Free Agent Signing: Cubs Bringing Dempster Back

The Chicago Cubs have resigned free agent starting pitcher Ryan Dempster. ESPN.com is reporting that the deal is worth $52 million over 4 years.

Dempster, a long time Cub, was leaning towards returning but wanted to test the market, presumably to up his price after a great year in which he won 17 games and had an ERA of just 2.96. His signing might also indicate ownership's willingness to spend money on the team, despite the fact that the storied franchise up for sale.

The Cubs are also still said to be heavily persuing a trade for Jake Peavy which would give them one of the most dominant rotations in the game parterning Peavy with Carlos Zambrano, Dempster, Ted Lilly and Rich Harden.

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