In our 121st episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer cover a handful of MLB transactions, including a three-team deal, before selecting cards to place in the pod PC for the 2025 MLB Awards winners.
You can find us on bluesky at @cardscategories.bsky.social, @mcouill7.bsky.social, and @jbrewer17.bsky.social. Email the pod at [email protected].
Links to things discussed in the pod:
- Cardinals ship Willson Contreras up to Boston
- Rays, Pirates, and Astros link up on a three-team swap involving Brandon Lowe, Jake Mangum, Mike Burrows, and Jacob Melton
- Shane Baz dealt to Baltimore
- Mets continue overhaul, send Jeff McNeil to A’s
- Michael King re-joins the Padres
- Munetaka Murakami lands with White Sox
- White Sox also sign Sean Newcomb
- Sung-Mun Song inks deal with Padres
- Pirates bring aboard Ryan O’Hearn
- Baseball card legend Wade Meckler designated for assignment
Upcoming baseball card release schedule:
- 12/23: 2025 Topps Black & White Baseball
- 12/23: 2025 Panini Flawless
- 12/29: 2025 Topps Five Star
- 1/14: 2025 Panini Select
- 1/16: 2025 Topps Museum Collection
- Jan: 2025 Topps Chrome Update Sapphire Edition
- 2/11: 2025 Topps MLB MVP Collection
- TBD: 2025 Bowman Draft
2025 Awards Winners PC (55:40)
- Link to full listing of all 2025 MLB Award Winners
- Link to the Cards & Categories pod PC
- Aaron Judge
- Shohei Ohtani
- Tarik Skubal
- Paul Skenes
- Nick Kurtz
- Drake Baldwin
- Jeff Kent
Podcast (cards-and-categories): Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS
I sold my card collection in my early 20s and I always regretted it. The amount I could’ve made just in my Jordan cards SMH. Looking to get back into it somewhat as a hobby (and as an “investment.”) Could you recommend a series that gives the most bang for your buck if I were to buy a box? Thank you.
Hey Ratman!
To be honest, ripping modern boxes is not a great investment right now with the current pricing, hit distribution, and overall market. It’s one of the things we navigate each week in our pod, so certainly tune in.
We encourage folks to focus on collecting what makes you happy (fave team, player, or theme). Buying singles is the best bang for your buck. If you’re looking for a way to make a little money, scouring eBay listings and card shows in the discount bins is the best way to build a collection a few bucks at a time. As far as ripping (again, you’re going to struggle to break even), Topps Flagship (Series 1 & 2 and Update) or Stadium Club are the best value and most fun. Hobby boxes and (oddly) hanger packs are going to be the best value to money spent ratio. Good luck out there!
Thank you!