The Chicago Cubs are bad, and they have two good starting pitchers on the trade market: Ryan Dempster and Matt Garza. Garza's younger, but Dempster comes with the league-leading ERA, so it should come as no surprise that both of the sweepstakes are active. And it's looking like Dempster could move soon, and perhaps as soon as the end of this very week.

An exec of one team talking to the #Cubs said today they're working hard to move Ryan Dempster "by the end of the week."

— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) July 17, 2012

Where might Dempster end up in the event of a trade? Let's ask Bob Nightengale:

The #Dodgers have by far shown the strongest interest in Dempster. Be interesting to see if he makes another start in #Cubs uniform.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 17, 2012

Other teams have reportedly been in on Dempster, of course, including the Braves, Tigers, and Nationals. So the Dodgers are far from guaranteed. But Dempster's good, the Dodgers are looking to be aggressive, and the fit's right. One notes that Dempster hasn't allowed a run since the end of May. Sure, between then and now, Dempster had a stint on the disabled list. But he's also made five starts. He's kind of on a roll, and while I don't know how much that boosts his stock, it doesn't not boost it.