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Tuesday, November 18th, 2008
Dempster signs, sheds light
This afternoon, the Chicago Cubs signed Ryan Dempster to a four-year contract worth $52 million. Despite stating that he intended to test the free agent market, Dempster quickly renewed with the Cubs rather than flirting with the Toronto Bluejays, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees and Mets. Each of those teams expressed some interest in luring Dempster away from Wrigley Field.
All-in-all, this is good news. The Cubs should be set with their starting rotation. He finished the 2008 season with a record of 17-6 and a 2.96 earned run average. His 17 wins surpassed his career high of 15 in 2001 while pitching for the Florida Marlins. His 2.96 ERA was also a career low. Still, I have to wonder if the 2008 Dempster was real, or if that was his career year. He managed to remain injury-free and successfully transitioned from closer to starter. In fact, he may have been the team ace.
Again, this is great news, but I am furious with a comment he made following his signing.
"I think maybe we underestimated how prepared you have to be, how ready you have to be, especially in a five-game series," Dempster said. "It's like a short heavyweight bout. Ding, the bell is ringing, you've got to go."
The Cubs underestimated how much preparation they needed before playing the Dodgers in the NLCS? Is he serious? In 2007, the Cubs were swept in the NLDS against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Apparently, that series made no impact on the team.
Ryan, will the Cubs be prepared next year? Standards have been raised on the north side. This team has already taken a 97-win season and tainted it with a lackluster postseason. Now it's been scuffed up a bit more now that I hear they weren't prepared for the playoffs.
Thanks, Ryan. Have a good rest of the off-season.
Dempster signs, sheds light
This afternoon, the Chicago Cubs signed Ryan Dempster to a four-year contract worth $52 million. Despite stating that he intended to test the free agent market, Dempster quickly renewed with the Cubs rather than flirting with the Toronto Bluejays, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees and Mets. Each of those teams expressed some interest in luring Dempster away from Wrigley Field.
All-in-all, this is good news. The Cubs should be set with their starting rotation. He finished the 2008 season with a record of 17-6 and a 2.96 earned run average. His 17 wins surpassed his career high of 15 in 2001 while pitching for the Florida Marlins. His 2.96 ERA was also a career low. Still, I have to wonder if the 2008 Dempster was real, or if that was his career year. He managed to remain injury-free and successfully transitioned from closer to starter. In fact, he may have been the team ace.
Again, this is great news, but I am furious with a comment he made following his signing.
"I think maybe we underestimated how prepared you have to be, how ready you have to be, especially in a five-game series," Dempster said. "It's like a short heavyweight bout. Ding, the bell is ringing, you've got to go."
The Cubs underestimated how much preparation they needed before playing the Dodgers in the NLCS? Is he serious? In 2007, the Cubs were swept in the NLDS against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Apparently, that series made no impact on the team.
Ryan, will the Cubs be prepared next year? Standards have been raised on the north side. This team has already taken a 97-win season and tainted it with a lackluster postseason. Now it's been scuffed up a bit more now that I hear they weren't prepared for the playoffs.
Thanks, Ryan. Have a good rest of the off-season.
1 Comment
1) I think he was just talking to hear himself talk. Believe me, Lou made them aware of how important the games were and what kind of attitude to bring.
RickMonday Thursday, November 20, 2008
RickMonday Thursday, November 20, 2008Leave a Comment
