The Houston Astros have filled an important role in the back end of their rotation by signing veteran Doug Fister to a one-year, $7 million contract with a total amount of incentives that could make the deal worth $12 million.
Fister, 31, put up a 5-7 record with a 4.19 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP in 25 games (15) starts for the Washington Nationals last season. That came on the heels of him finishing eighth in the NL Cy Young voting in 2014, putting up a 16-6 record with a 2.41 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP in 25 starts.
Fister will join a rotation that's headed by reigning Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel and Collin McHugh, giving the team three pitchers that have combined for 83 wins over the past two seasons. That's not too shabby at all.
During his career with the Detroit Tigers prior to joining Washington in 2014, Fister started just one game at Minute Maid Park in Houston.
Though, it must be noted that the veteran will be pitching his home games in a stadium that ranked as the ninth-most pitcher friendly in 2015. For comparison's sake, Nationals Park was ranked as the 12th-most hitter-friendly stadium in baseball last year.