Dempster Done?

MakMan44

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So a Gil Meche situation? The Sox get out of the rest of the deal?
 

SouthernBoSox

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Maybe they had a deal in the works, informed Dempster, and he decided to retire.

Timing seems a little strange for retirement. I wish him the best. Really good dude.
 

SouthernBoSox

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He's being placed on restricted list and will not receive his $13.25 million salary per Rosenthal.
 

Dustin the Wind

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SouthernBoSox said:
Maybe they had a deal in the works, informed Dempster, and he decided to retire.
Timing seems a little strange for retirement. I wish him the best. Really good dude.
I think you're probably right. If not, very classy move from a stand up guy if he didn't think he was capable of pitching to the best of his ability this year to leave that kind of money on the table. Hopefully he'll still hang out around the team and be the strong clubhouse guy that he is.

Dempster: I dont feel like I am capable of performing to the ability and standard that I am accustomed to. I feel its in the best interest of both the club but most importantly myself to step away from playing baseball at this time. The time is right.."

https://mobile.twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal
 

radsoxfan

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Probably a good thing for the Red Sox.  I guess it depends how much you expected from Dempster this year, but given the solid minor league depth, he was not worth 13M to them.
 
They weren't going to get any prospect of note in a trade, and likely would have had to eat some salary.  Now they get his entire salary slot back for nothing.  Interested to see if they use it, and if they do, who they bring in.  
 
Obviously it opens up salary room for Drew if they want to go that route, though that of course comes with its own issues. I'm getting more and more excited to see what Xander can do at SS, I just wish I had more faith in Middlebrooks. 
 

Rasputin

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I wonder if the reporting day physical turned up a significant health problem and he just decided he wanted to go off and deal with it without trying to deal with baseball at the same time.
 

Tyrone Biggums

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I'm assuming that he would technically be in breach thus allowing the Sox to get out of his final year. It's a win win situation as I'm sure that Dempster isn't magically going to improve being a year older and it clears up the rotation. Best of luck to Dempster, went out on top.
 

Rasputin

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radsoxfan said:
Probably a good thing for the Red Sox.  I guess it depends how much you expected from Dempster this year, but given the solid minor league depth, he was not worth 13M to them.
 
They weren't going to get any prospect of note in a trade, and likely would have had to eat some salary.  Now they get his entire salary slot back for nothing.  Interested to see if they use it, and if they do, who they bring in.  
 
Obviously it opens up salary room for Drew if they want to go that route, though that of course comes with its own issues. I'm getting more and more excited to see what Xander can do at SS, I just wish I had more faith in Middlebrooks. 
 
This just in, a team source has informed Ken Rosenthal that the decision comes after Dempster mentioned signing Drew and Jake Peavy stabbed him in the eye with a spork.
 

iayork

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Rasputin said:
I wonder if the reporting day physical turned up a significant health problem and he just decided he wanted to go off and deal with it without trying to deal with baseball at the same time.
It's hard to see how the timing makes sense otherwise.  
 

mabrowndog

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So aside from the resurrection of the "Now they can re-sign Drew!!1!" horseshit, the next obvious question becomes:
 
Are the Sox now in the market for more pitching depth at a far lower price tag than Dempster carried? Or will they rely solely on their prospects and current AAAA-type starters?
 
If it's the former, here's a partial list of who's still out there (2013 club, age as of April 1):
 

Chris Capuano (LHSP, LAD, 35)
Joe Saunders (LHSP, SEA, 32)
Johan Santana (LHSP, NYM, 35)
Barry Zito (LHSP, SFG, 35)
Jeff Karstens (RHSP, PIT, 31)
Clayton Richard (LHSP, SDP, 30)
Jon Garland (RHSP, Rel by COL 6/10/2013, 34)

Jeremy Hefner (RHSP, NYM, 28)
Jair Jurrjens (RHSP, DET, 28)
Jason Marquis (RHSP, SDP, 35)
Jeff Niemann (RHSP, TBR, 31)
 
I omitted Ervin Santana and Ubaldo Jimenez for obvious reasons. What's left is a whole lotta mediocre and a metric fuckton of damaged goods.
 

Corsi

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Rasputin said:
 
This just in, a team source has informed Ken Rosenthal that the decision comes after Dempster mentioned signing Drew and Jake Peavy stabbed him in the eye with a spork.
Except Peavy said yesterday the players are hopeful Drew will be back.
 
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This is like the best possible February baseball news you can have. Hope they spend that 13 mil effectively. Infield depth would be nice.
 

Youkilis vs Wild

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Surprised to see the positive reaction in here. The silver lining is the salary, but I think we've all learned that a crowded rotation problem is not a problem at all. I had no trouble with keeping 180 of league average innings on the roster. I'm sure some of the kids can play 6th and 7th starter well, but I was very excited about the luxury of the rotation.
 
All that said, I think the "they had a trade worked out" theory is probably right, which undermines my point anyway.
 

mabrowndog

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Rotoworld has a quote up (also tweeted by Rosenthal in pieces):
 
 
"I don’t feel like I am capable of performing to the ability and standard that I am accustomed to," Dempster said. "I feel it’s in the best interest of both the club but most importantly myself to step away from playing baseball at this time. The time is right. I’m not saying retirement but I definitely won’t be playing this season." 
 

radsoxfan

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mabrowndog said:
 
 
Are the Sox now in the market for more pitching depth at a far lower price tag than Dempster carried? Or will they rely solely on their prospects and current AAAA-type starters?
 
 
Maybe they bring in a low cost vet as insurance, but I think they will start the spring with that they have, and only go that route if there are injuries.  
 
It should increase the chances that Workman gets a long look as a starter though. 
 

Corsi

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Can't find the link because I'm on my phone, but Dempster's daughter does have some sort of ailment.
 

Rasputin

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Corsi said:
Except Peavy said yesterday the players are hopeful Drew will be back.
 
Yeah, 'cause that's the important part of that joke, that it was Peavy.
 
 
mabrowndog said:
Are the Sox now in the market for more pitching depth at a far lower price tag than Dempster carried? Or will they rely solely on their prospects and current AAAA-type starters?
 
I left Ervin Santana and Ubaldo Jimenez off the list for obvious reasons. What's left is a whole lotta mediocre and a metric fuckton of damaged goods.
 
Brandon Workman, Matt Barnes, Anthony Ranaudo, Allen Webster, Rubby de la Rosa, Dalier Hinojosa, and maybe late in the season Henry Owens.
 
I'm gonna go with the young guys. 
 

Dustin the Wind

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Youkilis vs Wild said:
Surprised to see the positive reaction in here. The silver lining is the salary, but I think we've all learned that a crowded rotation problem is not a problem at all. I had no trouble with keeping 180 of league average innings on the roster. I'm sure some of the kids can play 6th and 7th starter well, but I was very excited about the luxury of the rotation.
 
All that said, I think the "they had a trade worked out" theory is probably right, which undermines my point anyway.
That might have been a factor as well for Dempster, not wanting to be a long man in the bullpen without a spot in the rotation.
 

NoXInNixon

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I'd rather they don't spend that $13M right away. Hold on to it for a while, give the team two months to see how good the kids are and who's going to stay healthy, and if one of the young pitchers steps up to be a solid #6 guy. I'm sure by June there is going to be at least one obviously spot in need of improvement.
 

NoXInNixon

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It seems likely to me that he made this decision a while ago, and informed the Red Sox a while ago, but out of privacy they didn't reveal it publicly until they had to.
 

Tyrone Biggums

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Youkilis vs Wild said:
Surprised to see the positive reaction in here. The silver lining is the salary, but I think we've all learned that a crowded rotation problem is not a problem at all. I had no trouble with keeping 180 of league average innings on the roster. I'm sure some of the kids can play 6th and 7th starter well, but I was very excited about the luxury of the rotation.
 
All that said, I think the "they had a trade worked out" theory is probably right, which undermines my point anyway.
 
 
I think it has something to do with the tremendous depth that the Sox have in the minors. Plus if need to they could go after a big rental piece at the deadline they have a ton of flexibility. They could also now afford to sign Drew if they need to. Lots of avenues that can be explored. Even that Lester extension could be announced earlier than Spring Training due to this. 
 

mabrowndog

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Corsi said:
Can't find the link because I'm on my phone, but Dempster's daughter does have some sort of ailment.
 
DiGeorge Syndrome
 
 
His second child, a daughter named Riley, was born with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, a genetic condition that can cause a wide range of health and developmental disorders.
 
Experts estimate that as many as 1 in 2,000 babies are affected by 22q, making it second only to Down syndrome in rate of occurrence. But 22q often goes undiagnosed for weeks, months, or ever at all.
 
22q can manifest itself in 180 different ways, according to the latest studies, from heart defects to hearing loss and learning disabilities. No two children are affected the same way.
 
Riley did not come home from the hospital for more than two months. She required a tube in her trachea to assist in swallowing and another for food. But she was fortunate that doctors quickly identified what she had.
 
“We were really blessed to go through what Riley went through with money and with connections and resources that a lot of people don’t have,” Dempster said. “It was always like we felt a little responsibility to help those parents and those kids.”
 
The mission of the newly minted Dempster Family Foundation became clear. For parents with children struck by a mysterious condition and health care professionals trying to make sense of it, it would soon become a beacon.
 
 
Riley was born on April 1, 2009, five days before the Cubs started their season. Dempster had to find a way to help care for his fragile newborn daughter while dealing with the travel demands that baseball brings.
 
“Sometimes the baseball field is a place to get away, but not always,” he said. “The times it was toughest, when I was struggling a little bit, I felt like maybe my emotions, I wore them on my sleeve a little bit.
 
“I kept it inside for such long time and felt like I needed to get it out, not just for myself but for the other families.”
 
More on the disorder here.
 

Lollardfish

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Corsi said:
Can't find the link because I'm on my phone, but Dempster's daughter does have some sort of ailment.
 
Dempster's daughter has DiGeorge syndrome. From this 2010 NYTimes piece:
 
His latest cause is very personal. Ryan and Jenny Dempster’s 10-month-old daughter, Riley, was born with DiGeorge syndrome, a developmental disorder caused by a defective chromosome. She requires nearly constant medical attention.
Her digestive system has been affected. Unable to swallow, Riley spends mealtime tethered to a feeding tube, while another tube in her tiny throat allows for the draining of built-up secretions that could seep into her lungs and impair breathing. It’s her only manifestation of the illness.
“It’s not totally clear why she doesn’t swallow,” said Dr. Donna McDonald-McGinn, a geneticist who studies DiGeorge syndrome at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where Riley was examined in October. “It’s not in her brain, and she doesn’t have heart issues. Riley can live with this, but it’s complicated.”
 
 
It is possible that he really does just want to spend more time with the family. Raising a child with disabilty takes a lot of focus and time.
 

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Now that Dempster's contract is being subtracted, where do the Sox stand in terms of payroll for this year?  I did a quick search for this info elsewhere on this site, but couldn't find a thread/post breaking down the payroll (although I'm sure it's around here somewhere).  
 
I don't think the Sox sign another pitcher, unless they really like a Santana or Jimenez and just didn't have the room, both in terms of the roster and financially, but that's unlikely.  I suppose a Jurjens type (insert any other name you prefer here) of signing on a minor league deal makes sense from an overall depth standpoint, but this probably just frees up a greater opportunity for the younger pitchers, as others here have pointed out.  
 

southshoresoxfan

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RedOctober3829 said:
What about Nelson Cruz on a pillow contract?
 
He was made a QO, so he would require a draft pick.  Possibly if Drew signs elsewhere they sign him, but I'm not sure with Nava and Gomes still on the roster (thought one would be gone by now) that they will forfeit a supp pick for Nelly coming off the PED suspension. 
 

benhogan

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radsoxfan said:
 
Maybe they bring in a low cost vet as insurance, but I think they will start the spring with that they have, and only go that route if there are injuries.  
 
It should increase the chances that Workman gets a long look as a starter though. 
Like the idea of going with our kids to fill in for the eventual "injuries/mid season rest needed" to the starting staff.  The only re-tread that kind of has me curious is Johan Santana, but if no one has rolled the dice on him by now he has to be in pretty horrible shape.
 
I would be inclined to make Workman the #6 pitcher, starts off at Pawtucket till we need him (side benefit of slowing down his clock). I'm guessing there are many that want him in the pen after his outstanding playoff run.
 
Then #7-10 starters would be the hottest hand out of: Renaudo, Barnes, Britton, Webster, Wright (reluctantly include him), Owens.
 

Tyrone Biggums

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benhogan said:
Like the idea of going with our kids to fill in for the eventual "injuries/mid season rest needed" to the starting staff.  The only re-tread that kind of has me curious is Johan Santana, but if no one has rolled the dice on him by now he has to be in pretty horrible shape.
 
I would be inclined to make Workman the #6 pitcher, starts off at Pawtucket till we need him (side benefit of slowing down his clock). I'm guessing there are many that want him in the pen after his outstanding playoff run.
 
Then #7-10 starters would be the hottest hand out of: Renaudo, Barnes, Britton, Webster, Wright (reluctantly include him), Owens.
 
Why reluctantly include Wright? He might actually become a solid #5 at some point. Knuckleballers are notoriously tough to predict and he only started throwing it a few years ago. Either way the Sox have the depth necessary to withstand a blow like this to their team. They'll be fine
 

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I have a lot of respect for Dempster. Leaving $13 mil on the table to spend more time with his family is a real stand-up thing to do. Not to mention admitting to yourself that you can't play at this level anymore. I'd have to think that last year was the pinnacle as far as his career goes. Part of a great team that won the world series. It can't get any better than that for him. 
 

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Might explain Ben shopping for another reliever [Madson?]

Workman starting in Pawtucket opens a spot in the pen.

Pen could look something like:

Uehara
Tazawa
Mujica
Madson?
Badenhop
Breslow
Miller
 

Mugsy's Jock

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NoXInNixon said:
I'd rather they don't spend that $13M right away. Hold on to it for a while, give the team two months to see how good the kids are and who's going to stay healthy, and if one of the young pitchers steps up to be a solid #6 guy. I'm sure by June there is going to be at least one obviously spot in need of improvement.
This is where I am. Save the dough for midsession, and figure out what you need then.

Or rip up Lester's deal, give him a chunk of this year's windfall, and lock him in for five reasonably priced years.
 

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bosockboy said:
Might explain Ben shopping for another reliever [Madson?]

Workman starting in Pawtucket opens a spot in the pen.

Pen could look something like:

Uehara
Tazawa
Mujica
Madson?
Badenhop
Breslow
Miller
 
Alex Wilson is likely to be in the mix as well.
 
 
It's sad but admirable that it had to come to this for Dempster.  Definitely have to give him credit for making the decision to walk away rather than try to play out his last year and spending a lot of it on the DL.  The guy was a consummate pro through his whole career, and is walking away as exactly that.
 

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Dempster sounds like he would rather spend more time with his sick child then spend a season battling it out for a 5th rotation spot on another pitching needy club that might have been willing to pay him a subsidized version of his contract. He won a World Series last year but wasn't even remotely considered for a Starting spot or high leverage situation when the playoffs started. If he ends up retiring I think he would say he went out on the right note.  
 
I'm sure Mr. Boras made a phone calling in regards to Mr. Drew. I still find it hard to imagine the Red Sox immediately rescuing him with his market so poor. 
 

kelpapa

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Sox and Rocks said:
Now that Dempster's contract is being subtracted, where do the Sox stand in terms of payroll for this year?  I did a quick search for this info elsewhere on this site, but couldn't find a thread/post breaking down the payroll (although I'm sure it's around here somewhere).  
 
 
Cot's has them at $148,475 if you subtract Dempster's contract out. This does not include the pre-arb players and benefits.
 

mabrowndog

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Just a reminder that tonight is the 2014 debut of Red Sox Live from Fort Myers (6 pm on NESN). This will certainly be their lead story line.
 
EDIT - Thanks, RGB.
 

Mighty Joe Young

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So how does this work in regards to his contract? Obviously they aren't paying him this year. But if he decides next year to return is he still Sox property? Does his 2014 contract get punted into 2015? There were discussions along similar lines with Lackey's 2015 option year and IIRC the outcome was something similar. Retiring for a year doesn't get you out of a contract.
 

DLew On Roids

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Corsi said:
Dempster cites disc problem in neck.
 
I would assume it's a combination of physical issues and wanting to be with his kids (especially the daughter).  He went through a divorce last year, so he might be especially sensitive to the kid thing.  One thing affects the other--he could have been working on spending kid time during the offseason and wasn't able to get his neck fixed.
 
A class move regardless--much better than signing a deal, then announcing "oh, my shoulder hurts, I won't be able to play."
 

Lose Remerswaal

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I think you're probably right. If not, very classy move from a stand up guy if he didn't think he was capable of pitching to the best of his ability this year to leave that kind of money on the table. Hopefully he'll still hang out around the team and be the strong clubhouse guy that he is.
Probably not gonna happen
 

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bosockboy said:
Might explain Ben shopping for another reliever [Madson?]

Workman starting in Pawtucket opens a spot in the pen.

Pen could look something like:

Uehara
Tazawa
Mujica
Madson?
Badenhop
Breslow
Miller
 
Seems like the last spot would have to go to a long man.  I don't see anyone there that can go more than 2 innings. 
 

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I hope he gets help from the Sox with health insurance if he is indeed stepping down to help his daughter.

He could have just gone on the DL and collected his money. It's crazy to think what he and Gil Meche (and I guess Foulke, too!) did.