Toronto Blue Jays expected to pursue Doug Fister in offseason
The Toronto Blue Jays are reportedly expected to “make a play” for Nationals pitcher Doug Fister this offseason, according to Sportsnet’s Jeff Blair. With David Price, Marco Estrada (both impending free agents) and Mark Buehrle (expected to retire) likely out of the picture next season, Toronto will likely be on the hunt to fill multiple rotation spots for 2016.
Since the Blue Jays will likely be forced to spread funds around filling multiple holes, the connection to Fister makes sense. After a difficult 2015 season, the 31-year-old presents a buy-low candidate for Toronto that could prove to be a great value signing with a bounce-back season next year.
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The hard numbers don’t give a true look at how trying Fister’s 2015 season has been, as he’s pitched to a 2.12 ERA since being bumped to a bullpen role. However, he pitched to a 4.60 ERA as a starter prior to the demotion, giving up four or more runs in eight different starts this year. But of late, Fister has logged six straight shutout appearances out of the bullpen for the Nationals, which should help teams like Toronto have more reason to believe he can rebound with a fresh start in 2016.
Whether it’s with Toronto or someone else, Fister will likely be on the hunt for a one-year contract in hopes of reestablishing is value after a down 2015. That could put a team like the Blue Jays at a disadvantage in their pursuit, as clubs with pitcher-friendly ballparks like San Diego, Seattle and Pittsburgh will likely have the upper hand in landing the right-hander. However, Alex Anthopolous has shown interest in Fister before, and it sounds like he plans on making his club a contender for the righty’s services when free agency kicks off in November.
Seen as a likely candidate for a qualifying offer coming into the year, Fister’s poor season has all but secured that he won’t be receiving such an offer from the Nationals this winter, meaning any club that signs him wouldn’t be giving up a draft pick to bring him to town.
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