Part 4/7:
Reflecting on the current careers of Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, there seems to be a parallel to Smoltz and Johnson. Their time apart and within the same teams has seen struggles with injuries and performance. As they both prepare for their 2024 seasons, their outlook mirrors the earlier discussed players; it raises the crucial question about how they will continue to impact the game.
Verlander is set to join the San Francisco Giants with a one-year, $15 million contract. At age 42, expectations are conditional. Will he provide leadership and veteran guidance even if his pitching is not what it once was? There’s cautious optimism about the impact Verlander can have on a team not expected to be a contender.