Ryan Dempster rumors: Brewers, Royals, Red Sox

Free agent right-hander Ryan Dempster has been targeted by the Kansas City Royals, Boston Red Sox and Milwaukee Brewers, while the Los Angeles Angels level of interest is "unclear," according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports:

Source: Dempster has drawn interest from #Royals and #RedSox as well as #Brewers. #Angels’ current level of interest unclear.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 5, 2012

The Royals offered Dempster a two-year, $26 million contract, but the free agent asked for a three-year commitment, reports Bob Dutton of The Kansas City Star. The Royals "balked" at the request and, at this point, there’s no indication that either Dempster and his representation or Kansas City have changed their stances. Milwaukee also was reportedly unwilling to give Dempster three years guaranteed.

Dempster had an up and down 2012 campaign. He started off red-hot with the Chicago Cubs, turning in solid performance after solid performance, 2.25 ERA over 16 starts, and rating as one of the league’s best starters over the first half of the season.

The rebuilding Cubs dangled Dempster over the summer and ultimately dealt him to the Texas Rangers for prospects. The right-hander struggled once joining the Rangers, posting an ERA of 5.09 over 12 starts.

Dempster finished the year with a season ERA of 3.38. The 35-year-old owns a career ERA of 4.33 with 7.8 strikeouts and 4.0 walks per nine innings.