Kaplan: Trio of suitors for Dempster

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After a busy Monday evening that saw Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer swing two deals sending Reed Johnson and Paul Maholm to the Atlanta Braves for two minor league pitchers and catcher Geovany Soto to the Texas Rangers for another minor league arm, Tuesday looks like it has the potential to be another extremely busy day for Cubs management.

Baseball sources have confirmed to me that three teams are in play for Ryan Dempster and he will approve a deal to any of the three teams if the Cubs can agree on a suitable return in exchange for the veteran right-hander who is enjoying one of the best seasons of his career. The Los Angeles Dodgers, who have long been Dempster's preferred destination will have to increase their offer as the Texas Rangers and New York Yankees have stepped up their pursuit over the last 48 hours. With Roy Oswalt having another poor performance on Monday evening, the Rangers have decided to upgrade their rotation and are looking at all available options including Dempster and Matt Garza.

"Texas is serious about adding a starter and Dempster isn't as expensive to trade for as Garza would be, but after finishing as runners-up in the last two World Series and seeing the Angels add Zach Greinke, Texas management has decided to make a run at adding pitching, a baseball source told me. "However, with three teams seriously involved, it won't be cheap to acquire him even though it is potentially a three-month rental."

"Dempster has made it clear to Cubs management that he would like to play in Los Angeles but he also understands that Epstein and Hoyer have a job to do and he will not stand in their way if it means that the best deal is somewhere else," a source with knowledge of the discussions told me this morning. "He never told them he would only go to LA, he only said that he wanted time to make the best decision for him and his family and that is his right as a 105 10 years in the majors, the last five with your current team man. Ryan is serious about wanting to win a World Series and he will approve a deal if it gives him that chance. People who have been critical of him about the Atlanta deal don't have all of the facts."

Former major-league reliever Mitch Williams told me yesterday on Chicago Tribune Live that he believes Dempster is right to use his veto power to determine where he plays next.

"Fans and media who are critical of Dempster are wrong to feel that way," Williams said. "He earned the right to determine his future and any one of us would use that privilege if we had it. He has been a tremendous player and teammate for the Cubs and he will go right up to the deadline before he makes a decision if that is what it takes to get him to the best situation for him and his family."

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