Report: Atlanta Braves Land Cubs' Ryan Dempster for Prospects

The Atlanta Braves have been rumored to be in the market for a starting pitcher, and today they might have landed one in Cubs' ace Ryan Dempster. 

Dempster will fill a huge void for the Braves as they try to track down the Washington Nationals. Dempster has been a star for the Chicago Cubs, posting a league-leading 2.11 ERA.

The Braves starting rotation has had issues throughout the season, as they have the third-worst team ERA in the National League with a 4.34. Dempster will help solidify that number and allow the bullpen to get much needed rest.

Getting Dempster from the Chicago Cubs won't come at a high cost nor a low one. The Braves have rumored to offer Randall Delgado, who came in as one of the top prospects in baseball, to land Dempster. The Cubs will also likely receive another prospect or cash—but not one as highly regarded.

Dempster is a 5-4 with 77 strikeouts and that outstanding 2.11 ERA. While Delgado is young, he is 4-9 with a 4.42 ERA in 17 starts—not what the Braves want in the back end of their rotation.

If the deal for Dempster goes through, it probably means the Braves won't be in the running for former Cy Young winner Zach Greinke. 

Dempster is in the final year of his contract and must have given Braves General Manager Frank Wren a stamp of approval that he will resign with them after the baseball season.

Dempster has the rights to veto any trade that comes his way. It is rumored that the Braves are his second choice behind the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Braves will hope that the addition of Dempster will allow them to chase a World Series title in Chipper Jones' last season as he approaches retirement.