CHICAGO – Ryan Dempster can’t avoid having his name remain a topic of conversation.

Too many questions surround Dempster and his departure from the Cubs, one that dragged into the final minutes of Tuesday’s nonwaiver trade deadline. From the Atlanta Braves to the Los Angeles Dodgers to the New York Yankees and, ultimately to the Texas Rangers, rumors swirled in the final days surrounding Dempster’s destination.

And unfortunately for him, amid an ordeal featuring secrecy and public scrutiny, Dempster was branded the bad guy in a trade gone wrong with the Braves after utilizing his 10-and-5 rights. He held out hope until 15 minutes before the deadline that he would land with his No. 1 preference – the Dodgers.