Nov 18, 2008 12:27 pm US/Central
Cubs, Dempster Sign 4-Year, $52 Million Deal
CHICAGO (AP) ―
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Pitcher Ryan Dempster gets doused in the Cubs' clubhouse in Cincinnati when the Cubs won the NL Central Division in 2007.
CBS
Pitcher Ryan Dempster and the Chicago Cubs agreed Tuesday on a $52 million, four-year contract that includes a player option to 2012.
He gets a $4 million signing bonus, $8 million next year, $12.5 million in 2010 and $13.5 million in 2011. Dempster has a 2012 option for $14 million.
Dempster was 17-6 with a 2.96 ERA for the Cubs last season, then became a free agent after making the switch from the closer to starter.
As the Cubs' closer from 2005-07, he saved 87 games in 102 chances. But after earning a spot in the rotation during spring training, Dempster returned to the starter's role he held with the Marlins and Reds from 1998-2003.
Dempster was 14-3 at Wrigley Field during the regular season after starting 10-0 on the Cubs' home field. But Wrigley was also the site of one of his worst performances when he struggled in the playoff opener against the Dodgers.
Dempster threw 109 pitches in just 4 2-3 innings, giving up four runs and four hits while matching a career high seven walks. He gave up a grand slam to James Loney in the Cubs 7-2 loss and Chicago -- which had the NL's best record -- was swept out of the playoff in the first round for the second straight season.
On the first day of spring training last February, it was Dempster who said he thought the Cubs would win the World Series. But instead, they still haven't won one since 1908. Now he'll get another chance to help the Cubs end their long drought.
Last week, the Cubs traded for Florida reliever Kevin Gregg and said goodbye to free agent Kerry Wood. General manager Jim Hendry said the Cubs couldn't give him the long-term deal he deserved because they had more important priorities.
And one of those top priorities was re-signing Dempster.
Chicago also has explored acquiring San Diego ace Jake Peavy.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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