Cubs’ Dempster discusses tirade, Braves

Ryan Dempster can veto any trade because he's a player with 10 years of major league experience and five with his current team.

Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster, the subject of trade talks between Chicago and the Braves earlier this week, had some interesting comments Wednesday night after what might be his last start in a Cubs uniform.

Dempster allowed three runs in six innings of a 3-2 loss to the Pirates and threw a tantrum after being pulled by manager Dale Sveum before the seventh inning. Dempster slammed a cooler lid, tossed aside a cooler and threw a full plastic bottle.

After the game, he talked about his actions, Atlanta GM Frank Wren, and the possibility of being dealt before the July 31 trade deadline.

When asked if he had ruled out accepting a deal to the Braves, Dempster responded, ‘I never said that.”

Dempster has blocked a trade to the Braves so far, hoping he’d instead be traded to the Dodgers. Wren said Wednesday morning that “it’s highly unlikely” the Braves would be able to complete their deal.

Dempster said he respects the GM and understands his position. “[The Braves] can’t worry about waiting around for me to make my decision. If that’s still an option down the road, that’s something I’m going to look at.”

Dempster added that he would be using Thursday’s day off to look at “a couple of different things … to make the best decision.”

Here’s the interview from the Chicago Tribune. His thoughts about the Braves begin 2:49 into the video.

Meanwhile, another desirable starting pitcher appears certain to be dealt before the July 31 trade deadline.

Milwaukee Brewers general manager Doug Melvin confirmed that the team is fielding trade inquiries for Zack Greinke and seemed resigned to losing the righty.

“I’m very fond of him,” Melvin told USA Today. “He’s one of my favorite players I ever had. Really, he’s been like a son to me. It’s been a great experience having him for a year and a half. There are so many good things about him, it’s going to be difficult when we trade him.”

Milwaukee just returned home from an 0-6 road trip.

Greinke is 9-3 with a 3.44 ERA this season.

Get Twitter updates and breaking news from the AJC’s David O’Brien on any moves by the Braves.