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Pete Fairbanks vs. Kyle Finnegan: Who's a better fit for Phillies?
Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Pete Fairbanks. Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Pete Fairbanks vs. Kyle Finnegan: Who's a better fit for Phillies?

By Lauren Amour  |  Last updated Jun 4, 2025 5:54 PM ET

The Philadelphia Phillies are expected to be buyers at this year's Major League Baseball trade deadline on July 31. 

The club will likely be searching for bullpen help as they have a 4.67 ERA entering Wednesday. The Phillies will also be without pitcher Jose Alvarado until August and in the postseason due to a PED suspension, meaning they're in desperate need of a high-leverage arm.

Two names that have emerged as potential trade candidates for the Phillies are Washington Nationals closer Kyle Finnegan and Tampa Bay Rays' Pete Fairbanks. 

So, which one is the better fit in Philadelphia?

The right-hander Finnegan has had a solid six-year career in Washington, but he's emerged as one of the most effective closers in the game over the last few years.

Finnegan posted a 3.76 ERA and saved 28 games in 2023. In 2024, he was named to his first All-Star team, saving 38 games with a 3.68 ERA and 1.34 WHIP in 63.2 innings. 

It's been much of the same for the 33-year-old in 2025, having saved 16 games for the Nationals and pitching to a 2.61 ERA with 18 strikeouts across 20.2 innings. Finnegan isn't known as a strikeout pitcher and instead induces ground-ball outs, with a career ground-ball rate (GB%) of 46.9, above the league average of 42.4.

With the Phillies' infield defense not being the strongest, particularly at shortstop with Trea Turner and at third base with Alec Bohm, this could raise some concerns. 

Additionally, Finnegan has no postseason experience. It's not his fault, nor the end of the world, but having been in big spots in the playoffs would be ideal for Philadelphia.

Then there is Fairbanks, a righty, who has an impressive 1.96 ERA and 2.72 FIP this season, along with 23 strikeouts across 22 innings and 10 saves in 24 appearances in 2025.

However, the 31-year-old's strikeout rate has declined in recent years. Like Finnegan, he also has a high GB% of 50.8 in 2025.

Fairbanks posted a career high in strikeouts-per-nine (SO/9) in 2022 at 14.3. Since then, he has seen that number steadily decline to 8.6 in 2025. The Phillies would like to bring that number back up, and pitching coach Caleb Cotham may be able to draw that out of him. 

Moreover, Fairbanks has postseason experience with Tampa Bay, appearing in six series since 2020, putting up a 3.60 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 15 innings and three saves.

Based on each of their resumes, Finnegan or Fairbanks would be a strong fit for a struggling Phillies' bullpen. However, Fairbanks has the edge as the ideal trade candidate for Philadelphia because of his playoff experience and a more substantial potential to return to a strikeout pitcher. Even ESPN's Jeff Passan named Fairbanks the best fit for Philadelphia.

Lauren Amour
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Lauren Amour is a writer and editor based in the Greater Philadelphia area. She currently works as an editor and writer at Yardbarker, covering MLB and the Philadelphia Phillies.

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