Dempster signs 4-year deal with Cubs

CHICAGO, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- Right-handed pitcher Ryan Dempster has signed a four-year contract with the Chicago Cubs, the National League team said Tuesday.

Terms of the deal weren't released but the Chicago Sun-Times reported Dempster's new contract is worth about $52 million.

Dempster was made a starter last season after five years as a reliever and responded with a 17-6 record and 2.96 earned run average over 33 starts. He was 10-0 at one time in his home starts and finished with a 14-3 record at Wrigley field in 2008. The 14 wins at home was one off the Cubs record set by Fergie Jenkins in 1967.

Dempster, 31, made the major leagues with the Florida Marlins in 1998 and also pitched for the Cincinnati Reds before joining the Cubs in 2004. He has a lifetime 76-81 record with a 4.55 ERA and 87 saves over 420 appearances.