MLB Trade Rumors: Los Angeles Dodgers Interested in Cole Hamels, Kevin Youkilis

The 2012 Major League Baseball regular season has been quite the turbulent ride for the upstart Los Angeles Dodgers. From Matt Kemp's MVP-caliber April to the All-Star's multiple trips to the disabled list, the highs and lows have been extreme.

With the trade deadline slowly creeping upon us, the calamity surrounding the Dodgers has only grown louder.

According to Danny Knobler of CBS Sports, the Los Angeles Dodgers have begun targeting two of the most high-profile players in the game today in starting pitcher Cole Hamels of the Philadelphia Phillies and third baseman Kevin Youkilis of the Boston Red Sox. The only question at this point is: How long will the Dodgers wait to pull the trigger?

The Dodgers certainly possess a need at the hot corner, with utility players Adam Kennedy and Jerry Hairston Jr. currently posing as Los Angeles' best options. What they do not possess, however, is a desire to pay Youkilis' $12 and $13 million salaries over the next two seasons.

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The Dodgers' interest in Boston infielder Kevin Youkilis is only lukewarm, meaning they don't want to pay his salary or deal a top prospect.

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"— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) June 1, 2012"

While the desire to refrain from giving up any significant pieces is understandable for the Dodgers, it's worth noting that they are currently four games ahead of the second-place San Francisco Giants in the NL West.

Why settle for mediocrity in the pursuit of championship glory?

Both Hamels and Youkilis have championship rings to their respective names. They also offer major upgrades over the Dodgers' current positional assets. The route to be taken is settle for mediocrity until free agency rolls around in 2013. 

Thus, we shall see what we've all been waiting for: the beginning of a dynasty in Los Angeles.