The Nationals have put themselves in a spot where the deadline could pull them in two directions at once. At 47-45, they’re only 2.5 games out in the NL Wild Card race and 6.5 back in the NL East, which gives them real reason to think about adding help. Their offense has been good enough to support that kind of push, but the bullpen remains a glaring problem and one of baseball history’s worst.
Even with that in mind, Washington may also have a major trade chip of its own. MLB insider Robert Murray of Fansided.com reports that the Nationals are expected to draw “plenty” of interest in Foster Griffin, the 30-year-old left-hander who has turned into one of the better stories on the roster this season.
"Griffin has been a really, really good find on a one-year, $5.5 million contract for the Washington Nationals," Murray writes. "The 30-year-old has a 2.87 ERA and 100 strikeouts in 18 starts this season and will draw plenty of trade interest at the deadline."
That kind of production on a cheap deal is exactly why Griffin stands out as a potential deadline prize. He’s carrying a 2.87 ERA and 148 ERA+, and while his 4.27 FIP raises a little concern, he still profiles as one of the most appealing rental starters available this summer.
The decision, though, is far from simple. If Washington believes it can stay in the mix for the postseason, Griffin could be more valuable on the mound than in a trade package. But if the Nationals decide to move him, the return could be significant, especially for a pitcher who might be one of the best rental arms on the market at the 2026 trade deadline.
Griffin’s path makes the whole situation even more interesting. After being overseas for a while between 2022 and 2026, he has emerged as a strong find for Washington this year. The Nationals have until the August 3 trade deadline to decide whether to keep him for a run or cash in on what could be a strong prospect haul.
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Former Royals Arm Is Suddenly Raising A Familiar Question Again
Foster Griffin has quietly given the Nationals a stretch of steady work, and it comes at a time when clubs are always looking for left-handed pitching depth that can travel well into October. The former Royals arm has leaned on a seven-pitch mix this season, added a sinker, and shown enough consistency to keep his name in the conversation as a useful bullpen piece.
The control issues have not disappeared, but his recent run has been hard to ignore. Over his last four appearances, Griffin has put up a 0.95 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 28.1 innings despite 10 walks, and his overall line for Washington remains solid at 2.87 ERA with a 4.27 FIP and 1.04 WHIP. He also brings recent experience from Japan, where he worked from 2023 to 2025, and that background only adds to the appeal for a contender weighing whether he might fit a late-season bullpen puzzle. [Read more 🡒]
CJ Abrams Deadline Tension Just Got Real For Nationals Fans
CJ Abrams has spent the summer carrying the pressure that comes with being a two-time All-Star and the Nationals starting shortstop, and lately that burden has only grown heavier. His recent struggles at the plate have put him back in the trade-rumor conversation ahead of the deadline, even as Washington keeps pushing in the postseason race and needs its young core to stay steady.
Abrams has been trying to keep the outside noise from taking over, using meditation to stay centered while the speculation around him keeps building. He gave the Nationals a jolt with a key three-run homer against the Astros, a reminder of how quickly his bat can change a game, but the larger question hanging over him and the club is whether Washingtons surprising run changes the way the front office views his future. [Read more 🡒]