Hill: Dempster would be 'great addition'

Left-hander Rich Hill, who played with free agent Ryan Dempster with the Cubs from 2005-08, suggested that the right-hander would make an extremely strong addition in Boston if he and the Red Sox. 

"Dempster would be a GREAT addition to that clubhouse," Hill wrote in a text. "One of the best teammates I have played with!"

While there have been questions about how Dempster might adapt to the American League East after spending almost all of his career (save for the last couple months of 2012, after he was traded from the Cubs to the Rangers) in the NL, Hill suggested that the 35-year-old has the stuff to sustain strong results even with a change of league and division. 

"No doubt that he would do extremely well in the East," wrote Hill. "I look at how guys bounce back from outings that did not go so well and he does a great job of that. He has only gotten better as time has gone on. Also, playing in a city like Boston brings everyone's game to their peak level. There is no question his stuff will play!"

GM Ben Cherington, at the press conference to announce the signing of Shane Victorino, said that the Sox are "engaged with a pitcher, but that's all I can say at this point." He added that the Sox are still talking to multiple pitchers. 

For more on Dempster, click here.