Kansas City Royals: Bargain Rotation Targets

Aug 3, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Doug Fister (33) throws to the Arizona Diamondbacks during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Thirty-two year old Doug Fister is very familiar to the Kansas City Royals from his three strong seasons in Detroit. Never a hard thrower, Fister gets hitters out with a wide selection of stuff, command, and guile. 

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After a trade took him to Washington, Fister enjoyed a terrific 2014 season with a 16-6 record and 2.41 ERA. Great things were expected from the Nationals rotation after adding Max Scherzer to Stephen Starsburg, Jordan Zimmermann, Gio Gonzalez, and Fister. While Scherzer gave the Nationals everything they could have expected, injuries derailed much of the staff—including Fister who struggled through a rough season with a flexor strain in his forearm.

The injury kept Fister out of action for a month, and when he returned the Nationals put him in the bullpen. Overall, Doug Fister posted a 5-7 record with a 4.19 ERA in 15 starts and 10 relief appearances.

Doug Fister’s inability to return to the rotation could inhibit his market value to the point where he might be willing to accept a one-year, “prove it” deal, which would make him a perfect fit for the Kansas City Royals.

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If healthy, Fister could return to the guy that gave Central Division rivals fits during his stint in Detroit. Doug Fister is exactly the kind of pitch-to-contact guy that becomes more effective in Kansas City, which is why the KC Royals should give him a chance to rebuild his value.