Texas Rangers Acquire Ryan Dempster from Chicago Cubs

The Texas Rangers made a deadline deal acquiring veteran starting pitcher Ryan Dempter from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for two minor leaguers.

In exchange for Dempster the Chicago Cubs receive RHP Kyle Hendricks and INF Carlos Villanueva.

The 35-year-old Dempster gives the Rangers a solid starter to help off-set the loss of Colby Lewis who is done for the year following surgery last week to repair a torn flexor tendon in his throwing elbow.

Dempster is 5-5 with a 2.25 ERA in 104 innings over 16 starts this season. He's got 83 strikeouts and 27 walks and opponents are hitting .210 against him. He's making $14 million this season before becoming a free agent this offseason.

In his career, Dempster is 117-121 with a 4.31 ERA. He does have 87 saves as he was the Cubs closer from 2005 to 2007.

Interesting tid-bit: Dempster was actually drafted by the Rangers in the third round in 1995 and then dealt him to the Marlins with Rick Helling for John Burkett in August 1996.