Report: Dodgers, Cubs scouted Darvish during 12-K performance
Texas Rangers right-hander Yu Darvish was pitching in front of some interesting company when he struck out 12 Tampa Bay Rays hitters on Friday night.
The 30-year-old hurler, who is a free agent at season's end and has been named as a potential trade target of teams, was being scouted by the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs, according to sources of Jon Morosi of FOX Sports.
Darvish pitched eight innings, where he sat down the 12 hitters, but also allowed three solo home runs and failed to secure the victory in his team's eventual 4-3 win.
While the Dodgers haven't been front and center in rumors surrounding Darvish, sources told Morosi early on Friday that Chicago had inquired with the Rangers about the Japanese right-hander's availability.
L.A. already possesses a formidable rotation of Clayton Kershaw, Kenta Maeda, Brandon McCarthy, Alex Wood, and Rich Hill, but the addition of another ace such as Darvish would most certainly give them a higher chance of securing a fifth straight division title.
After entering the All-Star break below .500, the Cubs have won six of seven and sit one game back of the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central. They recently splurged to acquire left-hander Jose Quintana from the Chicago White Sox and a potential add of Darvish would be another incredible move by Theo Epstein and his front office.
After Friday's start, Darvish lowered his ERA to 3.44 across 21 starts, including 143 strikeouts in 133 1/3 innings.
He's owed the remainder of $11 million this season.