I, too, am confused by the events of this afternoon.
After just about every national baseball writer in the country (including Matt Bowman, Keith Law, and Jeff Passan) reported that a deal had been struck that would send Ryan Dempster to the Braves in exchange for up-and-comin’ youngin’ Randall Delgado, Dempter had to go and ruin all the fun.
(raises hand)I know where it came from. It came from Atlanta’s beat reporter, mlb.com. cubs.com. Bob Nightengale, and about 50 other places. Oh, and Dale Sveum jumped in too, demonizing Twitter and social media, blah blah blah. But since Dale is usually the last to know anything, I figure Theo just hadn’t gotten around to telling him yet.
So, what happened? My guess is that a deal was done and someone backed out. Was it Dempster? The Cubs? The Braves? The world may never know. We *think* the current status is thus: The teams have agreed in theory to a deal, and are now just waiting for Dempster to approve or kill the deal. At any rate. MLB.com is now reporting that a deal is “close.”
Of course, this entire debacle gave the Chicago beat writers, who haven’t broken a story about the Cubs since roughly the time of the Great Chicago Fire, the chance to jump around and crow about people’s “sources.” Do I think Jeff Passan and Keith Law have better sources than the Chicago beat writers? Yes I do. If they reported a deal was done, do I believe it was done? Yes, Yes, a thousand times YES.
At any rate, the Cubs have a game to play tonight, and play they will.
Tonight, Jeff Samardizja takes on Erik Bedard (Eric Bedard plays for the Pirates? Get outta town . . .) at PNC Park.
First pitch is at 6:05 pm CT on CSN.
Lineup to come when we get it.
Well if nothing else it made for an interesting afternoon. “since roughly the time of the Great Chicago Fire” too funny Julie! Not to mention true.
Maybe Dempster is just playing a really elaborate practical joke on everyone.
My thought: “that’s one hell of a long April Fool’s joke.”
Interesting read on mbl.com regarding Clemons, Bonds and Sosa all becoming Hall-eligible in 2013.
http://atmlb.com/MEvTdP
I frankly doubt any of the them (add McGwire to the list) get in for 10 years at least.
The weirdest guy EVER is sitting with me on the train. I’m paralyzed with fear.
Don’t make eye contact! Or maybe do??? Hard to say.
look right in his eye and make weird faces.
You say that like every day.
this guy was the weirdest. Imagine Marty Feldman in a circa ’76 Elvis wig.
I don’t know if anyone here has said anything…but Ichiro was traded to the Yankees.
That just seems wrong on so many levels.
No one here has said anything.
There’s a reason for that. It’s too weird to discuss.
I’m happy for him- the Yankees can stick him on their bench, and when they go on to the playoff,he can shine again. I bet almost every player who is struggling would like to end up on the Yankees bench….
Of course I also believe that every struggling pitcher should also be picked up by the Yankees, sent to the minors to work it out,and then be sprung on the unsuspecting league. Kind of an island of misfit players deal…
Did they trade Dempster yet?
Jon Heyman says it’s now 50/50. LOL
i think everyone is just coming up with differing opinions on where the trade is at right now so they can be the ones to point and say “I was right!” when this is all over.
This game is a snoozer.
Hey, when Good Spellcheck shows up, you get a nice boring pitcher’s duel!
I’m really hoping this doesn’t happen. As a nationals fan, I’d prefer he go to Washington, the AL, or the dodgers. In that order.
Will you SHUT UP about the Nationals?
Is this not the nationals blog?
also, have you not noticed how much better they have been than the cubs?
Ray Charles noticed that. Do you remember how bad they were for the last 5 years?
Nope.
If Spellcheck wins the game, does this mean he has to dress up as Jesus before every start?
Cubs win!