Red Sox sign Dempster to 2-year deal

BOSTON, Dec. 19 (UPI) -- All-star pitcher Ryan Dempster has signed a two-year contract with the Boston Red Sox, the team announced Wednesday.

Dempster, a 15-year veteran who went 12-8 while splitting last season between the Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers, will make $26.5 million from the deal, The Boston Globe reported.

The 35-year-old right-handed starter -- who in 2008 racked up 17-6 record with a 2.96 ERA in 33 starts for the Cubs -- struggled after a July 31 trade from Chicago to Texas, compiling a 5.09 ERA in 12 starts for the Rangers.

Dempster has gone 124-124 with a 4.33 ERA in 547 games with Florida, Cincinnati, the Cubs and Rangers.