The Washington Nationals are seemingly figuring out ways to remain in the headlines around the league on a pretty consistent basis at this point. Just in the past few weeks alone, the Nationals have acquired a new starting catcher in Harry Ford, and then on Monday went out and swung a prospect trade to land a new flamethrowing righty.
Between both of those moves, however, the Nationals did not land a player guaranteed to begin the season in the big leagues, although Ford does appear likely to be on the big league team at the start of the season. But on Tuesday, Paul Toboni and the front office struck again and landed a true big league addition for the 2026 season.
They struck by signing lefty pitcher Foster Griffin to a 1-year, $5.5 million contract, with the potential to add another $1 million in incentives depending on his performance. In case you are not very familiar with Griffin, as he has only 7 career appearances in the MLB over parts of 2 seasons, he has recently found a ton of success pitching overseas.
Despite a 6.75 ERA and 1.500 WHIP in 7 games to go along with just a 2:1 K:BB ratio in 8.0 innings with both the Kansas City Royals and Toronto Blue Jays in 2020 and 2022, respectively, Griffin has really remade himself pitching in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball League (NPB).
In parts of 3 seasons, Griffin pitched to an 18-10 record to go along with a 2.57 ERA and 1.033 WHIP, racking up a 318:70 K:BB ratio during that time span as well, while mostly working out of the rotation. The road back to the states has been an interesting one for the now 30-year-old Griffin, who was also once a 1st-rounder back in 2014 by the Royals, but he has landed in Washington with a new opportunity to prove himself all over again.
He had been seeking a chance to pitch out of a starting rotation upon his return to the states, and it appears likely that he will now slot into the rotation, although it remains to be seen how the team will ultimately choose to arrange their arms. Between many of the incumbent arms on the Nationals roster, Griffin should have a good opportunity to be a key starter for the club that desperately needs competent starting pitching heading into the 2026 season.
What do you think of the Foster Griffin addition? As always, please let me know on X, @DCBerk.