Ryan Dempster Rumors

Cubs Not Looking To Retain Rich Harden?

The Chicago Tribune's Paul Sullivan writes that the Cubs have no plans to bring back Rich Harden, as alluded to by manager Lou Piniella. Prior to losing the final road game of the season to the San Francisco, Piniella ran down the 2010 rotation. "You look at our starting pitching here for next year," Piniella said. "You've got (Carlos) Zambrano, you've got (Ryan) Dempster, you've got (Randy) Wells, you've got (Ted) Lilly, you've got (Tom) Gorzelanny, and you've got (Jeff) Samardzija...And if this kid keeps improving, he'll be right in the mix. So we've got six nice arms." Gordon Wittenmyer...   Continue Reading

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Brown on Sabathia, Teixeira, Lowe, Peavy

In his latest article, Tim Brown at Yahoo! Sports considers a possibility that others have discussed: maybe C.C. Sabathia doesn't want to play for the New York Yankees. He certainly has options--Brown's list includes the Dodgers, Angels, White Sox, Red Sox, Mariners, Tigers, and of course, the Brewers. Not signing C.C. would increase the likelihood that the Yankees make a serious offer to Mark Teixeira. Nick Swisher seems to have the starting job at first base for now, but failing to land Sabathia might shift the Yankees' attention to all three of Teixeira, A.J. Burnett and Derek Lowe, says Brown....   Continue Reading

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Dempster Signing Reactions

Yesterday the Cubs signed free agent pitcher Ryan Dempster to a four-year, $52 million deal (the last year is a player option). Dempster also talked to the Blue Jays, Braves, Dodgers, Yankees, and Mets. Reactions to the deal: Newsday's Ken Davidoff says it "doesn't seem like a great investment in a 31-year-old without a proven history as a starting pitcher." Umpbump's Paul Moro says "Although he’s on the wrong side of 30, I think that this will be one of the saner deals this offseason." Bleed Cubbie Blue says, "Good clubhouse guys aren't easy to find, and when you have...   Continue Reading

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Cubs Re-Sign Dempster

3:45pm: ESPN is reporting details of the contract. Dempster gets a $4 million signing bonus, $8MM in 2009, $12.5MM in 2010, $13.5MM in 2011, and a $14MM player option for 2012. He can make additional money based on awards. Looks like the Cubs backloaded the deal to leave payroll room. 11:51am: Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times also says there's a four-year, $52MM agreement and Dempster will sign the deal today. I consider this an acceptable price. There's a health risk, but Dempster already had Tommy John surgery. He can probably maintain an ERA below 4.00. 11:47am: Dan Graziano of...   Continue Reading

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Yankees Rumors: Abreu, Burnett, Teixeira

George King of the New York Post and Kat O'Brien of Newsday have the latest on the Yankees, who are in hot pursuit of free agent starting pitching. The Yankees will offer arbitration to Bobby Abreu, according to Jon Heyman. No surprise there. King says the Yankees are preparing an offer for A.J. Burnett, "perhaps a five-year deal worth about $80 million." Burnett's agent says they're just discussing parameters. It would be a strong offer, dwarfing the Blue Jays' four years, $54MM. ESPN's Buster Olney believes a fifth guaranteed year will ultimately result in the winning bid for Burnett. The...   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal's Latest: Griffey, Peavy, Dempster

A look at the latest column from FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal: Rosenthal wonders if Jason Varitek's viral sickness and divorce last year contributed to his poor performance at the plate. Ken Griffey Jr.'s wife gave him her blessing to play anywhere he'd like. If he's focused on getting a ring, Seattle might not make sense. Griffey's doctor believes his knee will be in better shape in 2009. Padres GM Kevin Towers wonders if Jake Peavy would've accepted a trade to the Braves, given Atlanta's club policy against no-trade clauses. Towers isn't talking to the Braves, Dodgers, or Yankees about Peavy,...   Continue Reading

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Braves Moving On From Peavy

4:26pm: Ken Rosenthal says the Cubs remain interested in Peavy; they intend to add one starting pitcher. Ryan Dempster is another possibility, and Randy Johnson is also on the radar. 4:14pm: Much ink has been spilled on the possibility of the Braves acquiring Jake Peavy, but GM Frank Wren tabled that idea today. Wren has notified the Padres he's moving on to other pitchers to fill his rotation. A.J. Burnett, Derek Lowe, and Ryan Dempster are known to be targets.   Continue Reading

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Burnett, Braves Have Mutual Interest

According to MLB.com's Mark Bowman, the Braves and A.J. Burnett have mutual interest. Preliminary talks have taken place. Burnett's agent, Darek Braunecker, downplayed the idea that Burnett strongly desires to play closer to home. The Braves also like Derek Lowe and Ryan Dempster. They could try to sign two of the three if a Jake Peavy deal cannot be hammered out. Burnett has a four-year, $54MM offer from the Blue Jays to shop around. The Yankees should make an offer soon.   Continue Reading

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Jays' Plans Start With Burnett

According to Richard Griffin of the Toronto Star, the Blue Jays have a four-year, $54MM offer ready for A.J. Burnett. They'll apparently leave that proposal out there, let Burnett shop it around, and wait until the situation is resolved before moving on to other free agent pitchers. Surely Burnett can top $13.5MM a year. Griffin says Ryan Dempster (Canadian!) and Derek Lowe could be targets if Burnett signs elsewhere, assuming they are still on the market. Jeff Blair wrote yesterday that Brad Penny is also on the radar.   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Holliday, Takahashi, Lincecum

Links for Wednesday... Richard Justice says the Astros should offer Andy Pettitte $7-8MM to come back. Joe Christensen doesn't see Huston Street landing in Minnesota. Larry Beinfest dismissed a "cyberspace rumor" that the Marlins are planning a run at Manny Ramirez. Gordon Wittenmyer says the Cubs could fit both Jake Peavy and Ryan Dempster into the payroll, and that the Peavy situation will be resolved first. Today is the deadline for MLB.com's Free Agent Frenzy. You have until 4pm CST to submit your picks for 15 free agents. Here are my predictions from November 3rd...I would change the Furcal and...   Continue Reading

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