Dempster to Atlanta? Not so fast
It's most likely a matter of when, not if, the Cubs will trade ace pitcher Ryan Dempster.
That “when” was not Monday, at least not technically.
A flurry of Internet and Twitter activity dominated the afternoon and even brought forth a commentary on social media from Cubs manager Dale Sveum. More on that in a bit.
The Atlanta Braves' website, hardly a caldron of sensationalism, reported that the Cubs and the Braves had agreed to trade Dempster to Atlanta.
One name mentioned as possibly coming to the Cubs was pitcher Randall Delgado, currently at the Braves' Class AAA Gwinnett farm club. The Cubs faced Delgado on the Fourth of July and beat him 5-1. Various media outlets picked up on the report, but there was only one problem. The Cubs termed the reports “speculation,” with assistant general manager Randy Bush telling reporters in Pittsburgh that “there is no news.”
The one big factor is that Dempster can veto any trade involving him because he is a “10-and-5” player. That is, he has at least 10 years of major-league service and five with the same club.
The Braves are in Miami, and manager Fredi Gonzalez gave away a little, as quoted by the team's website: “I know what you guys know, basically the same thing, maybe a little bit more. I'm not going to lie to you about that. But that's all I know right now. We're in a holding pattern.”
For his part, Dempster did not wish to discuss the situation with reporters before the Cubs beat the Pirates 2-0 at PNC Park. Currently, he is scheduled to start Wednesday's series finale. But Dempster did tweet: “There is no trade.”
Sveum told reporters he blamed social media.
“Unfortunately it's going to happen, and it's not going to go away because of all the avenues,” the manager said. “But it's just unfortunate people do stuff like that and there's no merit to it.”
However, Sveum didn't exactly deny Dempster could be traded, the likelihood of which has been known for some time.
“Anything can happen at this point,” Sveum said. “We're eight days until the deadline. All the teams that are involved in wanting or needing starters are still in play, no question.”
Dempster is 5-4 with a major-league best ERA of 2.11. He has spent two stints on the disabled list this season, but he's certainly attractive to contending teams ahead of the July 31 nonwaiver trading deadline.
The 35-year-old veteran has been with the Cubs since 2004, and in many ways he has become the face of the franchise in recent years.
Delgado is a 22-year-old right-hander who is 4-9 with a 4.42 ERA in 17 games with the Braves this season.
Dempster isn't the only Cubs pitcher who has been the subject of trade rumors.
Matt Garza told reporters Monday that his right triceps was feeling better. The muscle cramped on him during Saturday's start at St. Louis.
Sveum said Travis Wood, who pitched Sunday, will start Friday in place of Garza. An off-day in the schedule Thursday will allow Sveum some flexibility with his rotation.