Ryan Dempster rumors: Pitcher could be close to signing with Red Sox

After trading him away in the middle of this past season, some had thought that it was possible Ryan Dempster could re-sign with the Chicago Cubs as a free agent. However, that idea seems to be out the door, as reports have Dempster on the verge of signing a deal with the Boston Red Sox.

Dempster, 36, has been in the major leagues for 15 years, and spent nine seasons with the Cubs from 2004 to 2012. While with the Cubs, he compiled a record of 67-66 with a 3.74 ERA. Before being traded to the Rangers in the summer, Dempter was 5-5 with a 2.25 ERA, and had a strikeout-to-walk ratio over 3/1 for the first time in his career.

Dempster reportedly turned down a two-year, $25 million contract from Boston, and it's unknown at this point whether they upped their offer or Dempster and his agent felt they couldn't get a better deal elsewhere.