Finnegan: more value keeping or trading?

[Senatorswin]

Lol, those are literally the best relievers in the game. Finnegan isnt them.

Meanwhile, Jake McGee, Jeurys Familia, Joe Kelley, Alex Colome, Bryan Shaw, Trevor May, Jake Diekman, Matt Barnes, and Will Smith were all once good and fell off a cliff.

Relief pitcher is the most volatile postion in baseball, if not all of sports. Guys flame out all the time. Four years ago, Kirby Yates, Seth Lugo, Brandon Workman, Felipe Vazquez, Arolids Chapman, Nick Anderson, Hansel Robles, and Ken Giles were in the top 10 best relievers. Yea .... hows that working out now?

Someone is offering you a top 30 prospect in their system for Finnegan, you absolutely take it. Then you call up someone and see if they have the goods. Thats what developmental teams do.

One thing those guys you mentioned have in common, long careers. Here is what Finnegan has done so far:

2020 - Innings Pitched - 242. ERA - 2.92
2021 - Innings Pitched - 66 ERA - 3.55 11 Saves
2022 - Innings Pitched - 66.2 ERA 3.51 11 Saves.

He'll not only be a valuable piece when the Nats get good again but this year and next also. The Nats aren't going to overwork young pitchers like Cavalli, Gore, Gray, etc. The pen will be critical.

It's laughable to think the Nats can rebuild trading useful pieces both now and when they get good again for some other teams between 20 and 30 rated prospect and try to catch lightning in a bottle. This is not yesterdays MLB. The pen has to take over a game usually from the 6th inning on in todays game.

[Mattionals]

One thing those guys you mentioned have in common, long careers. Here is what Finnegan has done so far:

2020 - Innings Pitched - 242. ERA - 2.92
2021 - Innings Pitched - 66 ERA - 3.55 11 Saves
2022 - Innings Pitched - 66.2 ERA 3.51 11 Saves.

He'll not only be a valuable piece when the Nats get good again but this year and next also. The Nats aren't going to overwork young pitchers like Cavalli, Gore, Gray, etc. The pen will be critical.

It's laughable to think the Nats can rebuild trading useful pieces both now and when they get good again for some other teams between 20 and 30 rated prospect and try to catch lightning in a bottle. This is not yesterdays MLB. The pen has to take over a game usually from the 6th inning on in todays game.

You are putting lots of stock into a guy who will be 32 this season. If you can get Jo Adell for Kyle Finnegan, you take that deal. Kyle Finnegan is very unlikely to be part of the new core of the team. 2023 isn't going to be the 2011 Nationals. We are still looking at the middle of a rebuild here, and a relief pitcher is not something you hold onto if there is potentially another piece you can get in return. The shine has fallen off of Jo Adell, but similar to Abrams and Ruiz, it's best to play those guys everyday on a rebuilding team rather than try to pressure them into a win now team. Maybe you get Lewis Brinson, or maybe you get Carlos Gomez. It's worth the gamble because Kyle Finnegan doesn't factor into winning or losing enough games.

[HalfSmokes]

One thing those guys you mentioned have in common, long careers. Here is what Finnegan has done so far:

2020 - Innings Pitched - 242. ERA - 2.92
2021 - Innings Pitched - 66 ERA - 3.55 11 Saves
2022 - Innings Pitched - 66.2 ERA 3.51 11 Saves.

He'll not only be a valuable piece when the Nats get good again but this year and next also. The Nats aren't going to overwork young pitchers like Cavalli, Gore, Gray, etc. The pen will be critical.

It's laughable to think the Nats can rebuild trading useful pieces both now and when they get good again for some other teams between 20 and 30 rated prospect and try to catch lightning in a bottle. This is not yesterdays MLB. The pen has to take over a game usually from the 6th inning on in todays game.

If the rebuild hinges on the presence of an ok middle reliever who will be 35 by the time the team is decent, then it has already failed

[Slateman]

Theres a 0% chance Finnegan pitches for a .500 or better team while a National. Trade him while his value is high.

Weems, Murphy, Adon, Teatreult, or Cronin can all be given the opportunity to develop in the middle relief role.

[blue911]

Maybe Rizzo's best post-2019 move.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/01/23/kyle-finnegan-nationals/

Jay Robertson is responsible for Tanner Roark becoming a Nat.

[Senatorswin]

You are putting lots of stock into a guy who will be 32 this season. If you can get Jo Adell for Kyle Finnegan, you take that deal. Kyle Finnegan is very unlikely to be part of the new core of the team. 2023 isn't going to be the 2011 Nationals. We are still looking at the middle of a rebuild here, and a relief pitcher is not something you hold onto if there is potentially another piece you can get in return. The shine has fallen off of Jo Adell, but similar to Abrams and Ruiz, it's best to play those guys everyday on a rebuilding team rather than try to pressure them into a win now team. Maybe you get Lewis Brinson, or maybe you get Carlos Gomez. It's worth the gamble because Kyle Finnegan doesn't factor into winning or losing enough games.

He won't be 32 until the season is almost over. What are you going to get? An outfielder? 6 of the top 10 prospects are outfielders. A shortstop? No. He is what you need to help the young pitchers now and help the rebuild when it's time.

[Senatorswin]

If the rebuild hinges on the presence of an ok middle reliever who will be 35 by the time the team is decent, then it has already failed

Nobody said the rebuild hinges on Finnegan. He's a part of the many pieces they'll need.

[Senatorswin]

Theres a 0% chance Finnegan pitches for a .500 or better team while a National. Trade him while his value is high.

Weems, Murphy, Adon, Teatreult, or Cronin can all be given the opportunity to develop in the middle relief role.

All those guys will get their chance. Hopefully one or two will be as good as Finnegan is now.

[Natsinpwc]

All those guys will get their chance. Hopefully one or two will be as good as Finnegan is now.

Finnegan is going to be the closer. So those guys will get a chance now. Or at least some of them.

[Natsinpwc]

He won't be 32 until the season is almost over. What are you going to get? An outfielder? 6 of the top 10 prospects are outfielders. A shortstop? No. He is what you need to help the young pitchers now and help the rebuild when it's time.

I think as you said the young starters will be going five innings so they need bullpen arms now. If he excels as a closer and they can get a top prospect from a contender go for it. Don’t need some team’s #25 prospect who has a ceiling of a 5th OF. 

[imref]

All those guys will get their chance. Hopefully one or two will be as good as Finnegan is now.

Jose Ferrer is a closer in waiting too.

I'd imagine the plan for Finnegan is to move him at the deadline assuming he's had a good year and has value.

[Slateman]

Finnegan is going to be the closer. So those guys will get a chance now. Or at least some of them.

Doolittle is going to be the closer. After that, Harvey should be given then closer role, as he is younger and far more likely to sustain his velo and effective offspeed.

No reason not to give them a chance now. We're starting month 3 of the rebuild in April.

[Slateman]

I think as you said the young starters will be going five innings so they need bullpen arms now. If he excels as a closer and they can get a top prospect from a contender go for it. Don’t need some team’s #25 prospect who has a ceiling of a 5th OF. 

Be nice if the coaching staff thought that but its pretty obvious from last year they're gonna run up their pitch counts and innings.

Finnegan doesnt excel as a closer. He's middle relief. Maybe you try and maximize value at the deadline, but you're also risking an injury that kills any return (Tanner Rainey).

[Natsinpwc]

Finnegan doesnt excel as a closer. He's middle relief. Maybe you try and maximize value at the deadline, but you're also risking an injury that kills any return (Tanner Rainey).

Who’s the closer then?  He ended the season as closer so in the absence of anyone else probably gets the job to start the season. I mean that may the best way to maximize his value. Do you have any actual evidence that closers get hurt more than middle relievers? I guess I just don’t see that. I think some RPs cannot handle closing mentally.

[UMDNats]

He’s not good but you will get a top 20 prospect for him at the deadline. LOL. Maybe from a team with a poor system.

We will see how he does and what offers he gets.  He’s on a one year deal so it’s not realistic to discuss having him for five years. Same with Hunter Harvey and Carl Jr. You need to keep some guys around so the fans at least think you are trying for .500.

Just because Mike Rizzo thinks player development means telling guys to keep their eye on the ball doesn't mean stockpiling prospects is the wrong move right now. Why do fans need to think we're trying for .500? We're obviously not.

Get a top 30 guy in AA who looks like an MLB depth piece in 2 years and it's a W trade. Finnegan doesn't move the needle at all for this roster for the next 2 years, but contending teams can always use an arm like his.

[Natsinpwc]

No player moves the needle for this team.  It’s been three years at .350 baseball. How about let’s try and be mediocre.

[Mattionals]

No player moves the needle for this team.  It’s been three years at .350 baseball. How about let’s try and be mediocre.

In order to be even mediocre, the Nats would have to make a few FA signings that aren't obvious one year prove it deals. The FO is signaling that they are going full rebuild without saying it publically. The players of the next core with the least amount of team control are Gray and Ruiz. Everyone on a deal shorter than that isn't part of that core, realistically speaking.

[Slateman]

Who’s the closer then?  He ended the season as closer so in the absence of anyone else probably gets the job to start the season. I mean that may the best way to maximize his value. Do you have any actual evidence that closers get hurt more than middle relievers? I guess I just don’t see that. I think some RPs cannot handle closing mentally.

Doolittle will get it because he's a veteran.

[imref]

Doolittle will get it because he's a veteran.

Doolittle was on the roster to open 2022 and Rainey was the closer. Finnegan is the closer in 2023 to start and there's not even a guarantee Doolittle makes the team.

[Natsinpwc]

Finnegan is the closer and Robles the CF. At least to start the season. End of story.

[imref]

Finnegan is the closer and Robles the CF. At least to start the season. End of story.

Unless they both have awful springs.

[Natsinpwc]

Unless they both have awful springs.

I’m hoping for Kieboom at 3B also. Fits in with my delusional hope.

[UMDNats]

Finnegan is the closer and Robles the CF. At least to start the season. End of story.

Well yeah, this I agree with (though "closer" is a loose term and not a defined role this year IMO). Is that where this stems from? I think both start the year in their roles but hopefully Finnegan is gone by August. Robles likely is here until he has no more team control.

[imref]

I’m hoping for Kieboom at 3B also. Fits in with my delusional hope.

take it a step further....Kieboom is now past TJ.  Can he close?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Harvey will get some saves, and Edwards is pretty effective too.  Finnegan is not going to get enough save opportunities to be just a 9th inning with a close lead guy, either.  He's going to have pitch every 3rd or 4th day regardless of the save opportunities.