For weeks it has seemed that veteran starter Ryan Dempster is not on the Chicago Cubs’ radar. Yes, there was a meeting early in the offseason, but, unless Dempster was willing to take a significant “home-town” discount (and assuming all sides could let bygones be bygones), it didn’t seem like a 35-year-old starter looking for a three-year, big-money deal was the right fit for the Cubs.
Well, maybe the market has changed since then or something, because the Cubs are reportedly speaking with Dempster’s agent. Bruce Levine cites major league sources who tell him that the Cubs have had conversations with Dempster’s agent about a return to Chicago, and those conversations have included a discussion on years and dollars. A formal offer has not been made, though, the source said.
I was waiting for the Winter Meetings to produce a rumor that makes you go, “say whaaa?” And this is it.
Dempster is being pursued by the Royals and Brewers, among other teams, and is looking for a three-year deal. Bruce mentions a potential sticking point between the Cubs and Dempster: a no-trade clause. For reasons that should be obvious to anyone who followed The Ryan Dempster Trade Saga this Summer, Dempster is going to want some no-trade protection, while the Cubs are going to be loathe to give it to him.
Let’s see where this goes.
I’m guessing it goes nowhere due primarily to that no-trade clause.
I agree Luke. The way this FO has operated up to now certainly would indicate there’s little chance they’d sign an aging SP to a 3 year contract with any type of no trade clause. The real question is: are the Royals or Brewers willing to give him one?
Don’t give him any trade protection. Give him a jersey that says “Delgado” on the back. Dump him on July 1. Send him to the vast corners of the baseball spectrum, like the Mariners or Royals or something that makes no sense at all.
Kidding. But really.
I’d settle for a good pillorying. A week or so should do it.
trade him to Japan.
Just give him the no trade clause already!!! Go Royals!
No No No NO and NO.
You need more noooos, lots more,
Only if its an extremely Cubs friendly deal. No no-trade clause and a 1-2 year deal.
Why pay that kind of money when we are rebuilding and we have very little offense?
If anyone is pragmatic and aware of the situation as it would play out, it would be Dempster. That said, I could see room for both sides to get something they want out of a deal like this. I’m for it, if it works for both sides!
+1
I think the Cubs would be fine with a no trade clause. Maybe Dempster can end his career here in Chicago. This was talked about last year.
They would be… if he’ll take $1 million per year for three years.
3 years 24 million and I do it right now. We need a stabilizing player….not just for the rotation, but for the TEAM.
Unless this portends some grand transition to a coaching position, I don’t see the fit. I’d rather see the dollars spend elsewhere–and, as is painfully clear, there are plenty of “elsewheres.”
He could a lifetime service deal. Ricketts likes him.
Im over of what happen midseason, It would be nice to have him back but he declined a 2 year 26 million deal from the royals ,So He is most likely going to want a 3 year 39 million deal
If nobody’s willing to offer 3 years then maybe 2 for 26 (or less) in chicago sounds better than KC or anywhere else?
Jeez y’all sure do turn on a guy pretty quickly. That being said, he really doesn’t make sense for the team at his old age and impending decline.
The only way this would work is if the cubs and Dempster agree on something like a 2 year 18 million and the cubs will not trade him. Something that he is giving the front office such a deal that they let him come in and pitch to the end of his career.
It would be a little odd to stack the rotation with some other glaring holes, but that’d be a really nice rotation.
No.
ha ha. beat me to it.
No
After I heard today that he’s turned down the Royals and turned down the Brewers @ 3/13, I’d say there’s a very good chance he comes back. If he pitched halfway decent and Garza comes back healthy, I think they have an ok rotation.
Stewart at third. Bourn in center. And I think you’d have a fairly competitive team while still being able to continue building the minors.
If I can do that in a video game, the Cubs in real life can too. Right?
driving up the price for competitors (brewers)
BREAKING: Cubs are in talks with Fukudome…FML!!! LOL totally joking.
Kosuke Fukudome signed another 4yr; 48,000,000 contract. This time it was for Yen, which is $582,595.20, probably his true worth.
Just living up to our word to drive up his price in exchange for accepting the trade to the rangers.
Well played, good sir
BREAKING:
jcrasnick via Twitter
Nate Schierholtz has agreed on 1 year deal with Cubs, source says
I can’t wait for Brett’s post cherry-picking a couple peripheral stats proving what an amazing signing this is
Ouch and I thought I could be difficult on Brett. Damn.
Yikes. Thats some rough criticism…
no a bad deal. that putsroster at 39? Now for that trade
yuck. Not excited at all about that one.
I don’t know anything about him, is he really better than Ryan Sweeney? I was kind of hoping for Sweeney. I looked Schierholtz’s numbers up, but they look very blah to me. He also is unable to play center. If we were going to sign someone to move DeJeues out of right where he is defensively superior and put him in center where he is below average, I was hoping he would at least provide some offense that was more than so so. I need some talking into this
Hi,
What if they made part of the deal that Dempster would agree to go back to being a closer to extend his career? He has good in the bullpen. If he gets his three years and his money he knows it will be the last contract.
Just thinking out loud…
regards,
5412
I can see your reasoning, but he has been a very successful starter since converting back to a starter. Plus, if that were to happen, Marmol and Fujikawa would be slighty irritated.
we need some talent or the games will be 4-5 hrs long so sign him
wittenmeyer with the bucket of cold water
if the cubs sign dempster then this team would be a joke, there are better options out there then this dude at his price, dempster blew up last year and hes average at this point in his career
oh please please ryan come back so all the cubbiewubbies can be agog with you again. don’t let the door hit you in the ass. see ya charlie choker.
Escobar and Dempster. No interest in good players. Theo really hates the Cubs.
2 years for 20 mil, first year a no-trade , not the 2nd. If the cubs getDemp they will lose 92 games instead of 102