Cubs re-ink Dempster

[bravest]

Per MLB.com

Cubs sign Dempster to extension
Converted closer inks three-year, $15.5 million deal

HOUSTON -- The Chicago Cubs got a head start on some offseason business Saturday, signing converted closer Ryan Dempster to a three-year, $15.5 million contract extension, which locks him up through 2008.

"He's been terrific," Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said in announcing the contract. "For me, he's got the whole package that you want in a guy you can win with."

Dempster, who began the year in the Cubs' rotation and made six starts, leads the National League in save percentage at .943 and has been successful in 33 of 35 opportunities.

As a closer, Dempster has posted a 1.85 ERA but a horrible 1.25 WHIP. They made this huge signing before even taking a look at the market for potential free agents, that include Billy Wagner and B.J. Ryan...

Thoughts? Keep in mind that Dempster also leads the league in save percentage with .943...

[allstarmike2k5]

Thye made the right choice signing him when the did, they might not of got him when the market rolled around

[Cerrano39]

And this is why they are the Cubs...

[bmaster]

Being a Cubs fan I've watched a lot of Dempster's work and he is not good. He walks way too many batters and got bailed out a lot this year with double plays. He'll probably end up in middle relief by the middle of next season.

[cubs128]

I'm glad that the Cubs got him back. As you said he has an awesome save percentage and with some work in the offseason he could become a lot better with his location.

[Terps]

He's decent, but I think they way overpaid.

[Jami]

Derrick Turnbow > Ryan Dempster.

[cubs128]

33/35 (Ryan Dempster's saves and oppurnities) > 39/43 (Derrick Turnbow's saves and oppurnities)

[Cerrano39]

Save Percentage is a an overrated number.

How about 1.74 ERA > 3.13. ERA. or .199 BAA > .242. Or 2.62 K/BB > 1.82. Or 15.5 P/IP > 17.1. Or .582 OPS > .663 OPS.

Whether Dempster has better "stuff" I don't know because I didn't really see either play except for Sportscenter, but Turnbow had the superior statiscal season.

[bravest]

WHIP > ERA

How about that? Dempster leads Turnbow (and possibly Ryan and Wagner as well, I don't know, being as I'm too lazy to check for sure) in your basic stat categories such as ERA, BAA, and OPS, but what really matters most now for a pitcher is his WHIP. Dempster, since being morphed into a closer, has been pretty much all Chicago can ask for right now, but not compared to the paycheck they've given him.

[Cerrano39]

Turnbow's WHIP was 1.08. Dempster's was 1.43...

[bravest]

That's what I mean... Dempster's WHIP is one of the lowest for a closer.

[Cerrano39]

1.43 is pretty high for a closer.

[bravest]

GAH. I meant to say highest.

[Cerrano39]

bravest said:

WHIP > ERA

How about that? Dempster leads Turnbow (and possibly Ryan and Wagner as well, I don't know, being as I'm too lazy to check for sure) in your basic stat categories such as ERA, BAA, and OPS, but what really matters most now for a pitcher is his WHIP. Dempster, since being morphed into a closer, has been pretty much all Chicago can ask for right now, but not compared to the paycheck they've given him.

I was also proving that Turnbow had a better season. His numbers were the greater sum.

[Centaur]

Heres a key problem with Wagner, he comes with a price tag high as the radar gun on his fastball, ok bad metaphor, but he is expensive. Now no one throws harder than he does, and his ablitly to hit the 100mph mark is increasingly rare these days. As for this Ryan guy, I don't know much about him other than his Ks per 9 innings is the second highest in the majors, (second to Brad Lidge HOU) and his other numbers seem to be good also. My guess on this is that he has a high tag also. The best closers are expensive these days, and Dempster is still young and will only get better.

[bravest]

cerrano39 said:

I was also proving that Turnbow had a better season. His numbers were the greater sum.

I'm not arguing... I'd rather make fun of the Cubs for wasting so much money on this guy, when there are going to be so many cheap closers to choose from come winter.

[Cerrano39]

I know. I think you were just reading me wrong.

[Centaur]

You keep talking about cheap closers B.J. Ryan will be expected to pick up a deal around 6M/year doubling his current salery as he becomes a big time closer. Billy Wagner already makes 9M/year, and that number probably wont come down more than 1M for his next contract.

[bravest]

Compared to what the Cubs were expected to dish out for them, it's very cheap. You look at $15 million over three years for Dempster, and put that up against what guys like Ryan and Wagner would normally get for their duties...