It’s official — the Texas Rangers have made their move.
In a headline-making trade, the Rangers have acquired star reliever Kyle Finnegan from the Washington Nationals, addressing their most glaring need just weeks into the season. The deal brings Texas the shutdown closer they’ve been missing since Kirby Yates’ departure in free agency.
Finnegan, earning $6 million this year, has been electric for Washington — racking up eight saves with a 1.86 ERA in just 9 2/3 innings. Now, he’ll bring that dominance to Arlington, anchoring a bullpen that’s lacked a true ninth-inning option.
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The Rangers, expected to contend for another postseason run, had relied on Luke Jackson in the closer role. While Jackson has delivered solid outings, questions lingered about his long-term reliability in high-pressure playoff scenarios.
“Finnegan is a game-changer for Texas,” a league source said. “They didn’t just get a reliever — they got a proven finisher for October baseball.”
The Nationals, who are building around a young core, were hesitant to part with Finnegan but ultimately chose to cash in on his rising value. The trade package from the Rangers reportedly includes a pair of top-30 prospects and a future draft pick.
This bold move signals that Texas is all in — not just on the regular season, but on making a serious run toward another World Series appearance.