Angels Reportedly Target All-Star Reliever Kyle Finnegan to Bolster Bullpen
The Los Angeles Angels are reportedly among several teams vying for All-Star reliever Kyle Finnegan in free agency. According to Julian Guilarte, the Angels join the Guardians, Cubs, and Blue Jays in expressing interest in the 33-year-old closer, who is coming off a standout 2024 campaign.
Finnegan earned his first All-Star selection last season, saving 38 games — the second-highest total among National League relievers and the third overall in MLB. His 38 saves also marked the fourth-best single-season total in Washington Nationals history (since the team’s relocation in 2005). Over his five-year career with the Nationals, Finnegan has logged an impressive 88 saves, a 3.56 ERA, and a 1.319 WHIP across 290.1 innings.
Why Finnegan Appeals to the Angels
The Angels are entering the offseason on the heels of a franchise-worst 99-loss season, necessitating a significant rebuild of their pitching staff. Adding a proven closer like Finnegan could provide stability to a bullpen that lacked reliability throughout 2024.
While Finnegan’s fastball clocks in at an impressive 97.4 mph, he’s not a traditional strikeout artist. His 22.1 percent strikeout rate in 2024 was below league average for relievers, and his 8.9 percent walk rate sat at league average. Additionally, he’s struggled with home runs, allowing 1.35 homers per nine innings over the past two seasons.
However, Finnegan’s ability to handle high-leverage situations remains a valuable asset. Even with some inconsistencies, his experience as a closer and his track record of saving games in pressure-packed moments make him a potential key addition to the Angels’ bullpen.
A Risk-Reward Proposition
The biggest question surrounding Finnegan is whether he can bounce back from his late-season struggles. Over his final 21 innings of 2024, he posted a 6.43 ERA, with a reduced 15.7 percent strikeout rate and an elevated 9.6 percent walk rate. Despite maintaining his velocity, his effectiveness waned during this stretch, raising concerns about his durability over a full season.
Finnegan’s susceptibility to hard contact is another red flag. In 2024, opponents averaged an exit velocity of 91.3 mph against him, and nearly half of the batted balls he allowed (47.8 percent) were hit at 95 mph or harder over the last two seasons.
Given these concerns, the Angels might opt to offer Finnegan a one-year deal, allowing him to prove his worth before committing to a longer-term agreement. This approach would mitigate risk while giving Finnegan an opportunity to reestablish himself as one of the game’s top relievers.
A Competitive Market
With multiple teams reportedly in the mix for Finnegan’s services, the Angels will face stiff competition. However, for a team in dire need of bullpen help and seeking to return to contention in 2025, signing Finnegan could be a pivotal move.
If the Angels succeed in bringing him to Anaheim, they’ll gain a seasoned closer with playoff aspirations, a valuable step toward overcoming their struggles and rebuilding a winning culture. For Finnegan, the chance to play a key role in a revamped Angels bullpen could be the ideal setting to prove he’s still one of the game’s most reliable relievers.
