Tigers “Making Progress” on Deal for Doug Fister

The information is all still rumor at this point, but if we connect the dots we can start to see the pattern here.

After word came out late last night that the Detroit Tigers were calling up prized prospect Jacob Turner today, twitter was alive with writers and fans discussing every possible scenario. Was Turner being traded? Was this a showcase start? Why wouldn’t they start Charlie Furbush instead of Duane Below if another starter was needed? Is there a deal coming soon?

According to Jerry Crasnick, the answer is yes. Maybe very soon.

"#Tigers making progress on a deal for #Mariners pitcher Doug Fister, says a source.#Tigers are hoping to get something done today. Not sure who would be in trade from Detroit’s end."

Jon Paul Morosi tweeted yesterday that Turner would not have to be in a deal to obtain Fister, so I think we can safely assume that Turner will actually make the start today against the Angels. The only reason you recall Turner here is if today scheduled starter, Below, is to be included in the trade. In my mind, Furbush is also very likely a piece of this possible trade as well, otherwise he could have made the start in Below’s place.

The Tigers were reported yesterday to be in active talks with the Mariners on a deal involving Fister and a reliever. It is believed that the reliever is not closer Brandon League, however.

We’ll keep you updated as more information comes out, but this is shaping up to be a banner day for the Tigers and their fans. If things go as they appear to be going, we get to see Turner make his debut this afternoon while also welcoming reinforcements to help bring home a divisional crown.

UPDATE: Danny Knobler is all over this story right now. He tweets the following: “Furbush is expected to go to Seattle in deal for Fister (with others). Tigers trying to get reliever (not League), too”

UPDATE (again): More from Knobler: “There was talk that Tiger-Mariner talks (it’s for Fister and  David Pauley) broke down at one point, but seem to be back on.”

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