Cubs' Dempster testing free agency: report
Canadian right-hander likely to secure biggest contract of career
Could Ryan Dempster soon sport the colours of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the team that handled him in the opener of a National League Division Series en route to a three-game sweep?
The Dodgers, facing the prospect of losing Derek Lowe to free agency, could join the bidding for Dempster, a native of Gibsons, B.C.
Citing major-league sources, FOXSports.com reported Monday that Dempster plans to test the open market and won't sign with the Chicago Cubs before their exclusive negotiating period with the right-hander expires on Nov. 13.
It's believed Dempster, who topped all Cubs pitchers with a career-high 17 wins this season, could receive four-year offers. He most likely will secure the biggest contract of his career, a three-year, $15.5 million US deal.
Dempster, 31, posted a 2.96 earned-run average in 33 starts in 2008 after saving 28 games for the Cubs the previous season.
He was nearly unhittable at home this season, posting a 14-3 record in 20 starts and struck out 114 batters in 129 innings pitched. The 14 victories fell one shy of fellow Canadian Ferguson Jenkins's Cubs record, set in 1967.
But the Dodgers tagged Dempster for four runs (all earned) on four hits in 4 2/3 innings in Game 1 of the NLDS. He walked seven batters and allowed a home run to James Loney.
Dempster fashioned an ERA nearly a half-run lower at Wrigley Field (2.86) than on the road (3.13) in the regular season.
He had elbow ligament replacement (Tommy John) surgery in 2003 but has stayed relatively injury-free since, save for a strained left oblique (rib cage muscle) in 2007.