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Steve Cohen made headlines this winter by opening up his pocketbook like we've never seen before. The multi-billionaire was attempting to buy himself a trip to the World Series but all he got in return is a 50-56 ball club that is 6.5 games back of the final Wild Card spot in the National League.
To their credit, the front office didn't flinch in grabbing some value for a pair of future Hall of Fame pitchers Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer while they also dealt away closer David Robertson and outfielder Mark Canha. Reliever Dominic Leone was also dealt away, but his fantasy value is non-existent since he won't be used as a closer.
Let's take a look at the current status of the departing players' fantasy value after the trade deadline deals.
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Verlander Back in World Series Contention
The Mets lured Verlander to Queens in free agency this winter but it was a short stay as the right-hander was dealt back to the Houston Astros where he won a pair of World Series titles and AL Cy Young Awards. The 2022 season was a special one for the 40-year-old who tossed a 1.75 ERA across 28 starts coming off of Tommy John surgery while making an All-Star team, taking home his third career AL Cy Young Award, and winning his second world championship.
He struggled out of the gate in 2023 after beginning the season on the injured list but has been white-hot of late. Verlander has allowed just seven earned runs over his last seven starts and has lowered his season-long ERA to 3.15 across 16 starts in the process. The downside this season has been a strikeout rate that has dipped to just 21% from his career mark of 24.7% and a 27.8% clip from last season. That is what has hurt fantasy managers the most.
Justin Verlander's 2 1st Inning Ks. pic.twitter.com/p1Ib34FpCq
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 25, 2023
The Astros' offense hasn't been anything spectacular this season but should improve with renewed health from All-Star caliber players in Yordan Alvarez and Jose Altuve. Verlander has a solid 6-5 record on the season but he should be given a chance to win more games in Houston with the support of a bullpen that sits 11th with a 3.86 bullpen ERA on the season.
Scherzer Also Lands in Lone Star State
Both all-world, former Mets pitchers landed in Texas as Max Scherzer moves to a Rangers club that is contending for an AL West division crown.
While Verlander has bounced back after a slow start, that hasn't quite been the case with Scherzer. The fiery right-hander sports a 4.01 ERA on the season, although his 3.81 SIERA and tidy 20.5% K-BB% are reasons for hope. Interestingly, the 39-year-old has gone 9-4 on the season for a club that sits six games under the .500 mark.
Max Scherzer, Vicious 88mph Cutter. 😤 pic.twitter.com/timimzF89a
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 29, 2023
Like Verlander, Scherzer should continue to garner wins behind a Texas offense that sits second in all of baseball with a .344 wOBA on the season. His biggest issue has been the long ball, as per his career-worst 1.92 HR/9, but a 16.2% HR/FB rate has nowhere to go but down toward his career 10.6% clip.
He might not be among the top five pitchers in baseball these days but he still boasts a 27.3% K% and a very nice opportunity to provide notable value in the season's final two months.
Robertson's Value Will Hold
David Robertson was dealt to a Marlins club in need of back-end bullpen help and he should continue to receive save opportunities for a club dead-set on reaching the postseason.
Robertson has had a very nice season with a 2.54 ERA in 42 appearances, racking up 15 saves in the process. His second outing with the Marlins didn't go to plan as he blew a save and allowed three earned runs in an inning's worth but he should be in line for plenty of save chances moving forward.
A.J. Puk has racked up a team-high 15 saves with the Marlins this season but he has struggled of late, leading the club to acquire a veteran, reliable closer. Robertson's value can only increase in this swap.
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