Now, before you completely ignore this out of hand as completely rehashed material know that I have been putting this off for quite a while now--watching the team struggle along with the rest of you--considering team needs and knowing there is no quick fix. Knowing all this and everyone's preference to get younger, my considered opinion is that we should keep Ryan Dempster in Wrigley until he doesn't want to be here. He should be allowed to retire here if he so chooses. Consider our new leadership's last building situation. They took a team and got younger but at the same time kept key veterans and clubhouse guys. They were smart enough to keep key leadership within critical positions that were able to maintain a stable presence in the clubhouse. Now that Kerry has retired, Ryan should be given that opportunity especially since he still has life in his arm and an extremely high pitching IQ. I think he could be had for a reasonable contract--say a two year, with a team option for a third for 10-15. In my very humble opinion it would be a smart move to hold on to Dempster to help mold the future core of the team.