The Boston Red Sox's bullpen has been their greatest weakness of late. They are currently tied for the MLB lead in blown saves (8) with the Phillies.
Questions are arising around the composition of the bullpen. The Red Sox only made one significant move to strengthen the unit, signing Aroldis Chapman, and added a reclamation project in Justin Wilson.
They looked at internal options to fill out the late innings, banking on returns to form from Garrett Whitlock and Liam Hendriks, and steps up from Justin Slaten and Greg Weissert. Though Boston was linked to big-name free agent Tanner Scott, it ultimately didn't sign him and only got one other proven arm.
One name that was sitting on the open market until late in the offseason was Kyle Finnegan. The 33-year-old reliever was coming off a season where he pitched to a 3.68 ERA in 63.2 IP while racking up a career high 38 saves and collecting his first career All-Star appearance. The Nationals decided to non-tender earlier in the offseason due to how high his arbitration was projected to be (upwards of $8 million). After waiting out until almost spring training, Finnegan ultimately re-signed with Washington on a one-year, $6 million deal.
MLB Network names Kyle Finnegan as top bullpen trade target, and Red Sox should take advantage
Need a power bat? A closer?
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) May 1, 2025
Greg has you covered with the nine best trade chips in the league. #MLBTonight pic.twitter.com/5v2azAHB7h
Now, Finnegan is shining to start the season. He has a 3.07 ERA in 15 appearances and already has 12 saves. He's been the bright spot in a poor Nationals bullpen. He has 0.6 bWAR, one of just three Nationals relievers with a bWAR higher than zero. The righty will likely be moved around the trade deadline in July, and if he sustains his level of pitching, will fetch the Nationals a decent prospect.
Instead of having to give up a young piece to acquire Finnegan, or any other bullpen piece the Sox want to get, they could have just signed him in the first place. Though Finnegan's $6 million salary may seem steep for a reliever (it is a top 40 reliever salary this year), the Red Sox shouldn't be concerned about money.
The front office did a good job addressing some of the bigger needs this offseason, but the bullpen could have been addressed more. Why they didn't take a flyer on a reliever coming off a career best season, and wouldn't have been looking for a long-term commitment, is something to question, especially if they end up trading for him.