Cubbies, Dodgers Talking Dempster Deal

As is the case this time of year players names and teams are thrown around, linked and rumored to be talking. A lot of it never leads anywhere, a lot of it is just that, talking.

But sometimes the talks progress into something real. It seems as though there is some truth to the rumors that the Cubs and Dodgers have had preliminary (and positive) talks regarding one of the most sought after pitchers this trade deadline: Ryan Dempster.

Dempster will be a free agent at the end of the season and has the ability to block any deal. He has said that he'd be willing to waive his no-trade clause in order to go to a contender.

The Dodgers desperately need help as theirr fall down the NL West standings (currently 2.5 back of the Giants) continues.

The offense is the major problem ranking near the bottom of the NL in most offensive categories. It is an area of concern that will surely need addressing if the Dodgers hope to make October. Pitching has been the strength of this team and it seems rather curious they would engage in talks for Dempster. The staff has the second best ERA (3.28) behind only the Nationals. However Chad Billingsley was recently DL'd with elbow inflammation. Another starter, Ted Lilly, is on the 60-day DL. Because of the injuries the Dodgers have been forced to turn to rookies Stephen Fife (who just made his first career start) and Nathan Eovaldi (who has less than 100 career IP). An added veteran presence, the likes Dempster, would surely help the Dodgers.

However without any offensive upgrades this team will continue to struggle.

Also it is still very early in the discussion. The Cubs aren't likely to make a deal 11 days before the deadline unless they are blown away. They know full well there's a whole host of clubs lining up to battle for Dempster and his 1.86 ERA.

Try as you might, Dodgers. You need all the help you can right now.

Five Players Who Should Be Traded ...

... But (likely) won't be.

With 13 days before the 2012 Trade Deadline here are five guys that could/should/would benefit from being traded by their current clubs. That or they should be traded for the sheer fact that they no longer fit on their current roster. In no particular order.

Mariners RF Ichiro

The Mariners are not going to be contending for a World Series any time soon. Ichiro isn't the same dynamic player he once was. A trade to a contender in hopes of a World Series ring is a chance that Ichiro deserves. He's done a lot for the game since arriving in Seattle in 2001 and even though seeing him don another uniform would be weird at first it'd feel oh so right if it got him a ring.

Rays SP James Shields

Trading James Shields makes sense for the Rays for two reasons: first he's under conrol until 2014 (unlike many other SP available) and second he could bring a lot in return to a team that needs offense. Shields is a proven competitor that's been pitching in the tough AL East for years now. He's due $9 million with a $1.5 million buyout in 2013 and $12 mil ($1 mil buyout) for 2014. For those teams that aren't willing to trade top prospects for a half season rental player he's an attractive option. The Rays also have Wade Davis sitting the in pen. Davis made 29 starts in each of 2010 and 2011 before being forced to the pen this season. He could slot right into the rotation to replace Shields.

Rockies 1B Todd Helton

 Just like Ichiro before him Helton deserves another shot at a World Series Ring. He hasn't been the same player he once was since 2005 and has been declining ever since. He's going to be 40 next season and his career is winding down. Surely some contender would be interested in his services, potentially as a DH. He is currently on the DL but that doesn't stop him from being traded. What does is Helton's willingness to leave the only organization he's played for.

Phillies SP Roy Halladay

Halladay just returned from the DL on Tuesday and pitched 5 innings in a win over the Dodgers. The Phillies should try to trade Halladay and not trade Cole Hamels. The money freed up from Halladay being trade could be used to re-sign Hamels. Halladay won't bring as much back in return because of his age (35) but he does have two more years (at $20 mil a season) left on his deal. The Phillies are an old team that need to reload. Trading Hamels and keeping Halladay doesn't make much sense to me unless they're sure they can't re-sign Hamels.

Red Sox SP Josh Beckett

Beckett needs to go. Boston needs an ace and Beckett just isn't that guy. He's not a particularly consistent pitcher. He does make a lot of trips to the DL and he's owed a lot of money ($31.5 million through 2014). However with so many teams in contention for the playoffs there's someone out there willing to trade for a guy with two World Series rings. The Red Sox are looking for pitching help themselves so it seems counter intuitive to trade Beckett but a change of scenery could be good for both parties. At 32 Beckett is a younger option than Roy Halladay and comes slightly cheaper.


I'd be a little surprised if any of these five guys were actually traded by their respective teams. But if they do get traded it'll make a lot of sense.