Call to the pen
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Doug Fister signing could be feast or famine for Houston Astros

By Jake Mastroianni

Sep 14, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Doug Fister (33) throws a pitch during the eleventh inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Nationals defeated the Phillies, 8-7 in 11 innings. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 14, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Doug Fister (33) throws a pitch during the eleventh inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Nationals defeated the Phillies, 8-7 in 11 innings. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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Free agent right-handed pitcher Doug Fister has reportedly signed a one-year deal with the Houston Astros. The deal has been reported to be worth $7 million with a chance for Fister to reach $12 million with performance-based incentives.

Just one offseason ago it would have been crazy to think that Fister would be subjected to a one-year deal for less than $10 million after going 16-6 for the Washington Nationals in 2014 with an ERA of 2.41 and a WHIP of 1.08. However, Fister’s stock took a nosedive after struggling as a starter for most of 2015 and then being moved to the bullpen.

He finished 2015 with an ERA of 4.19 and a WHIP of 1.40, which were both career-highs (in a bad way) for the 31 year old. That being said, the Astros could very easily have gotten the steal of the offseason if Fister returns to his career norms of a mid-three ERA and 1.10 WHIP.

The Astros already have a wealth of options available for their starting rotation in Dallas Keuchel, Collin McHugh, Lance McCullers, Mike Fiers and Scott Feldman. Fister could fit anywhere from the two to four spot in that rotation.

The flip side of this, however, is if Fister can’t get back to his career norms he becomes a very expensive bullpen arm for the Astros. As a reliever last year Fister put up an ERA of 2.12 in 17 innings, and his strikeout per nine rate went from 5.0 as a starter to 7.9 as a reliever.

The Astros biggest weakness last year was at the backend of that bullpen so it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world if Fister ended up becoming their setup man, but $7 million is an awful lot of money to give a setup guy.

With the Astros forking out that kind of cash for Fister, he should get every shot at being in the rotation, and then if things don’t work out they can move him to the bullpen.

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Regardless, it’s a one year deal for a pitcher that has a lot of upside as he could potentially be your Game 2 or 3 starter in the playoffs.

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