Pirates Roundtable writer Tommy Wild predicts the Pittsburgh Pirates will sign left-handed pitcher Foster Griffin in free agency this offseason as one of three early forecasts for the club’s winter moves.
Wild made the call in his Saturday piece outlining way-too-early expectations for Pittsburgh. He views the 31-year-old as a logical addition to a rotation heavy on power-pitching right-handers.
Griffin went 15-6 with a 3.60 ERA in 31 starts and 172 2/3 innings for the Washington Nationals and Cleveland Guardians in 2026. He struck out 158 batters, posted a 1.21 WHIP and earned an All-Star selection.
The Pirates were linked to the soft-tossing southpaw around the trade deadline, when the Nationals dealt him to Cleveland on Aug. 3 for four prospects. Pittsburgh instead prioritized bullpen help at the time.
Wild notes the club can revisit the fit now that Griffin is a free agent. A left-handed starter would give balance to a group headlined by Paul Skenes, Jared Jones, Bubba Chandler and Braxton Ashcraft.
Pittsburgh finished 82-80 and third in the National League Central last season. The pitching staff set a franchise record with 1,496 strikeouts, ranking fifth in MLB, while Mason Montgomery emerged as the closer.
Griffin’s durability and contact-management profile stand out as potential upgrades for the back of the rotation. He walked just 45 batters and limited hard contact for much of the year before a tougher stretch after the trade.
The Athletic’s Jim Bowden previously identified Griffin and fellow lefty Trevor Rogers as free agency targets who could fit Pittsburgh’s needs. Wild’s prediction singles out Griffin specifically among his three offseason calls.
Adding an established veteran would raise both the floor and ceiling of a young staff that already showed playoff potential. The Pirates have not reached the postseason since 2015.
Griffin returned to MLB after three seasons in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball with the Yomiuri Giants, where he posted strong numbers including a 1.62 ERA in 2025. He signed a one-year, $5.5 million deal with Washington last winter.
His postseason work with Cleveland further highlighted his value. He contributed in the American League Championship Series as the Guardians advanced.
Pittsburgh’s recent spending has been measured, making a mid-tier free-agent arm realistic.
General manager Ben Cherington has emphasized building around the young core while adding complementary pieces. A lefty like Griffin aligns with that approach after the club addressed the bullpen late last summer.
The prediction comes as free agency is close to opening and teams evaluate starting pitching markets. Griffin’s All-Star campaign and experience make him a candidate for several clubs seeking rotation depth.
Whether the Pirates act on the idea remains to be seen, but Wild sees a natural match based on 2026 results and roster construction.
