Toronto's Bullpen Crisis Demands Immediate Action

The Toronto Blue Jays (25-24) face mounting pressure to address their struggling relief corps as playoff hopes intensify. With a bullpen ERA ranking second-worst in MLB last season (4.82), team executives have identified Washington Nationals closer Kyle Finnegan as their primary trade target.

Finnegan's Resurgent 2025 Campaign

The 34-year-old All-Star has converted 14 of 16 save opportunities this season, posting a 2.70 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 26.2 innings. His 41.2% ground ball rate and 32.1% hard-contact rate make him particularly valuable in high-pressure situations.

Current Bullpen Breakdown

Toronto's late-game struggles persist despite Jeff Hoffman's 3.31 ERA (0/3 saves) and Chad Green's 20 saves (4.09 ERA). Finnegan's 78.5% left-on-base rate in 2024 demonstrates his ability to strand inherited runners - a critical skill missing from Toronto's relief corps.

The Trade Calculus

Washington's 22-27 record signals potential veteran sell-off, making Finnegan's expiring contract ($5.2M) attractive to buyers. The Nationals likely seek MLB-ready pitching prospects, with Toronto's farm system offering multiple options:

• RHP Trey Yesavage (AAA, 2.89 ERA)
• LHP Ricky Tiedemann (AA, 3.12 ERA)
• RHP Jake Bloss (AAA, 4.85 ERA)

Division Rivalry Complications

Philadelphia's sudden need for bullpen help (José Alvarado suspension) creates competition, but Toronto's prospect depth and geographic separation from Washington's division race give them negotiation leverage.

Playoff Implications

Acquiring Finnegan could narrow Toronto's 4.5-game AL East deficit by stabilizing late innings. His presence would complement starters Alek Manoah (3.45 ERA) and Kevin Gausman (3.29 ERA), who've averaged just 5.8 innings per start due to bullpen concerns.

Organizational Impact

For Washington, trading Finnegan continues their youth movement. Prospects like Yesavage could accelerate their rebuild of MLB's 21st-ranked pitching pipeline. Toronto would gain postseason experience without sacrificing core prospects.

Key Considerations

• Finnegan's career 2.83 ERA in save situations
• Toronto's 8-12 record in one-run games
• Washington's history of trading relievers for prospects