Considered a likely trade candidate this offseason because of his team’s starting rotation depth, Ryan Dempster announced on Sunday that he will not pitch in 2014. Citing a neck ailment and a desire to spend more time with his family, the veteran right-hander of 17 Major League seasons stepped away from a $13.25 salary he was set to receive this year from the Boston Red Sox.
“After a long offseason and thinking about things and seeing where I was at both physically and personally, I just made the decision that I’m not going to pitch in the 2014 season and go from there,” Dempster said in a press conference at the Red Sox spring training facility in Ft. Myers. “I had an incredible run, a chance to play 16 years in the major leagues and be around a lot of great teammates, made a lot of good friendships, a lot of great memories, you know, but I just feel that given where I’m at with my health, with how I feel personally, I just feel like it’s in the best interest of both myself and the organization as a team to not play this year.
“I don’t feel like I can compete or produce like I’m accustomed to,” he added. “I’m not going to play this year and instead I’m going to be a spectator and a fan and cheer on all these great teammates that I have and go out there and watch them win another World Series.”
With the Red Sox no longer obligated to Dempster’s $13.25 salary, they could use a portion of that money to bring back shortstop Stephen Drew, who turned down Boston’s $14.1 million qualifying offer to become a free agent earlier this offseason.
If Drew is re-signed, likely 21-year-old Xander Bogaerts will move from shortstop to third base and Will Middlebrooks will fill a bench role or open the 2014 campaign at Triple-A Pawtucket. Bogaerts will start at shortstop and Middlebrooks at third base if the Red Sox opt not to work out a deal for Drew.
Even without Dempster, the Red Sox have an abundance of starting pitching depth because of top prospects like Allen Webster, Rubby De La Rosa, Anthony Ranaudo, Matt Barnes and Henry Owens. Brandon Workman, who saw time as a starter and reliever as a rookie last season, will likely be used in a set-up role and as a spot starter for the Red Sox.
