The Los Angeles Dodgers have extended an offer to the Chicago Cubs for starting pitcher Ryan Dempster, as Bruce Levine of ESPN Chicago writes. Reports have frequently tied the pitcher to L.A., with many claiming that the Dodgers are currently his top suitor.
As Levine writes, the Cubs are prioritizing young pitching in any trade discussions given the dearth of live arms in the organization's farm system. The Dodgers do have one very highly regarded pitching prospect in 20-year-old Zach Lee, the team's 2010 round pick, but it's unclear whether he's been included in the offer for Dempster.
The Cubs have already been making moves to prepare for Dempster's possible departure, including a trade on Thursday for pitcher Justin Germano from the Boston Red Sox. The team has also discussed bringing an additional pitcher to St. Louis for the weekend in case the trade is finally completed.
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