Ryan Dempster: Cubs Need Star Pitcher to Accept Rumored Deal to Atlanta

After much speculation, the Chicago Cubs are apparently closer to moving Ryan Dempster than ever before, with the Atlanta Braves emerging as the landing spot for the star pitcher. 

According to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Braves are trying to strike a deal with the Cubs for the 35-year-old right-handed starter:

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A source acknowledged that the Braves were strongly pursuing the right-hander Monday. A second source said a trade for Dempster wasn’t expected to be completed Monday night.

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ESPN's Keith Law reported that if the deal happens, Atlanta's Randall Delgado would be going to Chicago in exchange for Dempster:

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Filed to ESPN - if the Dempster trade is completed, Randall Delgado is in it, as well as something to balance the money

— keithlaw (@keithlaw) July 23, 2012"

While both sides need the deal to happen, the Cubs have more incentive to convince Dempster that he should accept the trade. 

Dempster is a free agent at the end of this season. The Cubs are not going to resign him, as they are looking to get younger and build through their system. They would receive draft-pick compensation for him, but that isn't nearly as valuable as getting a young pitcher with six years of control who is big league ready. 

Delgado does not have a huge ceiling, but he can easily be a No. 3 starter. He has an above-average fastball, with a decent curveball and changeup. He has struggled with his command this year, but at just 22 years old there is upside left. 

Plus, the Cubs don't have any young, impact starting pitching in the upper levels of the minors. The reason they keep shopping players like Dempster and Matt Garza for young pitching in the upper levels of the minors is because they desperately need it. 

As popular as Dempster is in Chicago, and as much as he likes the city, the best move for the Cubs will be convincing him to accept a deal to play in Atlanta with a chance to play in October this season. 

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