At the midpoint of each baseball season, many teams realize they won't be winning the pennant. And the teams at the top of the league are looking to make their teams stronger. Traditionally, those teams at the bottom trade their best guys for players who could help them in the future. This year was no exception. Here are key cards for some of the most intriguing players traded at this year's deadline.

Kyle Manzardo 2021 Bowman Chrome Draft Auto 

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The Rays have a long history of producing top-level minor-league talent. And since the team has been so successful over the last decade, they often use this talent to improve their chances at the trade deadline. Looking to strengthen their pitching staff this summer, the Rays dealt first base prospect Kyle Mazardo to the Cleveland Guardians for pitcher Aaron Civale.

Manzardo, currently in AAA is considered to have an exceptional hit tool despite having less power than a traditional first baseman. The Guardians also dealt Josh Bell to the Marlins which could open up the opportunity for Mazardo to get regular at bat in the big leagues. His Bowman Chrome Draft auto is currently selling for around $100 in a PSA 9.

Max Scherzer 2008 Topps Update 

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Max Scherzer has experience being traded to another team during a pennant race. In 2021, the 3-time Cy Young Award winner was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers. This time around, Scherzer was traded by the New York Mets to the surging Texas Rangers.

Scherzer has not had his typical season and is allowing home runs at an alarming pace. Still, he is a fine addition to any staff looking at a deep playoff run. One of Mad Max's most popular rookie cards is the 2008 Topps Update which sells for between $400 and $500 in a PSA 10.

Lucas Giolito 2013 Bowman Chrome Prospects 

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The Angels would really, really like to hang on to Shohei Ohtani after this season. In order to do so, the Anaheim-based team is going to have to try to win big. In an effort to do so, the Angels gave up a package of prospects for former White Sox Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez.

Giolito has shown the ability to be a front-line starter and will now team with Ohtani and Mike Trout in their quest to go deep in the playoffs. His top rookie card is the 2013 Bowman Chrome Prospects card, which sells for around $100 in top-tier condition.

Drew Gilbert 2022 Panini Prizm

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The New York Mets, with the highest payroll in major league history, did not expect their season to go this way. But it has just gone terribly, and shockingly the team from Queens became sellers. They dealt away players like Scherzer, Tommy Pham and David Robertson. In their largest deal, the Mets received Drew Gilbert and Ryan Clifford in return for Justin Verlander.

Gilbert, a first-round pick in 2022, could be in the big leagues soon. And patrolling center field for a team in New York tends to raise a player's profile. One of Gilbert's best rookie cards comes in the 2022 Panini Prizm set. Raw copies can sell for under $20.

Justin Verlander 2005 Bowman Chrome 

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Justin Verlander has been a star pitcher for many years, but he did a fair amount of his best work with the Houston Astros. This offseason, he signed with the New York Mets. After the Metropolitans flopped, though, Verlander was traded back to Houston for the Stro's two best prospects.

Verlander has the chance to win another title with Houston and add to his Hall of Fame legacy. The best rookie card for the fire-balling right-hander is his Bowman Chrome rookie which goes for more than $1,000 in a PSA 10.

*Any perceived investment advice is that of the freelance blogger and does not represent advice on behalf of GoCollect.