Remarkable win tonight after everything that happened last night and then finding themselves down 5 zip, James Wood pulled them back from the edge. Fantastic performance.
My sentiments, exactly, but it was James AND GRIFFIN that pulled us back from the brink to night (and lord). Time will tell, but this one on the heels of last night could be a turning point in the season.
Foster Griffin showed tonight that he’s a veteran pitcher. It took him awhile to figure out what was working, but he never stopped challenging hitters. Even when he didn’t have his best stuff, he kept throwing strikes and didn’t walk anyone.
I’d still offer him a 2- or 3-year contract and see if he turns it down. This team needs pitching, and at his age, with the way he throws, he looks like a very good gamble.
No, he’s not a No. 1 starter, but he’s good enough to be part of any Nationals team they put together over the next three years.
Well, if Babe Ruth and Wayne Gretzky can be traded, then anyone can be traded. So yes, it always depends on what you get back. But at some point, a team has to decide it wants to compete.
To me, the risk/reward is right with Foster Griffin. He might take a team-friendly deal that gives him guaranteed money for life, and I think something in the $10–12 million a year range is possible if its multi year.
The Nationals really don’t have any guaranteed starters for next year. I’d expect both Sykora and Susana to have a learning curve, so they’re going to have to pay someone. And no true No. 1 veteran starter is coming to Washington unless they badly overpay.
They have a decent number of outfielders and infielders coming through the minors. Pitching is where they need stability. Griffin may not be an ace, but he could be exactly the kind of arm this team needs for the next few years. We will see the direction the team takes at the trade deadline. Also I watched Fedde pitch and he's no Forster Griffin.
I've struggled to find a recent comp for Griffin. He's just 30. He's a lefty starter. He doesn't they're with high velocity, but he's effective via a 7-pitch mix that he actually uses.
Why is this relevant? Because it dictates what he might hope to get as a free agent. It he keeps his ERA down, he's maybe Dallas Keuchel. He might start to think he could get a $75-$100 million contract. If his ERA goes above 4, the comps become easier and less remarkable and he'd more likely consider the kind of contact you're taking about.
Either way, successful players who are facing free agency at age 30 (almost 31) know that they are likely looking at their best opportunity for s big payday, and are rarely inclined to postpone that by 2-3 more years.
I agree that most players who reach free agency around 30 are usually going to wait for the big payday. But Griffin is a little different. He pitched in Japan and has barely pitched in MLB, so I doubt he had a long list of teams calling before the Nationals gave him a chance.
According to Cot’s, he’s making $5.5 million this year, with another $1 million possible in incentives. So I think the Nationals would probably have to double that and guarantee it for three years. Something like 3 years/$36 million would be tough to walk away from. That kind of money sets you up for life.
I also think the Nationals would need to make that offer by early July. There’s always the risk he gets hurt or doesn’t pitch as well in the second half. Maybe he turns it down, and that’s fine. But making the offer would show fans they tried, and it would show Griffin that the organization values him.
Even if they end up trading him, fans would know the team made a real effort to extend him first. And who knows, that kind of goodwill might even make it more likely he considers coming back later, even though that rarely happens after a trade.
It will be interesting to see what Griffin signs for next year, because a lot will depend on how he finishes the season. If he keeps pitching well, he may decide to test free agency and chase the bigger payday.
I heard you the first time. The whole "show fans they tried" thing is fantasy. They try all the time, and fans never hear about it, and that's by design. When the offer to Soto leaked, it was a scandal, and a bad look to teammates, and even though they had offered the largest contact extension in sports history, fans and the media responded with "those cheap bastards should've offered $500 million." No doubt every player who's doing well and would like an extension had an agent who's talking to Toboni about it. And no doubt if the team is interested, they try. And no doubt if they got Griffin for 3/36 it could be a good thing. I was just suggesting that if he continues to perform, his price might be higher than you think. But if he has a few more starts like the last two, then the bloom is off the rose.
I like the strategy of offering him a reasonable 2 or 3 year contract now. If he accepts it, planning in the short term gets a little easier. If he refuses, you can feel a lot better about hoping he continues to look good and trading him, after driving the hardest bargain possible, at the deadline.
One of the best wins of the season. And the inside-the-park grand slam by Wood? One to savor all season long, heck, all year long. Just incredible!
And, it’s so nice this season that the Nationals have long relievers like Lord, Parker and, maybe, Alvarez, too (though I hope AA is added to the rotation eventually). This is a key factor in the team exceeding expectations so far this season - and something the club didn’t have, maybe ever, when Davey and Rizzo ran things. I think these guys have been 2026’s unsung heroes.
Imagine if Irvin, Littel, and Mikolas had ERAs below 5. Not asking for much. Cornelio and Perales are throwing well in AAA but need a little more time and consistency. Swap their plus stuff in eventually and maybe we stop leading the majors in runs allowed.
A rainbow appeared after the rain so I took it as a positive sign at the start. Griffin settled into a rhythm and then just had to wait for the bats to score.
The coaching staff has to be incredible from the minors to the majors.
Last year:
Terrible Rotation
Terrible BP
Terrible Defense
Terrible baserunning
Question marks at 1b,3b, and Catcher
This year, all pretty much the same yet they've played the second toughest schedule in MLB, lead the majors in runs, and are 1 game under 500....WHAT A TEAM!!!!
Wood’s headfirst slide to cap the inside salami was epic.
Another memorable performance: After he was denied a promotion in favor of Chaparro, Yo Yo Morales kept on rolling, going 3 for 5 with another home run and a double.
It absolutely does describe Chaparro who is simply a place http://holder.Myopinion is that it is better for players to work on their development in a less stressful environment then to make critical errors in the majors. Fans do not hesitate to criticize a player that cost them a game or who regularly commits gaffs. Let’s finish development in the minors so when they arrive, they are here for good.
I think it would be interesting to see how the players we traded the last several years are doing. I believe Ferrer has been excellent for the Mariners. Last I looked Finnigan was also doing well
Man this team has some fight!! Another Curly W is in the books!!
They sure do have fight! They are the highest scoring team in MLB!!
Remarkable win tonight after everything that happened last night and then finding themselves down 5 zip, James Wood pulled them back from the edge. Fantastic performance.
My sentiments, exactly, but it was James AND GRIFFIN that pulled us back from the brink to night (and lord). Time will tell, but this one on the heels of last night could be a turning point in the season.
Excellent write up, Mark.
49 games in and "what a long, strange trip it's been"
Nats keep truckin'!
Let’s go!! Team is fun to watch. And they could be even better than their record shows, but love this year.
They are definitely FUN TO WATCH:))
Lovelady making his music, after Lord kept game in check
This game is why we love baseball!
What an awesome game and CURLY W! WOOD WITH AN INSIDE THE PARK GRAN SLAM and GRIFFIN RIGHTING HIMSELF TO GO FIVE! GO NATS!!
Had the Curly W all the way!
Nice write up as usually Mark.
Foster Griffin showed tonight that he’s a veteran pitcher. It took him awhile to figure out what was working, but he never stopped challenging hitters. Even when he didn’t have his best stuff, he kept throwing strikes and didn’t walk anyone.
I’d still offer him a 2- or 3-year contract and see if he turns it down. This team needs pitching, and at his age, with the way he throws, he looks like a very good gamble.
No, he’s not a No. 1 starter, but he’s good enough to be part of any Nationals team they put together over the next three years.
I do hope they hold on to him, but I think teams will be calling in July, maybe teams with some tempting offers. Could get interesting.
But I keep thinking about Erick Fedde succeeding coming back from Japan that first year, then regressingto his norm.
Well, if Babe Ruth and Wayne Gretzky can be traded, then anyone can be traded. So yes, it always depends on what you get back. But at some point, a team has to decide it wants to compete.
To me, the risk/reward is right with Foster Griffin. He might take a team-friendly deal that gives him guaranteed money for life, and I think something in the $10–12 million a year range is possible if its multi year.
The Nationals really don’t have any guaranteed starters for next year. I’d expect both Sykora and Susana to have a learning curve, so they’re going to have to pay someone. And no true No. 1 veteran starter is coming to Washington unless they badly overpay.
They have a decent number of outfielders and infielders coming through the minors. Pitching is where they need stability. Griffin may not be an ace, but he could be exactly the kind of arm this team needs for the next few years. We will see the direction the team takes at the trade deadline. Also I watched Fedde pitch and he's no Forster Griffin.
I've struggled to find a recent comp for Griffin. He's just 30. He's a lefty starter. He doesn't they're with high velocity, but he's effective via a 7-pitch mix that he actually uses.
Why is this relevant? Because it dictates what he might hope to get as a free agent. It he keeps his ERA down, he's maybe Dallas Keuchel. He might start to think he could get a $75-$100 million contract. If his ERA goes above 4, the comps become easier and less remarkable and he'd more likely consider the kind of contact you're taking about.
Either way, successful players who are facing free agency at age 30 (almost 31) know that they are likely looking at their best opportunity for s big payday, and are rarely inclined to postpone that by 2-3 more years.
I agree that most players who reach free agency around 30 are usually going to wait for the big payday. But Griffin is a little different. He pitched in Japan and has barely pitched in MLB, so I doubt he had a long list of teams calling before the Nationals gave him a chance.
According to Cot’s, he’s making $5.5 million this year, with another $1 million possible in incentives. So I think the Nationals would probably have to double that and guarantee it for three years. Something like 3 years/$36 million would be tough to walk away from. That kind of money sets you up for life.
I also think the Nationals would need to make that offer by early July. There’s always the risk he gets hurt or doesn’t pitch as well in the second half. Maybe he turns it down, and that’s fine. But making the offer would show fans they tried, and it would show Griffin that the organization values him.
Even if they end up trading him, fans would know the team made a real effort to extend him first. And who knows, that kind of goodwill might even make it more likely he considers coming back later, even though that rarely happens after a trade.
It will be interesting to see what Griffin signs for next year, because a lot will depend on how he finishes the season. If he keeps pitching well, he may decide to test free agency and chase the bigger payday.
I heard you the first time. The whole "show fans they tried" thing is fantasy. They try all the time, and fans never hear about it, and that's by design. When the offer to Soto leaked, it was a scandal, and a bad look to teammates, and even though they had offered the largest contact extension in sports history, fans and the media responded with "those cheap bastards should've offered $500 million." No doubt every player who's doing well and would like an extension had an agent who's talking to Toboni about it. And no doubt if the team is interested, they try. And no doubt if they got Griffin for 3/36 it could be a good thing. I was just suggesting that if he continues to perform, his price might be higher than you think. But if he has a few more starts like the last two, then the bloom is off the rose.
I like the strategy of offering him a reasonable 2 or 3 year contract now. If he accepts it, planning in the short term gets a little easier. If he refuses, you can feel a lot better about hoping he continues to look good and trading him, after driving the hardest bargain possible, at the deadline.
Wins are fun. Beating the Mets is not only fun but acutely satisfying!
One of the best wins of the season. And the inside-the-park grand slam by Wood? One to savor all season long, heck, all year long. Just incredible!
And, it’s so nice this season that the Nationals have long relievers like Lord, Parker and, maybe, Alvarez, too (though I hope AA is added to the rotation eventually). This is a key factor in the team exceeding expectations so far this season - and something the club didn’t have, maybe ever, when Davey and Rizzo ran things. I think these guys have been 2026’s unsung heroes.
Imagine if Irvin, Littel, and Mikolas had ERAs below 5. Not asking for much. Cornelio and Perales are throwing well in AAA but need a little more time and consistency. Swap their plus stuff in eventually and maybe we stop leading the majors in runs allowed.
A rainbow appeared after the rain so I took it as a positive sign at the start. Griffin settled into a rhythm and then just had to wait for the bats to score.
The coaching staff has to be incredible from the minors to the majors.
Last year:
Terrible Rotation
Terrible BP
Terrible Defense
Terrible baserunning
Question marks at 1b,3b, and Catcher
This year, all pretty much the same yet they've played the second toughest schedule in MLB, lead the majors in runs, and are 1 game under 500....WHAT A TEAM!!!!
Wood’s headfirst slide to cap the inside salami was epic.
Another memorable performance: After he was denied a promotion in favor of Chaparro, Yo Yo Morales kept on rolling, going 3 for 5 with another home run and a double.
Give the guy a chance.
As soon as he hits the defensive goals, he will get his shot. We do not need another infielder who plays iffy defense.
I get it, but doesn’t that describe Chaparro? It’s hard to imagine Morales would be a worse first baseman than Luis Garcia.
It absolutely does describe Chaparro who is simply a place http://holder.Myopinion is that it is better for players to work on their development in a less stressful environment then to make critical errors in the majors. Fans do not hesitate to criticize a player that cost them a game or who regularly commits gaffs. Let’s finish development in the minors so when they arrive, they are here for good.
And this is why Brady House is in Rochester now.
As for Morales, as has been mentioned in several outlets, they can't bring Morales up without dropping someone else from the 40 man roster.
Just home from the Park. Whew!
A rollercoaster to be sure but at least we came out on the right side this time.
Still trying to recall if that's my first inside the park GS seen in person.
Will do a quick game report in the AM.
And king went one for 3 with a RBI in his AAA debut. Morales also had a double and has 0 homers.
Michael A. did it in 2017. But that's the only other one in Nats history. If you saw another one it was with a different team.
Yeah, need to grab my old scorebooks from '17 and check on it.
Maybe I'll be surprised?
Let us know! Sept. 8, a Friday night. I saw that one on TV too.
Checked my books and was not at that game. Not even sure if I watched that one.
I feel like I've seen an ITP grand slam by another team before but that's just a guess.
I just saw that Ohtani did it in 2022, so maybe you saw that as a highlight?
Now check this out. How crazy is this?
ITP grand slam by a Phillie player I've never heard of versus the Nats (at Nats Park) in 2015.
The fielder involved? Michael A.
https://www.mlb.com/video/altherr-s-inside-the-park-slam-c500922683?q=PlayerId%20%3D%3D%20%5B571437%5D%20Order%20By%20Timestamp%20ASC&cp=CMS_FIRST&p=0
Player movement/roster changes had me take a peek tonight at the Rangers pitching staff stats.
They have 17 pitchers with stats so far this season.
#15 in ERA (and worst starter ERA, @ 4.78) -
yup… Mackenzie Gore.
I think it would be interesting to see how the players we traded the last several years are doing. I believe Ferrer has been excellent for the Mariners. Last I looked Finnigan was also doing well