The Washington Nationals completed a seemingly lopsided trade for Detroit Tigers for Doug Fister. From the press release:
In 33 games/32 starts in 2013, the 29-year-old went 14-9 with a 3.67 ERA and ranked among American League leaders in GDPs induced (tied first, 26), home runs allowed per 9.0 innings (2nd, 0.60), ground ball-to-fly ball ratio (3rd, 2.17/1), walks per 9.0 innings (4th, 1.90), fielding independent pitching (6th, 3.32), wins (tied 8th), strikeout-to-walk ratio (9th, 3.61/1) and quality starts (tied 9th, 22) in his last of three seasons with Detroit.
Fister joins the Nationals after going 32-20 with a 3.29 ERA in two-plus seasons (Aug. 2011-2013) with the Tigers. Fister is 3-2 with a 2.98 ERA in eight postseason games/seven starts, all with the Tigers, who won six of Fister’s seven playoff starting assignments (2-0 in 2013, 2-1 in ’12, 2-0 in ’11).
Utility infielder Steve Lombardozzi, LHP Ian Krol and minor leaguer LHP Robbie Ray. It looks like highway robbery by DC GM Mike Rizzo.
NATMOSPHERE REACTIONS
Fister could prove to be an interesting change of pace in a rotation with Strasburg, Gio, and JayZ. His fastball tops out at 88mph.
— The Nats Blog (@TheNatsBlog) December 3, 2013
Are we sure Dog Fister doesn't have lupus?
— Chris Needham (@needham_chris) December 3, 2013
Rizzo takes Cyber Monday Seriously! #fister #nats
— Duffy's Irish Pub. (@Duffysirishpub) December 3, 2013
Nats GM Mike Rizzo finally makes trade that gives me goosebumps when we visit MIL …P Doug Fister will stay @ The Pfister!!!
— Steve Ray (@AMandFM) December 3, 2013
I want MLB Network to break into its programming of a million countdown shows, and just show Rizzo dancing to Bustin Loose.
— Jon Hoffman (@JonFHoffman) December 3, 2013
Love the Fister pickup. Big time sinker. Pounds K zone, doesn't give up HRs. Strong postseason resume.
— Dave Jageler (@DaveJageler) December 3, 2013
Every time there’s Rizzo skepticism, we get a deal like this. That’s some pretty solid wheeling and dealing, Mike. Good work.
— Tom Bridge (@tbridge) December 3, 2013
Also worth noting: All 5 #Nats starters under team control for at least 2 more seasons.
— Mark Zuckerman (@ZuckermanCSN) December 3, 2013
Doug Fister was a groundball pitcher in the AL behind a a poor infield defense. Hard to imagine his numbers won't get even better in DC.
— Adam Kilgore (@AdamKilgoreWP) December 3, 2013
WHAT ARE THE TIGERS THINKING?
My friend J.J. from Michigan says: Sure does seem like a steal for your Nats! Doug Fister is a great pitcher and I have no idea why the tigers would make such a trade! Congrats I guess ..
Reformed newspaperman Vince Guerrieri is a Cleveland fan, but he lives closer to Detroit and follows the teams up there a bit:
Fister came in a mid season deal with Seattle in 2011. He was 3-12 for the Mariners, but went 8-1 down the stretch as the Tigers pulled away from the Indians to take the Central.
His contributions to the rotation were overshadowed by a pair of Cy Young winners, Justin Verlander in 2011 and Max Scherzer this year, but he was always a dependable starter.
The bigger picture is the remaking of the Tigers roster. Scherzer and Prince Fielder have been dealt and Jhonny Peralta left via free agency. Also, Jim Leyland retired. The Indians are facing question marks with their rotation, but my Tribe fan friends are positively giddy. It could be a wide-open division next year.
SB Nation Tigers blog Bless You Boys: Doug Fister trade is a terrible deal for the Tigers
BEAT WRITER REACTION
Nationals acquire Doug Fister for Steve Lombardozzi, Ian Krol, Robbie Ray – The Post
Nats acquire Fister in 4-player trade with Tigers – CSN Washington
A THEORY
If there are fans who want Nationals Park to have a roof, the Venn diagram of them and fans upset that Lombo is gone, are concentric circles.
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