Detroit Tigers Five Free Agent Pitchers Team Should Sign

Doug Fister

2016 Team: Houston Astros
2016 Stats: 1.1 WAR, 4.75 FIP, 4.97 SIERA, 5.9 swinging strike percentage, 5.74 K/9, .299 BABIP

Doug Fister was excellent on the mound as a member of the Detroit Tigers . Beginning with a 2011 stretch run that saw him post an 8-1 record and a 1.79 ERA, the former Mariner excelled in the Motor City.

The right-hander was part of that superb rotation that also included, Verlander, Max Scherzer, Rick Porcello and Anibal Sanchez.

While Fister finished eighth in the Cy Young voting in 2014 after a trade to Washington, his numbers have suffered.

Never a strikeout-heavy pitcher, the veteran saw his ERA balloon to a career-worse 4.64 last year. Despite the relatively-poor run prevention stats, Fister did manage to accumulate a 1.1 WAR and 12 wins for Houston, showing he can make an impact with a solid team behind him.

Previous Numbers of Note

A return to Detroit could be exactly what Fister needs at this point in his career. The 32-year-old owns a 3.18 ERA and a 1.164 WHIP in 232 innings at Comerica Park.

Potential Role in Detroit

Fister would likely be a swingman with the Tigers, making occasional starts and eating innings out of the bullpen. Should any kind of injury or trade happen, the ex-Detroit pitcher would be the first replacement option.