Ryan Dempster Signs with Red Sox

Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Boston Red Sox have come to terms with free agent right hander Ryan Dempster on a two-year, $26.5 million offer.

Sep 28, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher

(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

The 35-year-old Dempster had been holding out for a three-year deal and figured to get one once the bigger names came off the board. He had reportedly declined an offer very similar to this one from the Red Sox last week. The third year apparently wasn’t coming, so Dempster jumped in with Boston and took home an average annual value of better than $13 million per year.

Dempster struggled in the second half of the season after he was traded to the Texas Rangers. If was his first foray into the American League and he wound up with a 7-3 record, but with an ERA of 5.05. Overall, Dempster was 12-8 with a 3.38 ERA in 2012 for the Rangers and Cubs.

Dempster adds stability to a Boston rotation that had figured to include both Felix Doubront and Franklyn Morales. Instead, the 15-year veteran who has averaged 199 innings per year over the past five season will join Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz in hops of bringing the Red Sox back to prominence in the AL East.