The forced marriage orchestrated by the Atlanta Braves and the Chicago Cubs for the services of Ryan Dempster looks like it may have ended before the honeymoon. Braves general manager Frank Wren said the team is moving on from Ryan Dempster.
Wren said, “We put parameters on the deal that expired (Tuesday). “We haven’t stopped pursuing other pitchers. We’ve had scouts in ballparks seeing everyone. It’s one of those bumps in the road but at the same time we put parameters on it that expired yesterday so we’ve moved on.”
On Monday several baseball news outlets reported that a deal was in place that would send Dempster to the Braves in exchange for Randall Delgado. The deal hinged upon the 10/5 privileges that Dempster would have to waive, in order for the trade to be completed.
Dempster is said to prefer being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Cubs have been negotiating with them.
Meanwhile, the Braves are still in search of starting pitching, and are up against the clock of the trade deadline on July 31. Other options include, James Shields of Tampa Bay, Zack Greinke of Milwaukee and Josh Johnson of Miami.
The Los Angeles Angels are said to be interested in Shields, and Johnson has a number of suitors including the Rangers, Red Sox and Blue Jays. Greinke may be the Braves best available option.
