Chicago Cubs

Geovany Soto, Alfonso Soriano, Kosuke Fukudome, Aramis Ramirez, Ryan Dempster, Kerry Wood and Carlos Zambrano are all 2008 NL All-Stars video.aol.com

By Matt Trueblood As the Cubs look toward 2010, General Manager Jim Hendry has to be pleased with the quartet he has assembled atop his starting rotation. In Ted Lilly, Carlos Zambrano, Ryan Dempster and Randy Wells, the Cubs have as deep a four-man staff as any in the National League, albeit not the most tale...

By shawndgoldman Let's start with the 2009 roster. The Cubs have already committed ~$122,658,333 to 10 players from 2009 plus Luis Vizciano: Alfonso Soriano, Carlos Zambrano, Aramis Ramirez, Kosuke Fukudome, Ryan Dempster, Derrek Lee, Ted Lilly, Milton Bradley, Jeff Samardzija, and Aaron Miles. Al pr...

By Kurt Of course, this might have never happened had Heilman been awarded the 5th starting gig back in the spring of '09.  Based on his Spring Training numbers, he undeniably earned a shot, but Lou played the loyalty card and tapped Sean Marshall instead.  And much as Ryan Dempster was a mediocre cl...

By AJ Walsh I told you all about how Ryan Dempster let the Cubs in strikeouts. As it turns out, he almost didn't. Rich Harden pitched 59 fewer innings, started five fewer games -- and at the end of the season, only trailed Demp by one in the strikeout category.

By TAB BAMFORD Reports out of Philadelphia Friday are that the National League Champion Phillies will not pursue an extension with Brett Myers. Myers has shown more in the last couple years in Philadelphia than Dempster had shown in Cincinnati before coming to Chicago, and could be a quality, relative...

By Al Alfonso Soriano, $19,000,000 Carlos Zambrano, $18,875,000 Aramis Ramirez, $16,500,000 Kosuke Fukudome, $14,000,000 Ryan Dempster, $13,500,000 Derrek Lee, $13,000,000 Ted Lilly, $13,000,000 That's $107,875,000 for seven players. The Cubs also owe Jeff Samardzija $1,000,000 o...

By Rob I don't need to tell any of you that Wells, physically, doesn't possess ANYTHING special whatsoever; he isn't a "stuff" guy like Zambrano and Harden, does not have Lilly's intensity, nor the brawn and strength of Dempster.  He seems to operate with his location and control, much like a ce...

By ajwalsh P.S. The answer is Ryan Dempster!!! That was when Ryan broke his toe on July 5th. He pulled a move that's known in sports circles as a "Gramatica," severely injuring himself while attempting to celebrate a recent victory. WAY TO GO, RYAN!!!

By Kurt After all -- Carlos Zambrano went on the DL for swinging a bat too hard during batting practice.  Apparently this is something that ace pitchers do not do, although he was hardly the only Cub pitcher to get hurt doing something stupid.  Ryan Dempster -- he of the 17-win 2008 season -- broke his...

By TAB BAMFORD Lackey would then move into the number two position in the rotation behind Zambrano, and would bump Lilly, Dempster and Wells down. The Cubs would then have one of the best rotations in the National League. Starters : Zambrano, Lackey, Lilly, Dempster, Wells Bullpen: Marmol, Guzman, Mars...

By Kurt So.  Ryan Dempster became the only Cub to pitch 200 innings in his final outing of the season -- he didn't toss all 200 in one go, though, but lasted 5 innings -- while striking out 10.  Dempster finishes the first of four seasons with 11 wins, 9 losses, and a 3.65 ERA.  For comparison's sake, the fi...

Does Reed Johnson deserve another year shot with the Cubs? Word has it that Lilly, Johnson, Ryan Theriot, Ryan Dempster and the now traded Mark DeRosa are a pretty “tight” group and Lilly doesn’t want to see this group split up anymore than it is already.

By Kyle The man who leads this team in innings pitched will finish off the 2009 season for us. I think Dempster learned a little something about conditioning this season, but we also have learned something about Dempster: He’s not a reliable top of the rotation pitcher.

By Tim Last night, Ryan Dempster showed he's still going strong - he threw a 9 inning shutout against the Pirates.Final score Cubs 6.No comment on the quality of players the Pirates had on the field last night.Lets just say Ryan was brilliant.Today...man if you had the day off what a day this could be.A dou...

By Tim Yeah, the fat lady ain't sung for this season yet, but I'm already thinking next year...It's gotta be better.Now Ryan Dempster, get out there and beat those awful Pirates.I've got 6 more Ron and Pat games on Emily's radio.Make 'em good ones.

By Kurt Ryan Dempster pitched a complete game shut-out last night against Pittsburgh, earning his 11th win of the season and putting him within reach of becoming the only Cubs pitcher in 2009 to throw in 200 innings.  Clownsevelt will likely have 1 more start against Arizona, and barring disaste...

Tuesday's MLB roundup: Ryan Dempster pitched a five-hitter for his third career shutout, Jeff Baker had a two-run double and the Chicago Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-0.

By Kurt Sadly, they didn't.  Dempster and Carpenter both pitched 8 innings, both allowed 8 hits, with Ryan striking out more, walking less, but unfortunately continuing in his bad habit of surrendering just a few too many homeruns in '09 -- this one to Brendan Ryan, who apparently has Dempster fi...

By Matt Trueblood For the third consecutive year, the Chicago Cubs have gotten sparkling performances out of their starting rotation. Even with injuries to each of the top four slated starters, and inconsistent play from Carlos Zambrano, Ryan Dempster and Rich Harden, the team's starters have been thei...

By TAB BAMFORD There is no reason, against the New York Mets, for the Cubs to think they needed to take Zambrano out of Sunday's game unless their patience is running thin. Piniella allowed Dempster to work through issues on Saturday. On Sunday, Zambrano did not have that leverage with his manager.

By Bob Warja Well, it is obvious that rebuilding is out of the question. Not only do Cubs fans not have an appetite for rebuilding after waiting more than a century for a World Series winner, the long-term contracts given to Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez, Carlos Zambrano, Ryan Dempster and others pr...

By Brant Brown(noreply@blogger.com) The Cubs vs. Jason Marquis. Revenge is a dish best cooked while receiving felatio. Marquis was not the aberration tonight that he has been for the brunt of the season. He walked five Cubs in six innings, including a bases loaded free pass to Ryan Dempster. HA! But Dempster wasn't exactly Cy Young...

By Ray Tannock It just simply makes sense to keep Lilly in Chicago. He produces every year. He has bettered himself since being here, and I think he will continue to do so. Dempster will be gone and Zambrano could be gone, and let’s not talk about the newest news of the Cubs being interested in Pedro Martinez.

By TAB BAMFORD Moving Harden to the pen also opens up some options for the Cubs. Rookie Randy Wells has thrown well enough to deserve a place in the Cubs' rotation, and the other top three starters the Cubs have (Dempster, Ted Lilly and Carlos Zambrano) are all good and have thrown well this season.

By Kurt The team is at a cross-roads, whether they admit it or not.  Some people may blame the immature acts of some of the players -- Carlos, Milton, Lilly, Dempster.  Others might attribute this year's woes to the mass-slumps -- Lee, Soto, Fontenot, Bradley.  Still more might call to blame the seri...

By Al Ryan Dempster has already started twice vs. St. Louis this year, getting no-decisions in a Cubs win on April 18 and a Cubs loss on April 24. He threw six innings both times. He'll need to step it up a little more tonight. Dempster will be happy to not have to face Ryan Ludwick tonight -- Ludwick is 8-f...

By vegasjs It looks like Lilly is hot, Z is getting set for another big september, Dempster has a strong arm due to his break during the season and Harden can always run off a set of wins. These guys have not given up and nor shall I. If the Cubs go 20-4 (not impossible) and Colorado plays .500 ball its a Cubs/Ro...

By Jason Game One - Carlos Zambrano vs. Roy Oswalt Game Two - Ryan Dempster vs. Wandy Rodriguez Game Three - Ted Lilly vs. Brian Moehler I'm going with the Cubs taking two of three (pick your two) against the Astros as a) I'm a Cubs fan and b) the Astros sort of blow. Go Cubs.

By hosts@cubscast.com Episode: 495 - Kevin Gregg is Named the Cubs 2009 Closer, Zambrano Dempster and Lilly Appear in Weekend Games, A Few Players on the Bubble, and We Announce a Special 500th Episode of Cubscast (March 30) - Cubscast 2009 Season Podcasts - Cubscast.com - Hosted By: Lou, Sheps & Sneetch

Cubs starter Ryan Dempster allowed three unearned runs in two innings. He yielded two hits, walked one and struck out one. JUPITER, Fla. — Brian Barton went 3-for-5 with two homers and six RBIs as the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Florida Marlins ...

Bleacher Report The front four of the Cubs’ rotation is set with Carlos Zambrano, Rich Harden, Ted Lilly and Ryan Dempster, with only Lilly a left-hander. ... Final Cubs Starting Spot Is Sean Marshall's to Lose Bleacher Report Marshall off to a good start Chicago Daily Herald

By Jim Neveau 1. Platoon Johnson and Fukudome in center Reed Johnson was a Godsend after he came over from the Blue Jays at the end of last year's spring training. He did everything the Cubs could ask of him and more, and was an integral part of a team that won 97 games. 2. Sign either Derek Lowe or Ryan Dempster

By Rob McMillin Dave says: Edge to the Cubs here. Dave says: Cubs Dave says: Cubs Ryan Dempster 17-6, 2.96 ERA, 206.2 IP, 152 ERA+ Carlos Zambrano 14-6, 3.91 ERA, 206.2 IP, 115 ERA+ Rich Harden 5-1, 1.77 ERA, 71 IP, 254 ERA+ Ted Lilly 17-9, 4.09 ERA, 204.2 IP, 110 ERA+

By neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) Rich Harden (10-2, 2.03/1.06, 5-1, 1.66/1.06) vs. Pedro Martinez (5-6, 5.50/1.55) Updated - 4:48pm C.T. - It's Official... According to a report from the Sun-Times, Lou Piniella named Ryan Dempster the Cubs' Game One starter on Thursday afternoon.

By Matt Eurich The one thing that puts Soto in the discussion with these candidates is what he has done behind the plate.  As a young catcher he has been asked to manage a pitching staff with such pitchers as Carlos Zambrano and Ted Lilly with their 15 wins as well as Ryan Dempster with his 16. As he has also help...

By Al Oh, the heck with it. There is no positive spin you can put on today's depressing 3-0 Cub shutout loss to the Astros, the first shutout loss since... the last time the Astros were in town a month ago, when they blanked the Cubs and Ryan Dempster on Tornado Siren Night, a game shortened to eight inni...

By hosts@cubscast.com Episode: 438 - Mark DeRosa's Humility Shows as the Cubs Climb 30 Games Above .500 in '08, Ryan Dempster Wins Hearts and Minds and His 15th, a Preview of September Call Ups, Jason Marquis in the Postseason, and Much More (August 25) - Cubscast 2008 Season Podcasts - Cubscast.com - Hosted By: Lo...

By hosts@cubscast.com Episode: 419 - Dissecting the Cubs Trade for Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin, Ryan Dempster Gets His 10th Win, an Interview with Jordan Stepp of Athleticscast, Down on the Farm, and More (July 9) - Cubscast 2008 Season Podcasts - Cubscast.com - Hosted By: Lou, Sheps & Sneetch

At the start of the year, hosts Joe Aiello and Brandon Rosage felt pretty comfortable giving the Mets and Tigers passes to the postseason after their big off-season acquisitions. But while Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera went walk-off Thursday for a Tigers sweep, Mets closer Billy Wagner blew...

With Cubs homer Joe Aiello out of the picture on the Thursday show, host Brandon Rosage takes his shot at both questions following a pitiful Tigers loss in Kansas City and a fourth shutout loss by San Diego — this time at the hands of Cubs starter Ryan Dempster.