MLB insider compares Nationals' $5.5 million 'offseason steal' to Max Fried, Cristopher Sanchez

MLB insider compares Nationals' $5.5 million 'offseason steal' to Max Fried, Cristopher Sanchez originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The best signing of the past Major League Baseball offseason may be a player the casual fan has never heard of.

He is a left-handed starting pitcher who spent the previous two seasons in Japan with Nippon Professional Baseball's Yomiuri Giants.

The Washington Nationals were smart enough to sign the 30-year-old to a one-year, $5.5 million contract during the offseason. So far, the move is paying off.

"[Foster] Griffin, 31 in July, has posted a 2.12 ERA in eight starts, and there are multiple ways the Nationals (20-22) can go about this," wrote FanSided's Robert Murray. "He could be a potential trade candidate ahead of the deadline, or he could be an extension candidate, though sources say there have been no conversations about a long-term pact as of yet."

Griffin would be a very attractive target for contending teams if the Nationals fall out of the postseason race over the next few months. Or, as Murray details, they could decide to keep him in the rotation long-term.