Ryan Dempster

[inari]

Am I the only one that didn't realize how solid his numbers were this year?

 

1.305 WHIP

3.64 ERA

31 GS

200 IP

172:65 K:BB

 

He wasn't what he was last year, but I've heard people here talk about Ryan Dempster as one of the villains of 2009, particularly in the context of who gets booed at Wrigley. If he puts up numbers like this year throughout his contract, how could we seriously complain?

[jersey cubs fan]

Am I the only one that didn't realize how solid his numbers were this year?

 

1.305 WHIP

3.64 ERA

31 GS

200 IP

172:65 K:BB

 

He wasn't what he was last year, but I've heard people here talk about Ryan Dempster as one of the villains of 2009, particularly in the context of who gets booed at Wrigley. If he puts up numbers like this year throughout his contract, how could we seriously complain?

 

 

He and Zambrano were both better than people give them credit for. And they both took an inordinate amount of blame for the struggles of the season.

[A-Cal]

admittedly, i didn't read every thread or thought on this board during the course of this past season. but, i don't remember Dempster or Z getting blamed for this season...

 

:confused:

[biittner77]

How do those numbers compare to Lilly who seems to be the media darling?

 

edit: not as good. Except for games started Lilly had a whip of 1.05 and an era+ of 141. It's a shame to waste such a good season.

[CubColtPacer]

How do those numbers compare to Lilly who seems to be the media darling?

 

Their strikeout rates were the same. Lilly was much better at not walking people (although neither were bad) and Lilly allowed less hits so his WHIP was much better. His ERA reflected that (over half a point difference). Dempster did have the advantage in HR rate as is expected.

 

The thing that really impressed me about Dempster this year is his walk rate. He had easily the lowest walk rate of his career in 2008 which helped his career year (along with his hit rate being one of the best of his career which was probably a little bit of luck). This year the hit rate regressed as expected but he actually got his BB rate under 3 which is impressive for a pitcher like him. If he keeps that walk rate there, the Cubs will definitely get more than 52 million of value from him over his 4 year deal (if he even stays 4 years as I believe he has a player option after 3).

[davell]

Dempster had a pretty damn solid season. Lilly had a damn good season and Z was about what you'd expect him to be. You could say we have 3 solid number 2 starters basically, going into next year, with Wells being a true wildcard. And Marshall or Gorzellany can be a decent enough number 5. I still wish we had an ace though.

[TruffleShuffle]

still not a fan of his contract but yeah, he was fine.

[Tim M]

I think some people just used Dempster as an excuse to bash Hendry. I guess they didn't realize Dempster had a pretty good year.

[dew1679666265]

Am I the only one that didn't realize how solid his numbers were this year?

 

1.305 WHIP

3.64 ERA

31 GS

200 IP

172:65 K:BB

 

He wasn't what he was last year, but I've heard people here talk about Ryan Dempster as one of the villains of 2009, particularly in the context of who gets booed at Wrigley. If he puts up numbers like this year throughout his contract, how could we seriously complain?

 

His peripherals were always good this year, even when his ERA wasn't that special. I tend to think some people got bothered by a poor ERA early in the year.

 

I'm pretty happy with the season Dempster had.

[Grit amp Heart]

Ryan Dempster didn't perform great until after he got lit up in April. It took awhile for his ERA to go down, but from May 1st on he was a front-half pitcher.

 

The Cubs pitchers aren't the reason that we didn't make the playoffs. The Cubs allowed 672 runs this year, compared to 671 last season. Scoring 150 fewer runs than we did last season had more to do with it. Our pitching was fine. Bullpen included. We lost because of Alfonso Soriano and Geovany Soto - much more so than our bullpen, Aramis' injury or anything else. The #3 reason was probably Mike Fontenot. Regardless, the Cubs were in first place in August.

[UMFan83]

He would never admit it, and it's quite a convenient excuse, but Dempster seemed to have pitched better after the issues with his daughter got much less serious.

[shnsajax]

still not a fan of his contract but yeah, he was fine.

 

Thus the reason a lot of people were not happy with him.

[Cubswin11]

still not a fan of his contract but yeah, he was fine.

 

Thus the reason a lot of people were not happy with him.

He only had 11 Wins. ;)

[Abe Frohman]

I expected at least 15 wins out of Zambrano. For his salary, that is the bare minimum that should be expected.

[NCCubFan]

I didn't expect Dempster to repeat his 2008 season, but this year was better than I was expecting. I think it eases concerns that he was a one-year wonder, because this year was better than his previous career norms as a starter (going by recollection as opposed to actually looking up the numbers). It was a good enough season to make me think he's developed into a legitimate solid #2 starter, and I'll happily take that going forward.

[cubsfan26]

He would never admit it, and it's quite a convenient excuse, but Dempster seemed to have pitched better after the issues with his daughter got much less serious.

 

 

Yeah I think that had alot to do with his struggles early in the season. Because over his last 26 starts, he did have a 3.34 era. As for his contract I know not everybody loves it. But if he pitches anywere close to the way he did this year he's by far worth the money. Plus when you look at what all the top free agent pitchers that signed big deals last offseason. Dempster contract has to be up there with one of the best signings right now. I'm sure the Braves(who were hot after Dempster) would love to have Dempster over Derek Lowe right now.

[17 Seconds]

I predicted an ERA in the high 3's and a WHIP around 1.30, so I was satisfied with the season he had. He cut down his walks even more than last year too, so that was good. Didn't his K/BB end up somewhere in the 2.5-3 range? Pretty solid.

[inari]

I expected at least 15 wins out of Zambrano. For his salary, that is the bare minimum that should be expected.

 

 

Er...

[Soul]

I didn't realize some people were trying to make him out to be a "villain."

 

That seems silly to me.

[Tyrant]

I expected at least 15 wins out of Zambrano. For his salary, that is the bare minimum that should be expected.

 

 

Er...

 

sarcasm

[brinoch]

The problem was with the offense.

[nolanwood]

I was very pleased with the season Dempster had - I expected a regression and he put up another solid season. =D>

[PackLandVA]

Could Demp's slow start be attributed to some off field issues concerning the health of his child.

[dew1679666265]

Could Demp's slow start be attributed to some off field issues concerning the health of his child.

 

He really only had two bad months this year. His April wasn't particularly good (5.40 ERA, 1.433 WHIP) and his July was bad (6.17 ERA, 1.629 WHIP), but that was only 7 of his starts. His June WHIP was also a bit high, but otherwise, he was very good.

 

His peripherals in April were pretty good as well, a nearly 2:1 K:BB and less than 1 hit per inning pitched. I tend to think it was at least partially bad luck in April.