Doug Fister viable option for Miami Marlins

Having missed out on Scott Kazmir, the Miami Marlins are running out of starting pitching options before the season starts. One player the Marlins have been exploring is veteran pitcher Doug Fister who’s split his eight year major league tenure between the Seattle Mariners, Detroit Tigers, and Washington Nationals.

Throughout his career Fister has been a steady pitcher having several solid seasons without being an elite pitcher. While the Marlins won’t get a David Price type player in Fister, they will get a pitcher who’s turned in several solid seasons and has shown the ability to eat innings over the course of the year. In 2013, Fister threw 200 innings while he was with the Detroit Tigers. During the 2011 season, Fister posted a 5.1 WAR, the best season of his career.

2015 was marred by injury for Fister only throwing 100 innings in 25 games. After the disastrous 2015, the market for Fister has been significantly quieter than it would’ve been after the 2013 or 2014 seasons where Fister truly shined.

So why should the Marlins sign him? Mainly because they need starting pitching in the worst way and Fister provides a solid number-two option to ace Jose Fernandez. Also, Fister has been a solid pitcher throughout his career, especially in the 2011, 2012, and 2013 seasons. Also, he is extremely affordable something the Marlins have been actively shopping for throughout the off-season as the franchise does not want to spend too much money out of pocket to acquire top-flight players.

All in all, Fister provides and productive and affordable option and the Marlins should take a long look at signing him. For a team that desperately needs starting pitching, Fister could fill at least on rotation spot and play a big part in plugging up the Marlins most gaping hole.