Cubs Close To Re-Signing Dempster

The Chicago Cubs and Ryan Dempster are close to agreeing on a new contract for the free agent right-hander that would keep him in Cub blue. The contract is rumored to be a four-year deal that would pay Dempster around to $52 million to stay in Chicago. After an uneven three-year stint as the Cubs' closer, Dempster was moved back to the rotation this year where he experienced a renaissance, going 17-6 with a 2.96 ERA and was almost unhittable at Wrigley (14-3, 2.86 ERA). No word on how this may affect the Cubs' pursuit of either Jake Peavy (yes, please) or Randy Johnson (no, thanks).

AP Photo, David J. Phillips