Dempster's career numbers as a starter: 988.2 IP 4.99 ERA 1.57 WHIP .808 Opponent's OPS 1.11 HR/9 4.71 BB/9 9.39 H/9 There is nothing in there that gives me any faith that he'll do anything good as a starter. I agree. I also believe that given some more time, Marshall and that ridiculous K/9 will see similar results. I don't like either option, but given the increase in WARP from DeRosa to Roberts, I don't mind giving away what I believe is nothing better than what we already are trotting out there. Marshall has something else going on IMO as well. His absence late in the season has me wondering. The problem isn't Marshall, per se. It's that when somebody gets hurt or Marquis/Dempster are ineffective....the Cubs go from being able to start Marshall, who has had ML success or Gallagher, who has faced ML hitters and has a decent upside....to having to throw a lesser talented or less ready pitcher on the mound. Correct, the 2008 Chicago Cubs will use more than 5 starting pitchers throughout the season. They shouldn't be trading those who are closest to being ready to step in.