Ryan Dempster Rumors

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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Peavy Pursuit Affects Dempster, Wood

Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune writes today about how the Cubs' pursuit of Jake Peavy affects their efforts to re-sign pitchers Ryan Dempster and Kerry Wood. Sullivan believes Dempster would be less likely to give the Cubs a discount if they acquire Peavy, who is set to earn an average of $15.75MM per year. Jeff Blair, on the other hand, heard Dempster would be willing to give the Cubs a discount due to his desire to be part of a Cubs super-rotation. It seems that Dempster wants five years and $70MM. Sullivan says the Cubs offered $50MM over four...   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal's Latest: Johnson, Peavy, Dempster

Here's a look at the latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. It doesn't seem likely that Randy Johnson re-signs with the Diamondbacks, though Johnson is holding out filing for free agency until the possibility is exhausted. The D'Backs hope he will take a significant hometown discount; they have roughly $10MM to spend for Johnson and a second baseman. If a Mark Loretta type takes $2MM, will Johnson take $8MM after earning $15.1MM for a fine '08 season? The Braves are frustrated with the progress on the Jake Peavy talks, and will explore other options (especially once the free agent...   Continue Reading

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Perrotto's Latest: Free Agent Predictions

John Perrotto has his Every Given Sunday column up over at Baseball Prospectus. Perrotto offers a list of some educated guesses as to where some of the top free agents in baseball will land, with some surprises here and there. Let's take a look: Perrotto lists the Yankees loading up on starting pitching, landing C.C. Sabathia and Derek Lowe, while the Dodgers land Manny Ramirez after doubling their initial offer to four years, $100MM. Perrotto says the Nationals will land Mark Teixeira, as they could be prepared to offer Teixeira - a Maryland native - ten years, $200MM. Turning down...   Continue Reading

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Mets Rumors: Fuentes, Cordero, Delgado

5:18pm: More on the Mets: Ken Davidoff says they're shopping Aaron Heilman, Scott Schoeneweis, and Pedro Feliciano. The A's, Rays, and Rangers are fans of Heilman. The Rockies, Cardinals, Cubs, and D'Backs were also tossed into the mix by Adam Rubin, though the D'Backs haven't had recent talks. The Mets would be willing to pick up some of the $3.6MM owed to Schoeneweis next year. 4:58pm: Brian Fuentes' agent Rick Thurman calls the below rumor of an offer to the Mets a "total fabrication." 10:56am: Checking in on the Mets... Tracy Ringolsby says Brian Fuentes' agents proposed a four-year, $44MM...   Continue Reading

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Jake Peavy Rumors: Thursday

4:05pm: Ken Rosenthal has some of the names being offered by the Braves for Peavy. According to Rosenthal, the Braves are offering Yunel Escobar, either Jo-Jo Reyes or Charlie Morton and an unnamed player believed to be a top prospect. Rosenthal does not have any details on the Cubs' package but notes that it is likely to be "fluid". 4:00pm: Chris De Luca has updated his earlier piece and now says Dempster is seeking five years, $70MM. 3:03pm: Peter Abraham says that Kevin Towers has told Peavy that he will be traded and that negotiations have been narrowed to three...   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal: Cubs Want Peavy And Dempster

Ken Rosenthal is working overtime today with his second column. This time Rosenthal reports that the Cubs are willing to give Ryan Dempster a four-year deal even if they land Jake Peavy from the Padres. The club also is willing to give Dempster a four-year contract, sources say, a decision that should put them in good position to retain the free-agent right-hander. Even though the Cubs are for sale, team officials apparently believe that they can absorb the four years and $63 million remaining on Peavy's contract while committing at least $50 million to Dempster over the same term. Rosenthal...   Continue Reading

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Mets Prioritize Pitching

9:15pm: Michael Schmidt has a look at the amusing binder the Boras Corporation compiled to sell Oliver Perez. 6:31pm: Mets GM Omar Minaya commented on Manny Ramirez, indicating that he plans to invest in pitching instead. 2:34pm: The Mets expressed preliminary interest in Jon Garland and Ryan Dempster, according to Ken Davidoff. Dempster's agent made it clear that he won't be re-signing with the Cubs soon. 1:23pm: ESPN's Buster Olney wrote in his blog this morning that the Mets are probably not willing to go past three years for Francisco Rodriguez or any reliever. 10:03am: More Mets chatter from Joel...   Continue Reading

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Cubs Rumors: Dempster, Peavy, Sabathia, Hill

6:05pm: According to Ken Rosenthal, the Cubs are willing to offer Dempster a four-year contract. This helps their chances, though Dempster's agent said today "there's very little possibility he's going to sign soon with the Cubs." 9:36am: Chris De Luca of the Chicago Sun-Times has fresh Cubs rumors this morning. De Luca's sources describe the Cubs' interest in Jake Peavy as "limited." Instead, the Cubs have "deep interest" in C.C. Sabathia. De Luca also wonders if the Cubs will entertain A.J. Burnett. Dave van Dyck suggested Derek Lowe could fit. The Cubs' payroll room will depend on free agents Ryan...   Continue Reading

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Braves Rumors: Ludwick, Dempster, Francoeur

David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has been churning out rumors in the comments section of his blog. He believes the Braves are interested in Ryan Ludwick, but is not sure if they'd give up Kelly Johnson. O'Brien also suggests Rick Ankiel could be available, and that either player would interest Atlanta. O'Brien says the Cubs offered three years, $36MM to Ryan Dempster. Most folks think he'll re-sign, but the Braves have spoken to Dempster's agent. He adds that the Braves will make an offer to Mike Hampton, though Hampton will shop around and may prefer the West Coast. He's...   Continue Reading

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More Peavy: Yankees, Angels, Cubs

10:37pm: Dave van Dyck of the Chicago Tribune comments on the Cubs' interest in Peavy. There's not much new here - if the Cubs can't re-sign Ryan Dempster, they could take a crack at Peavy. Van Dyck has an unconfirmed rumor of a Cubs offer of Felix Pie, Ronny Cedeno, and others. The others would be pretty important in such a scenario. Van Dyck makes a good point in that the Cubs might have to dive into the pool of second tier free agent starters if they can't get Dempster or Peavy. 8:42pm: Padres GM Kevin Towers recently spoke to...   Continue Reading

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Dempster Will Test Open Market

Ken Rosenthal is reporting that C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Ben Sheets, and Derek Lowe have some company at the top of the list of free agent starters this offseason. Ryan Dempster will not re-sign with the Cubs before hearing what other teams have to offer: Dempster, 31, plans to test the open market, major-league sources say. He filed for free agency on Friday, and does not intend to sign with the Cubs before their exclusive negotiating period with him expires on Nov. 13. After spending three years closing games for the Cubs, Dempster was tremendous in their rotation this year,...   Continue Reading

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Cubs Rumors: Fukudome, Dempster, Wood

Let's check in on the Cubs' offseason plans. Cubs manager Lou Piniella says the Cubs will move Kosuke Fukudome to center field to platoon with Reed Johnson. This move implies Jim Edmonds won't be back. Technically Edmonds could play right field, but he also needs a platoon partner. The Cubs figure to be in the market for a lefthanded hitting right fielder. Piniella expects the team to fill their holes via trade. Brian Giles, Randy Winn, and Jeremy Hermida could fit the bill. Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald reminds fans that Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee have no-trade clauses,...   Continue Reading

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Cubs Offseason Targets

Recently I wrote a Cubs Offseason Outlook, where many reasonable acquisition targets were discussed. If the Cubs re-sign Ryan Dempster and Kerry Wood, they'll be limited by payroll unless the salaries of Jason Marquis ($9.875MM) or Derrek Lee ($13MM) are moved. Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune names his possible Cubs targets: Brian Roberts, Adam Dunn, Jeremy Hermida, Mike Jacobs, Rafael Furcal, Jake Peavy, and Brian Fuentes. Some fun names in there, many of which could only be added if payroll space is created. Dunn would be an interesting choice for a regular right fielder, while Jacobs would represent a...   Continue Reading

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Hendry Signs Four-Year Extension

7:35pm: Hendry commented on all kinds of topics to MLB.com's Carrie Muskat. He sounds a little more intent on re-signing Dempster than Wood. Hendry is not sure whether Jim Edmonds will retire, but he sees Felix Pie making the team out of spring training. Cubs chairman Crane Kenney doesn't expect any major moves that would require significant increases in payroll. Kenney said a few weeks ago that he anticipated a bump in payroll. 12:13pm: According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the Cubs have extended GM Jim Hendry's contract through the 2012 season. He can now focus on free agents Ryan Dempster...   Continue Reading

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Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Bradley, Peavy, Young

A look at what is being written around the Blogosphere... Goat Riders of the Apocalypse looks at Milton Bradley and sees a clubhouse cancer, but can't ignore his .999 OPS and wonders if he is the answer in right field for the Cubs. Pinstripes Published takes a look at the crop of free agent starting pitchers and speculates on who will sign with the Yankees, with the most likely being C.C. Sabathia, Jon Garland and Ryan Dempster. Chop-n-Change takes a look at which prospects it might take to land Jake Peavy, and wonders if a package built around RHP Tommy...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Hoyer, Denker, Manny

Links for Monday... Baseball America ranks the teams by their total draft expenditures. The Royals spent over $11MM, leading the pack. SI's Tom Verducci talked to one "club pitching expert" who considers free agent Chan Ho Park a sleeper starter for next year. MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan figures a long-term extension for Josh Hamilton will be a top priority for the Rangers this winter. Sullivan also has a note about Jake Peavy only wanting to go to an NL team, despite the recent article about Peavy being open to three AL clubs. Red Sox assistant GM Jed Hoyer turned down a...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Steinbrenner, Burnett, Sabathia

Links for Sunday, before I head out to Chipotle... Hank Steinbrenner talked to George King of the New York Post. He made it clear that he has not taken a step back in running the Yankees. Hank also mentions Mark Teixeira by name, calling him a "quality player." Ken Davidoff tries to determine if A.J. Burnett's injury-prone days are behind him, as his agent would like us to believe. Henry Schulman chatted with Dodgers GM Ned Colletti. John Shea lays odds for the C.C. Sabathia bidding. Phil Rogers campaigns for an extension for Cubs GM Jim Hendry. He wonders if...   Continue Reading

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Cubs Exercise Harden's Option

1:47pm: The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Harden does not need surgery and the Cubs exercised his $7MM option for '09. 8:34am: Some fresh notes regarding the Cubs' offseason plans... Turns out the Cubs have to decide on Rich Harden's $7MM option by midnight tonight. Even if he needs arthroscopic shoulder surgery, they're expected to exercise it. Other less likely options include declining it and going to arbitration or just non-tendering him. Unless Harden needs major surgery, he's a Cub in '09. Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald wonders whether the Cubs will buy out backup catcher Henry Blanco and re-sign...   Continue Reading

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Braves May Have $45MM To Spend

TUESDAY: Dave O'Brien rattles off a few more pitchers of interest for the Braves: Matt Cain, Ryan Dempster, and Brad Penny. MONDAY: In our Braves Offseason Outlook, we suggested the Braves might have $40MM to spend this winter even if they hold payroll steady. Instead, GM Frank Wren revealed today that payroll will increase beyond last year's $102.4MM. MLB.com's Mark Bowman estimates Wren will have $45MM to work with. As you know, the Braves intend to add two veteran starters as well as a slugging outfielder. They'll also attempt to re-sign John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, and Mike Hampton. We covered...   Continue Reading

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Heyman's Latest: Gillick, Pedro, Dempster, McLouth

Here's a look at the latest column from SI.com's Jon Heyman. Heyman is hearing "scuttlebutt" that GM Pat Gillick may not leave the Phillies after all. Theo Epstein's new deal is worth about $7MM over three years, which might be highest among GMs. Pedro Martinez's agent insists Pedro will pitch next year. In May, Martinez said he wanted to pitch two or three more years a couple days after suggesting retirement was an option. Moises Alou is undecided on 2009. Cubs GM Jim Hendry expects to re-sign Ryan Dempster after the season. Heyman says the Yankees "will likely make a...   Continue Reading

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Heyman's Latest: Bowden, Helton, Maddux, K-Rod

Let's take a look at the latest from SI.com's Jon Heyman. Despite the headline "Nats GM in trouble," Heyman says Jim Bowden has the support of his bosses. They do not blame him for Aaron Crow and are not concerned with his possible connection to the scout skimming scandal. Heyman suggests the Rockies could shop first baseman Todd Helton this winter if he demonstrates a healthy back in September. Here's the thing - if Helton was a free agent and you had to give him a three-year deal, what would you pay? $5MM a year maybe? Are the Rockies going...   Continue Reading

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Odds And Ends: Lane, Taveras, Cubs, Reyes

Round three from the MLBiverse... The Red Sox have signed former Astros outfielder Jason Lane to a minor league deal. Troy E. Renck says that Willy Taveras could be moved this winter and speculates that the Nationals might be a good fit if Lastings Milledge is moved from center field. Paul Sullivan says the Cubs are not likely to make many changes this winter with only four key free agents. One of those free agents, Ryan Dempster, said that he would prefer to stay with the Cubs. Omar Minaya says Al Reyes turned down a major league job with another...   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal's Latest: Dempster, Mora, Cameron

Ken Rosenthal has a new column up; let's take a look. Rosenthal agrees with those who considered C.C. Sabathia pitching the ninth inning Monday a needless risk. Sabathia already had thrown 112 pitches and the Brewers had a seven run lead, but he pitched the ninth to bring the total to 130. The innings shouldn't affect Sabathia's payday, but hopefully he remains healthy. Rosenthal sees a minimal chance of Ryan Dempster signing elsewhere, given his strong relationship with Cubs GM Jim Hendry. Dempster will be the Cubs' top offseason priority. I also consider Kerry Wood unlikely to leave. Add Melvin...   Continue Reading

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Perrotto's Latest: Waivers, Extensions, Garcia, Braves

John Perrotto over at Baseball Prospectus has his Every Given Sunday column up: Perrotto lists off several people which he believes are the most likely to be made available if and when they clear waivers. While the list is comprised of a lot of the usual suspects this August (Greg Maddux, Jarrod Washburn, Paul Byrd, Randy Winn), Perrotto lists some other names that we haven't seen as much: Francisco Cordero, Tyler Walker, Todd Jones, Jose Bautista, and Doug Mientkiewicz. Perrotto also says that he feels Aubrey Huff has the best chance to be traded of any impact bat available. Perrotto...   Continue Reading

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Free Agent Stock Watch: Ryan Dempster

One player whose stock has risen in '08 is Cubs starter Ryan Dempster. The 31 year-old hadn't started regularly since '03, but he currently sports a 5-1 record with a 2.35 ERA. He's earning $5.5MM in the last year of a three-year extension. Part of Dempster's success can be attributed to his .211 BABIP, lowest in the league. As a team the Cubs have a .277 BABIP, and something around there would be a more reasonable expectation moving forward. On the plus side, Dempster's 55% groundball rate ranks seventh in the NL, and it's helped him keep the ball in...   Continue Reading

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Coco Still Possibility For Cubs, White Sox

Two suitors for the affable Coco Crisp, both in the Windy City. According to Chris De Luca at the Chicago Sun Times, "The Cubs and Red Sox have had talks centering on Crisp in recent weeks, though the subject was broached by Boston, sources say, and evidently the Red Sox were not interested when the Cubs dangled outfielder Matt Murton. Talks could resume during spring training, however, depending on the Red Sox' need for starting pitching -- an area where the Cubs are expected to have some surplus with Ryan Dempster or Jason Marquis getting nudged out of the rotation."...   Continue Reading

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Cubs Sign Lieber

UPDATE, 1-16-08 at 1:18pm: The deal is for $3.5MM plus incentives. The signing looks solid to me; the Cubs needed a little depth at the back end of their rotation and the risk is very small. Lieber had also spoken to the Reds, but the Cubs were his first choice. UPDATE, 1-16-08 at 10:45am: Rosenthal confirms the signing; it's a one-year deal. He says Lieber won't have to fight for a rotation spot. That might mean Jason Marquis is headed out of town or Ryan Dempster back to the 'pen (I suppose Dempster could be dealt instead). I guess Sean..   Continue Reading

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Cubs Rumors: Fukudome, Ibanez, Dempster

The Chicago Sun-Times' Gordon Wittenmyer already has his Wednesday column up for review. Wittenmyer still thinks Kosuke Fukudome is going to be much more expensive than anyone originally thought. Could the bidding reach $40MM over three years? If the Cubs can't go Fukudome they will turn to Raul Ibanez. They might offer Sean Marshall for him. They'd only have to endure a year of Ibanez butchering right field. Jim Hendry debunked a Jeff Blair report that the Cubs want to move Ryan Dempster. The Cubs have no intention of trading Felix Pie or Sam Fuld, not that there had been..   Continue Reading

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Latest Cubs Rumors: Crawford, Crisp, Ibanez

Cubs rumors abound today. Some sensible, some not. Let's catch up. According to Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune, the Cubs want to re-sign Kerry Wood and possibly give him the closer job. Ryan Dempster could be pushed down the reliever totem pole or traded (he makes $5.5MM in the last year of his deal). Dempster has expressed a desire to start in the past, but the Cubs don't seem keen on it. UPDATE: The Cubs are keen on Dempster as a starter, as Bruce Levine of ESPN 1000 reported today that he will be switched to that role in..   Continue Reading

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Cubs Trade Speculation

What are those crazy Cubs up to now? They've got some surprising plans regarding their pitching staff. Here's the rundown: Ryan Dempster may switch back to starting, after he mentors the future closer. Dempster made six starts for the Cubs to begin 2005, four of which were quality efforts. Apparently the Cubs think his repertoire is better suited as a starter. He's due $10.5MM for 2007-08, and if he can emerge as a quality #4 type starter the contract won't look so bad. Dempster's best season came in 2000 with the Marlins, when he made the All-Star team and won..   Continue Reading

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