Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - The Chicago Cubs have apparently re-signed right-hander Ryan Dempster. The Newark-Star Ledger and the Chicago Sun-Times are reporting that the deal is for four years and is worth $52 million.
Dempster returned to the rotation on a regular basis for the first time since 2003 this past season for the Cubs and enjoyed a career year, going 17-6 with a 2.96 earned run average in 33 starts, while helping Chicago to its second straight NL Central title.
He had been the Cubs' closer the previous three seasons.
The 31-year-old hurler re-joins a rotation that already includes righties Carlos Zambrano and Rich Harden, as well as lefty Ted Lilly. Chicago has also been in talks with San Diego about acquiring former NL Cy Young Award winner Jake Peavy.
Dempster, who underwent Tommy John surgery in 2003, broke into the majors with the Florida Marlins in 1998 and has also pitched for the Cincinnati Reds. He is 76-81 lifetime with 87 saves and a 4.55 ERA in 420 games (195 starts).
