The Blue Jays are a long way from focusing on offseason plans just yet, though the club “will make a play for” free agent righty Doug Fister this winter, Sportsnet’s Jeff Blair reports. This wouldn’t be the first time that GM Alex Anthopoulos has shown interest in Fister, as the Jays explored a deal when Fister was still with the Tigers in the 2013-14 offseason prior to Fister’s eventual trade to Washington.
Of course, Fister’s stock was much higher two winters ago, as the right-hander is hitting the open market on the heels of his worst season in five years. Fister posted a 4.19 ERA, 2.63 K/BB rate and 5.5 K/9 over 103 innings for the Nationals, losing his starting rotation spot in the process. (Fister’s overall stat line was boosted by his stint in the bullpen, as he had a 2.12 ERA over 17 relief innings as opposed to a 4.60 ERA as a starter.)
It’s possible health could have played a role in Fister’s problems, as he spent a month on the DL with forearm tightness. Both before and after his injury, however, there were signs of struggle. Fister’s walk rate (2.10) and homer rate (12%) jumped to their highest levels since 2009, while his ground ball rate dropped to 44.6%, his lowest such number also since 2009. This was a notable decline for a pitcher who relies on grounders to offset his lack of strikeouts, and the Nats’ overall shaky infield defense also didn’t help in this regard.
Mark Buehrle is expected to retire and both David Price and Marco Estrada could leave in free agency, so the Jays could have multiple rotation openings behind Marcus Stroman, R.A. Dickey (whose club option is likely to be exercised) and Drew Hutchison, and Hutchison’s own spot is far from secure given his rough season. If Fister can get back to his 2011-14 form, the 31-year-old’s ground-ball tendencies would be a good fit at the hitter-friendly Rogers Centre, particularly with a better defensive infield backing him up.
My only real problem with the Jays pursuing Fister is that his AAV is going to be pretty similar to Estrada’s if he’s looking for a one year make good deal. Estrada is likely looking for a two year deal and if Fister rebounds, he can be QO’d, but Rogers isn’t a great place for him to rebuild his value.
It’ll be interesting to see if Rogers raises payroll with the team’s success. As a team, they have a lot of money, but they’ve also got a fair amount of commitments and they’ll need to address Bautista and EE next offseason as well.
I think it is actually a good idea if they believe it was purely health, when Fister is healthy he is so tall he throws a very heavy sinker that is hard to elevate. He could be a nice rotation piece in the HR heavy AL East.
You just gotta make sure he doesn’t pull a Porcello.
Estrada would cost a bit more than Fister and will command a 2-3 year deal. I can see Fister getting a Liriano contract (1 year with an option) In an attempt to rebuild value.
As a Jays fan I hate to think it, but it’s going to be hard to keep both JB and EE after next year. Bats would be 36 going into 2017, and EE would be 33. Not sure which I’d rather keep. Bautista may hold value longer with his great eye at the plate, and while EE is younger, when his bat speed goes he may start to strike out a ton.
My point is that they don’t have to rebuild, but they need to refocus around the player they will have under control after 2016: Tulo, Donaldson, Pillar, Travis, Martin (who may need to be DH). That’s a decent offensive core even if you let JB and EE leave. It gives you more financial room to sign a few free agent pitchers, including Price if they can swing it.
Tigers could look to bring Fister back on 1 or 2 yr. deal as a bridge to 2017-18. The new young pitchers acquired this trade deadline could then be ready for the Majors. Greene would also have time to get his act together.
They treat those young pitchers like they did Norris last night and they won’t have any healthy arms left by 2017.
Agreed!! The reason was “to get his pitch count up” so in his next outing he can go 85-90+ pitches. It will be the last day of the season so everybody in Detroit is trying to figure what is so important risking injury on their prized trade deadline SP on the last day of the year. Another “head scratching moment” in the world of following the Brad Ausmus Tigers..
The sad part is we get to start counting them all over again in 2016.
Aaron Sanchez probably will move back to the rotation which will be a nice fit with Stroman. Buehrles 20+m coming off, Romeros dead 7.5m coming off, Izturis’ dead 3m coming off. That should give us the some extra cash to resign Price.
Hopefully we will have Price, Stroman, Dickey, Sanchez and whoever is 5th, Maybe Hutch, or Fister?
He’ll be 32 and has had shoulder, elbow and forearm issues over the past 2 seasons not to mention a steadily dropping velocity. If the Jays want to make another run in 2016 while Bautista and Encarnacion are still under contract, they might want to look for more of a sure thing in a back-of-the-rotation starter than Fister.
I disagree. I think anyone would take a shot on fister as a #4 or 5 starter. Pretty darn good for a back of the rotation guy.
Does Estrada receive the QO?