The Red Sox are inching closer to adding some much-needed pitching help.
FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reports that the Sox and free-agent pitcher Ryan Dempster are “close.” We assume, of course, that this means they are close to coming to terms on a deal.
It was reported Wednesday that the two sides were in “serious discussions” about a deal, but nothing had been finalized. Now, it appears that the two sides must have found some common ground.
That’s a change from a couple of weeks ago when the Red Sox reportedly offered Dempster a two-year deal worth $25 million or $26 million, according to reports. However, that  offer was turned down by Dempster.
The 35-year-old right-hander was said to be looking for a three-year deal, but it’s unclear at this point whether the two sides are working with the framework of a two- or a three-year deal.
This would be the first time the 15-year veteran starts a season in the American League. He pitched in the AL for the first time last season after being traded from the Cubs to the Rangers. After posting a 2.25 ERA in 16 starts with Chicago, Dempster posted a 5.09 ERA in 12 starts with the Rangers after the trade.
