Ryan Dempster solid, but Cubs lose 3-2 to Pirates as trade speculation continues

The Cubs lost 3-2 to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the last game of the three-game series today at PNC Park.  But the Cubs did win the series, which is a bonus, although a sweep would have been even better.

Ryan Dempster made a solid start for the Cubs and allowed three runs on five hits and struck out six batters and walked none over six innings pitched.  However, Dempster wasn't happy when manager Dale Sveum sent Scott Maine out to pitch in the seventh inning and said, "I'm fine.  I'm allowed to be upset.  I respect (Sveum) a lot.  That's his decision.  It doesn't mean I have to be happy about it.  At the end of the day, he's just trying to do what's best for the ballclub.  I have nothing but respect for that.  Just the competitor in me wants to get out there and keep trying to pitch."

Ryan Dempster made a solid start for the Cubs against the Pirates (photo from Chicago Tribune)

“I had a job to do today and that’s really important to me,” Dempster also said. “I had to try and separate the two things, make sure I’m getting my rest and we had a day game today.  I wanted to make sure my focus was on going out there pitching and doing my job.  Now I will have tonight, obviously, and the off day tomorrow to try and look at a couple of different things and see what the possibilities are and go from there to make the best possible decision for me.”

I'm sure all the trade talk these past couple of weeks has got to be weighing down on him.  Especially when some people on Twitter and certain reporters are bad-mouthing him just because the trade with the Atlanta Braves didn't happen.  Cub fans need to relax instead of insulting players because they're not happy with what is or isn't happening with their team.  How can you be such a fan of a player and then turn your back on them so quickly?  That's the part I don't get.  But maybe that's just me... I understand why fans might be upset that Demp didn't approve the deal with the Braves - so the Cubs didn't get a major-league ready pitcher in the trade, but come on, these kinds of things happen and it's no excuse to bad-mouth and insult players on social media.

On a higher note, Anthony Rizzo also hit his fifth home run of the season and also had an RBI single in today's game.

Anthony Rizzo is congratulated by third base coach Pat Listach after his home run against the Pirates (photo from Chicago Tribune)

The Cubs have an off-day tomorrow before they start a three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field on Friday at 1:20pm CT.  Travis Wood will make the start for the Cubs and try for his fifth win of the season.  Let's hope we can pay the Redbirds back for the series earlier this week in St. Louis!

Dempster and Garza trade talk; Cubs finalize deal with Albert Almora; LaHair and Castro at All-Star Game

Now that the All-Star game is over, (in case you haven't heard, or have been living in a hole, the National League shut out the American League 8-0) Theo Epstein and the Cubs can move on and see what deals they can make before the July 31st trade deadline.  Even though I don't want players such as Ryan Dempster and Matt Garza to go, I'm a realist and understand that we must plan for the future, especially in a "rebuilding" year.

Apparently the Dodgers and Orioles are both interested in Dempster and Garza and have been talking to the Cubs.  The Red Sox, Yankees and Blue Jays might also be interested in Garza.


Dempster has now pitched 27 straight scoreless innings and will make his second start since returning from the disabled list on Saturday against the Diamondbacks at Wrigley Field.

Ryan Dempster could be traded before the July 31st trade deadline (photo from cubs.com)

Garza isn't having the best year on the Cubs, but is still generating interest from many teams, who haven't forgotten his effectiveness with the Rays in the super-competitive AL East division.

Matt Garza is also drawing interest from many teams (photo from Chicago Tribune)

In other Cubs news, the team has officially signed 18-year old, 6-foot-2, 180 pound outfielder Albert Almora, who was the No. 6 overall pick in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft.  Almora reportedly received a signing bonus of $3.9 million.

Outfielder Albert Almora has officially signed with the Cubs

"I'm speechless," Almora said after being drafted last month.  "I don't remember much of anything that happened tonight.  I know that the Cubs drafted me and I'm grateful, but I'm still kind of shocked and overwhelmed." Almora reports to Mesa today for his first workout with the Cubs organization.

Cubs third baseman Ian Stewart had surgery on his wrist on Tuesday and everything went well.  Stewart tweeted the following, "Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes today...surgery was a success and now back in the hotel resting...thanks again #FightOn"

Third baseman Ian Stewart had successful wrist surgery Tuesday, but will most likely be out for the rest of the season

Here are some photos of Bryan LaHair and Starlin Castro representing the Cubs and the National League in this year's All-Star game:

Bryan LaHair and Starlin Castro at the 2012 All-Star Game in Kansas City (photo from Chicago Cubs)

Starlin Castro and Bryan LaHair prepare to talk to the media for this year's All-Star game (photo from Chicago Cubs)

The Cubs will play a three-game against the Arizona Diamondbacks starting at 1:20pm CT on Friday at Wrigley Field.  Paul Maholm will start for the Cubs and try for his third win in a row and seventh win of the season.