ESPN's Buster Olney reports that the Red Sox are aggressive in their pursuit of Cubs' right-hander Ryan Dempster. Bruce Levine of ESPN Chicago reported on Sunday that ten teams have shown legitimate interest in acquiring Dempster, so the Red Sox are one of many in the mix. Given that Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer are quite familiar with the Red Sox farm system, it will be interesting to see whether this will increase the chances of a deal. Dempster has five and ten rights, so the veteran right-hander has the ability to block any trade, but he has expressed willingness to join any contender.

Ryan Dempster told FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal that he would be interested in joining "any contender." Dempster has 10-and-5 rights, so he can veto trades. The Cubs are expected to accelerate talks involving the veteran right-hander this week, with a plan to focus on dealing Matt Garza next week. Dempster, 35, has a 1.86 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 92 innings this season. He's owed about $6.1 million through the end of the year and will become a free agent in the winter.

FOXSports.com's Jon Paul Morosi reports the Tigers and Dodgers are the teams most interested in acquiring Ryan Dempster prior to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. Morosi adds that both could also pursue Matt Garza if they don't end up with Dempster. Despite being regarded as a near-term health risk, Dempster has 11 scoreless innings since his return from the DL. The Cubs want to move him when his value is at his highest, so it wouldn't be surprising if he was traded within the next week.

ESPN Chicago reports that 10 teams have spoken with the Cubs about a possible trade for Ryan Dempster. According to the report, interested parties include the Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox and Atlanta Braves. Detroit has also asked about Darwin Barney and Matt Garza. The right-handed Garza has drawn scouts from the Yankees, Blue Jays, Rangers, Tigers, Dodgers and Pirates. Cubs czar Theo Epstein has less flexibility with the Dempster market, as the veteran as 10-5 veto rights. Dempster has told Epstein he will waive them, as long as he goes to a situation in which he feels comfortable.

Ryan Dempster tossed six shutout innings Saturday in a 4-1 win over the Diamondbacks. Dempster allowed just four hits while striking out five and walking three. He now has a career-best 33-inning scoreless streak, topping R.A. Dickey (32 2/3 innings) for the longest in the majors this season. The 35-year-old right-hander owns a major-league best 1.86 ERA through 15 starts and is improving his trade value with every start.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that the Dodgers have spoken with the Cubs about possible trades for Ryan Dempster and Matt Garza. The Dodgers have been linked to Dempster in numerous reports already and are considered a favorite to land him, but it turns out they have also discussed the possibility of acquiring Garza. Of course, Garza will cost more in the way of prospects, as he remains under team control through 2013 while Dempster will be a free agent this offseason.

Ryan Dempster certainly didn't look rusty Sunday, tossing five scoreless innings in his first start off the disabled list in a 7-0 win over the Mets. He gave up four hits, didn't walk anyone and struck out four. Dempster was allowed to throw just 63 pitches, but he should have no pitch limits for the start of the second half. He finishes the first half with a nifty 1.99 ERA and 1.01 WHIP.

Ryan Dempster (lat) is scheduled to start the Cubs' first game after the All-Star break. Dempster will be activated from the disabled to start against the Mets on Sunday, and the Cubs may be maximizing the chances for interested teams to see him prior to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. Paul Maholm, Matt Garza, Travis Wood, and Jeff Samardzija will follow him in the starting rotation.

Ryan Dempster (lat) will be activated from the disabled list to start Sunday against the Mets. Dempster made it through his recent bullpen sessions without any issues, so the Cubs didn't think a rehab start was necessary. The 35-year-old right-hander has an outstanding 2.11 ERA and 66/22 K/BB ratio over over 12 starts this season. The impending free agent will have a handful of starts to prove his health leading up to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.

Ryan Dempster (lat) is hoping to return Saturday. Dempster made it through another bullpen session Wednesday without feeling discomfort in his troublesome right lat. He sure seems to be fully recovered, but the Cubs may play it safe and hold off on activating the veteran right-hander until after the All-Star break. Dempster is one of Chicago's better trade chips this summer.