The Mariners have begun to blow up their team, reports Jon Heyman of SI. They’ve traded Doug Fister, their 27 year old third starter, to the Tigers. David Pauley is also heading to Detroit. Charlie Furbush and Casper Wells will be heading to Seattle. Also, top prospect Jacob Turner is reportedly going to be making his major league debut today against the Angels. In 17 starts for AA Erie, Turner has a 3.48 ERA, 90 strikeouts, and 32 walks in 113 2/3 innings.
To get back to Fister for a moment, last year was a huge breakout year for Fister. He doesn’t strike anyone out (4.89 K/9 last year, and 5.49 K/9 this year), but has picture-esque control (1.68 BB/9, 1.97 BB/9). In case you’re worried about the Safeco Field effect….this season, Fister’s ERA numbers are pretty close on the road and at home. But last year? 3.61 in Seattle, 5.06 on the road. That’s not a good look.
But you need to look at it this way for the Tigers. They can slot Fister into the rotation slot occupied mainly by Phil Coke this year, and with calling up Turner, they can bid farewell to Brad Penny. This is a definite upgrade for Detroit, and it doesn’t look like they paid a huge amount. Wells is a 26 year old who has had a couple of cups of coffee with the Tigers and has produced. He’ll definitely help the ailing Mariners offense. Furbush is a 25 year old who struck out 183 while walking 40 last season in 159 innings in AAA Toledo. He’s mainly been used as a reliever this year for Detroit, as a reliever.
UPDATE: AA 3B Francisco Martinez is also going to Seattle in the deal. The 20 year old is having the best season of his career this season, with a .282/.319/.405 line for Erie in 348 at bats. Martinez has shown decent pop for a 20 year old in a league with guys 3-4 years older than him, but his 19:80 BB:K ratio is pretty awful for anyone, regardless of age. He possesses decent speed, but doesn’t know how to use it well, as he’s only 7/15 on steal attempts this year.
