Ryan Dempster Trade Rumors: Latest Updates on Red Sox, Dodgers and More

Ryan Dempster's major league-leading 1.86 ERA is a hot commodity on this year's trade market. According to ESPN Chicago's Bruce Levine, the Cubs' innings-eater has 10 potential suitors.

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With a little more than two weeks until baseball's trade deadline, 10 teams have shown legitimate interest in acquiring Dempster's services for the remainder of the season, according to industry sources. Those clubs include the Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox and Atlanta Braves.

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Those 10 suitors will be divided into contenders and pretenders for Dempster's services as the next few days pass by. According to FOX Sports' Jon Morosi, the Dodgers and the Tigers are the most serious suitors up to this point, but ESPN's Buster Olney reported the Red Sox are aggressively pursuing his services as well.

Things always get wacky at this juncture in the baseball season. The July 31 trade deadline is rapidly approaching, and Dempster is one of the most coveted arms on the market.

Let's check out the latest buzz surrounding the low man on the league's ERA totem pole.

Dodgers Remain as Strongest Suitors

UPDATE: Monday, July 30 at 10:21 p.m. ET

This situation remains sticky. Los Angeles is interested in Dempster's services. According to Jon Morosi, the two sides are still discussing a deal.

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#Cubs and #Dodgers still discussing trade scenarios involving Ryan Dempster and Alfonso Soriano. @mlbonfox

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 31, 2012"

On the other hand USA Today reporter Bob Nightengale reports that the Dodgers are careful about the prospects they're willing to part with.

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The #Dodgers reiterated Monday they won't trade pitching prospect Allen Webster for #Cubs Ryan Dempster, either,and scouts don't blame em.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 31, 2012"

These two teams have one day to find common ground. It's understandable that the Dodgers wouldn't want to part with their most coveted arms, but you must part with potential to acquire production.

Stay tuned.

Braves Moving Away from Dempster?

UPDATE: Wednesday, July 25 at 10:00 a.m. EST

With no movement on the Dempster front, Sandra Golden of 680 The Fan in Atlanta reported that the Braves are ready to move away from the deal because Dempster did not give the okay for a deal. 

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Frank Wren said deal with Dempster "highly unlikely". Braves had paramaters that expired yesterday.

— Sandra Golden (@sportsandra) July 25, 2012"

Golden also quoted Braves general manager Frank Wren, who does not feel like the team needs to be backing itself into a corner. 

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Great Stuff from Frank Wren on Dempster "not going to paint ourselves in a corner... we have moved on" #braves

— Sandra Golden (@sportsandra) July 25, 2012"

Wren is absolutely right. If the Braves had a deal they thought was fair that the Cubs agreed to but Dempster, for whatever reason, did not want to move to Atlanta, there is no reason for them to keep talking about it. 

There are other players available for the Braves to go after. Of course, with six days to go before the trade deadline, they can always come back to Dempster if nothing works out with another team. 

Dempster Making His Control Known

Update: Tuesday, July 24 at 8:30 p.m. ET by Ian Hanford

Ryan Dempster is putting his veteran ability to veto potential trades on full display. We thought he was an Atlanta Brave on Monday, but MLB.com reporter Mark Bowman spoke to that situation in his report on Tuesday.

"The Braves are prepared to add Ryan Dempster to their rotation, but will first have to wait for the veteran pitcher's approval.

The Braves reached an agreement on Monday to acquire Dempster from the Cubs. But Dempster must accept the trade before it can be official. This is a right he has earned because he has played in the Majors for at least 10 years and been with the same team for at least five years.

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Los Angeles Times reporter Steve Dilbeck gave a bit more detail on the Atlanta situation on Tuesday, while shedding light on Dempster's potentially ideal landing spot.

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Dempster has veto power over a trade and apparently the Cubs thought they had his approval, only as it turned out, they did not. At least not yet.

It seems Dempster wants to be a Dodger and be reunited with his former Cubs teammate Lilly, and since there is still a week to go before the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline, he is in no hurry to give his blessing to the Braves while the Dodgers are still interested.

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So, there's that. Lilly's presence in Los Angeles, plus the Dodgers' pending National League pennant race, must have a strong pull on Dempster at this point in his career. He isn't getting any younger. Comfort and postseason play must play huge in his mind at this point.

The biggest obstacle for the Dodgers seems to be what to send to Chicago in return for the innings-eater's services. They don't want to part with top prospect Zach Lee, and FOX Sports reporter Jon Morosi seems to think they can get the deal done without including their prized arm in the return package.

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Source says there are ways for #Dodgers to get Ryan Dempster from #Cubs without surrendering Zach Lee.

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 24, 2012"

If the Dodgers can get a deal done without including Lee they should make it happen. They already have arguably the league's best pitching staff, and Dempster would add valuable depth for a possible run into October.

Stay tuned as the pages keep flipping in this saga. Dempster is sought after, but only he can decide where he plays baseball after July 31.

Is Detroit a Serious Contender?

The Detroit Tigers have been mentioned as one of the most serious suitors for Dempster by FOX Sports' Jon Morosi.

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Enough clubs are interested that Theo Epstein has the chance to act quickly; the Dodgers and Tigers are among the most serious, sources say.

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That update comes two days after 105.9 WBBM (Chicago sports radio) personality George Ofman's reference to potential framework surrounding any deal.

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Cubs have at least 2 deals on table for Dempster. One from Tigers including young lefty and from Dodgers for two pitching prospects.

— George ofman (@georgeofman) July 14, 2012"

The Tigers definitely need a starter to stabilize their rotation. Justin Verlander is very good, but every other starter is hit-and-miss. Max Scherzer and Rick Porcello should provide that consistency, but they haven't reached their considerable potential. 

At this point, Detroit is in the thick of things when it comes to Dempster. That could change in minutes, but you can't discount their efforts at this point.

Can the Yankees Get Their Home-Run-Happy Lineup Some Help?

The New York Yankees have arguably the most potent offense in the major leagues, but their pitching staff leaves something to be desired. Their team ERA is 10th in the league, but teams are hitting nearly .260 against Yankees pitchers.

According to NBC's Hardball Talk, the Yankees are exploring possible remedies to that issue.

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The Yankees are unlikely to get Hamels; are cool on Zack Greinke, Matt Garza and Ryan Dempster dlvr.it/1sP4zz #mlb #hbt

— Hardball Talk (@HardballTalk) July 16, 2012"

This news came on the heels of FOX Sports' Jon Morosi's news concerning Yankees scouts.

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#Yankees have a scout watching #DBacks and #Cubs this weekend. So speculate away about Upton, Dempster and Garza. @MLBONFOX

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 15, 2012"

If a major name is available this time of year, you can almost always bet that the Yankees are lurking. Pitching is their most dire need this year, and Dempster's ability to eat innings could provide the consistency they need.

With the Red Sox giving heavy chase, I think it's safe to say that the Yankees aren't going anywhere anytime soon when it comes to Dempster.

Will the Dodgers Hang in the Race?

George Ofman, sports anchor for Newsradio 780 and 105.9 WBBM in Chicago, reported details surrounding the Dodgers on Saturday.

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Cubs have at least 2 deals on table for Dempster. One from Tigers including young lefty and from Dodgers for two pitching prospects.

— George ofman (@georgeofman) July 14, 2012"

This backs up the sentiments expressed by FOX Sports' Jon Morosi that same day.

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#Dodgers have a scout at Wrigley Field this weekend. Dempster pitched today, Garza Sunday.

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 15, 2012"

Adding Dempster would give the Dodgers an even better rotation than what they already have, and that's scary. Their current collection of arms boasts the No. 2 team ERA in baseball and are No. 1 in quality starts. 

They are led by an overachieving Chris Capuano (9-5 2.75 ERA). Dempster isn't a major upgrade in terms of talent, but he would add tremendous stability to the Dodgers group.

Is Boston the No. 1 Contender for This Veteran Arm?

ESPN's Buster Olney reported on Monday that the Red Sox are in heavy pursuit of an arm to bolster their rotation.

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Source: The Red Sox are aggressive in the pursuit of Ryan Dempster. Cubs going through their process on the right-hander.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 16, 2012"

Boston currently has the No. 21 team ERA in the major leagues. Their dynamic offense isn't matched by their flawed starting rotation. Adding Dempster's experience and veteran mindset would definitely benefit Boston's current crop of pitchers.

The Red Sox seemed to take their playoff run for granted last season, as they blew the AL East lead to Tampa down the season's final stretch.

Dempster has never sniffed "real" postseason glory. He made it to the National League Division Series with Chicago in 2007 and 2008, but that isn't enough to slake his playoff thirst.

Adding Dempster's hunger would be a bonus for Boston as they seek to improve a rotation currently 25th in the league in quality starts.