Report: Detroit Tigers Trade Doug Fister to Washington Nationals

Oct 16, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Doug Fister (58) throws against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning in game four of the American League Championship Series baseball game at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

According to a Tweet by MLB Daily Dish’s Chris Cotillo, the Detroit Tigers have agreed to trade Doug Fister to the Washington Nationals. We’re still awaiting official word on the details.

The move isn’t a complete surprise — the Tigers have long been rumored to be shopping starting pitchers this offseason — but it’s somewhat of a surprise that it’s Fister, not Porcello, that has been dealt. Fister will likely be both (1) cheaper and (2) better over his final two seasons of team control, which improves his trade value, but Detroit is trying to win now, so a Fister deal would have to include some sort of quality MLB-ready piece (whereas a Porcello deal wouldn’t necessarily have to).

Fister’s upcoming second-year arbitration contract has been estimated at $6.9 million by MLB Trade Rumors. Fister owned a 3.29 ERA in his two-and-a-half seasons with the Tigers.

We’ll keep you updated as news comes out, but as of now no return package has been reported.

UPDATE: Lynn Henning has the return package:

I’ll have to digest this, but I’m not very excited about the deal right now.