Ryan Dempster may or may not start the opener in St. Louis on Friday night. Rumors have suggested that the Cubs would like to trade Dempster before his next start and rumors surfaced Thursday night that the Dodgers have proposed a trade for Ryan Dempster. Soon after the Cubs completed the series against the Marlins, news surfaced that a Triple-A pitcher in the Cubs’ system would join up with the big league team in St. Louis just in case Ryan Dempster is traded at some point prior to Friday’s game. Reports quickly popped up that Casey Coleman had been scratched from his start on Thursday night and would join up with the Cubs in St. Louis.
The Cubs quickly quieted those rumors by stating Casey Coleman was meeting up with the team in the event newly acquired Justin Germano could not make it to St. Louis on time for Friday’s game. But according to ESPN Chicago, the Cubs are making contingency plans because talks are fluid and the team is preparing to have replacements in St. Louis this weekend in case a deal is completed for the veteran starter.
According to a report from Bruce Levine, the Dodgers have proposed a trade for Ryan Dempster. Levine’s sources are unclear if Zach Lee, the top pitching prospect in the Dodgers’ system, would be included in the deal. Reports last weekend suggested pitchers such as Garrett Gould and Chris Withrow could be in talks for Dempster but the Cubs asking price has apparently gone up. Ken Rosenthal reported that the Dodgers would not include Zach Lee in a deal for a rental, such as Ryan Dempster. The Cubs and Dodgers have exchanged names multiple times according to Jon Paul Morosi and other clubs were involved in talks on Thursday. And that includes the Braves. According to Ken Rosenthal, the Cubs and Braves have discussed “general scenarios” about Dempster but have not gotten real specific.
The Red Sox appear to be out of the talks for Dempster but the Nationals, Tigers and Cardinals are still in the mix.
Ryan Dempster reportedly prefers the Dodgers then the Braves and he controls where he finishes the season.
Other Rumors
Reed Johnson and Jeff Baker are drawing interest according to Ken Rosenthal.
The Red Sox are officially out of the talks for Ryan Dempster according to Jayson Stark but Boston is still in on Matt Garza.
The Pirates and Royals are interested in Paul Maholm according to Bruce Levine.
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