Tigers Sign Key Pitcher in Late Night Free Agent Signing

The Detroit Tigers made the postseason for the second year in a row in 2025 and they're hoping to keep the good times rolling. They've signed a key pitcher in free agency to keep their strong bullpen intact. Closer Kyle Finnegan will return to the Motor City, on a two-year, $19 million deal.

Closer Kyle Finnegan and the Detroit Tigers are in agreement on a two-year, $19 million contract, pending physical, sources tell ESPN. Finnegan was excellent after joining the Tigers at the trade deadline and returns on a multiyear deal. First on the agreement: @ByRobertMurray.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 10, 2025

Finnegan came over to the Tigers in a trade deadline deal with the Washington Nationals, and proceeded to fit into a mix-and-match back of the bullpen, racking up four saves and three wins through his first 12 scoreless outings with the club through the month of August. He finished his 18 games with Detroit with a 1.50 ERA and 0.72 WHIP. He held batters to a .153 average and a .457 OPS, with a 23-to-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Overall on the season, Finnegan, 34, posted 24 saves with a 3.57 ERA. In 2024, he was an All-Star in Washington, with 38 saves, and had 28 the year before that.

The Tigers will now be bringing back their entire key bullpen group of Finnegan, Will Vest, Tyler Holton, Brenan Hanifee and Brant Hurter.

The closer run in free agency continues, as Finnegan's signing takes another 9th inning arm off the market, after closers Ryan Helsley, Devin Williams and Edwin Díaz signed in the past week.