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The Chicago Cubs are going to do everything they can to reach the World Series for the first time since 2016.
That is the mindset from the front office and that includes each and every possibility.
According to recent reports, the Cubs have a former All-Star reliever “on their radar” and may be pursuing a trade.
Scott Taetsch/Getty Images
According to Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic, the Cubs have Washington Nationals reliever and former All-Star Kyle Finnegan “on their radar” as a potential target to beef up the back end of their bullpen.
Finnegan has served as the Nationals’ closer over the last few seasons but his role with the Cubs would be a bit different. In the same article, Mooney and Sharma made it known that Chicago would be sticking with Daniel Palencia in the closer role.
Finnegan is currently tied for ninth in the majors with 19 saves but is also tied for second with six blown saves. He has a 4.25 ERA with just 29 strikeouts in 37 appearances and 36 innings pitched.
He has struggled mightily in July with a 14.40 ERA in just seven appearances and five innings pitched. His poor month has caused the skyrocketing of his ERA, and it may be driving his trade value well below where it should be.
“I’m not going to sit here and feel sorry for myself. I got to pitch better. I got to play better. It’s a bump in the road, but I’m not going to let it define my season.”
Kyle Finnegan postgame after surrendering 5 runs in the 9th inning leading to his 4th loss of the season pic.twitter.com/m5rJjg4LVm
— Tobi Altizer (@Tobi_Altizer) July 19, 2025
The struggles could be exactly what Finnegan called them — a bump in the road — or they could be an underlying theme.
Finnegan’s worst month last season was July. He had a 7.59 ERA and was ultimately not traded due to his value dipping below where the Nats thought it should be at.
That could be happening again this season and it could make the Cubs shy away from pulling the trigger on a deal for the former All-Star.
If he wants to be traded, Finnegan has about 10 days left to make a good impression and make himself appear as a good trade target for Chicago or anyone else.
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