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MLB Trade Deadline 2017: 5 best spots for Justin Verlander

By Joshua Sadlock

May 30, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) pitches against the Kansas City Royals in the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
May 30, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) pitches against the Kansas City Royals in the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 26, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Cole Hamels (35) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 26, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Cole Hamels (35) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Texas Rangers

Trading for Cole Hamels is a big part of why the Rangers have been able to make the playoffs two years in a row. The veteran left-hander went 7-1 after landing in Texas at the deadline in 2015. He followed that up with a 15-5 season and his fourth All-Star nod. The Rangers also made a blockbuster deal to acquire Cliff Lee in 2010, and he helped lead them within a game of the World Series title.

The 2017 Rangers have been up and down and have not been able to establish themselves in the playoff picture. Their season could go either way, but they have played better in May and June. Sam Dyson did them no favors in April after losing six games. Hamels has returned from a long DL stay, and Yu Darvish is pitching well. Behind those two, however, the Rangers have struggled in the rotation.

Winning the AL West is out of the question with the Astros jumping out to a massive lead. The Wild Card is open to just about anyone at this point, including the Rangers. As is typically the case, Texas has a stockpile full of elite Latin American prospects with which to deal. They can go get Verlander, pair him with Darvish and Hamels, and give themselves the best starting rotation of the remaining contenders for the second wild card.

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