Report: Ryan Dempster, Red Sox Agree to Two-Year Deal Worth $26.5 Million

It’s sounding more and more likely that Ryan Dempster will pitch for the Red Sox in 2013.

FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal reports that the free-agent pitcher has agreed to a two-year deal with the Red Sox, and it’s reportedly just pending a physical at this point.

According to Rosenthal, the deal will be worth $26.5 million.

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Dempster pitched with both the Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers last season. He spent the first half of the season with the Cubs before he was traded to the Rangers at the trade deadline.

The 35-year-old posted a 5-5 record with a 2.25 ERA with the Cubs in 16 starts before making the jump to the AL. He struggled with the Rangers, despite what his 7-3 record may say. Dempster had a 5.09 ERA and a 1.435 WHIP in his 12 starts with Texas. Dempster’s strikeout rate went up after switching leagues, but his walk rate increased as well.

Until his 2008 trade to Chicago, Dempster had spent his entire career in the American League. He has a record of 11-15 to go along with a 4.63 ERA in 50 appearances (35 starts) versus AL teams in his career. He’s 0-4 with a 7.62 ERA against the Yankees in five career starts against New York.

Dempster has shown an ability to take the ball just about every five days throughout his career. He’s thrown more than 200 innings seven times in his career, but it’s also worth noting that he will turn 36 in May.