Dempster close to deal with Red Sox

[Guest]

Free agent starting pitcher Ryan Dempster is close to finalizing a deal with the Red Sox, reports Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.

Dempster, 35, was 12-8 with a 3.38 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 153 strikeouts in 173 innings last season for the Cubs (16 starts) and Rangers (12 starts). Since returning to a full-time starter role in 2008, Dempster is 65-49 with a 3.74 ERA.

Though it's unlikely the Red Sox are done working on their starting pitching situation, right now it appears Dempster would join Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, John Lackey and Felix Doubront in the rotation.

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/ey...-ryan-dempster

[TheImmortalGoud]

Rotoworld

The Red Sox have signed Ryan Dempster to a two-year, $26.5 million deal, reports FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal.

It's pending a physical, which Dempster should pass. The 35-year-old righty also drew interest this offseason from the Brewers, Diamondbacks, Twins and others, but Boston seemed to take the lead pretty early on. Dempster posted a 3.38 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 153/52 K/BB ratio in 173 innings this summer between the Cubs and Rangers. He's at the tail end of his career but should do fine over the course of this new two-year deal.

[Chrispy]

[Villain]

I've always liked Dempster except for that weird way he shakes his hand/mit. Some "deception"...

[Warner2BruceTD]

I don't think i've liked a single move Boston has made this offseason.

[Guest]

I don't think i've liked a single move Boston has made this offseason.

Agreed, except for Uehara. For a team needing pitching (especially bullpen) this off-season, adding Uehara was a huge move for them. Add in his experience facing a lot of the hitters in the AL East, and I really liked it. Don't like facing him, though.

[Villain]

I don't think i've liked a single move Boston has made this offseason.

I didn't like the Gomes move because I thought he'd be perfect as a 4th OF/RH Bat off bench for the Doyers...

[Lanteri]

Pretty neutral on it. I would hate it if it was a longer term deal, but I'm okay with 2 years. Not sold on Dempster being a good pitcher in the AL, especially the AL East, but we'll see.