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Phillies Predicted to Trade For NL East Rivals' All-Star Closer

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matthew Sullivan | Last updated Jul 18, 2025 1:15 PM ET

At the MLB trade deadline, the Philadelphia Phillies have no bigger need than in the bullpen. With a strong starting rotation and a weak bullpen, landing at least one reliever is a must at the 2025 MLB trade deadline.

In a piece from The Athletic, with "Bold Predictions" for every team in baseball, the Phillies were involved in a National League East rival's trade deadline prediction.

Sam Blum predicted that the Washington Nationals would trade closer Kyle Finnegan to an NL East team, with the Phillies and the New York Mets as the potential destinations.

"But Finnegan has been good," Blum writes, "and two division rivals can use some help, namely the Phillies and Mets. Philly's Dave Dombrowski is known to be willing to trade prospects at the deadline."

If Dombrowski gets aggressive and moves prospects at the deadline, Finnegan could be a potential pick-up for the Phillies at the deadline. They need bullpen help, and the veteran Finnegan would provide that.

He's been in the league since 2020, and now in year six, he has been solid once again. While not an All-Star like he was in 2024, the Nationals righty has been a good closer this season.

In 35 appearances and across 34.2 innings pitched, Finnegan has a 3.12 ERA, 18 saves, 27 strikeouts, and 12 walks. His 130 ERA+ is the second-highest it's been in his career.

A huge reason why Finnegan has been good this season is thanks to his ability to contain the home run. He's allowed just two all season, a home-run-per-nine of just 0.5.

Combined with a career-low WHIP of 1.183, Finnegan's numbers this season look very promising. As a rental option, he also wouldn't cost the Phillies a ton to pick him up, even if there's an in-division tax from the Nationals.

The 33-year-old will turn 34 in September and hit free agency in the offseason after signing a one-year deal worth $5.38 million late this offseason.

While Finnegan isn't a top name, like Emmanuel Clase, Jhoan Duran, or Felix Bautista, he'd be more than adequate to join the bullpen, and help replace a struggling Jordan Romano and suspended Jose Alvarado.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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