MLB Trade Deadline 2017: 5 best spots for J.D. Martinez

ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 13: J.D. Martinez #28 of the Detroit Tigers runs to first base after hitting a solo homerun during the ninth inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 13, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

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HOUSTON, TX – MAY 25: J.D. Martinez #28 of the Detroit Tigers receives high five from third base coach Dave Clark #25 qfter hitting a home run in the fourth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on May 25, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

4. St. Louis Cardinals

Even with their record hovering a few games below .500, the Cardinals are very much alive in the NL Central playoff race. The wild-card ship has already sailed, but with the Chicago Cubs stuck dealing with a World Series malaise and the surprising Milwaukee Brewers leading the division ahead of schedule, the division is very still up for grabs.

Led by Carlos Martinez, Mike Leake, Lance Lynn, and Michael Wacha, the Cardinals have the pitching staff to take off on a run in the second half. Their weak offense is what has held them back all season. The Cardinals rank ninth in the NL in runs and are only eighth in OPS. Dexter Fowler was expected to be the catalyst at the top of the batting order that St. Louis needed, but he slumped for the first month of the year and is now dealing with a foot injury that could sideline him until the end of July.

Meanwhile, the Cardinals have been forced to demote Randal Grichuk and Aledmys Diaz in an effort to provide a dose of shock therapy. Matt Carpenter and Stephen Piscotty are having disappointing seasons. Jedd Gyorko has been the only consistent presence in the lineup.

J.D. Martinez is an easy fit in the middle of the St. Louis lineup, and would take pressure off Carpenter, who is a solid hitter, but not an ideal candidate to bat third or leadoff. A big-time slugger to anchor the lineup has eluded the Cardinals since the departure of Albert Pujols, but that can be remedied with a smart trade at the deadline. There is no reason the Cardinals have to endure back-to-back years without a trip to the playoffs for the first time since 2007-08.

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