Boston Red Sox Claim Doug Fister, Sign Johnny Peralta

Sep 18, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Doug Fister (58) throws a pitch against the Seattle Mariners during the third inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Doug Fister (58) throws a pitch against the Seattle Mariners during the third inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Red Sox are making moves to try to shore up their roster, signing a pair of recently released veterans.

Well, it seems as though Boston Red Sox President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski is beginning to deliver on his promise earlier this week that he was looking to make major upgrades.

Today he made two medium-sized splashes.

Doug Fister is a major upgrade in the starting rotation and will start against the Los Angeles Angels, his former team, on Sunday.

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Fister will join former teammates Rick Porcello and David Price in the starting rotation. All were apart of the Detroit Tigers rotation at one time. He went 12-13 with the Houston Astros last season and pitched to a 4.64 ERA over the span of 180 1/3 innings. He also sports a career ERA of 3.60.

This is a very good move by Dombrowski. The Red Sox’s pitching staff has been horrid of late. Aside from Chris Sale, there has been no consistency. Eduardo Rodriguez is hurt, Drew Pomeranz flips between on and off more than a light switch, if Price is in a good mood he might pitch alright, and Porcello is suffering from the worst Cy Young hangover ever. In reality, Porcello is pitching as if he’s actually hungover.

In short, claiming Fister is a very good move.

Another move by Dealin’ Dave today was signing Jhonny Peralta to a minor-league deal.

Peralta hasn’t impressed this year, as he’s hit .204 over the span of 54 at bats with the St. Louis Cardinals. But his career numbers are much better. He’s a career .267 hitter and he’s a shortstop. Plus, he’s played 15 games this year at third base and has a .941 fielding percentage at the position. Over his entire career, he’s played 295 games at third base and has a .967 fielding percentage.

The reason why his numbers at third base are so important is because the Red Sox are in dire need of a third basemen. This isn’t the end of Dealin’ Dave’s quest for a replacement at third base, however it’s a good first swing at the possibility of finding someone.

I’ve pitched the idea earlier this week about how the Red Sox must cut Pablo Sandoval, but the more important thing is for them to find a third basemen.

An inside source tells me that the Boston Red Sox are one error happening at third base away from posting up applications all around the park to find a viable third basemen.

Next: Angels, Trout discussed lifetime deal

I haven’t got the call yet to play third, though I expect one within the next few weeks.