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Nationals Acquire Doug Fister From Tigers For Steve Lombardozzi, Ian Krol And Robbie Ray: Reactions

Washington Nationals' GM Mike Rizzo found a controllable starter that was available out there and made a deal with the Detroit Tigers for Doug Fister, sending Steve Lombardozzi, Ian Krol and Robbie Ray to the AL Central powerhouse in return for the towering righty...

By Patrick Reddington
USA TODAY Sports

"'This is an exciting day for the Washington Nationals,'" General Manager Mike Rizzo said in a press release on the trade announced tonight that brought 29-year-old right-hander Doug Fister from the Detroit Tigers in return for infielder Steve Lombardozzi and left-handers Ian Krol and Robbie Ray. "We feel we’ve added a talented, young veteran to our starting pitching corps. Doug is battle-tested through playoff experiences, and the depth he brings to our staff is exceptional. We are thrilled to welcome him aboard.'"

"'Doug is battle-tested through playoff experiences, and the depth he brings to our staff is exceptional. We are thrilled to welcome him aboard.'" - Mike Rizzo on acquisition of Doug Fister from Tigers

Fister comes to D.C. after a (14-9) season in Detroit in which he had a 3.67 ERA, a 3.26 FIP, 44 walks (1.90 BB/9) and 159 Ks (6.86 K/9) in 33 games, 32 starts and 208 2/3 IP for the Tigers. In eight postseason appearances for Detroit, seven of them starts, over his three years with the Tigers, the 29-year-old pitcher went (3-2) with a 2.98 ERA, 13 walks (2.42 BB/9) and 37 Ks (6.90 K/9) in 48 1/3 IP.

Nats Acquire Fister From Tigers For Lombo, Krol And Ray

 Photo © Brad Mills/USA TODAY Sports

Fister, a 6'8'' starter, had a 54.3% ground ball percentage in 2013, which would have led all Nats' starters, outside of ground ball machine Taylor Jordan (57.5%), though the Nationals' newest starter did it over 33 games and 32 starts while Jordan made just nine starts in his rookie campaign. Stephen Strasburg's 51.5% GB% was the highest amongst Washington's regular starters last season.

Fister certainly fits in the mold of starters the Nationals' GM has liked in the past. The baseball world seems impressed with the trade Rizzo made tonight.

Detroit Tigers fans seem furious.

Here's what "they're" saying about the Nationals' acquisition of Fister, which gives them a top four that, given everyone is healthy, is one of the stronger rotations in the National League:

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