Cubs Rumors: Red Sox, Blue Jays, Dodgers Eyeing Ryan Dempster

The Los Angeles Dodgers could "pull the trigger soon" on a trade for Chicago Cubs veteran starting pitcher Ryan Dempster, reports Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. Cafardo notes the Toronto Blue Jays have also been watching Dempster, while Buster Olney of ESPN adds the Boston Red Sox are interested as well.

Dempster lowered his already-impressive ERA to 2.11 Friday when he held the Red Sox scoreless over his seven innings of work. Dempster has now not allowed an earned run over his last 22 innings pitched.

On the year, Dempster has maintained an ERA and WHIP of 2.11 and 1.012 over his 12 starts spanning 81 innings. The 35-year-old has posted 7.3 SO/9 and 2.4 BB/9.

Olney reports that in order to infuse their minor league system with talented prospects, Chicago is interested in essentially buying them from other teams. In order to do this, the Cubs would eat large portions of the remaining salary of players such as Dempster and outfielder Alfonso Soriano.

Dempster, who is in the final year of his deal, is earning $14 million this season. Over his 15-years in the bigs, the right-hander has held a career ERA and WHIP of 4.33 and 1.433 with 115 wins and 87 saves.