A month ago Marcus Stroman topped the list of quality starters expected to be traded before the Aug. 1 deadline. But then the Cubs won six in a row and eight of nine entering the weekend, and outside executives saw Chicago as a likely mild buyer.
Then there are Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander. The Mets are listening on the Hall of Fame-bound starters, but will only inquire if the pitchers will waive their no-trade clauses if they are tempted by an offer.Steve Cohen and the Mets started their trade deadline sale by sending closer David Robertson to the Marlins.The Rangers are overheated to significantly improve their roster and have had a scout on the Mets for a while, and two scouts for each of Verlander’s past two starts.
Various teams will have different dollar figures they could tolerate to absorb. But just as an idea, Verlander, who, is due roughly $94 million from now, assuming the $35 million option kicks in. Would Mets owner Steve Cohen have to eat half to just get Verlander off the roster and, say, $15 million-$20 million to basically buy a real prospect or prospects?Gordon Donovan for the NY Post
3. Cohen has shown a willingness to eat money. Through taking players off the 40-man roster or trades, Cohen has about $55 million in dead money this year via Robinson Cano, Eduardo Escobar, James McCann, Chris Flexen, Darin Ruf, Tommy Hunter, Tomas Nido and Dennis Santana. That nearly doubles when the “Steve Cohen Tax” is applied.Corey Sipkin for the NY Post