Nationals acquire Fister from Tigers

[Guest]

The Nationals have acquired right-hander Doug Fister from the Tigers, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com has confirmed. Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish first reported the deal. No word on the other players involved in the trade, so stay tuned.

Washington has been looking to bolster its rotation behind Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann and Gio Gonzalez this offseason while Detroit was shopping a starter in an effort to free up cash and a rotation spot for Drew Smyly. Matt Swartz of MLB Trade Rumors projected Fister to earn $6.9 million in his second trip through arbitration.

Fister, 29, went 14-9 with a 3.67 ERA (115 ERA+) and a 3.61 K/BB ratio in 208 2/3 innings for the Tigers this past season. He is a ground ball pitcher (54.3 percent in 2013) who doesn't walk anyone (1.90 BB/9), though his strikeout rate (6.86 K/9) isn't anything special. That should improve with the move into the easier league.

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-...er-from-tigers

Will be interested to see what the Nationals gave up for Fister, as the Tigers didn't have much negotiating room on their end.

[Villain]

Great pickup, wow.

[Villain]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/12/nationals-acquire-doug-fister-from-tigers.html

Though the return remains unclear, Cotillo tweets that three or four players will be going to Detroit, likely including second baseman Steve Lombardozzi and 22-year-old, left-handed pitching prospect Robbie Ray.

[Villain]

Update:

Going back to Detroit in the deal will be second baseman Steve Lombardozzi, lefty Ian Krol, and a prospect, tweets Jim Bowden of ESPN.com with 22-year-old, left-handed pitching prospect Robbie Ray also headed to the Tigers.

[Slateman]

Lol, a utility infielder who doesn't have the arm to play short or third for an extended period of time and isnt' a good hitter, a lefty specialist, and a left handed pitching prospect who is, at best, a number three.

All for a 3.5-4.5 WAR starting pitcher who is under team control through the 2015 season.

Great trade for the Nats.

[Guest]

I know Detroit didn't have that much leverage to work with, but they should have gotten at least one established starting-caliber position player or an above average reliever at the very least.

[NAHSTE]

Jesus fucking christ, Detroit.

[Garrett67]

Yeah, I don't get this.

[Slateman]

It's such a funny trade...almost like Dombrowski asked for different guys and Rizzo slowly talked him out of them one by one.

Like he originally asked for Espinosa, Clippard and Cole/Giolito and Rizzo gave him the homeless man's version of each piece

[Woy]

Pretty awesome that a high school kid broke the news of this trade before guys like Ken Rosenthal and Jerry Crasnick.

[Slateman]

@JeffPassan

Tigers asked for Taylor Jordan. Nationals wouldn't relent.

[SuperKevin]

I liked Lombardozzi but realistically, he wasn't vital to the teams success. Replace his roster spot with Jeff Kobernus.

[Slateman]

I liked Lombardozzi but realistically, he wasn't vital to the teams success. Replace his roster spot with Jeff Kobernus.

Or Espinosa. Either way, the Nats gave themselves a lot of options. Don't have to rush Taylor Jordan back up. Plenty of pitchers to make a bullpen from.

[SuperKevin]

Or Espinosa. Either way, the Nats gave themselves a lot of options. Don't have to rush Taylor Jordan back up. Plenty of pitchers to make a bullpen from.

Kobernus can fill the super utility role since he can play LF and CF in addition to 2B.