Trade Profiles: Ryan Dempster

It has been reported that the Pirates are looking into adding starting pitching. Any pitcher brought in would almost certainly spell the end for Kevin Correia (they still have faith in Bedard) via trade, a move to the pen, or outright release. Most reports throw out the names of Cole Hamels and Zach Greinke but I will not do posts on them because I just don't see them as viable targets. The Cubs Right Hander Ryan Dempster however could be a brilliant trade target for the Pirates.

Dempster is having a stellar year for the Cubs. He sports a 4-3 70 Ks 1.01 WHIP and and an outstanding 1.99 ERA. That's second in the league behind Jered Weaver. If Dempster was on a solid team offensively there's no doubt in my mind he'd be a Cy Young contender. So it sounds like a no brainier right? They're have to be problems right? There are. Dempster is in his late 30's so injuries are always a concern. He's also losing his strikeout numbers fast and not fanning as many as he did earlier in the year. Last and most importantly is salary. He's do to make around $14 million this year so any trade would have to involve the Cubs sending us money.

There is a boatload of interest in Dempster so it'll be hard to get him. If the Pirates could give up a mid tier prospect and get the Cubs to pay about half of his contract (much like the AJ Burnett deal) I think he could come in and add playoff experience, another mentor, and great pitching to a still young team. Someone could end up getting the next AJ Burnett and I hope it's us again.