Former Toronto Blue Jays left-hander receiving Major League offers after three years in Japan
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Former Toronto Blue Jays left-hander Foster Griffin has been eyeing a return to the majors after a strong three-year run in Japan.
According to MLB Network's Jon Morosi, he's received at least one multi-year offer.
It was reported back in October that Griffin was attempting to comeback to MLB and it looks like that time is now.
Foster Griffin's free-agent market is heating up, following 3 successful seasons with the Yomiuri Giants.
Multiple MLB teams have shown interest in Griffin, 30, as a starter. The lefty has at least one multiyear Major League offer. A deal is likely soon.
Multiple MLB teams have shown interest in Griffin, 30, as a starter. The lefty has at least one multiyear Major League offer. A deal is likely soon.
Griffin pitched for the Royals and Blue Jays prior to Japan
Griffin was a first-round pick, 28th overall, by the Royals back in 2014. He pitched in parts of two big league seasons between Kansas City and Toronto but totaled only eight innings.
Griffin pitched well in the minors in 2021-22 and parlayed that into interest overseas, signing a one-year deal with the Yomiuri Giants.
The 30-year old re-signed with the Giants after a big first season and wound up spending three years in their rotation.
He pitched to a sharp 2.57 ERA in 315 2/3 frames and fanned 25.1% of his opponents against a tidy 5.5% walk rate.
Griffin still doesn't throw particularly hard, sitting in the low 90s with his fastball, but he works with a deep arsenal.
He primarily relies on a four-seamer, slider, cutter and changeup (in that order) but also mixes in a splitter, curve and two-seamer on occasion.
Griffin was on his way to another strong set of results in 2025 when he suffered a leg injury over the summer.
He wound up pitching in only 14 games but totaled a terrific 1.62 ERA, 25.1% strikeout rate and 5.9% walk rate in 78 innings. He's healthy now and going through a normal offseason progression.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 16 | 42 ANSWERS Former Toronto Blue Jays left-hander receiving Major League offers after three years in Japan Do you think Foster Griffin's success in Japan will carry over to MLB? | ||
| Yes | 18 | 42.9 % |
| No | 10 | 23.8 % |
| Too early to tell | 14 | 33.3 % |
| List of polls | ||