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Update 11:49 PM EST: The Cubs are asking the Dodgers for the team's No. 2 prospect, Allen Webster, as the main piece heading back to Chicago in exchange for Dempster, reports Jon Morosi of FOX Sports.
Source: #Cubs have asked #Dodgers for Allen Webster as primary piece in Ryan Dempster talks.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 25, 2012
UPDATE - Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com is reporting that the Cubs are once again talking to the Dodgers about Dempster, who has yet to say yes to a trade that would send him to the Braves:
#cubs r back talking to #dodgers about Ryan Dempster. pitcher hasnt said "yes'' to #braves. blog up on CBSsports.com
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) July 24, 2012
1:40 PM EDT - Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports is reporting that Dempster does not want to be traded to the Braves. He says the right-hander instead wants to be dealt to the Dodgers, as Dempster reportedly prefers the West Coast:
Chicago Cubs right-hander Ryan Dempster does not want to be traded to the Atlanta Bravess, according to major-league sources.
At least not right now.
Dempster, as a player with 10 years of major-league service, the last five with the same team, has the right to block a trade to the Braves.
The pitcher instead wants to be sent to the Los Angeles Dodgers, who were unable to reach agreement with the Cubs on a suitable deal, sources said.
11:00 PM EDT - Though he had given the preliminary go-ahead for a deal, Chicago Cubs right-hander Ryan Dempster was "blindsided" by the news yesterday that he had reportedly been traded to the Atlanta Braves, reports Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.
Sources say Ryan Dempster had given preliminary indications that he would accept a trade to the #braves from #cubs
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) July 24, 2012
But when trade leaked out in media Monday before #cubs informed him, Dempster was not happy. Felt blindsided, said a source.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) July 24, 2012
While Cubs general manager Dale Sveum called the trade a "fabrication", it appears that a deal is in fact on, just awaiting approval. First leaked yesterday afternoon by Rob Bowman of MLB.com, the deal---if approved---will send Ryan Dempster to the Cubs for 22-year-old Braves pitching prospect Randall Delgado.
Dempster, who has full 10/5 rights, holds final say in whether he will accept the deal to the Braves. While the 35-year-old right-hander seemed upset and confused yesterday when news of the deal broke, there is no knowing what decision he will make.
THERE IS NO TRADE dont know where this info came from!
— Dempster Foundation (@RyanDempsterFDN) July 23, 2012
With his regularly scheduled start set for tomorrow evening, it is likely the right-hander will come to a decision on the deal some time today.
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Should Dempster approve the trade to the Braves?
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