WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Kyle Finnegan was disappointed, but not resentful of the Nationals when they chose to non-tender him three months ago. He understood it was a business decision, and he always left the door open for a return.
So when the All-Star closer walked back through that familiar clubhouse door today after officially re-signing with the Nats, there was nothing but a wide smile on his face.
“They’re making decisions that are what they think are in the best interests, and that doesn’t mean they don’t want you back,” he said. “It’s kind of one of those things that it is what it is. When the non-tender happened, I didn’t have any animosity or anything. I knew they had the potential to be one of the teams in play. So you keep an open mind, and at the end of the day you make the decision that feels right for you and your family.”
For Finnegan, a chance to return to the Nationals for $6 million, even if that was about $2 million to $3 million less than he was likely to earn had they let him go through the arbitration process over the winter, was the right one.
He looked right at home this afternoon in the same clubhouse he called home each of the previous five springs, albeit in a new locker on the other side of the room because his old spot was taken. He’s still wearing his No. 67 jersey. He only had to introduce himself to a few new teammates and staff members. He already knew everyone else.
“It was like we never left,” he said. “I think that plays a little into your decision-making. It’s just a smooth transition, something you’re comfortable with. I’m just happy to be here.”
Finnegan, 33, didn’t get into what other kind of offers were out there as he waited it out through the entire offseason and through the first two weeks of camp. But clearly his familiarity with the Nationals and the opportunity to step right back into the closer’s role were as important as the final dollar amount.
Manager Davey Martinez all but said Finnegan will continue to be his primary ninth-inning arm, with occasional opportunities for lefty Jose A. Ferrer or right-hander Jorge Lopez to step in when needed. Martinez did mention a need on his part to watch Finnegan’s workload a little more closely this year in an attempt to avoid the late-season slumps he experienced in 2023 and 2024.
“He’s definitely going to help us,” the manager said. “We always talked about beefing up the back of the bullpen. He’s a great addition. I’m glad he’s back.”
Fellow reliever Derek Law, himself a two-time non-tender victim of the Reds, noted the strong relationship between team and player that allowed them to stay in contact throughout the process and ultimately work out a deal. He believes Finnegan’s return to a bullpen that now also includes Law, Lopez, Ferrer and Lucas Sims is beneficial to everyone.
“Obviously, we have a lot of guys who can (close), but when you get a closer that can do it – and he’s been doing it for the last three or four years – it gives you a little stability,”Law said. “It trickles down all the way to the fifth inning. It just makes our job easier, knowing we just have to get the ball to him, and he’ll do his job.”
Finnegan said he has been preparing at home in Texas just as if he would have here in West Palm Beach, throwing bullpen sessions every two or three days in recent weeks. He’s scheduled to throw off a mound Friday, then work up to facing live hitters and ultimately pitch in five or six exhibition games, nearly identical to his workload last spring.
“I don’t think I’ll have to play too much catch up,” he said. “I feel really good. And we’ve got a smart plan laid out so I don’t do too much too soon and have plenty of time to get a regular workload and be ready to go Opening Day.”
After a season that saw him make the All-Star team for the first time and finish with 38 saves (third-most in the league), yet still find himself out of work for three months, Finnegan understands he may need to re-establish his credentials to some extent this year. He’s going to be a free agent next winter regardless, so there’s plenty of motivation to sustain success over the entire season.
But he won’t go through that process jaded after all he experienced this winter. And if he has to wait until late February to get a job again, so be it.
“That’s just the nature of the business,” he said. “The teams have what they’re looking for, and the players are the same way. It’s just a product of the process. At the end of the day, it is what it is, and I’m really happy to be here, and the outcome was great. I’m just excited to be a Washington National.”