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MLB trade deadline rumors

MLB Trade Deadline Rumors: Brett Myers

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Of all the needs contenders have in the July trading season bullpen help is usually the easiest—and riskiest to acquire. The fluid nature of relievers’ performance makes it a risk to bet too heavily on almost anyone, and consequently also-rans can often turn four months of a hot run by a reliever into respectable trading chips in return. The fact that a contenders’ bullpen woes are most obvious to the fan base right around now only makes the GM’s job tougher. And the flip side is that a reliable reliever that’s available becomes even more valuable. In that light, TheSportsNotebook evaluates Houston closer Brett Myers and where a good fit might be.

MLB Trade Deadline Rumors: Ryan Dempster

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If the MLB trade rumor mill is to be believed, then the first significant piece of the July trading extravaganza is likely to happen this week and it would involve Chicago Cubs’ starting pitcher Ryan Dempster. According to ESPN’s Buster Olney the Cubs want to get Dempster moved now and then focus their efforts on dealing Matt Garza. While the latter is the more significant trading chip, if teams feel like Dempster is a consolation prize it might limit what the Cubs can get in return. Olney cites last year’s situation with San Diego, where the biggest surprise of the deadline was their inability to move closer Heath Bell and observers feel it was because setup man Mike Adams—who eventually landed in Texas—was seen as a more affordable consolation prize. Therefore it makes sense for Chicago general manager Theo Epstein to deal Dempster this week (preferably prior to his scheduled start on Friday) and then open the bidding on Garza. TheSportsNotebook evaluates Dempster and his suitability for possible trade partners.