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3 players who've hurt their stock prior to the trade deadline

Rick Osentoski / USA TODAY Sports

Nobody would suggest buying high and selling low, but the latter could be the unfortunate reality for several teams at the July 31 trade deadline.

Those clubs - which are falling out of contention - will be looking to unload a contract or two to stock up for future pennant races. However, some have seen their potential trade chips struggle on the field, which means those stocks have plummeted dramatically on the open market.

Here are three players who've done their current teams no favors when it comes to selling high:

Marco Estrada, Blue Jays

A floundering Blue Jays squad would be in a better place if they could at least count on a sizable return for Estrada, who's a free agent following the season. However, after two stellar - and surprising - campaigns in Toronto, Estrada has gone through a trying period on the mound.

In his eight starts since the beginning of June, he's gone 0-4 with a 9.50 ERA and 6.5 walks per nine innings. He's allowed six or more earned runs in four of those games and has managed just one quality start (ironically, a loss) in that span.

The Blue Jays may be better off holding onto Estrada, possibly even extending him to see if he can regain his composure in 2018. The alternative is selling him for peanuts.

Zack Cozart, Reds

Cozart has enjoyed a storybook, donkey-fueled season, as the 31-year-old shortstop was voted into his first All-Star game. Prior to 2017, Cozart had posted a career slash line of .246/.289/.385, which he's drastically outperformed. For a time, the impending free agent seemed poised to yield a great return for Cincinnati.

Reality has, unfortunately, sunk in. Cozart suffered a quad injury in mid-June, and has scuffled at the plate since returning at the end of the month. But his issues began a little over a week before hitting the disabled list. Since June 9, Cozart is hitting .169 with no home runs and only four extra-base hits. A potential regression to career norms could scare potential buyers away from investing too much.

Justin Verlander, Tigers

Verlander has a few knocks against him. He costs way too much for many teams to be willing to absorb his contract, whoever gets him is likely stuck with him until he's a free agent (likely after 2019), and he's set to earn $28 million in each of the next two seasons.

Based on name recognition, Verlander would still represent a major splash. Based on performance, though - not so much. Through 19 starts, he's 5-7 with a 4.66 ERA, he's walking more batters and allowing more hits than ever before, and his 1.50 WHIP is the worst mark of his entire career.

The Tigers' ace has been down before, however. He labored through the 2014 season and missed a chunk of time in 2015 before nearly winning the AL Cy Young in 2016. But with baseball being a 'what have you done for me lately' kind of game, suitors are probably going to have cold feet.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)

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