Ryan Dempster: Veteran Innings-Eater Is Exactly What Washington Nationals Need

Ryan Dempster is under hot pursuit. Contenders want to use his 2.11 ERA to bolster their postseason rotation.

According to CBS Sports reporter Jon Heyman, the Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals and Washington Nationals are chasing the Cubs' right-hander harder than anyone.

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The Ryan Dempster Derby currently is a battle between the Braves, Nationals and Cardinals, people familiar with the talks suggest.

Th Cubs seek pitching prospects in all deals, especially some close to the big leagues. The Braves have among baseball's best supply of pitching prospects, but the Cardinals and Nationals should have enough for a deal, as well.

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The Nationals should be jumping for Dempster, especially with Stephen Strasburg's innings limit approaching. His experience and innings-eater mentality would provide a solid boost to the young National rotation down the stretch. 

Dempster's 14 years of experience is really his main value at this point. It's hard to overlook his 2.11 ERA, but that's a bit of an anomaly. His career ERA is over 4.00, and he has average "stuff," but his experience is a perfect addition to any team making a postseason run. 

That's where Washington comes in. It is set to lose its best pitcher in Strasburg. It isn't going to find a pitcher who can replace him in terms of talent, but Dempster brings other things to the table.

He isn't going to post electric numbers, but he's going to pitch a lot of innings.

Dempster's durability and veteran mentality are exactly what playoff teams seek at the trade deadline. Sure, he won't compare to Strasburg, but his durability will keep the bullpen fresh.

With Dempster, what you see is what you get. He throws strikes, does his job every five days and isn't afraid to take the ball in big moments. Those are absolutely necessary ingredients for a team making its franchise's first playoff push.

Dempster would provide stability to the Nationals.

Losing Strasburg is a frightening proposition, but Dempster would make the transition much smoother without costing the entire farm system to acquire.