5 trade targets that would make Pittsburgh Pirates potential NL Central contenders

Kyle Finnegan

Another National League East reliever the Pirates should have their eye on is Kyle Finnegan. The Washington Nationals’ closer could also be on the trading block after his set-up man, Hunter Harvey, was dealt to the Kansas City Royals. Finnegan would fill a similar role as AJ Puk, but as a right-hander.

Finnegan is having a career-best year on the bump. He has a 2.45 ERA, 3.98 FIP, and 1.02 WHIP through 40.1 innings of work. Both his 8.1% walk rate and 26.1% strikeout rate are career bests. However, home runs have consistently plagued him. He had a 1.29 HR/9 in 2021 through 2023 and this year is not much different. His HR/9 in ‘24 clocks in at 1.34.

Although Finnegan is prone to hard contact with a 90.6 MPH exit velocity, he has been good at limiting quality contact. His 6.6% barrel rate is in the top 67th percentile of pitchers this year. Finnegan has been good, but there are more positives aside from his performance that would greatly help out the Pirates’ bullpen.

Like Puk, he could serve as the Pirates’ closer when Bednar has the day off. Finnegan has saved 25 games so far this year, only three away from matching a career high. His WPA on the season is +1.60. He’s used to high leverage, and having him and Bednar taking up the closing duties would make the eighth and ninth innings a nightmare for opposing teams in close games.

Finnegan is older at 31, but he is only getting paid $5.1 million this year with one more year of arbitration left. That gives the Pirates a second season to bring him back. Again, the Pirates could potentially lose two key relievers in Ryan Borucki and Aroldis Chapman this offseason. This would be nice insurance.