According to a report from ESPN, the Chicago Cubs have traded RHP Ryan Dempster and cash to the Texas Rangers for prospects 3B Christian Villanueva and RHP Kyle Hendricks. We thought Dempster would have been traded weeks ago, but the trade never came together. However, Dempster would have been traded on July 23rd to the Atlanta Braves for 22-year old RHP Randall Delgado and another player. But Dempster used his NTC and declined the trade. Dempster was holding out for LA to be re-united with ex Cub Ted Lilly, but LA’s offer wasn’t too good. So, Texas jumped it and snagged him. It was reported earlier today, that Dempster would waive his NTC to the Rangers.
Dale Sveum and Ryan Dempster spoke about the trade rumors yesterday, and to shortened it up … both said they will be surprised if he pitches today.
The Cubs were holding out for Dodgers’ top pitching prospects Zach Lee and Allen Webster, but the Dodgers were contempt in not trading them. The Cubs did have a better deal with Atlanta, but at least the Cubs got something for him instead of nothing. As there were rumors, the Cubs could keep Dempster.
Dempster was in his final year of his contract with the Cubs and a trade makes a lot of sense. Dempster is a 35-year old who is having one of the best seasons of his career. He’s top in era this year, not only the NL but the whole MLB too. Dempster could have became a free agent before this season, but decided to exercise his 14 million player option.
Villanueva is a 21 year old who is playing for High A. He is a good defender, can hit and shows pop at times. In 100 games (425 at-bats), he’s batting .285 with 19 doubles, 1 triple, 10 home runs, 59 rbi’s, 24 walks and has struck out 83 times. He’ll either report to Dayton or Tennessee, but my guess it Daytona.
Hendricks is a 22-year old who is pitching for High A. To me, he’s a too old for High A. But maybe he’ll shine and we’ll see him in Chicago sometime. I think there’s a really good chance he’ll join the Smokies (Double A). This year so far, Hendricks is 5-8 with a 2.82era in 20 game s(all starting). He also has walked 15 and struck out 112 in 130.2 innings. That walk to strikeout ratio is great.
There were also rumors that the Cubs could have traded OF Alfonso Soriano in a deal with Dempster. But that was wiped out after the Dodgers acquired Shane Victorino from the Philadelphia Phillies. Soriano, also said he would probably accept a trade to the Dodgers. It would have been nice to see what the offer could have looked like, but Soriano is more than likely to stay put now. Soriano also said he will not waive his NTC to the San Francisco Giants. It may make you think is there was a offer in place and Soriano declined it? We don’t know, but why would this one team come out. So, just like that, Dempster was traded by his self to a ‘myster team’ of somewhat.
Dempster will join Geovany Soto is Texas whom was traded last night.
Other notes:
**The Cubs have not called OF’s Brett Jackson or Dave Sappelt.
**The Cubs; however, have called up C Welington Castillo to take Geovany Soto’s spot, RHP Casey Coleman to take Ryan Dempster’s start today and IF Adrian Cardenas to take Reed Johnson’s spot on the roster.
I wish Dempster the best of luck with the Rangers!
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