Dempster resigned through 2008, no options announced

by Carlos on Oct 1, 2005 3:57 PM CDT

"It's a big day for me in my career to get some security like that," Dempster said. "It's definitely a little surreal."
--Redster.

Chicago Cubs closer Ryan Dempster agreed Saturday to a $15.5 million, three-year contract extension through the 2008 season.

"Obviously, it's been one of those things that you're really happy about," Dempster said. "It shows a lot of respect for me and I have a lot of respect for the way they've handled me. I'm glad to be here for three more years. Hopefully, I can help them reach their goals and get to the World Series."

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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This is excellent news...

... and at a cost of about 1/3 of what it would have cost to sign Billy Wagner.

by Al Yellon on Oct 1, 2005 4:20 PM CDT reply actions

Yup

Wagner probably wanted 15 million for just one year.

Cubbie blue always sPaRkLeS in my eyes.

by sparkles721 on Oct 1, 2005 4:26 PM CDT up reply actions

What Wagner wants...

and what he will get are most likely two different things. Lets see what he gets.

Still a good signing by Hendry.

by mannytrillo on Oct 1, 2005 4:30 PM CDT up reply actions

I wouldn't be done signing

Dempster doesn't necessarily have to close. BJ Ryan has said the same thing. If Hendry can get Ryan, Wagner or anyone else, I'm open for that. The money is there to spend. Sure, there are other holes, but you can't never have enough bullpen arms, righties or lefties.

According to the Chicago Tribune: "The Oakland A's are 32-0 when they have scored more runs than their opponents.

by Carlos on Oct 1, 2005 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions

If Demp is not going to close...

then why give him $5+ million a year???

If they go out and get another closer than this signing was not too good as it will take away money that needs to be used to fill other holes. $5 million for a setup guy?? UGH!!!

by mannytrillo on Oct 1, 2005 4:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Right...

... the contract tells you that Dempster is definitely going to close, and that is a good thing. Now, next thing is to establish the rest of the bullpen, though I think it has been made clear that Wuertz and Novoa will be part of it, for sure.

by Al Yellon on Oct 1, 2005 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions

Yes Al...

Weurtz, Novoa and Ohman as LOOGY. then you have Williamson to try and resign cheap and hope he rebounds just like Demp did this year. Then go out and get 1-2 other good arms and the bullpen can be set.

by mannytrillo on Oct 1, 2005 4:40 PM CDT up reply actions

We aren't the ones paying, Manny

Dempster could get ten million dollars and not close but post a 2.08 season as a setup man and I could care less; it's the same thing as Wood. As long as the owners make a huge profit of the team and want to pay for good players, the team, money-wise, will be alright.

Who wouldn't want BJ Ryan closing and Ryan Dempster setting up for him?

According to the Chicago Tribune: "The Oakland A's are 32-0 when they have scored more runs than their opponents.

by Carlos on Oct 1, 2005 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions

No Carlos...

we aren't teh ones paying, but when a team has a budget, you have tyo spend your monies smartly. Throwing $10+ million at the closer and set up guy might be too much and still have money for other parts needed.

I would like Ryan and Demp setting up, but if that means we have a crap OF again and a crap bench, then no it is not good.

by mannytrillo on Oct 1, 2005 4:42 PM CDT up reply actions

The thing is that we're not the Brewers

Or a medium market team, even if this team has a budget --and a large one-- it can be expanded. I'd rather have a bench hole if I can have a Gordon-Rivera punch in the bullpen.

The balanced team doesn't exist.

According to the Chicago Tribune: "The Oakland A's are 32-0 when they have scored more runs than their opponents.

by Carlos on Oct 1, 2005 4:46 PM CDT up reply actions

Well there is the flaw....

in you thinking:

"even if this team has a budget --and a large one-- it can be expanded"

The budget just can't be expanded at a drop of a dime. MAYBE if the team is in the playoff hunt come July, then the Trib might give hendry a go ahead for a few million, but that's it.

Public run company's are not run without budgets and the ability to just blow through if it does exist is not realistic.

This is not the yankees were 1 man owns the team and can do what he wants. there is a buisness model set up and Hendry has to stick to it or he WILL lose his job.

I know you might think the Trib should spen $200 million on a payroll, but the budget is what it is and until hendry get a free reign, he has to stick to the budget.

by mannytrillo on Oct 1, 2005 4:51 PM CDT up reply actions

Alright

I guess you're right.

According to the Chicago Tribune: "The Oakland A's are 32-0 when they have scored more runs than their opponents.

by Carlos on Oct 1, 2005 5:13 PM CDT up reply actions

Plus...

... we have seen what a weak bench can do -- i.e. nothing, and it can HURT at key moments in a ballgame.

Let's upgrade there as well.

by Al Yellon on Oct 1, 2005 5:14 PM CDT up reply actions

Hear hear

... but is there a way to upgrade the bench without depriving Murton and Cedeno of at-bats?

I look for Hendry to move early in the offseason, he regrets not trading Sosa earlier, and this is a think free agent crop.

by helen on Oct 1, 2005 5:51 PM CDT up reply actions

dempster gets 5 million to set up...

our 10 million dollar closer named wood. but only for 2006; after that the cubs will cut ties with wood altogether. williamson in 2006 will be what dempster in 2005 was: the unexpectedly cost-efficient, successful reliever. and in 2006, the back side of the pen could easily be williamson 8/dempster 9.
the other facet of this quick signing seems to me to be hendry's self-awareness that his own chestnuts are now in the fire. having one item off the radar screen before november 1 gives him more ability to get together signings and trades outside the organiztion. which is where the greatest opportunity for help lies.

by dc60123 @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Oct 1, 2005 6:18 PM CDT up reply actions

showdown, 2007

woudl be a healthy Wood versus a lucky Dempster. As soon as he wants to stop channeling Rod Beck and just finish a game I am ready.

by mike bornemann @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Oct 1, 2005 6:23 PM CDT up reply actions

Call me ignorant....

But what does "LOOGY" stand for?

by ammohawk on Oct 1, 2005 7:42 PM CDT reply actions

That would be...

Lefthanded One Out GuY

(thus, the acronym)

by Al Yellon on Oct 1, 2005 8:08 PM CDT up reply actions

Paving the way for Burnett

I think one reason Hendry got this deal done so soon was that he wants to make a run for AJ Burnett, as they are friends.

I have mixed emotions about Burnett. I like him, I think he can get past the injuries, but I don't like what he did the last week of the season. We don't need another boat-rocker.

Corey Patterson, please go be potentially good somewhere else.

by Ross on Oct 2, 2005 2:41 AM CDT reply actions

I agree....

...we have enough head and arm problems as it is. If we sign him, let's go get Milton Bradley and Jose Guillen while we're at it. Both immensely talented and both guaranteed to blow before season's end, just like Burnett.

by BeerCub on Oct 2, 2005 9:09 AM CDT up reply actions

yes and no

can you blame a guy for being emotional after losing 6 straight decisions and never getting a pat on the back? I don't.

And funny how they came out a day later and started finger pointing at Miguel Cabrera. I think I'll give AJ a pass as that teams seems incredibly dysfunctional--and now Mckeon is "reasigned" to the front office.

FLA is a train wreck.

by socalbob on Oct 3, 2005 12:06 PM CDT up reply actions

Not all trains...

the D-Train was never a wreck. He is probably going to win the Cy Young award.

Cubbie blue always sPaRkLeS in my eyes.

by sparkles721 on Oct 3, 2005 5:16 PM CDT up reply actions

this would

be like saying the Cubs '05 was not a train wreck because D Lee is going to win the Silver Slugger. I would disagree and say regardless of player awards, the goal is championships and the Cubs '05 was a disgrace a disaster or whatever adjective you would like to choose.

by socalbob on Oct 3, 2005 5:21 PM CDT up reply actions

Not what I meant...

I should've been clearer. Since you said it was a train wreck and Dontrelle's nickname is D-Train I should've said not ALL of FLA was a train wreck.

Both teams didn't have a good season. This was just a matter that you said train wreck and Willis is the D-Train. I wasn't saying the team as a whole had a good season.

Cubbie blue always sPaRkLeS in my eyes.

by sparkles721 on Oct 3, 2005 5:25 PM CDT up reply actions