Nationals, Doug Fister avoid arbitration

Doug Fister (Associated Press)

Doug Fister (Associated Press)

The Nationals agreed to terms on a one-year contract with right-handed starter Doug Fister, avoiding an arbitration hearing with the newest addition to their rotation.

Fister will earn $7.2 million in 2014, plus an additional $100,000 if he reaches 200 innings, according to the New York Post. On Jan. 17, the deadline for teams and arbitration-eligible players to exchange salary figures, Fister asked for $8.5 million and the Nationals offered $5.75 million, leading to a midpoint of $7.125 million. Last season with Detroit, Fister made $4 million.

The Nationals have now settled with nine of their 10 arbitration-eligible players, including two-year deals with Ian Desmond and Jordan Zimmermann, leaving only Tyler Clippard. After he made $4 million last season, Clippard asked for $6.35 million and the Nationals offered $4.45 million.

Salary arbitration hearings begin today and will continue through Feb. 21. It is not known when Clippard’s hearing will take place. The sides can settle until the moment before they walk into the hearing room.

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