The Washington Nationals have made a surprising roster decision.
The Nats have decided not to tender a contract to relief pitcher Kyle Finnegan. The team also non-tendered pitcher Tanner Rainey, who was part of their 2019 World Series-winning club.
The decision to let Finnegan go is a surprising one.
Finnegan has been with the Nats since 2020 and has been a consistent contributor in the bullpen. Last year, he had a 3.76 ERA and 28 saves. In 2024, Finnegan posted a 3.68 ERA and 38 saves. He was even added to the NL All-Star team.
Finnegan made $5.1 million last season, which was his second year of arbitration. He was likely to earn more in 2025, which is his final season of being under team control before hitting free agency in 2026.
The decision by the Nationals seems to be motivated more by finances than performance. The Nats finished in fourth place in the NL East in 2024 with a 71-91 record.
