Guardians acquire Foster Griffin in trade with Nationals

The Cleveland Guardians continue to be busy ahead of the MLB Trade Deadline. The Guardians already acquired a new bat, bringing in Jo Adell from the Los Angeles Angels.

Now, the Guardians have added a new pitcher, completing a deal with the Washington Nationals, according to Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic.

“The Nationals are getting four players back from the Guardians in the Foster Griffin trade, per source,” Nusbaum posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Griffin was a 2014 MLB Draft Pick by the Kansas City Royals and would make his MLB debut in 2020. He was injured shortly after his debut, needing Tommy John surgery and missing most of 2020 and all of 2021. In 2022, he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays during the season, but would spend much of the season at the Triple-A level. He then spent 2023 through 2025 pitching in Japan before signing with the Nationals ahead of this season.  He has made 22 starts with the Nationals this year, going 12-3 with a 3.06 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP. Foster was also named an All-Star for the first time in his career this year.

The Nationals are getting pitchers Will Dion, Josh Hartle, Kendeglys Virguez and outfielder Nick Mitchell in return. Dion was a 2021 draft pick by Cleveland. He made 12 appearances for the Guardians this year, pitching 19.2 innings and having a 4.58 ERA. He recently returned to the minors.  Josh Hartle was a third-round pick in the 2024 MLB Draft by the Guardians. He has pitched for Double-A Akron this year, going 4-4 in 19 starts. He has a 3.86 ERA this year.

Kendeglys Virguez has primarily been at the High-A level, but has recently been pitching for Double-A Akron, making two appearances and not giving up a run or a hit, while striking out six batters. Finally, Nick Mitchell has also been at the Double-A level all season. He is hitting .240 with a .358 on-base percentage. He has five home runs, 39 RBIs, and 19 stolen bases.

It is a solid haul for the Nationals, considering the team is trading a 31-year-old on an expiring contract.

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