Yankees named top landing spot in potential trade for All-Star closer

The New York Yankees are looking for bullpen help ahead of the MLB trade deadline, and they could look at a potential All-Star from the National League.

Even though closer Clay Holmes was named an All-Star midway through this season, he's had his share of struggles. The back end of the bullpen could use some fortification.

When looking at the best landing spot in a potential trade for Washington Nationals closer Kyle Finnegan — a 2024 All-Star selection — Gabe Lacques of USA Today Sports chose the Yankees.

"Another All-Star closer with putaway stuff who can alleviate the burden on Clay Holmes, who has had an uneven five weeks, as necessary," Lacques wrote.

Finnegan certainly could be on the Yankees radar with Nationals (47-56) all but out of the NL playoff race. Finnegan, 32, comes with one more season of team control before hitting free agency.

In 42.2 innings this season, Finnegan has a 2.32 ERA with 44 strikeouts, 14 walks and a 0.98 WHIP. His 28 saves are the third-most in MLB and the second-most in the National League.

Even though his 26% strikeout rate is in the 74th percentile, there are some concerning underlying metrics. His expected ERA is 4.19 while his 49.1% hard-hit rate is in the 1st percentile, and his 90.5 mph average exit velocity is in the 10th percentile.

Finnegan has three pitches but works mostly off a four-seam fastball (68%) that averages 97.2 mph and a split-finger (26.3%). He seldomly uses his slider (5.2%) but does have a 43.8% whiff rate on the pitch this season.

There would be some risk involved with Finnegan, but the Yankees need power arms to improve the bullpen in the worst way.

We'll see in a few days if anything comes of this potential match.