less this time. After all, MLB Trade Rumors projected him to earn $8.6 million in arbitration had Washington tendered him an offer. Instead, they let him walk, watched him linger in free agency like an unsold clearance item, and then scooped him back up at a discount.

But is this a brilliant redemption story in the making, or an expensive gamble on a pitcher whose second half of 2024 was, to put it kindly, a dumpster fire?

The Fall of Finnegan: How an All-Star Became an Afterthought

Let’s talk numbers. Finnegan made the All-Star team in 2024, a well-deserved nod for his first-half dominance. But after July 5, it was like someone flipped a switch and turned off his effectiveness. Over his final 27.1 innings, he posted a grotesque 5.93 ERA while opponents torched him for a .338 batting average. If you’re wondering whether that’s bad—it’s atrocious.

His last 21 appearances were an analytics nightmare:

• Opponents hit a jaw-dropping .411 on balls in play.

• His strikeout rate plummeted from 26% to 15.7%.

• His walk rate jumped from 8.3% to 9.8%.

In other words, hitters were seeing beach balls coming out of his hand, and his command wasn’t doing him any favors either.

And yet, he still managed to rack up 38 saves. That’s like surviving a plane crash and walking away unscathed—it defies logic, but it happened. The Nationals only won 71 games last season, which means over half their wins involved Finnegan closing things out. That kind of stat is enough to make a front office think, “Maybe he’s not completely cooked.”

The Nationals’ Bullpen: A Dumpster Fire in Need of Water

Washington’s bullpen was not exactly a pillar of strength last season, finishing 21st in MLB in ERA (4.14) and 22nd in WHIP (1.32). Basically, they were consistently unreliable, and watching late-inning leads slip away became a painful routine for Nationals fans.

To address the issue, the front office has made several bullpen signings over the past few weeks. Finnegan is the latest addition, but before him, the Nationals also signed:

• Lucas Sims (one year, $3 million): Started 2024 looking like a disaster with a 6.35 ERA for the Reds but rebounded in Boston, finishing with a respectable 3.57 ERA.

• Jorge López (one year, $3 million): Bounced between the Mets and Cubs in 2024, finishing with a solid 2.89 ERA after a horrendous 2023.

• Colin Poche (non-roster invitee): The lefty had a 3.45 ERA with the Rays and could compete for a high-leverage role if he impresses in camp.

Throw in returners like Derek Law and Jose Ferrer, and suddenly, the Nationals bullpen looks… well, still questionable, but at least there’s hope.

Why This Reunion Makes Sense (Even If It’s Weird)

So, why did the Nationals bring Finnegan back after cutting him loose? A few theories:

1. They Believe in His Bounce-Back Potential – Finnegan has a career 3.56 ERA and a 110 ERA+ over five seasons. Those aren’t dominant numbers, but they’re good enough to think he can return to form with some mechanical tweaks.

2. They Need a Proven Closer – Say what you want about his second-half collapse, but Finnegan still saved 38 games. The Nationals don’t have anyone else on the roster with that kind of closing experience.

3. Bullpen Depth is Key – If Finnegan is even slightly better than last year, he’s a valuable late-inning option. If he’s terrible? Well, they’re only on the hook for $6 million.

And let’s not forget: pitchers are weird. Finnegan could show up to spring training with a new grip, a slight arm slot adjustment, or a tweaked pre-game routine, and suddenly he’s back to shutting down hitters like it’s 2023. Stranger things have happened.

The Worst-Case Scenario: A $6 Million Mistake

Of course, there’s also the chance that this move backfires spectacularly. If Finnegan’s second-half meltdown was a sign of permanent decline rather than a temporary slump, the Nationals just paid $6 million for a bullpen liability. If he keeps serving up hits like a batting practice pitcher, fans will be calling for his release before the All-Star break.

And let’s be honest—Nationals fans have been through enough in recent years. They watched their franchise go from World Series champions in 2019 to rebuilding mode in record time. Signing Finnegan could be seen as another example of the front office trying to patch a sinking ship with duct tape.

So, Will This Work?

Kyle Finnegan’s return to the Nationals is either a low-risk, high-reward signing or a classic case of a team making a desperate move. Which one it is will depend on whether Finnegan can rediscover his All-Star form or if his late-2024 struggles are the new normal.

For $6 million, it’s a gamble worth taking—especially for a team that isn’t expected to compete for a division title in 2025. If it works, the Nationals look smart. If it doesn’t, well, they’re only out a one-year deal, and Finnegan will have plenty of time to reflect on his career trajectory while sitting in a bullpen somewhere.

Either way, one thing is certain: This reunion is going to be interesting to watch. Get your popcorn ready.