Dempster Exercises Option for 2012

[Lex L.]

I think with his age, unless a team in contention is desperate, teams aren't going to give the Cubs good pitching prospects back unless Theo can engineer a swindle-type trade.

There are teams that are desperate every year. They're called big market teams. If you were the Yankees, would you trade Brett Gardner and Joba/Burnett for Dempster and Zambrano? I think you might.

 

[Rice Cube]

There are teams that are desperate every year. They're called big market teams. If you were the Yankees, would you trade Brett Gardner and Joba/Burnett for Dempster and Zambrano? I think you might.

I don't think Brian Cashman is that stupid, but I guess you never know.

 

[Jntg4]

I'm guessing that the new brain trust assumed Dempster would pick up his option and would work around that. Garza and Dempster up top, they have to decide whether to bring Zambrano back, then see about Wells and Cashner, maybe Samardzija, maybe even give McNutt a try (assuming he's not in the compensation package) or throw money at CJ Wilson or Edwin Jackson.

Or at Yu

Spoiler

Sorry, that wasn't a type-o, I meant Darvish, not you.

 

[Lex L.]

I don't think Brian Cashman is that stupid, but I guess you never know.

Something can be done. But whatever the case, Dempster is the one who they should look to trade. He likely has more value than Zambrano at this point. 30 million for both Zambrano and Dempster is too much.

I know a lot of people like Dempster more than Zambrano and I sense this is shaping a lot of the sentiment about who the Cubs should trade. But once upon a time, Michael Barrett used to be lauded for being the face of the team and a guy who was good with the media. It was such that they would gladly talk about his 20 HRs for a catcher and ignore his horrific defense.

If I was more confident that Dempster would be a quality #3, I would be more for it. I dont think this can be assumed.

 

[Rice Cube]

Something can be done. But whatever the case, Dempster is the one who they should look to trade. He likely has more value than Zambrano at this point. 30 million for both Zambrano and Dempster is too much.

I know a lot of people like Dempster more than Zambrano and I sense this is shaping a lot of the sentiment about who the Cubs should trade. But once upon a time, Michael Barrett used to be lauded for being the face of the team and a guy who was good with the media. It was such that they would gladly talk about his 20 HRs for a catcher and ignore his horrific defense.

If I was more confident that Dempster would be a quality #3, I would be more for it. I dont think this can be assumed.

I agree that Dempster should be the one who is traded. I think we've already established that it would have been nicer if Dempster had opted out so the Cubs could save the money and snag a draft pick, but now they have to pay him the $14MM and might as well use him. It's a player option; they don't have a choice, they have to pay him. Same with Zambrano. Would it be nice to have a couple salary dump trades? Sure, but unfortunately the Angels don't have any more money :lol:

It seems like a fool's errand to pay Demp and Z to pitch somewhere else and then have to spend money on top of that to pay Mark Buehrle or CJ Wilson or whoever, but I'm guessing the guys getting paid millions to be the Cubs' new brains have a better idea of what to do that I do. If it were up to me, I'd keep both guys and ride out their contracts until July while hoping they put up crazy good numbers and then try to dump both.

 

[Lex L.]

I agree that Dempster should be the one who is traded. I think we've already established that it would have been nicer if Dempster had opted out so the Cubs could save the money and snag a draft pick, but now they have to pay him the $14MM and might as well use him. It's a player option; they don't have a choice, they have to pay him. Same with Zambrano. Would it be nice to have a couple salary dump trades? Sure, but unfortunately the Angels don't have any more money :lol:

It seems like a fool's errand to pay Demp and Z to pitch somewhere else and then have to spend money on top of that to pay Mark Buehrle or CJ Wilson or whoever, but I'm guessing the guys getting paid millions to be the Cubs' new brains have a better idea of what to do that I do. If it were up to me, I'd keep both guys and ride out their contracts until July while hoping they put up crazy good numbers and then try to dump both.

I dont think they should sign Buehrle or CJ Wilson either.

 

[X]

I'd rather sign Buehrle than CJ, honestly.

 

[Jntg4]

Buerhle hates :cubs:, Cards fan.

 

[Shawon0Meter]

I really can't see Dempster approving a trade to anybody. He seems like the type of guy who is more concerned with his personal life in Chicago as opposed to even winning a ring at this point.

 

[X]

I really can't see Dempster approving a trade to anybody. He seems like the type of guy who is more concerned with his personal life in Chicago as opposed to even winning a ring at this point.

Yeah, he seems to be a lifer...too invested personally to willingly leave. Thus why I propose an extension that lowers his salary this season.

 

[Rice Cube]

Yeah, he seems to be a lifer...too invested personally to willingly leave. Thus why I propose an extension that lowers his salary this season.

He's already exercised the option so the extension might only apply for future seasons unless he is really okay with a restructuring of the deal.

 

[nwfisch]

Dempster already reworked his deal in 08 I believe. I would think he'd be willing to do that again.

 

[Rice Cube]

Dempster already reworked his deal in 08 I believe. I would think he'd be willing to do that again.

No, he just signed a free agent contract. This is the last year of that. Before it was a small 3-year post-arbitration deal.

 

[daddies3angels]

I could see Cubs going to Demp offering him 2 yr deal with less money per year