Friday, September 20, 2013

Dempster Is Ready For Playoff Bullpen Duties

(AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
It's so much better when players pro-actively confront potentially controversial issues. Ryan Dempster has made it plain that he has no problems moving from the rotation to the bullpen come playoff time. Rumors have swirled around this change—which makes eminent sense—for weeks. Now, in an interview with WEEI.com's Rob Bradford, Dempster has cleared the air. Asked if he thinks he can be effective out of the 'pen, Dempster stated, "Yeah, I think I can. If I was asked to go down there I could help us out in a big way. I have confidence in my ability, confidence in the mental side of it. I’ve been there before. It’s fun. It’s a totally different animal." Dempster once closed for the Chicago Cubs and has amassed 87 saves over his career. Said the right-hander, "I’ll do whatever role they ask me to pitch in. Whatever they ask me to do, I’m going to grab it by the horns and run with it." Refreshing. Hey, what would expect from Kevin Millar's "best bro"?