Rumor Mill: Matt Garza, Ryan Dempster, Upgrade At First Base

Dodgers Interested in Matt Garza, Ryan Dempster, and Bryan LaHair?

It’s no secret that the Dodgers are in search of pitching as well as an offensive upgrade. It’s also no secret that the Cubs season is over and their officially open for business, in terms of the trade market.

That’s a good thing, because the Dodgers are publicly shopping for an upgrade at first base.

Buster Olney from EPSN.com tweets,

Dodgers are asking about possible 1Bmen

Now that James Loney knows he’s about to be replaced, I’m sure his production will sky-rocket. All that aside, If the Dodgers are interested in an upgrade at first base and already talking to the Cubs about pitchers, how about Bryan LaHair?

The Cubs have their future first basemen in Anthony Rizzo, who is currently smashing in AAA and should be called up within weeks. With LaHair’s hot start to the season it makes him an ideal trading chip for the cubs and perfect target for the Dodgers.

Sure there are other options our there for first basemen, however the Cubs are ready to deal now and LaHair would be cheaper in terms of salary and prospects required to get a deal done.

Their numbers?

Bryan LaHair
.303 AVG | 12 HR | 26 RBI | .402 wOBA

James Loney
.260 AVG | 2 HR | 20 RBI | .289 wOBA

What is wOBA? You can get a good explanation here.

Ken Rosenthal from FOXSports.com reports,

The Dodgers, who also are interested in another Cubs righty, Matt Garza, make particular sense. Left-hander Ted Lilly is out with a shoulder injury. Most of the other NL contenders are less concerned with their starting pitching.

Matt Garza is more attractive than Ryan Dempster, being 6 years younger and under team control through next season. Matt Garza would cost more in terms of prospects, but I feel is the better option.

So the question is what would it cost the Dodgers to acquire Matt Garza and Bryan LaHair?

We just might find out.