image credit: PlanetBaseballTigers Secure Kyle Finnegan's Return With Two-Year Agreement
Detroit secures reliable late-inning arm after successful second-half showing
Detroit Locks In Proven Reliever
The Detroit Tigers have brought back reliever Kyle Finnegan, finalizing a two-year contract worth $19 million late Tuesday night. Sources confirmed the agreement to The Detroit News.
Finnegan, 34, joined Detroit at last season's trade deadline and quickly became a valuable asset in high-pressure situations alongside Will Vest. Over 18 regular-season innings with the Tigers, he recorded three wins and four saves while maintaining a 0.722 WHIP.
Mutual Interest Made Deal Likely
The reunion comes as little surprise given the positive relationship that developed during Finnegan's brief time in Detroit. Following the Tigers' 15-inning elimination loss to Seattle in Game 5 of the ALDS, Finnegan made his feelings clear.
"I loved every second of my time here," he said. "Hopefully, the feeling is mutual. I'll head into free agency and see what that has in store for me, but I can't say enough good things about the Tigers."
Tigers General Manager Jeff Greenberg expressed similar enthusiasm during last month's General Manager meetings in Las Vegas.
"We loved having Kyle," Greenberg told reporters at the event. "He deserves all of the credit in the world for being as open-minded as he was to making those adjustments and embracing the roles that we put him in and his impact in the clubhouse. For all of those reasons, we have interest in bringing him back."
Pitch Mix Adjustment Yielded Results
Detroit's coaching staff encouraged Finnegan to reduce his reliance on his powerful fastball and instead feature his splitter more prominently. The strategic shift produced notable improvements.
With Washington, Finnegan posted a 4.37 ERA and a 19.6% strikeout rate. After arriving in Detroit, those numbers shifted dramatically—his ERA dropped to 1.50 while his strikeout rate jumped to 34.8%.
The splitter proved particularly effective in August and September, generating a swing-and-miss rate exceeding 50%.
More Bullpen Additions Expected
The Finnegan signing represents just the opening move in what Detroit plans to be an active offseason of bullpen construction.
"We would like to add to our pen," Greenberg said Tuesday at the Winter Meetings. "And there are a lot of ways to approach that. It's more about finding the right fit based on the performance and the attributes we're looking for."
Greenberg added that the team wants to increase strikeout potential through various avenues. "Obviously we'd like to add more swing and miss but that can come in a variety of shapes and forms. And that can come through free agency, trades, the waiver wire or minor league free agents."
Current Bullpen Picture
At present, Finnegan, Vest and Tyler Holton are the only relievers with relatively secure roster spots heading into spring training. Brenan Hanifee and Brant Hurter will need to compete to maintain their positions, along with Beau Brieske, who spent much of last season managing injuries.
Detroit Locks In Proven Reliever
The Detroit Tigers have brought back reliever Kyle Finnegan, finalizing a two-year contract worth $19 million late Tuesday night. Sources confirmed the agreement to The Detroit News.
Finnegan, 34, joined Detroit at last season's trade deadline and quickly became a valuable asset in high-pressure situations alongside Will Vest. Over 18 regular-season innings with the Tigers, he recorded three wins and four saves while maintaining a 0.722 WHIP.
Mutual Interest Made Deal Likely
The reunion comes as little surprise given the positive relationship that developed during Finnegan's brief time in Detroit. Following the Tigers' 15-inning elimination loss to Seattle in Game 5 of the ALDS, Finnegan made his feelings clear.
"I loved every second of my time here," he said. "Hopefully, the feeling is mutual. I'll head into free agency and see what that has in store for me, but I can't say enough good things about the Tigers."
Tigers General Manager Jeff Greenberg expressed similar enthusiasm during last month's General Manager meetings in Las Vegas.
"We loved having Kyle," Greenberg told reporters at the event. "He deserves all of the credit in the world for being as open-minded as he was to making those adjustments and embracing the roles that we put him in and his impact in the clubhouse. For all of those reasons, we have interest in bringing him back."
Pitch Mix Adjustment Yielded Results
Detroit's coaching staff encouraged Finnegan to reduce his reliance on his powerful fastball and instead feature his splitter more prominently. The strategic shift produced notable improvements.
With Washington, Finnegan posted a 4.37 ERA and a 19.6% strikeout rate. After arriving in Detroit, those numbers shifted dramatically—his ERA dropped to 1.50 while his strikeout rate jumped to 34.8%.
The splitter proved particularly effective in August and September, generating a swing-and-miss rate exceeding 50%.
More Bullpen Additions Expected
The Finnegan signing represents just the opening move in what Detroit plans to be an active offseason of bullpen construction.
"We would like to add to our pen," Greenberg said Tuesday at the Winter Meetings. "And there are a lot of ways to approach that. It's more about finding the right fit based on the performance and the attributes we're looking for."
Greenberg added that the team wants to increase strikeout potential through various avenues. "Obviously we'd like to add more swing and miss but that can come in a variety of shapes and forms. And that can come through free agency, trades, the waiver wire or minor league free agents."
Current Bullpen Picture
At present, Finnegan, Vest and Tyler Holton are the only relievers with relatively secure roster spots heading into spring training. Brenan Hanifee and Brant Hurter will need to compete to maintain their positions, along with Beau Brieske, who spent much of last season managing injuries.
