Texas Rangers Should Consider Kyle Finnegan to Solidify Bullpen
The Texas Rangers have been busy this offseason, but when it comes to their bullpen, team president Chris Young insists they are done adding arms. That may be the case for now, but a closer look at their current relief corps suggests there’s still work to be done.
As it stands, no reliever on the Rangers’ roster has more than 14 career Major League saves, and that mark belongs to Chris Martin, who has never served as a full-time closer. The Rangers may opt to figure out their bullpen hierarchy during spring training or in the early weeks of the regular season. Alternatively, they could wait until midseason to address it, much like they did in 2023 when they bolstered their relief corps en route to a World Series title.
However, waiting isn’t always the best approach, especially with quality arms still available at a discount. One name that should be on the Rangers’ radar is former Washington Nationals closer Kyle Finnegan.
Finnegan’s Surprising Availability
The Nationals opted not to tender Finnegan a contract in November, letting him hit free agency rather than pay a projected $8 million through arbitration. It was a surprising decision, as Finnegan had been one of Washington’s most reliable bullpen arms in recent years.
Finnegan has been a workhorse, making at least 65 appearances in each of the past four seasons. His save total steadily climbed over the last three years, culminating in a career-high 38 saves in 2024. He finished last season with a 3.68 ERA, a 3-8 record, and more than eight strikeouts per nine innings, earning his first career All-Star selection.
Over his MLB career, Finnegan has a 22-26 record with 88 saves and a 3.56 ERA, along with 288 strikeouts and 117 walks since debuting in 2020. While his performance dipped slightly at the end of last season, the 33-year-old has never posted an ERA higher than 3.76 in any full campaign and has never made fewer than 60 appearances in a season.
Why the Rangers Should Make a Move
The Rangers are entering the 2025 season with a bullpen that lacks an experienced closer. Finnegan, with 74 more saves than any other reliever on Texas’ roster, would instantly provide stability in late-game situations.
Even better, he is likely available for far less than the Nationals would have had to pay him in arbitration. With the free-agent market cooling down, Texas could secure his services at a bargain price, giving them a reliable ninth-inning option without breaking the bank.
For a team looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2024 campaign, adding Finnegan would be a smart move to shore up one of their biggest question marks. If the Rangers want to give their bullpen more certainty heading into spring training, signing Finnegan is a no-brainer.
