Free Agent Ryan Dempster (1 Viewer)

[Sweetcan]

From By Nick Zaccardi / MLB.com:

The focus shifts to Hendry. He and assistant Randy Bush will reflect on the season this week and reconvene in two weeks for organizational meetings. Among the first decisions is how big an effort to make to re-sign top free agents Dempster and Kerry Wood.

"Obviously, you'd like to keep your good players," Hendry said. "We haven't even started the process."

Would Dempster like to return for a sixth season?

"Absolutely. I love it here," he said. "I love the city. I love playing here. Hopefully, everything works out. For right now, I'm worried about making a tee-off time somewhere."

Wow....Glad to see you shaking off your half-### post-season performance Mr. Dempster :X

We'll take him back though

Will the Cubbies re-sign him with their high payroll?

Will they sign him and/or Kerry Wood or neither?

What other ball clubs will be interested?

Thoughts?

 

[Eephus]

Dempster had a good year. Pitching is always scarce. Someone will overpay for him.

Wood is a more interesting case. Given his injury history, I wonder if any teams will offer multiple years or will he have to settle for a one-year deal like Gagne did this year in Milwaukee. Will Wood give the Cubs a discount for sticking with him during his lost years? And are the Cubs ready to hand over the closer role to Marmol?

 

[MAC_32]

Hopefully he goes to a big market team, I'd hate to see a small market team blow their payroll on a guy that likely won't live up to the demands his contract will respect.

 

[Eephus]

Hopefully he goes to a big market team, I'd hate to see a small market team blow their payroll on a guy that likely won't live up to the demands his contract will respect.

Dempster has always had good stuff, has the flexibility to pitch in a number of roles and is seems less injury prone than most 30+ year old pitchers. For whatever reason (contract year, better physical condition, something mechanical), he put it together this year. He's obviously no Sabathia or (healthy) Sheets, but I'd probably rank Dempster at the top of the second tier of FA pitchers above Burnett, Garland or Ollie Perez. It's a pretty lukewarm endorsement though. If Dempster signs a four year deal, he's likely to underperform his contract in at least two of them.

 

[Wrigley]

Cubs will re-sign both of them

Wood is interesting in that Cub nation seems to love the guy( I like him, have even had a beer with him, but he's a little to brittle for my taste).

Cub nation love of the guy will force Hendrys hand.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

For the money he's better than almost any other FA option. I'd take him.

 

[KW4523]

I want no part of Dempster. He had a career year and will be tremendously overpaid. Take that money and make a run at CC. Knowing the Cubs, they will continue to overpay, keep Dempster and be strapped for cash in a couple of years.

Wood on the other hand I think you have to keep. Marmol is likely more valuable in the setup role, and is a nice insurance policy if Wood goes down.

 

[awesomeness]

I want no part of Dempster. He had a career year and will be tremendously overpaid. Take that money and make a run at CC. Knowing the Cubs, they will continue to overpay, keep Dempster and be strapped for cash in a couple of years. Wood on the other hand I think you have to keep. Marmol is likely more valuable in the setup role, and is a nice insurance policy if Wood goes down.

There will be no making a run at CC as he is already a Yankee. All thats left now is to dot the i's and cross the t's.

 

[KW4523]

I want no part of Dempster. He had a career year and will be tremendously overpaid. Take that money and make a run at CC. Knowing the Cubs, they will continue to overpay, keep Dempster and be strapped for cash in a couple of years. Wood on the other hand I think you have to keep. Marmol is likely more valuable in the setup role, and is a nice insurance policy if Wood goes down.

There will be no making a run at CC as he is already a Yankee. All thats left now is to dot the i's and cross the t's.

That's interesting because if that's true the Brewers would have a good case for tampering.I'm sure that's not what you meant, though. While the Yankees will be players I can see a few other teams making a push as well. I've read speculation that CC wants to pitch out west (but I've heard that story before). Don't count out the Brewers in this, either. With Sheets almost certainly gone and Gagne's $10 million off the books they should be able to put together a pretty competitive offer.

 

[Oh Yes!]

dempster was nails this year (nevermind game 1). he really put it all together this year. id be pissed if he went to another team. he was also apparently the clubhouse leader. a team favorite. it would be a huge blow to the cubs if they lost dempster...

 

[KW4523]

dempster was nails this year (nevermind game 1). he really put it all together this year. id be pissed if he went to another team. he was also apparently the clubhouse leader. a team favorite. it would be a huge blow to the cubs if they lost dempster...

That's why it's called a career year. I just don't see a 31 year old who suddenly is an all-star pitcher pitcher for many years to come. See Kent Bottenfield. His production will be hard to make up, though.

 

[hooter311]

I want no part of Dempster. He had a career year and will be tremendously overpaid. Take that money and make a run at CC. Knowing the Cubs, they will continue to overpay, keep Dempster and be strapped for cash in a couple of years. Wood on the other hand I think you have to keep. Marmol is likely more valuable in the setup role, and is a nice insurance policy if Wood goes down.

There will be no making a run at CC as he is already a Yankee. All thats left now is to dot the i's and cross the t's.

I would be willing to bet against CC becoming a Yankee. Money is not enough for CC to have to deal with Yankee baseball. He has went far out of his way to show appreciation for his fans in Cleveland and Milwaukee and has proven that the game is more than just money to him. He will get paid regardless who signs him, but I don't think a few more million on top of those offers from the Yankee's will be enough to lure him in.Sheets on the other hand, has Yankee written all over him, but I think his elbow is going to need more work then what they are letting on (Tommy John).

 

[KW4523]

I want no part of Dempster. He had a career year and will be tremendously overpaid. Take that money and make a run at CC. Knowing the Cubs, they will continue to overpay, keep Dempster and be strapped for cash in a couple of years. Wood on the other hand I think you have to keep. Marmol is likely more valuable in the setup role, and is a nice insurance policy if Wood goes down.

There will be no making a run at CC as he is already a Yankee. All thats left now is to dot the i's and cross the t's.

I would be willing to bet against CC becoming a Yankee. Money is not enough for CC to have to deal with Yankee baseball. He has went far out of his way to show appreciation for his fans in Cleveland and Milwaukee and has proven that the game is more than just money to him. He will get paid regardless who signs him, but I don't think a few more million on top of those offers from the Yankee's will be enough to lure him in.Sheets on the other hand, has Yankee written all over him, but I think his elbow is going to need more work then what they are letting on (Tommy John).

Sheets is rumored to be heading to Houston.