Pirates Make Sense as Suitor for 2026 All-Star Starting Pitcher

About a year ago, it would have been crazy to say the Pittsburgh Pirates need to add another starting pitcher. 

However, as I've mentioned plenty of times, contending teams, which is what the Pirates are striving to be, can never have enough arms. 

Pittsburgh has to improve its rotation every offseason if it has the chance. In regard to some arms who could be available this offseason, don't expect the Pirates to be interested in guys like Tarik Skubal. 

The reality is that if the Pirates are out to add a starter, it's likely going to be a No. 3 or No. 4 who can come in and eat up some innings.

There are a couple of interesting names out there, however, including left-hander Foster Griffin. Griffin, on a $5.5 million deal, will be a free agent for the first time in 2027. He's only been in the league for three years and has appeared in 38 games, starting 31 of them, but he was one of the breakout arms in 2026 during the first half, earning an All-Star bid for the Washington Nationals.

He posted a 3.06 ERA in 22 starts before landing with the Cleveland Guardians, where he struggled a bit. 

The Athletic recently noted that Pittsburgh could be interested in him, and he could be one of the guys this front office wants this offseason to bring in a cheap arm.

“Griffin was one of the most undervalued free-agent signings last offseason when he inked a one-year, $5.5 million deal with Washington after spending time pitching in Japan. He rewarded the Nationals by going 12-3 with a 3.06 ERA in 22 starts. When they couldn’t extend him at the trade deadline, they dealt him to the Cleveland Guardians. He wasn’t as successful with Cleveland, posting a 5.19 ERA, but his FIP was 3.54 and he pitched well for the Guardians in the postseason.

“Griffin was technically a rookie this season, though he made his major-league debut in 2020 and pitched three full seasons in Japan as a starter. He is a durable left-handed starter who has solid command and a deep pitch mix. He should get plenty of multiyear offers this time in free agency,” Jim Bowden wrote.

It's tough to say Griffin will be cheap, as he has value as a left-handed arm, and if he can throw the ball at the level he did through the first half, teams will love him. However, I also don't think he should be too expensive. 

The Athletic predicted a three-year, $67 million deal. That feels a bit expensive, as I can see it more as a two to three-year deal worth $15 million per season.