Key Highlights
- The Washington Nationals are signing left-hander Foster Griffin on a one-year contract worth $5.5 million with potential incentives.
- Griffin has had success in Nippon Professional Baseball but may face challenges adapting to North American pitching.
- This move is part of the Nationals’ ongoing rebuild, led by new president of baseball operations Paul Toboni.
- The signing adds depth to a rotation that includes MacKenzie Gore and Cade Cavalli, both recovering from injuries.
New Arrival for the Washington Nationals: Foster Griffin
The Washington Nationals have made another move in their ongoing rebuild by signing left-hander Foster Griffin. According to reports by Robert Murray of FanSided, Griffin will receive a one-year contract valued at $5.5 million, with an additional $1 million in performance incentives. This signing comes as part of the Nationals’ strategy to strengthen their pitching rotation and support their long-term goals.
Griffin’s Background and Performance
Foster Griffin, now 30 years old, has had a diverse career trajectory. He first gained some brief major league experience with the Kansas City Royals and Toronto Blue Jays during the 2020 and 2022 seasons. However, his most significant contributions have come in Japan over the past three years.
With the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), Griffin has compiled impressive numbers, pitching for 315 innings with a 2.57 earned run average per nine innings.
Despite a leg injury that limited him to just 78 innings in 2025, Griffin managed to post the best season of his NPB career. His performance was marked by a 1.62 ERA, a 25.1% strikeout rate, and a 5.9% walk rate, along with a groundball rate of 48.9%. These statistics highlight his ability to keep the ball on the ground and limit contact.
Challenges Ahead for Griffin
The challenge now lies in how well Griffin’s stuff will translate to North American baseball. His fastball averages around the low 90s, which is relatively soft by modern standards. However, Griffin boasts a deep arsenal that includes a slider, cutter, changeup, splitter, curveball, and two-seamer.
This versatility could give him an edge in adapting to different pitching conditions.
The Nationals are known for their interest in international players who have shown success overseas. Other recent signings include Cody Ponce, Anthony Kay, Drew Anderson, and Ryan Weiss, all of whom have had varying levels of success in Japanese or South Korean leagues before joining North American teams.
Impact on the Washington Rotation
The Nationals currently face significant challenges in their rotation due to injuries and upcoming free agency. MacKenzie Gore is just two years away from free agency, and Cade Cavalli and Josiah Gray are recovering from Tommy John surgery. While Brad Lord had decent results as a swingman last season, he may not provide the same level of consistent performance.
Griffin’s addition adds depth to an already fluid rotation.
If he performs well initially, it could position him for a trade in mid-season. However, even if his performance doesn’t meet expectations, the $5.5 million contract is seen as a modest risk compared to the potential returns from a young player.
Conclusion
The signing of Foster Griffin represents a strategic move by the Nationals as they continue their rebuild under the leadership of new president of baseball operations Paul Toboni. While there are questions about whether Griffin’s international experience will translate, his impressive track record in Japan suggests he has much to offer. The next few months will be crucial in determining how well he adapts and contributes to the team’s future plans.