If Ryan Dempster controlled his own fate, he'd be staying in the National League. FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that Dempster's preferred destination would be the Los Angeles Dodgers, if and when he is traded. The Atlanta Braves, however, are second on Dempster's wish list.
Ryan Dempster's first choice is the Los Angeles Dodgers and his second is the Atlanta Braves, according to major-league sources.
Dempster, 35, has spent his entire 15-year career in the National League, and is good friends with Dodgers left-hander Ted Lilly.
However, he will not necessarily play hardball.
Dempster's primary wish is to go to a contender, and he likely would consider any of the teams interested in him, including the Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox and Washington Nationals.
Dempster, according to one source, has told the Cubs that he is open to many clubs and given them only a handful of teams that he would reject.
While Dempster would like to play for either the Dodgers or Braves, he is clearly amenable to a number of destinations. And that's how it should be, really -- the player should not be holding the organization hostage.
Dempster is having a fantastic season, but as Rosenthal noted, he's 35 years old. If the Cubs are looking for a top prospect, the Braves are better off trying to acquire Zack Greinke from the Milwaukee Brewers.
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