1:15pm: Cotillo tweets that Fister will be added directly to the Red Sox’ Major League roster.
12:40pm: The Red Sox have claimed righty Doug Fister off release waivers, reports SB Nation’s Chris Cotillo (Twitter links). The signing is a reunion of sorts for Fister, who previously spent two and a half seasons with the Tigers when Dave Dombrowski was Detroit’s general manager. Because he was claimed off release waivers, Fister will have the option to reject the claim and hit free agency, though he’d be turning a way a spot on Boston’s 40-man roster, so that route seems unlikely.
By making the claim, the Red Sox are agreeing to take on Fister’s existing contract, which came with a $1.75MM salary (pro-rated) for any time spent in the Majors, Cotillo reported at the time of the signing. He can also earn up to $1MM worth of incentives based on games started or $200K based on relief work, per the associated press. It’s not clear whether Fister will head to Triple-A or join Boston’s big league staff, though he is tuned up to the point where he could conceivably step into manager John Farrell’s rotation.
Fister made three starts with the Angels’ Triple-A affiliate, totaling 15 2/3 innings with 10 strikeouts against five walks. Of course, most of his success came in his first minor league outing (five innings, one run on four hits and a walk with seven strikeouts). Fister was hit a bit harder in his second and third outings, yielding six runs in 10 2/3 innings with more walks (four) than punchouts (three).
Fister, though, has a lengthy track record of success in the big leagues and should provide some depth to a rotation that currently has options Steven Wright, Eduardo Rodriguez, Brian Johnson and Roenis Elias on the disabled list. While it’s been a few years since he posted above-average marks as a starter, Fister did take the ball for 32 starts as a member of the 2016 Astros, working to a 4.64 ERA across 180 1/3 innings in the Houston rotation.
Good luck in Boston.
Interesting pickup.
I don’t know what I think about this move. I kind of like it but I also wish the spot was going to Deverse
Devers
Devers isn’t a pitcher.
And is not ready yet!!!
It’s got to close to the very LEAST getting him to AAA with Chavis getting promoted to AA (finally) 2 days ago. Sure.. 1 can DH and other rotate to 3b, tho think Sox want both on the bag as much as they can get them, not to mention Okimey at Salem probably isn’t to far behind Chavis in a promotion and waiting on one of the high end kids to go up.. Maybe Longhi can just stick in RF fulltime if Okimey gets there soon?
Chavis was in lineup as a DH tonight with a Portland. Maybe Devers will move to Pawtucket soon.
Nice article Mr. Adams, my main curiosity for clicking on story after seeing headline was by claiming him aren’t Bosox responsible for remainder of contract as apposed to league minimum w/Angels paying majority of salary……n u nailed explanation plus all the #s, thanks.
Ironically, once Fister implodes. The Sox will trade Devers for a starter..
I seriously doubt that. The really crazy thing about the Red Sox right now is in terms of WAR, they have the the fourth best of starters in the majors. The problem is offense. Any major trade will be to try to bring in a third baseman.
Meet you here when it happens bro..
Not hardly. compared to what the rest of the AL East has going for a starting 5? Boston’s rotation may as well be comprised of all stars..
Not to mention Rodriquez isn’t some long term injury and will probably be back by end of July latest. People who keep hammering on the Sox rotation and leave alone the Yankees really need to get a clue.
Fister is a ticking time bomb. One or two AL east games and they will be
Thinking that this is the worst signing ever. However PRICE is the worst signing in MLB history.
Wish he went to the Giants.
This is why I have no sympathy for the Mets who need a pitcher and one that’s healthy but would are so broke they rather just give up in a league that has so many bad teams that if they spent a little money or made some moves they wouldn’t be so out of it by now.
Red Sox have higher priority on the waiver wire than the Mets do.
Good point, but am sure many people are going to wonder why with the Mets record worse.
it goes from what league said player is/was in 1st, then to the other for those that may not have understood this terrific post from the above member.
The Mets owners are cheap and robbing from the poor fans to feed their Dodgers fascination. STOP buying tickets and any other financial supports for the Wilpons. They don’t care about you!
What good does trolling mets fans do? The Yankees are already doing fine.
I read these articles mostly because of the comments section, but this type of comment just irritates everyone else. I wish you would stop.
He’s done.
Great pickup basically replaces kyle kendricks role with the sox
Basically adding a number 5 starter is a good thing which them add to third base much the same way by adding a struggling veteran
Nobody in their right mind that is physically fit to produce will play in Boston. This franchise is too disfunctional.
What a hateful comment mikeyank55. Boston needs pitching, and he’s available so Why Not?
And they didn’t take the easy way out too. They committed to paying the pro-rated version of $1M-$2M he’s owed the rest of the year. Most likely money down the drain, but WORTH finding out. I admire them for this and I hope Fister extends his Major league career that’s most likely on life support.
and I’m a Yankee fan.
Stop even responding to this clown and ignore him he is an idiot.
I think these comments don’t help either. But calling him a clown and an idiot will just make him post more of these.