Thanks, But No Thanks

Former Chicago Cub starting pitcher Ryan Dempster recently took out a one-page ad in a Chicago newspaper to thank the Cubs organization, and the community of Chicago for the support that they have shown the veteran pitcher over the course of his tenure with the Cubs. Over the course of this past month, Dempster has gone from being a respected member fo the Cubs’ organization to being a former Cub whose actions turned a majority of the fan-base against him during his final weeks with the Cubs organization.

Lets look back to early June when Dempster told reporters that he would be willing to waive no trade clause that he obtained through 10-and-5 rights if there was an opportunity that presented itself that would be a benefit to the organization. While talking with the Waddle and Silvy show on June 7, Dempster was asked if we would be open to a trade, and the pitcher indicated that he would hold no objection to whatever the front office decided to do.

"“I think I would be doing everybody in that locker room and anybody who is a Cubs fan and most importantly the Cubs organization a huge disservice if I didn’t put all my focus and attention on trying to make my start and do the best I can to help us win,” Dempster said Wednesday on “The Waddle & Silvy Show” on ESPN 1000. “You’re in a situation where if it does happen, they are going to do what’s best for the Chicago Cubs, and I’m all for that.” ESPN Chicago"

As we neared closer to the month of July, Dempster’s true intentions began to change. Dempster went from doing what was best for the Cubs, to only being open to accepting a trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves. This is where Dempster apologists begin to say that Dempster has that right because of the 10-and-5 rights that he has obtained for being a 10 year Major League veteran, and spending 5 seasons with the Cubs. There is no question that Dempster has earned that right.

Then came the month of July. After trying and trying to work out a trade with the Dodgers, Dempster’s preferred destination, the Cubs then turned their attention to making a deal with Braves. Contrary reports, Dempster was well aware of the fact that the Cubs and Braves were talking about a possible trade. Dempster gave no indication to the Cubs’ front office that he would not accept a trade to the Braves. On the morning of July 23, the Cubs’ front office notified Dempster that they were closing in on a trade that would have sent him to the Braves. Again, Dempster gave no indication that he was against a trade to Atlanta. After all, the Braves were on of the team’s that Dempster told the front office he would accept a trade to. Later that afternoon, the Cubs and Braves agreed to a trade that would have sent Dempster to the Braves in exchange for pitcher Randall Delgado. When Dempster got wind of the news, reportedly after a nap, he was up in arms and suggested that he was blindsided by the news.

Dempster was not blindsided by anything. The Cubs’ front office told Dempster on at least four occasions that they were talking to the Braves about a potential trade, and the veteran pitcher did not at any point tell the team that he would not accept to Atlanta. Had he done that, the Cubs’ front office would not have wasted a week in talks with the Braves about a trade that was never going to be finalized because of Dempster not wanting to go to Atlanta.

In the aftermath of Dempster calling foul on the proposed Atlanta deal, Cubs’ President Theo Epstein and General Manager Jed Hoyer ended on good terms with Braves’ General Manager Frank Wren as the two sides agreed to a trade that sent pitcher Paul Maholm and outfielder Reed Johnson to Atlanta. Meanwhile, Dempster held out until the last minute for a trade that would send him to Los Angeles going as far as to listen in on the trade discussions between the two teams as a way for the Cubs’ front office to prove to Dempster that Dodgers were not serious about their efforts to land the starting pitcher. Dempster, in the minutes leading up to the trade deadline, accepted a trade to the Texas Rangers.

So to Ryan Dempster, Who You Crapping? Sure Dempster and his apologists can try to spin the story that shines him in a positive light but in the end, Dempster is nothing more than liar whose own contradictions made life difficult for the Cubs’ front office. Epstein and Hoyer have far more class than what Dempster showed them over recent weeks, and the pair of executives will certainly have the last laugh.