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Ryan Dempster Rumors: Friday

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [July 20, 2012 at 6:26pm CST]

Ryan Dempster is scheduled to start in St. Louis against the Cardinals tonight amid rumors that his time with the Cubs will soon come to an end. The Red Sox are no longer in on Dempster, but the Dodgers, Braves and Nationals still seem to be involved, based on yesterday's rumors. Here are today's Dempster rumors, with the most recent updates up top:

In addition to the Dodgers, there are six to eight other teams interested in Dempster, a source told Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com. Even though a report yesterday suggested that the Red Sox are out on Dempster, Boston has made an offer, according to another source. However, it is unclear if the right-hander is willing to switch leagues.
Dempster is one of four or five starters the Nationals are pursuing, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reports (Twitter links). The Nationals would need to get creative to complete a trade and the Braves don't appear to be pursuing Dempster aggressively. They prefer starters under team control beyond 2012.
A handful of teams are involved in trade talks and some proposals have been exchanged, ESPN.com's Buster Olney tweets.
The Cardinals are monitoring every starter on the market, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets. They aren't a likely fit for Dempster, since they're reluctant to part with prospects for a rental player.
The Cubs would likely get one or two young arms in return for Dempster if they trade him to Los Angeles, Morosi tweets.
The Cardinals have checked in on Dempster, Heyman tweets.
There's a 50-50 chance the Dodgers and Cubs will complete a deal for Dempster, Morosi tweets. The sides are still discussing prospects, so there's time for another team to jump in with an impressive offer.
The Nationals are said to be trying hard on Dempster, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports (on Twitter). The Braves are in as well, and one GM believes the Dodgers are the favorites to land the righty.
The Tigers maintain interest in Dempster, Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports tweets.
The Dodgers continue in "hot pursuit" of Dempster, Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com tweets. The Dodgers still have an offer on the table and are hoping to complete a deal as soon as possible.
Trade talks could drag on for a few more days, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets.
The Dodgers and Cubs haven’t found common ground in discussions about Dempster, ESPN.com’s Buster Olney reports (on Twitter). Other teams are being aggressive.