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Charlie Riedel/Associated Press

At 37-37, the Kansas City Royals sit just 2.5 games out in the American League Central. As Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reported June 1, the Royals would "love to see 'if they have one more run in them.'"

That said, the team has a cache of tradeable players, many of whom will be free agents after the season. Lorenzo Cain sits at, or near, the top of the list.

The 2015 All-Star and top-three AL MVP finisher is hitting .280 with 10 home runs and 14 stolen bases and has played plus defense in center field.

While any number of contenders could use a guy with that skill set, the Los Angeles Dodgers jump out.

Joc Pederson, L.A.'s center fielder, has swung well since returning from the disabled list June 13. During that stretch, the 25-year-old owns a .297 average with four home runs and seven extra-base hits.

Overall, though, Pederson is hitting .240 and was mostly anemic during the season's first two months.

There's uncertainty elsewhere in the outfield, with mercurial Yasiel Puig in right field and powerful rookie Cody Bellinger logging innings at first base because of Adrian Gonzalez's back injury.

After four straight division titles and nary a pennant, it's time for the Dodgers and president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman to raid the prospect vault and go all-in.

It could take a highly regarded chip such as outfielder Alex Verdugo to score Cain, even as a rental, but it's a price L.A. should be ready and willing to pay.