The Nationals’ deadline day took a sharp turn in the final hour, and Foster Griffin was at the center of it.
Washington sent the All-Star left-hander to the Cleveland Guardians after a rough final week that saw the club drop 6 of 7, including a 4-game sweep in Atlanta that sent their National League Wild Card hopes sliding. That skid did not erase what has been a successful season overall for the Nationals, but it did underscore why the front office chose not to sit still.
Griffin, who signed with Washington for just $5.5 million last offseason and went on to become an All-Star, is headed to Cleveland in a deal that brings back four prospects. The Nationals received AA LHP Josh Hartle, AAA LHP Will Dion, AA RHP Kendeglys Virguez and AA OF Nick Mitchell.
The return leans heavily toward pitching, which fits the way Washington has attacked this deadline. Dion and Virguez both have a realistic shot to help the bullpen within the next year or so, while Hartle gives the Nationals another arm who could settle in as a back-end starter or eventually move to relief. Mitchell is the lone position player in the package and adds outfield depth after the trade of Christian Franklin to the Orioles.
On paper, the haul includes only one Top 30 prospect, which is not eye-popping. But this deadline has tilted hard toward sellers, and that has made it a tougher market for teams trying to extract premium value. Even so, Washington’s front office has shown it is willing to make the difficult calls to keep building for what comes next.
The move also makes the Nationals’ return for Curtis Mead last weekend in Connelly Early look even stronger. In a deadline that has produced some underwhelming returns elsewhere, Washington still managed to come away with a package aimed directly at its biggest weakness.
There had been plenty of speculation about whether the Nationals might extend Griffin, but they chose certainty instead of gambling on what could have happened after the season. Griffin is set to become a free agent at year’s end, and a reunion this offseason is still a possibility.
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Red Sox Eye One More Deadline Move To Fix A Lingering Problem
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Luis Garcia Jr. is the latest Washington name drawing attention, and his strong season has only added to the appeal if the Red Sox decide to push again. Any talks would come with real moving parts, with names such as Jarren Duran or Patrick Sandoval floated as possible centerpieces, but nothing has been finalized yet as both sides weigh whether this is the kind of upgrade worth making late in the process. [Read more 🡒]
Nationals Just Made A Surprising Bet On Their Pitching Future
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Luis Garcia Jr. had been one of Washingtons more productive bats this season, so parting with him was no small call. But the return fits the organizations broader timeline, with Jack Cebert, Yovanny Cruz, Ben Grable and Jake Bird giving the Nationals a mix of pitchers at different stages of readiness and potential roles, the kind of bet teams make when they think the next wave on the mound matters more than the lineup today. [Read more 🡒]
Red Sox Still Have A Deadline Problem They May Finally Have To Pay For
The hours leading into the 6 p.m. ET trade deadline have already forced several clubs into hard choices, and Washington is among the teams still weighing how far to go. The Nationals have been a part of a broader market that includes Detroit trying to stay competitive after moving Tarik Skubal, the Angels continuing to shuffle pieces, and Texas looking for answers after a rough stretch, but Washingtons own decisions remain especially relevant as the front office sorts through what can still be done with the roster it has.
One name drawing attention is CJ Abrams, who is also in the middle of a career year and has already set a new personal best with 28 home runs. With the deadline clock running down, the Nationals are in that uncomfortable spot where interest around their players is real, the market is moving, and the next step could reshape the infield picture as much as any move they have made so far. [Read more 🡒]