3 likely trade destinations for Yu Darvish

The July 31 trade deadline is less than a week away, and while pitchers Sonny Gray and Justin Verlander are two of the major targets on the block, they aren't the only established aces available.

Texas Rangers right-hander Yu Darvish, who's set to become a free agent at season's end, would be a perfect rental for a number of teams hoping to make a serious push toward a World Series title.

And with Rangers general manager Jon Daniels reportedly open to trading Darvish for the "right deal," here are three of the likeliest landing spots for the strapping Japanese hurler.

New York Yankees

After completing a blockbuster trade with the Chicago White Sox for Todd Frazier and David Robertson, the Yankees appear to be in it to win it, and the addition of an ace could put them over the top. New York trails the Boston Red Sox by just two games in the AL East and have a vacancy in their rotation after Michael Pineda opted for Tommy John surgery. It would cost the Yankees quite the haul of prospects to acquire the 30-year-old Darvish, but they have the farm system to make it happen.

Yankees' top prospects

Houston Astros

The Astros own the best record in the AL and the best rotation ERA of any pitching staff in their league, so just imagine Darvish joining the likes of Dallas Keuchel (once he returns from injury), Brad Peacock, Mike Fiers, and Lance McCullers in the rotation, supported by the potent lineup of Jose Altuve and company. Darvish would make the Astros even scarier in the postseason, which they're sure to participate in thanks to a 17-game lead in the AL West. He also pitches very well at Minute Maid Park, owning a career 4-1 record, 2.16 ERA, and opposing batting average of just .139.

Astros' top prospects

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers will be without staff ace Clayton Kershaw for four-to-six weeks because of a troublesome back, which has led to plenty of speculation about what they might do in the interim. Darvish, of course, would be quite a replacement who could eventually team up with Kershaw, Alex Wood, and Rich Hill to create one of the most dominating pitching staffs in the game. The Dodgers already own the best ERA of any rotation in MLB, and adding Darvish would likely improve that number further. Like the Yankees and Astros, L.A. has the depth in its farm system to deal for the ace, while joining the team with the best record in baseball would likely appeal to Darvish, as would a reunion with compatriot Kenta Maeda.

Dodgers' top prospects