Dempster Denies Trade By Cubs To Braves
By Chuck Sudo in News on Jul 23, 2012 7:40PM
According to MLB.com, the Cubs made what is expected to be the first of many deals leading up to the July 31 trade deadline today, sending starter Ryan Dempster to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for rookie right-hander Randall Delgado. Dempster had the right to refuse the trade due to a no-trade clause in his contract, but he waived the clause to facilitate the trade.
Dempster is one of the most sought-after prizes for playoff contenders looking for a pitcher as the deadline nears. He currently sports a major league-best 2.11 ERA and recently had a run of 33 consecutive scoreless innings snapped. He’s also in the final year of a four-year, $52 million contract and has been dependable since he returned to a starting rotation in 2008, with a 58-45 with a 3.63 ERA and 1.29 WHIP. The Braves can use all the starting pitching they can get. A starting rotation that looked dominant on paper has been plagued by injuries and poor performances, and Dempster has been strong away from Wrigley Field.
Dempster, however, is denying a trade took place. He tweeted 10 minutes ago that a trade has not been completed.
THERE IS NO TRADE dont know where this info came from!
— Dempster Foundation (@RyanDempsterFDN) July 23, 2012
Delgado is 4-9 this season with a 4.42 ERA in 17 starts. He throws five different pitches and the Cubs believe his upside is better than his record indicates.