MLB Trade Rumors: Ranking Odds of Ryan Dempster Landing with Each Top Suitor

Could Ryan Dempster actually be the best player traded prior to the 2012 MLB Trade Deadline? According to David Schoenfield of ESPN.com, that may be the case. 

Not only does Schoenfield think that Dempster could be the best player dealt, but he also believes that teams should start pursuing Dempster now, as opposed to waiting until it is closer to the deadline.

Schoenfield has come up with seven different contenders he believes could be interested in acquiring Dempster this year. Additionally, Schoenfield provides possible trade scenarios.

This article will take a look at the potential contenders Schoenfield mentioned, as well as a few other teams that could be interested in him, and it also provides each team's odds of acquiring him. 

Boston Red Sox

This year has certainly not gone according to plan for the Boston Red Sox, and they are sitting at the bottom of the American League East. They will have a tough road to climb if they are going to make the playoffs.

David Schoenfield of ESPN.com suggests that the Red Sox would be a good spot for Ryan Dempster. This just doesn't make much sense based on the direction in which the team looks like it is headed.

Odds: 0.5 percent

New York Mets

The New York Mets are one of the teams that pop up on David Schoenfield's list of potential suitors for Ryan Dempster. He suggests that the team could trade Matthew Den Dekker and a Class A pitching prospect in order to acquire Dempster.

This move wouldn't make much sense for the Mets. Going after Dempster would be a "win now" type of move and he is not worth their dealing Den Dekker. Additionally, the Mets could call up Zack Wheeler or Matt Harvey if they need a starter down the stretch. There is also the chance that the Mets will not even be in contention for the playoffs a month from now.

Odds: 0.5 percent

New York Yankees

Starting pitching has been a bit of an issue for the New York Yankees this year. While CC Sabathia, Andy Pettitte and Hiroki Kuroda have been fine, Ivan Nova and Phil Hughes have been quite the opposite.

The Yankees may be interested in pursuing a starter this year, but it does not seem like Ryan Dempster will be an option for them. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports has written that the Yankees prefer starters such as Matt Garza and Wandy Rodriguez over Dempster and Milwaukee Brewers starter Zack Greinke.

Odds: Five percent

Atlanta Braves

The National League East certainly seems to be wide open this year and the Atlanta Braves are in the hunt. They have put themselves in a good position to reach the playoffs this year, but they may need another veteran starter on their pitching staff.

David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution argues that, while a pitcher like Dempster could fill a need for the Braves, that the team will likely not go after someone like him. The argument that O'Brien makes is a very sound one, but it would be foolish to completely count the Braves out from going after Dempster.

Odds: Six percent

St. Louis Cardinals

It was clear that repeating as World Series champs would not be easy for the St. Louis Cardinals this year, but they have played fairly well to begin the year. The one place that they have really struggled is with their starting rotation.

The opportunity to acquire Ryan Dempster may be one that is too big for the Cardinals to pass up. David Schoenfield of ESPN.com suggests that Tyler Greene, Adron Chambers and Maikel Cleto could be enough to make a deal happen. However, it is hard to see the Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs coming together to make a deal.

Odds: Eight percent

Detroit Tigers

Dave Schoenfield of ESPN.com notes that his favorites to land Ryan Dempster this summer are the Detroit Tigers. He suggests that Dempster could end up costing them Casey Kelly or Rick Porcello.

Trading for Dempster does not make much sense for the Tigers. With Justin Verlander, Drew Smyly and Doug FIster, the Tigers already have the makings of a very good rotation. They need just two of Rick Porcello, Max Scherzer, Casey Crosby, Jacob Turner or Andy Oliver to pitch well in the majors this year to fill out their rotation.

Mortgaging part of their future for a a half-season of Dempster does not seem like a great move for the Tigers. However, since Dempster has put up good numbers during a few seasons in his career, the Tigers may be willing to take a chance that he could be the piece they need to win a World Series this year.

Odds: 10 percent

Milwaukee Brewers

Beyond Zack Greinke and Shawn Marcum, starting pitching has been a problem for the Milwaukee Brewers this season. It should not be that surprising then that David Schoenfield of ESPN.com has mentioned them as a possible destination for Ryan Dempster.

Dempster would provide a big boost to the Brewers rotation and it would allow them to take advantage of what could be Greinke's last year with the team. Schoenfield speculates that it will cost the Brewers Scooter Gennett. If that is all Dempster costs, the Brew Crew could be willing to make a move for him.

Odds: 10 percent

The Field

This season could see a number of teams that become buyers around the trade deadline. Some teams may look to acquire a pitcher like Ryan Dempster that can help push them towards the playoffs.

There are teams that may not be looking for a starter at the moment that could become interested later. If Tim Lincecum continues to struggle, could the Giants trade for another starter? If Pittsburgh remains in first place, could they try to acquire Dempster to replace Charlie Morton? There are a number of possibilities in which a team that was not mentioned in this slideshow could make a move for Dempster this year.

Odds: 10 percent

Cleveland Indians

There are three teams near the top of the American League Central, and they will likely all be fighting it out for a spot in the playoffs until the end of the year. Getting a player who can make a difference may be the thing that separates them.

Ryan Dempster could be that player for the Cleveland Indians. He would provide an immediate boost to their starting rotation. Dave Schoenfield of ESPN.com believes that Dempster could end up in Cleveland.  

Odds: 15 percent

Baltimore Orioles

Few, if any, teams this year have been a bigger surprise than the Baltimore Orioles. They have been one of the early season's best stories and they look like they have a chance to be a playoff contender.

If Baltimore is going to keep things up this season, they do need pitching help. Danny Knobler of CBS Sports has noted that the Orioles are in the market for a starting pitcher. Dave Schoenfield of ESPN.com sees the Orioles as one of the favorites for Dempster but also believes that he may cost them Jonathan Schoop. At that price, it is unlikely that the Orioles will make a deal, but, if Dempster is less expensive, the Orioles may be primed to make a move for him.

Odds: 15 percent

Los Angeles Dodgers

Through the first 50-plus games of the 2012 season, the Los Angeles Dodgers have established themselves as the best team in baseball. They have the opportunity to get even better by making a trade. One place that they could look to improve is their starting rotation.

Danny Knobler of CBS Sports has said that the Dodgers are interested in Ryan Dempster. That has been confirmed based on a report from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports in which he speaks with a rival GM who notes that acquiring Dempster would be a "classic Ned Colletti buy".

Odds: 20 percent