Dempster Traded to Texas for 3B Villanueva & RHP Hendricks

[jersey cubs fan]

All the various beat reporters are now reporting that "sources" say that Dempster and Epstein talked trade scenarios yesterday, presumably in the grandstand meeting.

 

Wouldn't that be Hoyer's job? I know it's all one big front office conglomeration of brain power, but I still feel kinda bad for him.

 

Jed's job is to negotiate the deals, but Theo is the big swinging johnson in the room, the celebrity who can have a conversation with a $15m pitcher and be on even ground. My guess is they had a meeting to decide who would be best to talk to Dempster and it was determined Theo was the man for that duty.

[Guest]

What was the rearrangement that was done with the pitching staff for this weekend? Could that have anything to do with a potential Dempster trade?

[davell]

I like Jed and actually would have been happy enough, if he had been our main hire. But I don't feel bad for him, because he knew exactly who was going to be considered "the man" and he supposedly upped his salary from somewhere between 600-700k to 1.2 mill.

[Guest]

Dempster is moving up to Friday, Shark to Saturday. I guess it's not impossible that it has to do with a trade, but I have to think the switch is due to Samardzija's struggles and need to not be overextended.

[davell]

What was the rearrangement that was done with the pitching staff for this weekend? Could that have anything to do with a potential Dempster trade?

Pretty sure it was done to keep Dempster on his normal rest and give Shark an extra day.

[Guest]

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/10981/source-dempster-theo-talk-trades?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

 

This is what Kyle was talking about earlier, btw.

 

"We discussed a lot of things and obviously there are a lot of things being talked about," Dempster told ESPNChicago.com of the meeting that took place in the Wrigley Field grandstand before Wednesday's game against the Detroit Tigers. "We talked about being on the same page and trying to do what is best for our team."

[El Duderino]

I love Ryan Dempster. Assuming he goes to a team I don't hate, I really want him to win a WS.

[davell]

If Dempster pitches decently tomorrow, my guess is it's his last start for us. If there actually are 10 teams interested, might as well pull the trigger. I'd guess the 10 would be the Yankees, Red Sox, Orioles, White Sox, Tigers, Rangers, Braves, Phillies, Pirates, and Dodgers. The Rangers, Tigers, Red Sox, Braves, and Dodgers are the teams I think we match up with decently for him. I doubt the Pirates and Phillies are truly buying yet, don't think the White Sox or Orioles have what we'd want and figure tge Yanks hold out until Garza, Hamels, Greinke, etc become available.

[Tryptamine]

If Dempster pitches decently tomorrow, my guess is it's his last start for us. If there actually are 10 teams interested, might as well pull the trigger. I'd guess the 10 would be the Yankees, Red Sox, Orioles, White Sox, Tigers, Rangers, Braves, Phillies, Pirates, and Dodgers. The Rangers, Tigers, Red Sox, Braves, and Dodgers are the teams I think we match up with decently for him. I doubt the Pirates and Phillies are truly buying yet, don't think the White Sox or Orioles have what we'd want and figure tge Yanks hold out until Garza, Hamels, Greinke, etc become available.

 

I can honestly say there is not a single White Sox prospect that isn't from the 2012 draft, that I would want for Dempster. Is Cody Buckel from the Texas Rangers unrealistic? Still only in High A, but you can't argue with those numbers.

[davell]

It's funny, but he's the EXACT guy I'd want from them. That said, I think he's taken a big enough step forward, that they wouldn't part with him. OTOH, I actually could see them trading Martin Perez at this point. They've really mishandled him and he's struggling in AAA for the 2nd year. But he's still just 21. His upside has probably morphed from a 1/2 to a 3/4 but he was still a top 50 prospect heading into this season. They have other young arms that have potential currently struggling as well in Luke Jackson, Neil Ramirez, and Roman Mendez. At any rate, they also have some solid bats, to where they're easily the team I'd love to see Dempster dealt to.

[Post Count Padder]

The Orioles and Blue Jays have both been scouting the Cubs, reports Bruce Levine of ESPN Chicago. Levine specified that Baltimore was looking at the Cubs' starting pitchers and Alfonso Soriano.

[RammyFanny]

I always forget this, is whatever team that Dempster goes to going to have to pay all of his 14 million left? Or have we already payed close to half? I always forget he's making that much. On one hand it could lower his value, on the other hand I wonder if we could get a haul if we picked up some of it.

[davell]

Orioles can take Maholm and Soriano. I wonder if they'd part with either of Matusz or Arrieta for Dempster? I think the Jays scout watching us has to be wondering if it's a waste of time with them falling off and being riddled with injuries now.

[davell]

I always forget this, is whatever team that Dempster goes to going to have to pay all of his 14 million left? Or have we already payed close to half? I always forget he's making that much. On one hand it could lower his value, on the other hand I wonder if we could get a haul if we picked up some of it.

My guess is we'll maximize the return as much as we can. I could see us paying some salary AND sending whoever, a piece or two along with him that are controllable, if it means we get back the pieces we want. As an everyday player, we're finding out Campana sucks, but to a contender as a pinch runner/defensive replacement, he's got solid value. Pay some or all of the money left for Demp, send Campana, and I think we'll get a nice as hell return.

[Tryptamine]

Would could the Oriole's possibly offer for Dempster? Their farm pretty much dies off entirely after Bundy/Machado/Schoop. Matusz is about the only thing I can think of and that isn't all that thrilling.

[davell]

Tillman has gained some velo back and is still 24. Britton may or may not be broke. Both were bigtime prospects at one point. Jake Arrieta has not done a lot in the majors yet, but has been worth over a WAR already this year, without looking, maybe he's been unlucky? At any rate, I don't trust the Orioles developmental side of things at all, so while these guys may hold some value, I'd want a different return for Dempster, with more upside.

[Tryptamine]

Tillman has gained some velo back and is still 24. Britton may or may not be broke. Both were bigtime prospects at one point. Jake Arrieta has not done a lot in the majors yet, but has been worth over a WAR already this year, without looking, maybe he's been unlucky? At any rate, I don't trust the Orioles developmental side of things at all, so while these guys may hold some value, I'd want a different return for Dempster, with more upside.

 

I seriously can't believe not one of their starters panned out so far. When they had a farm with Tillman, Matusz, Arrieta and Britton all tearing up the minors I thought for sure their rotation was going to be absolutely filthy by now.

[PrimeTime]

Roto just a little updating a bit saying four contenders are after Dempster and talking prospects in exchange

 

Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times writes that Ryan Dempster "is coveted by several would-be contenders, including the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees."

 

Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com reported earlier this week that the Dodgers were after the right-hander. Wittenmyer also notes that Dempster has "talked with management more than once about the prospects of being traded and waiving his no-trade rights." The veteran right-hander seems likely to waive the clause, and it would be a surprise at this point if he's not moved before the deadline.

[UMFan83]

Gotta think those AL East teams will be interested in seeing how Demp fares against Boston today. Not that it will make a huge deal but it certainly couldn't hurt to show up big today.

[Elrhino]

All the various beat reporters are now reporting that "sources" say that Dempster and Epstein talked trade scenarios yesterday, presumably in the grandstand meeting.

 

Wouldn't that be Hoyer's job? I know it's all one big front office conglomeration of brain power, but I still feel kinda bad for him.

 

 

I remember reading an old Q&A with Ben Cherington when he was being tied to the Cubs GM spot, and they asked him what his daily schedule entails. He said it depends because the upper Red Sox front office brass rotate duties to divide up division of labor so they can spend time with their families during the season. Everyone takes turns being hands on with the team (traveling on road trips, getting a pulse of the lockerroom, getting one on one feedback from the manager/players) vs. working in the office (meeting with the scouts and stats guys). I wouldn't be surprised if Jed and Theo have a similar system set up. For all we know it was simply Hoyer's day to work in the office and Theo's day to hang out in the lockerroom.

[erik316wttn]

I love Ryan Dempster. Assuming he goes to a team I don't hate, I really want him to win a WS.

 

Agreed. He certainly deserves it, and I hope he's pitching in October for someone.

[ConstableRabbit]

Would could the Oriole's possibly offer for Dempster? Their farm pretty much dies off entirely after Bundy/Machado/Schoop. Matusz is about the only thing I can think of and that isn't all that thrilling.

[insert BigBird / Brian Roberts joke here]

[Guest]

I love Ryan Dempster. Assuming he goes to a team I don't hate, I really want him to win a WS.

 

I hope that wherever he goes, he gets eight runs of run support every game.

[sneakypower]

22 straight shutout innings

[davell]

I really, really, really want him dealt before his next start.