Red Sox Dempster steps back...not playing in 2014

Die hard Cub fan here...always respected him and how hard he worked.  If he needs to do this for his health and family...who can blame him.  He has plenty of $.  Sad to see him step away.

Funny guy in terms of personality but enigmatic player. Brought in by the Rangers a couple of years ago for pennant drive, never seemed to have that extra gear for clutch performing. More of a damage control manager than a guy dictating ball games. Struck me as a guy who maybe preferred to pitch in less competitive scenarios maybe. Not as familiar with the earlier part of his career though. Had a very respectable big league career if this ends up being it for him. 

Has my respect - x10!  

Many of the players seemed shocked. This means he's an integral part of the locker room and team chemistry. The Sox seem to have enough leaders. I value Dempster's cap money more than what he would have brought to the field. 

Had Drew signed with the Sox I was expecting a Dempster and Middlebrooks trade for some asset. The Sox have a potential stud third baseman in Garin Cecchini in AAA this year.

If Middlebrooks goes can we get Jenny Dell back?

Middlebrooks needs to step up in a big way this year.  If he didn't feel pressure to perform before,  he will now.  Sox made a move for him by not signing fan favorite Youkilis recently.  He's come up through their org which tells me the Sox are being somewhat patient and standing by their man for now, but everybody has a price on their head....it is a business.  I saw him have a great day in Portland a few years ago, but AA ain't MLB.

My MLB subscription is in jeopardy if Jenny isn't back with NESN, and I suspect I'm not alone.  I'm going to miss that hard hitting journalism.  Somebody has to ask the tough questions!  

For the record, I'm having a tough time with the Stephen Drew saga.  I thought he had a great year at SS.  The Red Sox go through SS's like Imelda Marcos goes through shoes.  If it ain't broke, don't fix it.  Drew was money at SS last year, and I think the Red Sox are building for the future too quickly and trying to save a buck all at the same time.  I don't like the move.  It isn't necessarily about Boegarts.  It is more about Middlebrooks than anything.  I felt more comfortable with Drew at SS and Boegarts at 3rd, but that is just me.

A tip of the cap to Ryan Dempster.  I hope he and his family are okay.  As a human being, I have a lot of respect for him.   As a Red Sox starter I don't think it would have worked out too well this year, and I'd rather see him walk away with a World Series ring than struggle.  He was a very popular guy in the Red Sox dugout, and all the other dugouts he's been in.  He has a reputation for keeping it light in the dugout, and practical jokes.   His presence and leadership will be missed.

It may just be posturing. But in the Herald today it said the Sox are close to closing the door on Drew returning. A couple of days ago it said Bogaerts is only working out at short.

If Middlebrooks can replicate his first six hundred at bats over one season he's at .250-30-100. I think most fans would be happy with that batting sixth or seventh.

Also, it was mentioned getting Dempster's salary back for the tax cap would allow the Sox to fit Cliff Lee into their salary structure at mid season when the Phillies are out of the race and don't need a mid 30s pitcher with a high salary.

RJM...the Phils are saying last year was a fluke and they are now competitive with Howard back in the saddle.

Sad to see Demp go. He battled with less than great stuff. all. year. Nibbled his way to a World Series victory.

I wouldn't call back to back poor seasons and a bunch of old players getting injured a fluke. Amaro is delusional. All my Phillies fans friends and my kids aren't happy with the Phillies right now.

Dempster just gave up $13.5m on principal. For me that says a lot.

1.) He has a huge amount of integrity

2.) His wife isn't good at math

3.) His agent isn't very influencial

4.) He has a huge amount of integrity 

Dempster will just have to get by on the 90M he's made so far in his career.

I've often wondered how Amaro keeps his job.  He needs to try taking the "George Castanza approach" and do everything the opposite of his first thought.   He clearly made Charlie Manuel the scapegoat for his previous baseball moves (he like to sign or re-sign old guys or guys at the peak of their value...), despite Manuel keeping them respectable.   

Originally Posted by JMoff:

I wonder how many of us, would have walked away from $13.5M?  Very, very few is my guess.

Two words... Bobby Abreu. I guess Ruben brought him in to make the rest of the roster look and feel younger.