MLB Trade Deadline 2017: 5 best spots for Justin Verlander

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Feb 21, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Detroit Tiger pitcher Justin Verlander and model Kate Upton watch as the Orlando Magic beat the New York Knicks 129-121 in double overtime at Amway Center. Afflalo had a team-high 33 points. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers have elected to stay away from blockbuster trades for the most part under the Andrew Friedman front office. They were one of the most logical landing spots for Philadelphia Phillies ace Cole Hamels in 2015, but let him go the the Rangers. Had they made that move, the Dodgers, not the New York Mets, may have gone to the World Series.

This is the season for the Dodgers to push all of their chips to the middle of the table and be aggressive at the trade deadline. Prospects are nice, but parades are better. Los Angeles is sitting on the best record in the National League, but their division is the tightest in baseball. The front office must do everything in their power to avoid the fluky one-game playoff and win another division title.

Verlander makes sense for the Dodgers for a number of reasons. First, they are one of few teams that can afford to take on the entire remaining sum of his hefty contract. They also have five prospects in MLB’s top-100 list, not counting Julio Urias, who is recovering from shoulder injury. Secondly, the Dodgers have a major need for another top-flight starting pitcher to back up Clayton Kershaw and the surprising Alex Wood.

Kershaw and Wood have combined to go 19-2 this year and the Dodgers are a combined 22-5 when they pitch. This is shades of Kershaw and Zack Greinke, but the rotation falls off behind the one-two punch. Kenta Maeda has been better of late, but Rich Hill and Brandon McCarthy are still injury prone and Hyun-jin Ryu has been hit hard. The Dodgers need one more starter to stand out in the National League and neutralize whatever threat comes out of the American League if they can reach the World Series.

Next: Ranking MLB's top 25 trade chips

After spending his entire career in Detroit, Verlander should welcome a chance to pitch in Los Angeles. He already owns a home there and is familiar with the limelight thanks to his relationship with future wife Kate Upton. If a trade gets done, the Dodgers are the most likely spot for Verlander and a great fit.

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