All of a sudden, the NL East looks that much more competitive. The Atlanta Braves swung big for pitcher Ryan Dempster and landed him from the Chicago Cubs, according to the official MLB twitter page, via Chris Mottram of SB Nation.

Bad news for the Nats. RT @MLB: BREAKING: @Cubs dealing RHP Ryan Dempster to @Braves, confirms @mlbbowman.

— Chris Mottram (@ChrisMottram) July 23, 2012

Right now there is no official word as to who will be going to Chicago in return for Dempster. One rumor floating right now thinks its pitcher Randall Delgado.

The Washington Nationals had been rumored as a possible destination for the veteran, given that there is the possibility that rotation ace Stephen Strasburg may have to be shut down for the year soon.

So far this year, Dempster is 5-4 with a 2.11 ERA in 15 starts. He has also thrown 77 strikeouts, has walked only 27 batters and has allowed only seven home runs this season. The next time that the Braves play the Nationals, the Nats better be ready to go against him.

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