For years, one side rebuilt while the other fought for playoff spots. Now the Cubs and White Sox are both hunting for Cleveland Guardians lefty pitcher Foster Griffin. Yahoo Sports reports this free-agent frenzy is a rare sight for the Windy City.
Griffin’s Wild Ride to Free Agency
Griffin’s path to this moment was anything but straight. He left the majors for Japan, sharpened his skills, and returned to the Nationals in 2026. The Athletic’s Jim Bowden ranks him as the No. 14 free agent available this offseason. According to reports, after pitching in Japan, he signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract with Washington last offseason, making him one of the most undervalued free-agent acquisitions. That gamble paid off big time. He posted a 12-3 record with a 3.06 ERA over 22 starts for the Nationals before being traded to Cleveland at the deadline.
His time with the Guardians was rougher but still showed promise. Although his ERA with Cleveland reached 5.19, his FIP stood at 3.54, and he performed effectively for the Guardians during the postseason. That playoff grit matters more than regular-season stats for teams like Chicago. Cleveland might try to keep him, but the cost could be too high for them to swallow.
The $67 Million Price Tag
A substantial projection of three years and $67 million is listed by Bowden for Griffin. That works out to $22.33 million per year. This is a massive jump from the one-year, $5.5 million deal the Nats got him on for 2026. To secure him for 2027 and the future, the White Sox or Cubs must be willing to pay a premium.
Griffin brings durability and a deep mix of pitches to the table. Bowden says he has solid command, a deep pitch mix, and durability as a left-handed starter. This time in free agency, he is expected to receive numerous multiyear offers. The rotation has seen many arm injuries recently. Both Chicago teams need a left-handed pitcher who can work deep into games. The Cubs have the cash to make a splash, but the White Sox are desperate enough to overspend.
