Phillies’ N.L. East Rival Braves Trade for Cubs RHP Ryan Dempster…or Not

Look almost anywhere sports-related online that the Atlanta Braves have acquired Cubs RHP Ryan Dempster in a trade.   In fact, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported that the deal is done:

Ryan Dempster, on the other hand.  Says that there is no trade and he "does not know where it's coming from":

The Braves and the Cubs may have agreed what players they would send back and forth in a Ryan Dempster trade, but Dempster must approve the deal for it to go down.  All players in the league for 10 years and with five or more years' service in one team have the right to reject a trade.  Perhaps Dempster does not like Atlanta, or maybe he would like Atlanta to make accepting the trade worth his while in the form of some extra payment.

If Dempster does approve the deal, the Braves will be stabilizing their rotation that has been shaken due to injuries and poor performance.   In 2012, Dempster is 5-4 but with a 2.11 ERA.

Should Dempster land with the Braves, I would think they have the best chance of winning the National League East.