The Chicago Cubs nearly traded veteran starter Ryan Dempster to the Atlanta Braves last week before the deal allegedly fell apart due to the veteran righty's preference on landing in Los Angeles. If the Cubs and the Dodgers are to work out a deal, it will have to be before Tuesday's 3:00 p.m. non-waiver trade deadline. If Dempster remains in Chicago, he's scheduled to start for the Cubs against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field on Tuesday.

Dempster said on Monday that he harbors zero animosity towards the organization for how the situation has played out.

"They’ve got a job to do. They're trying to do what's best for the Chicago Cubs and I understand that. They’ve been honest with me, it seems like. I'm just trying to do what I can to continue to do my job as a player, and that's to get ready to pitch."

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