Yu Darvish Trade Rumors: Cubs, Dodgers Among Teams Scouting Rangers SP

The Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers were among the teams scouting Texas Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish at Tropicana Field on Friday night, according to MLB Network's Jon Morosi. 

In a 4-3 Rangers win over the Tampa Bay Rays, Darvish recorded 12 strikeouts and allowed five hits over eight innings. 

Yahoo Sports' Jeff Passan first reported Friday that the Rangers had started to "gauge" contenders' interest in Darvish with the July 31 trade deadline fast approaching. 

While it's unclear how much interest the Dodgers and Cubs have in Darvish at this point, the four-time All-Star is a logical target for both clubs. 

The Dodgers, in particular, are an enticing landing spot considering they already wield what's arguably MLB's most potent one-two punch in Clayton Kershaw and Alex Wood.

Add Darvish—who entered Friday with a 3.45 ERA and 1.141 WHIP—to that equation, and a Dodgers starting staff that already ranks No. 1 in the National League with a 3.25 ERA would have a vice grip on front-running honors in the pennant race. 

The Cubs, on the other hand, would add a premier arm to the top of their rotation as they continue their push toward the NL Central throne and threaten the Milwaukee Brewers' reign atop the division. 

A talent like Darvish could help stabilize the rotation, too, considering Cubs starters rank seventh in the NL with a 4.47 ERA and sixth with an opponents' batting average of .254.