The Cubs have baseball's worst record (26-49) and are willing to listen to trade offers for almost any player on their roster other than Starlin Castro. Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that Chicago is willing to pay part of Ryan Dempster's $14MM salary in a deal in order to receive better quality prospects in return. Their plan is to accumulate talent, not save money.
Dempster, 35, is currently on the DL with a lat strain but is expected back around the All-Star break. Ben Nicholson-Smith looked at the veteran right-hander as a trade candidate earlier this month, noting that Dempster could be the most desirable starter on the market in terms of production and cost. The Dodgers, Yankees, and other teams are said to have some level of interest. Dempster has pitched to a 2.11 ERA in a dozen starts this season.
I think you need a verb in that title friend.
To Boston for Brentz and Cecchini?
Wow I bet Theo would love that. Won’t happen. HUGE overpay. Guys on the DL with a shoulder injury, he is far from a sure thing. I would rather pack it in this year then make that deal.
What would be a better offer? I think Brentz and Cecchini would be fair if they were to eat some salary.
I would consider giving one of those guys and a very low tier prospect at the absolute most (Or two mid levels Britton & Wilson maybe).Thats only even a thought if his shoulder was evaluated 100% healthy after his DL stint, and he puts up a couple decent starts, AND they provide some salary relief. We could use him but we don’t NEED him. Having Bard back in the pen, Ells, Beckett, Crawford, Bailey and Clay back will be a much larger boost then what Dempster can provide. I would pass. After giving away Lowrie, Reddick, Masterson, Moss (I know right?), and even David Murphy in recent seasons, I want us to stockpile. Right now we have a lot of talent and unless its for a proven game changer I don’t think its worth tapping into it, the un-official salary cap we have now is making holding off super important.
I think that you forget about the fact that Buchholz has been pitching to a 5.44 FIP, which is just terrible. Right now, they have 3 dependable starters, and that is if you assume continued success with Doubront.
Buc has been fine 6 out of his last 8 starts. 4 out of them have been 7 or more innings less then 2 runs. Watching him you can tell he clearly turned the corner. Now the question is whether he will keep the momentum going after his DL stint? Which is a legit question. With Lester, Beckett, Matsuzaka, and Morales all pitching well enough. Plus it doesn’t hurt CC and Pettite hit the DL.
Well, Matsuzaka has only once reached 170 IP in a season (his rookie year), so expecting him to hold up might be too much. Morales has a total of 2 starts so far, while his career FIP as a starter is 4.09.
to dodgers with lahair….for eovaldi , ely and others….
I think the “others” would have to be significant to facilitate that trade.
Others: Annuities due to Manny Ramirez & Andruw Jones would be a start.
Eovaldi? Why would LA do that?
Would the White Sox be in on Dempster at all? If Danks isn’t ready to come back, Dempster would be a nice addition to the staff. Dempster gets to stay in Chi-town, play for a contender, and the White Sox could probably afford to pay his salary plus, a minor leaguer.
By contender do you mean 8 games back of the Tigers/O’s?
They have no prospects of any value or the ability to take on salary.
Boston/Det/Yankees….they all need pitching. Enter Wandy Rod.
“Do you really want to liabilities on D on the same side of the infield (Castro and Vitters)”
Castro is pretty much the complete opposite of a defensive liability.