Cubs Rumors: Theo Epstein Noncommittal on Ryan Dempster’s Future

Ryan Dempster’s time with the Chicago Cubs figures to be short.  While many expect this to be the case, Cubs president Theo Epstein isn’t committing one way or another to what Dempster’s future is with the club.  Epstein told Toni Ginnetti of the Chicago Sun-Times that he and Dempster are keeping an “open dialogue” regarding the right-hander’s future with the Cubs.

The Cubs are currently tied for the worst record in the majors with the Minnesota Twins.  Over the summer, Epstein and Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer hinted that the club would be looking toward the future; a way of calling for rebuilding without actually using the word itself.

Dempster entered the season in the final year of his contract.  As such, his future with the Cubs didn’t figure to extend beyond the 2012 season or perhaps even July 31.

After getting off to the start that he has, Dempster has become a trade candidate.  Many expect the Cubs to deal Dempster and his impressive ERA and WHIP of 2.14 and 1.061 in the not too distant future.

However, Epstein wasn’t willing to commit to anything regarding Dempster’s future.  Epstein said that the Cubs and Dempster have kept “open dialogue” throughout the season.  Epstein even said that Dempster could potentially be signed to a new contract that would keep him with the Cubs.

This sounds like what Dempster would prefer, as he told the media he’d like to remain in Chicago.  Still, Epstein’s lines sound like GM-speak, and a Dempster trade still seems more than likely given the Cubs place in the standing, the makeup of their roster, and the long-term direction of their club.

For more on the Cubs be sure to check out Cubbies Crib.