MLB Trade Deadline 2012: Latest Updates on Ryan Dempster and Top Pitchers

The San Francisco Giants and LA Dodgers are deadlocked atop the NL West, but if the Dodgers can acquire Ryan Dempster from the Chicago Cubs, they would have the edge in the division.

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports says the Dodgers are still in talks with the Cubs about acquiring Dempster.

Dempster has been sparkling all year long. He's 5-5 for a bad Cubs team and his ERA is 2.25. Dempster would fit nicely in the Dodgers' rotation of Chris Capuano, Clayton Kershaw, Chad Billingsley and Aaron Hurang.

With Ted Lilly scheduled to start a rehab assignment soon per ESPN, the Dodgers would have a solid collection of arms for the stretch run.

Someone would definitely be exiting the rotation, but if the Dodgers make the postseason, they would have some interesting and capable veterans in the bullpen.

In other news concerning top available hurlers

Diamondbacks Want a No. 1

Rosenthal reported in a separate article that the Arizona Diamondbacks were chasing a top-notch starting pitcher. There were rumors that the Phillies' Cliff Lee may be available for Justin Upton, but details around the validity of that rumor are unclear.

Lee would obviously bolster any staff, especially one with aspirations of participating in a pennant race or postseason.

Matt Garza Still In Play

Bruce Levine of ESPN Chicago reports that the Cubs' Garza still has suitors; this despite a fluid buildup in his arm that will keep him out until after the trade deadline.

Levine reports: "The Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays have interest in adding the 28-year-old to bolster their rotations, according to major league sources."

The Cubs are filling out the contenders' rosters, but in the process they are dumping salaries and adding prospects. In a few years they will be the ones contending and looking for help down the stretch.

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