Right-hander Doug Fister, one of the top two or three remaining free agent pitchers, has agreed to a one-year contract with the Astros. Chris Cotillo of SB Nation reports that the deal is worth $7 million, with incentives that could total another $5 million.
Fister struggled through an injury wrecked 2015 season with the Nationals and the drop in his velocity at age 31 is a potential red flag going forward, but he posted a 2.41 ERA for Washington in 2014 and had a combined 3.11 ERA in 751 innings from 2011-2014.
Houston already had a rotation of Dallas Keuchel, Collin McHugh, Mike Fiers, Lance McCullers, and Scott Feldman, so Fister’s arrival is an interesting one. It could lead to a potential trade or may simply suggest that the team is worried about Feldman’s status following late-season shoulder problems.