Dempster: Will Hard Work In Offseason Pay Off?

Following a rough 2006 campaign in which he went 1-9 with a 4.80 ERA and nine blown saves, Ryan Dempster rededicated himself to fitness and improved his diet this past offseason.

Dempster all but admitted he was mailing in his performances by the end of 2006, and it's likely he's heard the "Kerry Wood for closer" lobbyists loud and clear. Will an offseason of hard work be enough for him to reclaim a firm hold on the closing job? Dempster himself doesn’t seem to hold any illusions that his fitness program will provide all the answers: "Whether that translates into anything in the season, we'll see," he said. "They always say if you feel better, you perform better." The 29-year-old at least has the stated support of new Cubs manager Lou Piniella, so it's pretty much a lock that he will be the one getting the save opportunities to begin the year.
Source: MLB.com