Free-agent pitcher Foster Griffin and the Washington Nationals are in agreement on a one-year, $5.5 million contract with incentives to get it to $6.5 million, pending physical, according to sources familiar with the deal.
Former Blue Jay Foster Griffin signs with Nationals
Photo credit: © Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Dec 17, 2025, 08:00 ESTUpdated: Dec 17, 2025, 05:02 EST
A former Toronto Blue Jay has found a new home.
On Tuesday afternoon, FanSided’s Robert Murray reported that Foster Griffin has signed a one-year deal worth $5.5 million with the Washington Nationals.
Drafted 28th overall in the 2014 draft by the Kansas City Royals, the left-handed pitcher made his big league debut with the team in 2020, but pitched just an inning and two-thirds that season. After four and one-third innings pitched with the Royals in 2022, Griffin was traded to the Blue Jays in exchange for Jonatan Bernal.
While Bernal remains in the Royals’ organization, Griffin elected free agency after the 2022 season and signed with the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball that off-season. He strung together three solid seasons, including his 2025 when he had a 1.62 ERA and 1.78 FIP in 78 innings pitched.
As is the case for many Americans who find success overseas, things changed for Griffin. Namely, he now throws seven pitches, a four-seam fastball, slider, cutter, changeup, knuckle curve, splitter, and sinker, sitting around 90 mph with his fastballs.
Griffin was one of three American-born players who found success overseas who entered free agency. Anthony Kay was another former Blue Jay who found success in NPB last season, turning that into a contract with the Chicago White Sox. Moreover, Cody Ponce found success in the Korean Baseball Organization, signing a three-year deal worth $30 million with the Blue Jays earlier this off-season.
There are a handful of other players who’ll come over from NPB this off-season. The most notable of which is starting pitcher Tatsuya Imai, as well as corner infielders Kazuma Okamoto and Munetaka Murakami. It’s worth noting that Murakami has to sign by Dec. 22. The Jays have been linked to both Murakami and Okamoto, although their main interest appears to be in Kyle Tucker, according to most insiders.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.
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