Aerosmith once sang about "the same old story, same old song and dance." Now, the Chicago Cubs are paying for it.
In a deal that could be announced as early as Tuesday afternoon, the Cubs have apparently agreed to terms with surprise starter Ryan Dempster on a four year contract worth $52 million.
The 31-year-old pitcher, who previously closed for the Cubs, had waited until he could test the free agent market before deciding Chicago was his kind of town. The Cubs now have an intact front four starting pitchers—Dempster, Carlos Zambrano, Rich Harden and Ted Lilly—that finished 2008 to begin 2009.
My initial reaction is "Wow, $13 million a season for a guy who, after going 11 games over .500 in 2008, raised his career record to five games under breaking even?"
But after thinking about it, having some coffee, and digesting the idea of Dempster pitching on the North Side until he's 35 years old, my reaction changes a little.
"Wow, $13 million a season for a guy that most of Chicago wanted on the first train out of town when he was closing? $13 million for a guy that has one good season on his resume? $13 million for a guy has better timing with a good joke than a breaking ball in October? $13 million for...Ryan Dempster?"
There have been dozens of trades linked to the Cubs already this winter; there always are in November. The Cubs are a poor man's Yankees and Red Sox—media darlings with an old stadium and enormous fan base that spend a lot of money. The difference? Boston and New York have won rings in my grandfather's life time.
So now, the man who was handed the ball in Game One of the historic NLDS series against the overmatched Los Angeles Dodgers, the surprise 17-game winner from Canada with the fiery red goatee and smile to match, will be throwing for the Cubs for the next four years.
At a price tag of $13 million each.
I can't help but wonder if this signals the official end of the Jake Peavy talks on the North Side. I also wonder if Jason Marquis is still "good enough" to be the Cubs' fifth starter. With Dempster back in the fold, there isn't much space left on the bullpen bench for any more major league pitching. And, last time I checked, the people the Cubs had on the bump didn't produce in October.
Apparently Cubs' General Manager Jim Hendry doesn't own a CHANGE t-shirt like half of Chicago.
What's next for the Cubs? Rafael Furcal? A trade? Nothing at all? Hopefully something that produces a winner. And I'm not sure keeping Ryan Dempster does that on the North side of Chicago.
4 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
Ricky Butts 7 months ago
When compared to Ted Lilly's 4 year $40 million deal, I think this is fair. Also, Dempster had a good season in 2002... it was 6 years ago, but 2008 wasn't his FIRST good season...
You're pessimism is entertaining though.
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TAB BAMFORD 7 months ago
Thanks for the encouragement; I'm trying not to b**** and moan, but as a Cubs fan it's hard not to in November.
The only thing I would say comparing this to Lilly is that Unibrow Ted has two things on Dempster: he throws left handed and is making an average of $3 million a season less. If The Dumpster had signed for $40 million and not $52 I might not be so entertaining... lol...
And finally, Dempster was indeed decent in 2002. While for some, indeed most pitchers, 6 years isn't THAT long ago, when there was a major surgery and a number of seasons in the bullpen in between then and now, that's what breeds my doubt. Dempster's track record is hardly similar to that of John Smoltz, one of the very few who went from starting to the pen after surgery and came back to the rotation successfully. I would feel better if Dempster was 24 and not 31.
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Ricky Butts 7 months ago
You act like $3 million is a lot!
In a perfect world, none of these players would be making $10 million per season. That three million per season difference between the two is merely an average annual salary (MLB average salary topped 3 mil per in 2008). The difference isn't much. Would you rather give CC 140 mill for 6 years?
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TAB BAMFORD 7 months ago
Touche. Well stated. The value of a lefty has always trumped that of a right hander, though. Nobody is worth what the Yankees are offering Sabathia. I hope they lose 100 games next year.
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