Ryan Dempster

When the 2009 MLB season comes to a close, the Chicago Cubs have announced that they will shop starting pitcher Carlos Zambrano in hopes of swinging a trade and dumping much of his monstrous contract. The question is, should the Mets be interested in the massive right-hander?

Continue reading "Cubs Say They Will Shop Zambrano"

e.  Look at this year's impending free agents who are turning in career years.  The Cubs' Ryan Dempster is having by far the best season of his career, with a 14-5 record and a 2.92 ERA.  Toronto's A.J. Burnett already has a career-high 16 wins, and he will likely utilize his opt-out clause from the two remaining years on his contract.  The Angels' closer Francisco Rodriguez already has a career-high 48 saves, and is threatening Bobby Thigpen's single-season record of 57.  Despite a slow start, the Mets' Oliver Perez, a Scott Boras client, has been one of the most consistent, and best big-game pitchers in the majors over the last two months.  Ryan Ludwick, who is currently playing on a one-year contract, has more home runs this year (31) than he had totaled prior to 2008 (28).  His 94 RBI are no slouch either, considering he only had 96 over five seasons through 2007, and his .305 batting average is far better than his previous career high of .267.  C.C. Sabathia has seen success in the past, but his off-season paycheck is increasing by the day with his 8-0 record and five complete games in nine starts for the Brewers.  Manny Ramirez stopped playing hard when contract issues arose with Boston, but he's been tearing it up for the Dodgers, hitting over .400 with more RBI than games in Los Angeles.

Continue reading "Pelfrey Goes The Distance"

his propensity for running high pitch counts early in games.  On Sunday Tim Lincecum will face Ryan Dempster at Wrigley Field, where Dempster is 10-0 this season.  Lincecum leads the majors with 126 strikeouts, and is second in the NL with a 2.66 ERA.

Continue reading "Mets Go For Seven Straight Tonight at Shea"

After another game where stranding base-runners has become a common theme, what Lou Piniella had the right words to sum up the Cubs recent slide, "Like I told my guys after the ballgame, make the other team beat you, don't just give it to them," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. "You play like that and you're going to lose quite a few of them, or most of them. Anyway, it's over with. Done."

Continue reading "Cubs lose 5-3 after having bases-loaded with 1 out"

this game is going on.  These will also be the stories throughout spring training.

 (1) Ryan Dempster's First Spring Training Start

   It is a role Dempster has not seen in a while. 

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l live up to the hype by batting .320, hitting 23 homer runs, and driving in 90. 

(4)  Ryan Dempster or Jason Marquis will be traded

  One of them has to go.  Who will it be?  That is hard to say.  After Marquis had a brilliant first half last season, he stumbled in the second half and he is now fighting for his job to stay in the rotation.  After Dempster had an inconsistent year as the Cubs closer, he was bumped from his old job and his now trying to win a spot in the rotation also.  There are two opening spots open, but it will not go to both of them.  The Cubs signed Jon Lieber to a one year deal and it was not just for him to work out in spring training.  Jon Lieber will be in the rotation no matter what.  He does not need to worry about Marquis or Dempster.  Whoever does not get the final spot in the rotation, will be traded.  They will not go to the bullpen because they are not needed there.  I see Dempster winning the spot because Lou would not have forced Dempster to switch if he was not guaranteed a spot in the rotation.

Continue reading "Carlos Zambrano Injured!!!"

urth place.  It is a season where the impossible turns into the possible.  Just listen to Ryan Dempster of the Chicago Cubs make a bold prediction, “I think we are going to win the World Series. I really do.”  Great, just what a Cubs fans need to hear, another prediction. 

Continue reading "Is this the year of Dreams? Think ..."