Talk about multi-faceted: All-Star left-hander Foster Griffin is both a valuable trade chip and a contract extension candidate for the Nationals.
The Wild Card-contending Nationals begin a critical four-game series in Atlanta tonight that could shape if they are buyers or sellers at Monday's Trade Deadline.
According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, per a source, a contract extension between Griffin and the Nationals is “very unlikely.”
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Griffin has been a driving force behind the Nationals’ 55-54 record, helping them exceed projections as they vie for their first postseason berth since 2019. He is slated to make his final start before the Trade Deadline on Friday night.
Griffin enters that start 12-2 with a 2.76 ERA in 21 starts. Across 124 innings, he has tallied a 1.03 WHIP.
Griffin, 31, signed a one-year contract worth $5.5 million in December after he pitched the past three seasons in Japan. First-year president of baseball operations Paul Toboni saw potential in Griffin, who became an All-Star in 2026 after pitching in only seven Major League games from 2020-22.
A 2027 qualifying offer for Griffin would be around $22 million, about four times the value of his current deal. If Griffin did not accept a qualifying offer from the Nationals, the Nats would receive a Draft pick should he sign with another club.
The Nationals already made a significant trade to address their starting rotation ahead of the Deadline. Late Saturday night, they acquired standout rookie left-hander Connelly Early from the Red Sox in exchange for infielder Curtis Mead. Early is expected to join the starting rotation when he comes off the injured list in August.