Dempster, Epstein meet to discuss potential trade

[ThomasTomasz]

CHICAGO -- Ryan Dempster and team president Theo Epstein met Wednesday to discuss potential trades for the Chicago Cubs pitcher, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

Dempster is in the final season of a four-year, $44 million deal that pays him $14 million in 2012. As many as 10 teams have interest in Dempster, who has 10 and 5 rights that allow him to veto a trade.

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"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."

Dempster has thrived on the field amid all the trade speculation. Mostly due to a lack of run support, he is just 2-3, but his 2.31 ERA is fifth-best in the National League, and he has gone at least seven innings in six of his 11 starts.

"I have been around long enough that I know just to concentrate on doing my job the best I can and stay focused and by doing that I am being a good teammate," Dempster said.

With the Cubs rebuilding under Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer, Dempster is one of several Cubs whose names are popping up in trade talk. He doesn't view a potential deal as a bad thing.

"When you're young and get traded you see it as a negative sometimes, but if you look at it from the other side that means other teams are interested in you," he said. "It's humbling, and you appreciate it. But at the same time it does not change anything that you do, that you go about your business and get ready to pitch."

http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/stor...n-dempster-theo-epstein-talk-potential-trades

 

[Slateman]

I really think the Nationals should look in to Dempster. With that contract, he won't cost too much. They're going to need someone to pick up the slack when Strasburg gets shut down. Dempster is having a career year and is clearly capable of pitching quality innings late in to September. While he wouldn't be the same as having Strasburg for 200+ innings, it's better than hoping Chen Ming Wang stays healthy or having to rely on John Lannan.

 

[SuperKevin]

I really think the Nationals should look in to Dempster. With that contract, he won't cost too much. They're going to need someone to pick up the slack when Strasburg gets shut down. Dempster is having a career year and is clearly capable of pitching quality innings late in to September. While he wouldn't be the same as having Strasburg for 200+ innings, it's better than hoping Chen Ming Wang stays healthy or having to rely on John Lannan.

No. The Nationals should not be looking to add any substantial pieces. We depleted our farm system to get Gio Gonzalez and we need to rebuild it. The Nationals are a team built for success in 2013 and beyond. We just got lucky to win in 2012.

 

[Virix]

Rumor has it the Tigers were looking to trade for either Dempster or Garza.

 

[NAHSTE]

I really think the Nationals should look in to Dempster. With that contract, he won't cost too much. They're going to need someone to pick up the slack when Strasburg gets shut down. Dempster is having a career year and is clearly capable of pitching quality innings late in to September. While he wouldn't be the same as having Strasburg for 200+ innings, it's better than hoping Chen Ming Wang stays healthy or having to rely on John Lannan.

Deplete your system some more when you're still a year away from contention? Please, please do.

The 2013-2018 Nats scare me more than the 2012 version, so I hope they share your short-sightedness and go all in.

 

[SuperKevin]

I'd even consider trading Edwin Jackson at the break. He's only on a one year deal and we're paying him a hell of a lot to be a #4 starter

 

[FirstTimer]

Rumor has it the Tigers were looking to trade for either Dempster or Garza.

That ones been hot for a while. I would think Jacob Turner would have to be involved. Not sure if Detroit wants to give that up though.

 

[Virix]

Yeah the Garza rumor is picking up steam again, and now dempster is supposedly a possibility. They are also looking at Carlos Quinten I guess.

Im not really sure they are worried about hanging on to Jacob Turner anymore though, its Nick Castellanos that teams are interested in that the Tigers dont want to give up.

 

[FirstTimer]

Yeah the Garza rumor is picking up steam again, and now dempster is supposedly a possibility. They are also looking at Carlos Quinten I guess.

Im not really sure they are worried about hanging on to Jacob Turner anymore though, its Nick Castellanos that teams are interested in that the Tigers dont want to give up.

That's good for the Cubs then because the Cubs need minor league pitching depth badly

 

[Slateman]

No. The Nationals should not be looking to add any substantial pieces. We depleted our farm system to get Gio Gonzalez and we need to rebuild it. The Nationals are a team built for success in 2013 and beyond. We just got lucky to win in 2012.

Deplete your system some more when you're still a year away from contention? Please, please do.

The 2013-2018 Nats scare me more than the 2012 version, so I hope they share your short-sightedness and go all in.

There is no guarantee that we will ever get back here. Strasburg/Zimmermann could have a freak injury early next season. Gio may never peform like this again. There are no guarantees.

And I can't imagine Dempster costing a whole lot, unless the Cubs will eat his whole salary. With the new CBA, you don't get draft picks for renting a player. Couple of decent prospects should do it.

Deplete the system? In case you haven't noticed, our farm system is awesome and giving the Nationals more big leaguers than it can play. A year away from contention? Dunno about that. They seem to be contending pretty well this season.

Getting Dempster also makes shutting down Strasburg a little easier to swallow. Gio, JZ, Dempster, Jackson, Wang/Detwiler is better than Gio, JZ, Jackson, Detwiler, Lannan (I really don't expect Wang to last the whole season). Dempster, for the right price, would be a good grab.

I'd even consider trading Edwin Jackson at the break. He's only on a one year deal and we're paying him a hell of a lot to be a #4 starter

I disagree completely. I have loved the Edwin Jackson signing from the beginning. While I think he's pitching above himself, he's eating innings that no one else in the rotation really can. He gave us a complete game the day after an extra inning bullpen burner and went 8 strong his last outing. Like I said, we may never get a chance to get back here. Windows close far quicker than expected (just look at the Phillies). We'd be getting the same in return as we could expect to give up for Dempster. We should be adding what we need at the deadline to ensure making the playoffs. Then, we let Jackson and LaRoche walk and use the money saved to sign Grienke

 

[FirstTimer]

There is no guarantee that we will ever get back here. Strasburg/Zimmermann could have a freak injury early next season. Gio may never peform like this again. There are no guarantees.

And I can't imagine Dempster costing a whole lot, unless the Cubs will eat his whole salary. With the new CBA, you don't get draft picks for renting a player. Couple of decent prospects should do it.

Deplete the system? In case you haven't noticed, our farm system is awesome and giving the Nationals more big leaguers than it can play. A year away from contention? Dunno about that. They seem to be contending pretty well this season.

Getting Dempster also makes shutting down Strasburg a little easier to swallow. Gio, JZ, Dempster, Jackson, Wang/Detwiler is better than Gio, JZ, Jackson, Detwiler, Lannan (I really don't expect Wang to last the whole season). Dempster, for the right price, would be a good grab.



I disagree completely. I have loved the Edwin Jackson signing from the beginning. While I think he's pitching above himself, he's eating innings that no one else in the rotation really can. He gave us a complete game the day after an extra inning bullpen burner and went 8 strong his last outing. Like I said, we may never get a chance to get back here. Windows close far quicker than expected (just look at the Phillies). We'd be getting the same in return as we could expect to give up for Dempster. We should be adding what we need at the deadline to ensure making the playoffs. Then, we let Jackson and LaRoche walk and use the money saved to sign Grienke

:lol: who the hell would you trade to the Cubs for Dempster?

Your farm system is thin as hell.

 

[NAHSTE]

Deplete the system? In case you haven't noticed, our farm system is awesome

Kind of what I was implying by saying "the 2013-2018 Nats scare me" ...

A year away from contention? Dunno about that. They seem to be contending pretty well this season.

And yet this season is not even halfway done. How quickly you forget the fake contention of 2005. :kobe:

 

 

[Slateman]

LOL, I don't forget. This team is better and far deeper. All you have to do is watch the games. Morse and Zimmerman are hitting like shit. Werth is out. The guys who are stepping up are the bench players. Guys like Lombardozzi and Tyler Moore.

Obviously, it would be a deadline deal. If the Nationals fall flat on their face and are several games back of the WC at the point, then, it's not worth doing. Heck, they'll probably be looking to trade LaRoche and/or Jackson.

 

[NAHSTE]

LOL, I don't forget. This team is better and far deeper.

2005 Nats on June 15: 39-27, 3 games up (finished 81-81, 9 games back)
2012 Nats on June 15: 38-23, 5 games up

A lot can happen in the last 95 games.

:tiptoe:

 

[Virix]

2005 Nats on June 15: 39-27, 3 games up (finished 81-81, 9 games back)
2012 Nats on June 15: 38-23, 5 games up

A lot can happen in the last 95 games.

:tiptoe:

They should just pack it in and expect history to repeat itself.

Sincerely,

Fredi Gonzalez

:tiptoe:

 

[MVPete]

They should just pack it in and expect history to repeat itself.

Sincerely,

Fredi Gonzalez

:tiptoe:

 

[Slateman]

:lol: who the hell would you trade to the Cubs for Dempster?

Your farm system is thin as hell.

Hood, Ray or Rosenbaum and another arm that projects as a 4/5 starter or bullpen guy.