Ryan Dempster Wont Pitch In 2014

[Johnnydollaz89]

Ryan Dempster won't pitch for the Red Sox in 2014 due to physical reasons and a desire to spend more time with his kids, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. The Red Sox are expected to place the veteran on the restricted list, meaning that Dempster will not receive his $13.25MM salary in 2014, according to Rosenthal (link).

“I don’t feel like I am capable of performing to the ability and standard that I am accustomed to. 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," said the 36-year-old (via Twitter links). "The time is right. I’m not saying retirement but I definitely won’t be playing this season."

Dempster's decision could have quite the reverb effect for the Red Sox. If they place him on the restricted list as expected, the club will now have an additional $13.25MM of breathing room with regards to the luxury tax which would free them up to spend elsewhere. While many of this offseason's top free agent draws are off the board, this development could pave the way for Stephen Drew to return to Boston.

The news also means that the Red Sox no longer have a surplus of starting pitching to work with. There was some speculation that Boston would entertain the idea of dealing one of their starters for help in another area but that no longer appears to be a viable option.

In 2013, Dempster posted a 4.57 ERA with 8.2 K/9 and 4.1 BB/9 in 29 starts and three relief appearances. For his career, Dempster owns a 4.35 ERA with 7.8 K/9 and 4.0 BB/9.

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I would imagine this was a tough decision for him to make.

 

[Chef99]

That's ok, he didn't pitch in 2013, either. :rollseyes:

 

[Nyfan1980]

I'm glad it took until now for him to decide this. The Red Sox may have gotten in on Tanaka if he decided earlier. Maybe they go out and sign Jimenez or Santana? Or just go with Felix Doubront.

 

[soxfan1468927]

I'm glad it took until now for him to decide this. The Red Sox may have gotten in on Tanaka if he decided earlier. Maybe they go out and sign Jimenez or Santana? Or just go with Felix Doubront.

Red Sox weren't exactly relying on Dempster to be a mainstay in the rotation. Lester, Buccholz, Lackey, Peavy, and a combination of Doubront, Workman, and Webster

 

[Nyfan1980]

Red Sox weren't exactly relying on Dempster to be a mainstay in the rotation. Lester, Buccholz, Lackey, Peavy, and a combination of Doubront, Workman, and Webster

Yeah but they were paying him $13 mil this season. That is money now free.


Dempster's decision is kind of weird, because he could just tank the season and still make $13 mil. Instead he chose the only way he could lose that money.

 

[fordman84]

Screw Dumpster.

 

[molsaniceman]

Yeah but they were paying him $13 mil this season. That is money now free.


Dempster's decision is kind of weird, because he could just tank the season and still make $13 mil. Instead he chose the only way he could lose that money.

A player doing the right thing What a novelty in pro sports

Ryan Dempster said Sunday that neck issues which have become tougher to deal with factored into his decision not to pitch in 2014.
Dempster has also cited wanting to spend more time with his family as a reason not to pitch this season. The 36-year-old hasn't ruled out the possibility of returning in 2015. The Red Sox will place Dempster on the restricted list, which means they won't have to pay him his $13.25 million salary.

 

[anotheridiot]

See what happens when you throw him in the bullpen in october? He waits til its time to report before saying he wont be playing.

 

[HammerDown]

It would be tough not to just show up and go through the motions in order to collect the $13.25M. Good for him for doing the right thing.

 

[packerzrule]

was that his retirement speech???

 

[navamind]

Ryan Dempster, Red Sox pitcher who beaned Alex Rodriguez, won't play in 2014 | NJ.com

it kind of annoys me to see Dempster known as "the guy who beaned A-Rod." Not that I like him, but he's a little more than that. He's had a nice career.