Inside The Cardinals

Could Cardinals Swing Huge Trade For $6 Million Pitcher?

Should the Cardinals be aggressive at the trade deadline this season?
Zach Pressnell|
May 29, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Kyle Finnegan (67) and catcher Keibert Ruiz (20) celebrate defeating the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
May 29, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Kyle Finnegan (67) and catcher Keibert Ruiz (20) celebrate defeating the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images | Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

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Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller recently listed veteran closer Kyle Finnegan of the Washington Nationals as one of the best trade chips expected to be on the market this season.

"The Washington Nationals have eight impending free agents who they could put on the trade block, but they probably won't be able to give most of them away," Miller wrote. "Kyle Finnegan is the exception to that rule, ranking third in the majors with 15 saves, this after also ranking third with 38 saves in 2024.

"Given the state of the rest of their bullpen, it would probably be in Washington's best interest to just hang onto Finnegan and try to bring him back for at least one more year. If they make him available, though, they'd be sure to get more than a few nibbles. With career marks of a 3.50 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 8.9 K/9, his numbers never have been spectacular."

Miller didn't link Finnegan to the St. Louis Cardinals, but they would certainly be a good fit if the team opts to buy this trade deadline season.

Finnegan would be an excellent high leverage option for the Cardinals to pursue this season. While St. Louis has solid options like Ryan Helsley, Phil Maton, and Kyle Leahy in the bullpen, they could use another reliable arm.

Pairing the Nationals' closer with this trio would give the Cardinals a solid backend of the bullpen and it would help make them as competitive as the fanbase wants them to be.

While some expect the Cardinals to be sellers at the deadline, they could chase a trade for Finnegan if they opt to buy.

More MLB: MLB Writer Suggests Cardinals Will Miss Fan Favorite Slugger

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Zach Pressnell
ZACH PRESSNELL

Zach Pressnell has experience covering all major US sports at both the professional and collegiate levels. He’s produced content for FanSided, Blog Red Machine, The Game Haus, Bethany College Athletics and the Bethany College online newspaper, He graduated from Bethany College (WV) with a degree in Communications and Media Arts, specializing in Sports Journalism. Pressnell was also a four-year member of the baseball team where he earned himself All-PAC recognition as a pitcher (and a cool Tommy John surgery scar). Now, Pressnell specializes in NFL and MLB coverage for Sports Illustrated’s “On SI” network among others. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding "St. Louis Cardinals On SI," please reach out to Scott Neville: scott@wtfsports.org

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