Reports: Ryan Dempster turns down deal with Red Sox

Ryan Dempster appears to have his heart set on at least a three-year deal, and the starter is sticking to his guns ... for now.

Dempster and his agent, Craig Landis, reportedly turned down a two-year, $25 million offer from the Boston Red Sox, according to ESPN Boston. Dempster would have received $12.5 million a season in 2013 and 2014 according to the report had he accepted.

Dempster previously turned down a two-year, $26 million offer from Kansas City after the Royals balked at his request for a third year. The Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers have also shown interest in the right-handed pitcher, but so far neither National League Central team has indicated that they will offer three years.

Dempster, 35, was a starter for the Cubs for nine seasons before being dealt to the Texas Rangers at the trade deadline last July. Dempster struggled initially in his first stint in the American League, giving up eight earned runs in two of his first three starts with the Rangers before settling in. In his next five starts, Dempster went 5-0 with a 1.91 ERA, striking out 36 in 33 innings.

Dempster had a 2.25 ERA in 16 starts with the Cubs last season before being traded and had put together four consecutive seasons of at least 200 innings with Chicago. Two stints on the disabled list this past season cost Dempster a fifth straight season.

Dempster finished 2012 with a 3.38 ERA combined with Chicago and Texas, striking out 153 and walking 52 over 173 innings.

Dempster began his big league career with the Florida Marlins and also had a short stint with the Cincinnati Reds before becoming a mainstay of the Cubs rotation. In his major league career, Dempster is 124-124 with a 4.33 ERA in 547 games (322 starts).