Dempster re-signs with Cubs

Finally some good news for the Cubs fans…Great job Cubs management to get this deal done, now I do not have to worry as much for next season..
SportsGeeks

Dempster re-signs with Cubs | cubs.com: News

The Cubs and All-Star Ryan Dempster agreed on Tuesday to a four-year contract.

Published reports said the new contract is worth at least $52 million. The signing secures the free agent right-hander’s services through 2012.

Dempster, 31, went 17-6 with a 2.96 ERA for Chicago last season after returning to the rotation on a full-time basis for the first time since 2002, and after saving 85 games for the Cubs from 2005-07. He finished in the top seven in the National League in wins, ERA and strikeouts and made the All-Star team for the first time since 2000.

He set a career high and tied for third in the National League in wins, ranked fourth in the league in ERA and was third with a .227 batting average against. He also allowed only 14 home runs in 206 2/3 innings and turned in 21 quality starts, tied with Ted Lilly for most on the team.

Dempster began last season 10-0 at Wrigley Field, the first Cubs pitcher to do so since Rick Reuschel in 1977. Dempster finished the campaign 14-3 at Wrigley, the most home victories by a Cubs pitcher since Fergie Jenkins won a franchise-record 15 home games in 1967.

The Cubs went 22-11 in his starts, a .667 winning percentage, and Dempster ranked fourth in the league with a .769 winning percentage.

Dempster remains in a Cubs rotation that includes holdovers Carlos Zambrano, Lilly and Rich Harden. The Cubs have also had discussions with San Diego regarding a possible trade involving right-hander and 2007 National League Cy Young Award winner Jake Peavy.

Dempster is 76-81 with 87 saves and a 4.55 ERA in parts of 11 Major League seasons. Since joining Chicago prior to the 2004 season, he is 26-26 with 87 saves and a 3.59 ERA. He was an NL All-Star while with the Marlins in 2000.