Former Red Sox starting pitcher Doug Fister signed a $4-million free agent deal with Texas Rangers this past weekend. The Rangers officially confirmed the deal, which includes a club option and performance incentive, as of late Tuesday afternoon.
OFFICIAL: We have signed RHP Doug Fister to a 1-year deal with a club option for 2019.
Welcome to Texas, @dougfister58! ?? pic.twitter.com/g2jI132von
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) November 28, 2017
Fister, 33, has already passed his prime. However, he could be contributor for the Rangers next season based off his performance this year with the Sox.
Where does this leave the Red Sox?
The organization now has some room in the back-end of the rotation. Earlier this month, President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski mentioned that acquiring starting pitchers was not in the forefront of his offseason plans.
“I don’t think that’s a main priority for us this winter time, starting pitcher,” Dombrowski said. “Because I think we like our starting pitching. However, as the winter progresses, if somebody’s out there that makes sense to add, I wouldn’t say that we definitely would not do it, but I’m comfortable where we are.”
Fister became a positive factor for the Sox when he entered the rotation following David Price’s stint on the disabled list. He posted a 4.43 ERA as well as held opposing batters at a .236 batting average in his last 11 starts.
As part of the Rangers roster, Fister will join fellow starters Cole Hamels and Martin Perez. The team will likely be adding a few more pitchers to the ranks to fill out the 40-man roster.
Stanton rumors still swirling
Many Red Sox fans have held on to the hope of Giancarlo Stanton joining the squad for 2018. According to a few Boston-based media outlets, there have been mixed reports regarding the likeliness of seeing these hopes be fulfilled.
Boston Sports Journal’s Sen McAdam reported on Tuesday that the Red Sox and Marlins have not discussed a potential Stanton trade since the GM Meetings nearly two weeks ago. Despite this, The Atlantic’s Ken Rosenthal reported that the Sox and Marlins are still engaged in trade discussion.
