Mets predicted to trade for All-Star closer on struggling rival

The New York Mets bullpen has a 3.83 ERA this season. While it is not a terrible group, there is room for improvement. Edwin Díaz has been great, but the Mets could look to add another closer to serve as a setup man.

Díaz has 19 saves and a 1.66 ERA. The Mets do not need a closer by any means. However, they could use another high-leverage arm. Their starting rotation has suffered some injuries, which could bleed into their bullpen usage. They could call the Washington Nationals about Kyle Finnegan.

The Nationals are set up to be sellers, but would they trade their closer to a division rival? Finnegan has a 3.12 ERA this year and 18 saves. He's going to be a free agent after the season and FanSided's Nick Villano predicted the Mets would end up trading for him.

"Finnegan is later in his career than some teams would like (33 years old), but he’s a quality arm that deserves a chance to do something in the playoffs," wrote Villano. "Like with all relievers, finding his next home is not an easy endeavor. We’re going to go with the New York Mets because we feel like Steve Cohen really wants to go for it this year. After signing Juan Soto, he’d like to make calculated risks with the rest of the roster in an attempt to get past the (Los Angeles) Dodgers in the National League."

Finnegan has 84 saves in the last three seasons. He has thrived in leverage situations, and Villano actually thinks he's better suited as a setup man than as a closer.

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"Finnegan is ideally a setup man at his next stop because he doesn’t necessarily have 'hit-and-miss' stuff, but he can get outs," wrote Villano. "That’s what matters. He already has 18 saves on the paltry Nationals this season. It’s not exactly All-Star worthy like it was last season, but he’s doing his job and could have a career-best in ERA."

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