Here Comes More Trade Bait

Here are a bunch of cards up for trade. If you're interested, let me know and send me an offer. 

 

Bret Boone: 2001 Topps Traded (jersey (maybe, we just don't know anymore))

Ryan Zimmerman: 2008 UD Heroes Blue #ed 139/200

Josh Donaldson: 2010 Topps Chrome Auto

Johnny Damon: 2005 Topps Update All-Star Stitches (jersey (or a swatch of the Caveman's recliner))

Manny Ramirez: 2004 Bazooka Blasts Bat Relics

Al Leiter: 2004 Leaf Certified Materials Mirror Fabric (jersey)

Kila Ka'aihue (Did I say that right?): 2010 Topps Chrome (auto)

James Loney: 2008 SP Legendary Cuts Destination Stardom (or maybe Boston) Memorabilia (jersey)

Travis Hafner: 2008 Topps Heritage Clubhouse Collection (jersey)

Mitch Moreland: 2012 Topps Golden Moments Relics (jersey)

Reggie Sanders: 2002 Topps Traded Tools of the Trade Relics

 

Jim Thome/David Bell (Like you care about this guy): 2003 Topps Pristine Corners Relics (bat)

And don't forget about my trade bait page where you'll find more cards up for grabs. I'm looking for something similarly GUed or autoed or vintage that pertains to the collection, but just let me know what you're thinking. You can check out my want lists above. You can leave a comment or shoot me an email: dustinhoff86 at gmail dot com. Thanks for looking.

Prospecting Catchers Because Their Gear Is Cool

Some of my impulse bargain buys on eBay tend to be of the prospecting type. But my prospecting is a little biased in the direction of catchers. Why? Because who doesn't like a catcher in gear? I find the gear and the careers of catchers--the hardest working dudes on the diamond--most interesting to watch. So where have those careers gone since I snagged random prospect cards?

This is certainly a beautiful card, and we have a catcher in full gear. Not much to dislike. But what's Kyle Skipworth up to these days? He was drafted in the first round by the Marlins in 2008. Since then, he's been batting below .250 with some power, 16 homers so far this year in the Marlins AA club. He's still an everyday catcher and has a 35% caught stealing rate. At 22, he probably has a decent chance at the majors. It looks like the Marlins could use a power-hitting catcher.

A much less interesting card here, of the blah Bowman USA scrap-o-jersey variety. But the price was right, and Chris Chinea is a catcher. So what's Chris been up to since 2010? He's as of yet undrafted, but it looks like he might be a pick in the upcoming draft, as one a top catching prospect, according to random Googling which hardly seems reliable. That makes this card a little more exciting, as it will be interesting to see if Chris' name pops up in the draft this year.

More scrap-o-jersey blah from Bowman, but this time it's Sterling, and we get a little catcher's gear. So what are you doing Blake Swihart? Another first round draft pick, this time for the Red Sox, in 2011. According to Baseball-reference.com, Blake's rated the #72 top prospect in 2012. He's currently playing A-ball and batting .255 with 6 home runs in 286 ABs. Nothing amazing, but not too shabby. At 20, I'm thinking it'll be a few years before we see what Blake can really do. The Sox gave him a 2.5 million dollar signing bonus, which is a hell of a wad to give to a high school kid, so I suppose they see a lot in him.

Yet more Bowman Sterling USA GU here. Ficociello is not a catcher, but he's worth including in this post since I snagged the card off eBay cheap, and it turns out he was drafted by the Tigers in 2010. Not sure if he actually signed with the Tigers since he was selected in the 23rd round, but he's worth watching since he may or may not be playing with my team.

Now this is a bit cooler of a card than the Bowman USA GUs. It's a great action shot, and the gear is in full effect. Even without an MLB license, Tristar puts together a really smooth looking card here. I love the black and white fade, too. Josh was a first-round pick of the White Sox in 2009, and he got bumped up to AAA last year, where he's stayed, and is batting .257 in 2012. He has a solid caught stealing rate of 45%, which should get him a call up soon, I'm thinking. But Pierzynski is still going strong.


Prospecting can be an absurd pastime, but I find I enjoy it much more when I buy at a bargain and keep my purchases centered on Tigers and catchers. Do you play the cardboard prospecting game, too? Do you go for the hot talk-of-the-town fellas or fumble around for bargains or stuff you dig?

A Bunch of Trade Bait

Time to get some more trades going. If you see anything you like, let me know. On with the cards:

Justin Morneau: 2006 Upper Deck WBC Collection Jersey

Grady Sizemore: 2010 Upper Deck Game Jersey

B.J. Upton: 2008 UD Spectrum Swatches Red Jersey (#ed 14/35)

Mark Teixeira: 2004 UD Diamond All-Star Future Gems Jersey

Pat Venditte: 2009 Bowman Chrome Prospects Auto
Apparently, Pat's the only active professional switch pitcher. He has a pitching rule named after him even. Pretty interesting story on Wiki.

Jeremy Jeffress: 2006 Tristar Prospects Plus Farm Hands Auto

Pat Burrell: 2003 Sweet Spot Patches

Vernon Wells: 2004 Bowman Heritage Threads of Greatness Jersey

Carl Crawford: 2007 Artifacts Apparel Jersey

Kirk Rueter: 1997 Donruss Signature Series Autographs Millenium (#ed /1000)

Garry Maddox: 2001 UD Decade '70s Game Bat

Trevor Reckling: 2008 Just Autographs

Scott Rolen: 2005 Topps Pack Wars Relics (bat)

If you don't see anything here, you can always mosey on over to my trade bait page, linked at the top. Just send me an email or comment if you see anything you want.