MLB Trade Rumors: Los Angeles Dodgers Interested In Carlos Lee, Jed Lowrie

The Houston Astros aren't going to be making the playoffs this year. The Los Angeles Dodgers are struggling lately, looking for offense while superstar Matt Kemp resides on the disabled list.

It only makes sense that the Dodgers, who are also in need of a first baseman, are interested in Carlos Lee -- and they're actively pursuing him, too.

The Dodgers are in pursuit of Carlos Lee, according to a FoxSports.com report, as the Astros look to move the first baseman in the final year of a six-year, $100 million deal.

According to a person with knowledge of Lee's contract, the Dodgers are among the 14 teams included in his limited no-trade clause, which overrides his usual 10-5 veto power. Lee's permission would be required to send him to Los Angeles.

With the season nearing its halfway point, a trade in the coming days would put the Dodgers on the hook for roughly $9 million of Lee's $18.5 million salary unless the Astros agree to pay some of it, which is a frequent occurrence in these types of deals.

Los Angeles is also interested in Jed Lowrie, but, he's not in these current talks with the Dodgers, according to ESPN's Buster Olney

Though Lee's numbers aren't All-Star worthy, they'd constitute an upgrade offensively for the Dodgers at first base. Lee is currently batting .290/.342/.412 with just five home runs through his first 61 games.

It's unknown how far along talks are between the two clubs, but the Dodgers seem to be desperate for offense, and a deal could very well come sooner rather than later.

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