Dodgers Reportedly Have Made Trade Offer to Cubs for Ryan Dempster

The Los Angeles Dodgers may be significantly bolstering their starting rotation soon.

A source has told Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com that the Dodgers put a trade offer on the table for Ryan Dempster of the Chicago Cubs on Thursday night.

While the return for Dempster in this potential deal is unknown, it’s no secret that the Cubs are seeking young pitching. Zach Lee, the best pitching prospect in the Dodgers organization, is certainly a candidate to be a part of the deal.

Or maybe not.

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports quickly shot down the idea that Lee would be involved in a potential deal:

"

Sources: #Dodgers pitching prospect Zach Lee will not be in a deal for a rental such as #Cubs' Dempster. Dodgers need offense more than SP.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 20, 2012"

It remains to be seen if the Dodgers have enough to convince Chicago to pull the trigger on a trade.

There were strong signs that some sort of deal was going to be made after a source leaked to ESPNChicago.com that the team is preparing to have a replacement in St. Louis this weekend in case a trade for Dempster is agreed upon.

If L.A. can pull it off, Dempster would be a huge addition to the Dodgers staff.

The 35-year-old currently has a 33-inning scoreless streak and the lowest ERA in the majors at 1.86. Overall, he has a 5-3 record with a 1.02 WHIP and .204 BAA in 14 starts. The Cubs have won his last six starts.

Dempster’s 10-5 protection rights mean that he has the ability to veto any trade proposal. If the Dodgers do indeed complete the deal, they will owe Dempster the prorated amount on his $14 million contract that is set to expire at the end of the season.

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