MLB Trade Deadline 2017: 5 best spots for Zack Cozart

2. Arizona Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks are just 2.5 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West on the day before Independence Day, and they seem to have legit staying power as a contender. But injuries have forced Chris Owings into some outfield duty, and Nick Ahmed (fractured right hand) is now going to be out for a while.

Ketel Marte has been called up from Triple-A to take Ahmed’s place on the active roster, after hitting .338 with a .905 OPS at that level this season. But Marte’s major league track record, albeit with the Seattle Mariners in a more pitcher-friendly home park than he’ll find in Arizona, suggests he won’t sustain that kind of offense going forward. That’s where Cozart fits for the Diamondbacks, as a proven all-around upgrade over Ahmed, Owings and Marte.

Arizona is in a position to earn a playoff spot this year, but calculated moves that don’t necessarily affect the future have to be a priority. Cozart is the perfect rental piece in that scenario, and the Diamondbacks have to be in the mix to acquire him.