In search of another starter, the Nationals have been linked to Tigers right-hander Max Scherzer for months.
Turns out, it's another Tigers right-hander that the Nats have brought on in a trade.
The Nats have acquired 29-year-old righty Doug Fister from Detroit tonight in exchange for infielder Steve Lombardozzi, left-handed reliever Ian Krol and left-handed pitching prospect Robbie Ray.
"This is an exciting day for the Washington Nationals," general manager Mike Rizzo said in a...In search of another starter, the
Nationals have been linked to Tigers right-hander Max Scherzer for months.
Turns out, it's another Tigers right-hander that the Nats have brought on in a trade.
The Nats have acquired 29-year-old righty
Doug Fister from Detroit tonight in exchange for infielder Steve Lombardozzi, left-handed reliever Ian Krol and left-handed pitching prospect Robbie Ray.
"This is an exciting day for the Washington Nationals," general manager Mike Rizzo said in a statement. "We feel we've added a talented, young veteran to our starting pitching corps. Doug is battle-tested through playoff experiences, and the depth he brings to our staff is exceptional. We are thrilled to welcome him aboard."
Fister went 14-9 with a 3.67 ERA with the Tigers in 2013, with 159 strikeouts and 44 walks in 208 2/3 innings. He pitched to a 1.308 WHIP and allowed 14 home runs on the season.
Since 2011, Fister ranks ninth among qualifying starters with a 13.3 combined WAR, according to FanGraphs. The metrics really like this guy, as does a seemingly large portion of the scouting community. I've heard Fister's name mentioned as one of the more underrated starters in the majors.
Fister also has a 2.98 ERA over eight career postseason appearances and seven of which were starts, including a game in the 2012 World Series.
A seventh-round pick of the Mariners in 2006, Fister is under contract through the 2015 season. He made $4 million last season and is due another raise this year through the arbitration process under the terms of his current deal.
Per FanGraphs, Fister's four-seam fastball averaged 88.6 mph last season. A guy who relies on his heavy sinker, Fister also throws a curve and changeup.
Lombardozzi hit .264 with five home runs and 50 RBI in two-plus seasons with the Nationals. He had 13 pinch hits last season, ranking second in MLB last year.
A 19th-round pick in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft out of nearby Atholton High School in Columbia, Lombardozzi was well-liked within the organization and a favorite among many fans.
Krol, 22, went 2-1 with two holds and a 3.95 ERA in 32 appearances as a rookie with the Nats in 2013. He started strong after seeing his first major league action, but struggled down the stretch.
Ray, 22, was the Nationals' 12th-round pick in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft. He won 11 games and posted a 3.36 ERA between high Single-A Potomac and Double-A Harrisburg last season. Baseball America recently ranked Ray as the Nats' No. 5 prospect, and he's viewed as a potential middle- to back-of-the-rotation starter.
The trade was first reported by to MLB Daily Dish.
With the acquisition of Fister, the Nats have rounded out their rotation without needing to overpay for a free agent starter. That rotation now consists of Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmermann, Ross Detwiler and Fister, giving the Nats one heck of a starting five.
