DENVER — Could Ted Lilly be going back to the Dodgers? The Dodgers and Cubs have been talking about a deal that would send Lilly to Los Angeles, baseball sources said on Friday.
Talks have included Cubs infielder Ryan Theriot as a potential part of the deal, reported FoxSports.com, which also said that the Dodgers want the Cubs to put some money in the deal. Lilly has $4.3 million remaining on his contract; Theriot $933,000.
The finances will be the key. The Cubs, who have the highest payroll in the National League, are trying to trim now, while the Dodgers don't want to take on any more money.
The non-waiver Trade Deadline is Saturday at 4 p.m. ET/3 CT.
Lilly was drafted by the Dodgers in 1996 in the 23rd round but traded on July 31, 1998, to the Montreal Expos in a six-player swap. This season, he's 3-8 with a 3.69 ERA in 18 starts, and has received the least amount of run support in the Major Leagues.
The lefty, whose next scheduled start is to be on Monday against the Brewers at Wrigley Field, would join a Dodgers rotation of Clayton Kershaw, Chad Billingsley, Hiroki Kuroda and Vicente Padilla.
The Twins were interested in Lilly but chose to add to their bullpen, acquiring closer Matt Capps from the Nationals on Thursday. A Mets official told the New York Post it's "very doubtful" they will get Lilly because they do not want to take on the money remaining and give up prospects.
Theriot received a $2.6 million salary this year after losing an arbitration case to the Cubs. He's under team control through 2012.
The FoxSports.com report said Theriot could take over at second base, sending Blake DeWitt to Triple-A. DeWitt was batting .272 with one homer, 15 doubles, four triples and a .352 on-base percentage. Theriot is hitting .285 with one homer, 10 doubles, two triples and a .321 on-base percentage.
The Padres also were interested in Theriot but instead traded for Orioles third baseman Miguel Tejada on Thursday.