Report: Dempster agrees to terms on 11/18

[Bote McBoteface]

I'm pretty happy we signed Dempster. Its a pretty reasonable contract, and although I doubt he'll ever perform as well as he did last season, he's always had great stuff...as long as he controls it he should be above average at the very least.

 

That was a long sentence.

 

 

Now let's get rid of Marquis and find a way to trade for Peavy or something.

[Derwood]

if Hendry backloads this deal (as he usually does), it's going to be an UGLY contract in about 2 years

[bukie]

Thank goodness the Cubs were able to retain a big part of what made them winners last year: clubhouse presence.

[Clem Fandango]

If we still get Peavy, Dempster becomes our #4 or #5 (depending on is they choose to move him in front of Lilly). If Dempster can win 13-15 games with a 3.75-4.00 ERA and a 1.20-1.30 WHIP out of the #4 or #5 spot, I'll be satisfied.

 

But I think we're all being a little too harsh on his "fluke" season. I personally don't think he can put those numbers up again, but it's not like he's young and his talent is catching up with him, he's been in the league for 11 years and he did work extremely hard last offseason to prepare for starting and it paid off.

 

Maybe he really is that good and maybe he isn't, but I don't think it would be out of line to expect and ERA between 3.20-3.50

 

I have some faith in the guy, but I'll admit it's because I like him as a player and a member of the Cubs. I'm a fan of getting him back here. The money however will be an issue when we find out how he pitches next year. Based on last year, it's a bit of a steal. Who knows if it will remain that way next year?

[jersey cubs fan]

But I think we're all being a little too harsh on his "fluke" season. I personally don't think he can put those numbers up again, but it's not like he's young and his talent is catching up with him, he's been in the league for 11 years and he did work extremely hard last offseason to prepare for starting and it paid off.

 

This sentence is the exact opposite of logical. If he was young and his talent was catching up with him, the likelihood of last year being a fluke would be lowered. The fact that he is older and has been around is a negative.

[rocket]

if Hendry backloads this deal (as he usually does), it's going to be an UGLY contract in about 2 years

 

hopefully he front loads it so we have a little more flexibility in 2-3 years

[soapy]

kind of a tough spot for Hendry with Dempster. not ideal but i don't think the deal is terrible. he has a chance to be pretty good if he can be even close to what he did last year for a few more years.

 

it's a risk, but not a crazy one.

[cubsfan26]

if Hendry backloads this deal (as he usually does), it's going to be an UGLY contract in about 2 years

 

hopefully he front loads it so we have a little more flexibility in 2-3 years

 

 

 

I'm sure he will backload it, the Cubs still are going to add a RF LH bat this offseason, and possibly another starting pitcher(if they can get rid of Marquis without eating too much of the contract). Not to mention minor pieces in a LH reliever and back up catcher, but I doubt either would cost much. DeRosa and Marquis will come off the books next season(around 15m), then Lee and Lilly in 2010(25m). So I can see something like Dempster making 9m in 09, 12m in 2010, then 15m in 2011 and 16m in 2012. As long as were in win now mode, were gonna have to keep doing this. The only way to make up for it is, to get our farm system to start producing good major league players.

[Post Count Padder]

if Hendry backloads this deal (as he usually does), it's going to be an UGLY contract in about 2 years

 

hopefully he front loads it so we have a little more flexibility in 2-3 years

That's wishful thinking.

[JeffH]

The only way to make up for it is, to get our farm system to start producing good major league players.

 

That's a shame.

[Cubswin11]

if Hendry backloads this deal (as he usually does), it's going to be an UGLY contract in about 2 years

 

hopefully he front loads it so we have a little more flexibility in 2-3 years

Hopefully, I was just looking at the contracts and we have some contracts that get real pricey in a year or two Z is at nearly 18 for the next 4 years. Soriano is at 16 this year and 18 for the remainder of the contract, Ramirez is at 15.75 for the next two and then he will probably opt out after 2010, Lee is at 13 for the next two years and then likely won't be back unless he takes a pay cut, Lilly makes 12 the next two years, Kosuke is at 11.5 then 13 and 13.5 the next 3 years. Take into account Marmol is going to be getting some big pay raises within the next 2-3 years, Harden and Gregg are FA after this season (those two alone are will add another 15), Dempster just resigned for 4@52, and we will likely still sign another bat and potentially bring on Peavy. Then we have the auto renewals in Theriot, Fontenot, Soto, Pie, Guzman Hoffpauir who are only going to make more. Then we have the arbitration guys in Johnson, Gaudin, Wuertz and Cotts who will all be at or over 1 mil. We are going to have a payroll at nearly 200 mil within the next two years if we are going to field a competitive team.

[JeffH]

Official press release:

 

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20081118&content_id=3683517&vkey=pr_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

[St.Paul Cub]

But I think we're all being a little too harsh on his "fluke" season. I personally don't think he can put those numbers up again, but it's not like he's young and his talent is catching up with him, he's been in the league for 11 years and he did work extremely hard last offseason to prepare for starting and it paid off.

 

This sentence is the exact opposite of logical. If he was young and his talent was catching up with him, the likelihood of last year being a fluke would be lowered. The fact that he is older and has been around is a negative.

 

It's a gamble either way and you could argue both. I try to look at it as the last time he was a starter (before injury and being a closer) he did have a good season with the Marlins. I don't think he's going to duplicate this year, but I think he's going to be a good pitcher for us.

[Gingerballs Lives]

I am pretty excited the Dumpster shark will be back with the Cubs next year.

 

I've always thought he was best suited to be a starter and think he can keep up the good work.

 

He's got nasty stuff. As long as he stays healthy, I think he'll contribute to a lot of wins.

 

I just wish Woody was still with the team. Hopefully we can get Peavy and a RF before ST.

[JeffH]

"Obviously, we don't think there's any reason that Ryan won't continue to be a quality, quality pitcher for us."

[cubsfan26]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=Agy0WpWCaDWAEch1S7gN_UwRvLYF?slug=ap-cubs-dempster&prov=ap&type=lgns

 

 

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.

[Clem Fandango]

But I think we're all being a little too harsh on his "fluke" season. I personally don't think he can put those numbers up again, but it's not like he's young and his talent is catching up with him, he's been in the league for 11 years and he did work extremely hard last offseason to prepare for starting and it paid off.

 

This sentence is the exact opposite of logical. If he was young and his talent was catching up with him, the likelihood of last year being a fluke would be lowered. The fact that he is older and has been around is a negative.

 

Yeah, you're right. I didn't really think that sentence through.

 

But still he spent the 4 years prior to 2008 preparing himself as a reliever. When he got the word he was gonna be a starter he stepped it up and worked on every facet of his game to make sure he was as good as he could be. I mean just by watching him you could tell he changed a lot in his mechanics in 2008 than 2007. Perhaps those kinks he worked out is what allowed him to be an effective starter as opposed to the his past endeavors as a starter? I don't know, some guys don't like to change their windup or their mechanics because that's how they've always done it and they're too stubborn to do it (I vagueley recall MArk Prior being this way a few years back? I'm probably wrong though). I think Dempster realized he needed to change something in order to succeed and he ran with it and it paid off.

 

I don't know, I think he's going to be just fine. Definitely not the ace quality stuff we saw last year, but I think he'll put up numbers that would be worthy of a #2 or #3 on a normal teams staff. But if we get Peavy, he's gonna be bottom of the rotation, which means if he can put those numbers up it would be insane to think he's our #4 or #5

[CubColtPacer]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=Agy0WpWCaDWAEch1S7gN_UwRvLYF?slug=ap-cubs-dempster&prov=ap&type=lgns

 

 

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.

 

Depending on how the signing bonus is divided up (and my guess is that it will be put on the accounting books for this year, especially with the ownership change) that is a pretty even deal without too much backloading. Interesting to see that it's actually a 3 year deal with a player option for a 4th.

[C.C.]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=Agy0WpWCaDWAEch1S7gN_UwRvLYF?slug=ap-cubs-dempster&prov=ap&type=lgns

 

 

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.

 

That's spread out pretty nicely.

[Cubswin11]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=Agy0WpWCaDWAEch1S7gN_UwRvLYF?slug=ap-cubs-dempster&prov=ap&type=lgns

 

 

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.

Nice to know there is an option on the 4th year, it's potentially only a 3 year deal if he doesn't do well. Should be interesting what type of option it is team? player? vesting?

[cubsfan26]

So will the signing bonus be counted against this years payroll, if it's paid before the first of the year? Or do teams not include signing bonus with their payroll?

[cubsfan26]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=Agy0WpWCaDWAEch1S7gN_UwRvLYF?slug=ap-cubs-dempster&prov=ap&type=lgns

 

 

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.

Nice to know there is an option on the 4th year, it's potentially only a 3 year deal if he doesn't do well. Should be interesting what type of option it is team? player? vesting?

 

It's a player options, it's more protection for Dempster. If Dempster is still pitching like an ace after three years, he can opt out and still get another good contract at age 35.

 

CHICAGO (AP)—Pitcher Ryan Dempster and the Chicago Cubs agreed Tuesday on a $52 million, four-year contract that includes a player option to 2012.

Edited November 18, 2008 by cubsfan26

[mdwilla]

cubsfan26 wrote:

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=Agy0WpWCaDWAEch1S7gN_UwRvLYF?slug=ap-cubs-dempster&prov=ap&type=lgns

 

 

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.

 

 

That's spread out pretty nicely.

 

It's not as backloaded as I expected to be. Does signing bonus count against this years payroll or is spread the length of the deal? I know it's been discussed. :confused: :confused: :-k

[RynoRules]

That fourth yr looks like Dempsters option, no? If so, that could be really ugly.

[wvcbxl]

Looks to me like Hendry takes a calculated risk on Dempster; a lot depends on what kind of option that fourth year is.