According to ESPN's Bruce Levine, at least 10 teams are interested in the Cubs' Ryan Dempster. Dempster currently is working on a 33 inning scoreless streak and the Cubs are willing to pay part of the approximately $7 million he is owed in order to get a better return.
The interested teams include the Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox and Atlanta Braves. The Cubs are searching primarily for young arms in return, but they are also seeking a highly touted third base prospect.
Here is a quick breakdown of what each of these teams may have to offer:
Detroit Tigers
If the Cubs are looking for a highly touted third base prospect, the Tigers have probably the most highly touted third base prospect in all of baseball in Nick Castellanos, who ranked 12th on Baseball America's Mid-Season Top 50 Prospects.
The Tigers also have several quality pitching prospects including Jacob Turner, Casey Crosby, Andy Oliver and Brenny Paulino.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers don't have any quality third base prospects, but they have an abundance of good young pitching prospects, including Zach Lee, Allen Webster, Garrett Gould and Chris Withrow. All 4 of these pitchers ranked amongst the Dodgers Top 10 Prospects heading into this season, according to Baseball America.
The Dodgers' new ownership is looking to make a big splash before the trade deadline and money is not an issue.
Cleveland Indians
The Indians top prospect, Francisco Lindor, is a shortstop, but the Cubs could pursue him with the thought of pushing Starlin Castro to third in the future. After that the cupboard's pretty bare, as the Indians' farm system was ranked 29th by Baseball America in terms of depth and quality prospects. Lefty Nick Hagadone could be a possibility, but he profiles as a reliever and the Cubs really need starters.
New York Yankees
The Yankees top 2 pitching prospects, Manny Banuelos and Dellin Betances, have struggled with injuries and ineffectiveness this year. If the Yankees are tired of waiting and need some immediate help, they may be willing to part with one of them for Dempster.
In addition, the Yankees also have third base prospect Dante Bichette Jr. as a potential trade chip. He is currently is low A ball and the Yankees could deem him expendable, with Alex Rodriguez blocking him.
Chicago White Sox
Like the Indians, the South Siders don't have a particularly strong minor league system. Their top pitching prospect, Nestor Molina, profiles more as a back of the rotation guy.
Third baseman Juan Silverio ranked amongst the Sox top 10 prospect, according to Baseball America, but doesn't crack anyone's top 100 list.
Atlanta Braves
If there's one thing the Braves have, its young starting pitchers and they may be willing to part with one of them. Youngsters, such as Julio Teheran, Mike Minor and Randall Delgado, who were once untouchable, have all struggled this year and could be made available for the right veteran.
Its more likely that the Braves would be willing to part with one of those three for someone like Matt Garza, who is under team control through 2013, but the Braves also have lower level prospects like lefty Sean Gilmartin and third baseman Edward Salcedo, who they could use to acquire Dempster.
Overall
Its unlikely that the Cubs can get two of the above players listed above for a two-month rental like Dempster. But if they could land one of the above, it would be a good haul. Personally, I would love to see the Cubs acquire someone like Castellanos, but its more likely that the Cubs would have to use Matt Garza to get him. Look for Dempster to bring back a lower level prospect, such as Gilmartin, Salcedo or Bichette.
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