Ryan Dempster's Going To Texas
By Chuck Sudo in News on Jul 31, 2012 8:50PM
Ryan Dempster is no longer a Cub, as expected. But the Chicago National League Ballclub had to do some 11th hour dealing to send him to Arlington, breathing Geovany Soto’s vapor trails all the way. Depmster was traded to the Texas Rangers for two minor league players, third baseman Christian Villanueva and pitcher Kyle Hendricks. Both Hendricks and Villanueva are currently playing Class A ball.
This is a good trade for the Rangers, on paper. Dempster was second in the National League with a 2.25 ERA, but it’s possible the move to the DH-friendly American League, with all those offensive juggernauts, may lead to an increase in his numbers.
The amazing folks at FanGraphs note that, compared to his career numbers, Dempster has been pitching out of his mind at age 35. His ERA is well below his career average of 4.21. Dempster is posting career numbers in other statistical categories. His batting average on balls in play (BABIP) this season is .279, compared to his lifetime average of .301. Dempster’s strand rate (LOB%, the percentage of runners allowed a pitcher keeps from scoring) is at 85 percent in 2012, compared to his career mark of 72.2 percent.
If the Rangers went into the deal hoping for the Dempster with the career numbers—a serviceable number three starter—then they’re getting a steal if Dempster continues to perform at his 2012 pace. But we suspect his numbers were helped a bit by the Cubs’ slow adaptation to the shifting defensive play espoused by Theo Epstein and Dale Sveum.
As for the Cubs, the past 18 hours have shown that the rebuilding plan is in full effect. You've waited 104 years, so patience is a necessity, if not a virtue.