Brewers Won’t Go Beyond Two Years for Ryan Dempster

Sep 28, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Ryan Dempster (46) throws a pitch during the first inning of the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Rangers Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Free agent right hander Ryan Dempster is drawing strong interest from the Milwaukee Brewers, but Tom Hardricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinal says the club will not go past two years in their offer for him. Dempster is seeking a three-year commitment.

Money doesn’t appear to be the sticking point, though Jon Morosi reported that dempster is looking for a contract that will pay him similarly to the one Dan Haren got with Washington. Haren will make $13 million on his one-year contract.

The indication is that if a team comes in with a longer offer, the Brewers will essentially bow out of the bidding for the Canadian-born hurler. Dempster struggled after being dealt to the Rangers last July, but over the past five years he has pitched to a 3.74 ERA and has averaged 32 starts and 199 innings per season.

Prior to getting traded, Dempster was leading the National League in ERA at 2.25 while pitching for the Cubs. Overall in 2012, the 35-year-old was 12-8 with a 3.38 ERA.

UPDATE (3:00pm): Via Ken Rosenthal, on the Dempster market: