Ryan Dempster will not pitch in 2014

[a700hitter]

Unless he has been very stupid with his money, he should have a personal net worth of at least 40 million. If the wife gets half that's 20 million. If you can get 2% after-tax return on 18 million of it that's 360K a year without touching the principal.

This doesn't take into account lots of factors. How much did his house cost? What was the upkeep and maintenance. How much did he pay his agent and other representatives? What about vacations? Tuitions? and on and on. We have no idea what his cash flow in and out is. Maybe he has $10 million left, maybe less. That sounds like easy street to most people. A college education at a top university can cost $200,000 + for each kid. Inflation will eat away at the money over decades. He should be fine unless he is a complete idiot or his advisors cheat him or are just plain incompetent, but hey, it has been known to happen. Kareem had to play into his 40's because his agent squandered over $42 million on him. He was stone cold broke. I hate to think what that $42 million is worth in today's dollars.

 

I am not sure what he is getting out of this quitting unless he or a family member is extremely ill. Other than that, IMO it is stupidity or laziness that he can't suck it up to suit up for 1 more season for $13million.

[a700hitter]

None of these things matter. What matters is what is best for the team. Removing himself from the equation, for whatever reason(s), is what he felt is best for him and the team. I applaud him for that.

I do applaud him for that.

[lospunchados]

If under-performing is the barometer for walking away from money, he owe refunds for his last several seasons. What a jackass! If he couldn't pitch due to injury-- physically unable to perform, i might think that there is some honor in that, but then again, risks to his health were taken into consideration in valuing this guaranteed contract. I am not a union guy, but I think that this guy is a huge sucker. He just compromised his family's financial future for no good reason. As a Red Sox fan, I love that he walked away. If I was his agent, I think that I would blow him up in his car. Playing out his contract and giving the money to reputable charities would be honorable and admirable. Letting the other party to an arm's length contract out of their obligations is not admirable. It's stupid.

 

Yeah he really under performed in 2012, 3.38 era, 153 k's and 1.20 whip.

[a700hitter]

a700 in normal business sense it's dumb to walk away from 13m. But we all know professional sports is a different animal. It's a classy move to step away. I'd have way more of an issue if he showed up and half ass'd it all season to collect a check.

It is not like he has a legacy to preserve that could be compromised by a fall off in his performance. He has always been a mediocre pitcher who will be forgotten almost immediately.

[Navafan29]

Please, Dempster, replace Dell and be the new reporter.

[a700hitter]

Yeah he really under performed in 2012, 3.38 era, 153 k's and 1.20 whip.

He's had a mediocre career.

[VA Sox Fan]

a700 in normal business sense it's dumb to walk away from 13m. But we all know professional sports is a different animal. It's a classy move to step away. I'd have way more of an issue if he showed up and half ass'd it all season to collect a check.

 

YES...this ^

[VA Sox Fan]

One less stupid nickname in the upcoming season. NO MORE "Dumpster" remarks!! YAY and Thank the GODS!

[a700hitter]

YES...this ^

I don't have an issue with him quitting at all. I am happy about that. We can all agree on that being a good thing. I do call into question his mental faculties, and I do disagree that financial foolishness is classy. That's my opinion.

[a700hitter]

One less stupid nickname in the upcoming season. NO MORE "Dumpster" remarks!! YAY and Thank the GODS!

No need to use Dumpster anymore since he will not be pitching for us. It is much more appropriate to refer to him as "Dumbster".

[Bellhorn04]

I don't have an issue with him quitting at all. I am happy about that. We can all agree on that being a good thing. I do call into question his mental faculties, and I do disagree that financial foolishness is classy. That's my opinion.

 

It's not foolish if he feels mentally unable to play baseball. You don't know what his mental state is, or his personal balance sheet either.

 

And I truly believe I can change your mind on this if I re-phrase my position about 5 more times.

[Bellhorn04]

Anyway f*** Dempster and his motives. It's 13 million freed up, it's a salary dump the easy way. Let the good times roll.

[VA Sox Fan]

It's not foolish if he feels mentally unable to play baseball. You don't know what his mental state is, or his personal balance sheet either.

 

And I truly believe I can change your mind on this if I re-phrase my position about 5 more times.

 

Ha HA HA Ha!!!

[a700hitter]

It's not foolish if he feels mentally unable to play baseball. You don't know what his mental state is, or his personal balance sheet either.

 

And I truly believe I can change your mind on this if I re-phrase my position about 5 more times.

That's right so why do you keep trying? IMO, he is an idiot unless he or a loved one is dying. Period. That's my opinion. I am not the one here trying to change anyone's opinion.

[VA Sox Fan]

That's right so why do you keep trying? IMO, he is an idiot unless he or a loved one is dying. Period. That's my opinion. I am not the one here trying to change anyone's opinion.

 

He was clearly joking.

[a700hitter]

He was clearly joking.

I got that...that's why I winked.

[SoxSport]

I don't know if we have the whole story on this. Perhaps he was going to be cut. Though they wouldn't save any money there.

The ideal was for what he did--quit or retire. Then they don't have to pay him. Maybe he was telling truth--just didn't want to pitch this year, and could afford NOT to pitch. Doubt he'll come back, though, at his age.

 

You figure the FO has to be tickled about this. It changes a few things for them.

Edited February 16, 2014 by SoxSport

[a700hitter]

Dempster has cracked my list of dumbest baseball players/coaches. In no special order: Ryan Dempster, Ryan Sandberg, Buck Showalter, and Ricky Henderson (who allegedly framed an uncashed $1 million bonus check).

[a700hitter]

I don't know if we have the whole story on this. Perhaps he was going to be cut. Though they wouldn't save any money there.

The ideal was for what he did--quit or retire. Then they don't have to pay him. Maybe he was telling truth--just didn't want to pitch this year, and could afford NOT to pitch. Doubt he'll come back, though, at his age.

 

You figure the FO has to be tickled about this. It changes a few things for them.

The FO will no doubt be sharing a nice meal with top shelf liquor and rare vintage wines to celebrate this decision.

[Bellhorn04]

It's really not that much different from retiring. Some guys retire even though they know they could hang on another year or two and get paid plenty for it.

[NativeBostonian]

I don't think they should spend all of it, but they should add some depth. Try to work out minor league contracts on remaining guys like Ryan Madsen, Johan Santana, maybe even Hanrahan, Frank Francisco or Andres Torres. Stephen Drew is still out there, but more than 1/8 or 2/12 is too much.

 

I'd be fine with that. Minor League deals aren't going to hurt.

[a700hitter]

It's really not that much different from retiring. Some guys retire even though they know they could hang on another year or two and get paid plenty for it.

Still trying to convince me? Not too many walk away during the biggest paying years of their career --- just the jackasses or all time greats that don't want to ruin their legacies. No one is going to confuse Dumbster with an all time great.

[win red sox]

His daughter has DiGeorge syndrome, which is a chromosome issue. Very serious.

[Bellhorn04]

Still trying to convince me? Not too many walk away during the biggest paying years of their career --- just the jackasses or all time greats that don't want to ruin their legacies. No one is going to confuse Dumbster with an all time great.

 

Dammit, I am really coming up with some decent stuff here too.

[seabeachfred]

If I'm the Sox FO I hold on to the money, and if you have to pick up a contract during the season you have the money to do it. The Sox still have five pitchers penciled in, and two or three ready at AAA. Dempster was probably the odd man out of the six starters they had heading into spring training. I kind of want to start the season with WMB at 3B and X at SS, so I don't want them to rush to get Drew.

 

This may be a curse in disguise because it now gives Cherington the chance to sign Drew and screw up the infield going into the season. Please God, no Drew. Save the money for needed starting pitching help this season or sign one of the starters still out there. We don't need Drew and as I've said many times I don't want him. He chose to turn down a very nice QO of $14.1; let the greedy bastard go somewhere else.....and take Boras with him.

[Thunder]

Just saw the news online. Thank you Jesus!

[a700hitter]

His daughter has DiGeorge syndrome, which is a chromosome issue. Very serious.

I read about that. The child will need special care and attention her entire life which will probably quite expensive. $12 million could have helped his daughters cause and that of others who suffer from the syndrome.

[NativeBostonian]

My problem with Stephen Drew is he wants a multiyear deal. Which means, that it's going to not only clogged up SS this year, but years to come.

[seabeachfred]

Still trying to convince me? Not too many walk away during the biggest paying years of their career --- just the jackasses or all time greats that don't want to ruin their legacies. No one is going to confuse Dumbster with an all time great.

 

Bravo for you my friend......You have a point of view and you stick with it instead of meely mouthing around. Personally, I think he showed some real courage and rumor has it one of his children has some kind of illness that may be serious. Maybe something about this will come out. At any rate, please, no more talk about trading a starter. If anything I would love to sign one of those still out there even though I know it is highly unlikely

[reYoukilis]

My problem with Stephen Drew is he wants a multiyear deal. Which means, that it's going to not only clogged up SS this year, but years to come.

I dont think he'll get more than two if he signs here. Not with Cecchini in waiting. To me he would be a good buffer for the transition of the new guys. I get a sense that Farrell and Cherington want new guys but also want them to be around proven players to learn from. In the end though its no big deal, signing or not signing Drew is not going to make or break a season. Unless they sign him for 3 years or more. Then Ill be scratching my head