Zilla, Tots, and Sarge

I completed a Facebook trade a few days ago.  I swapped out a card that someone was looking for, always a good feeling to help, and I picked up a few cards for my trouble.  I ended up with a former Durham Bull, a Cardinal, and an autograph from a nice set from the early 2000s.

First up.

I have not added any of these Topps Fire cards yet this year, but I liked this Snell "Zilla" autograph.  Yes, it's a sticker.  Yes, it's a retail card.  Still a solid card.  Although, I miss when these were metal cards that Topps sold directly to collectors.

I have not picked up too many Bader "Tots" cards yet.  I know that Topps has put him into a lot of different products this year, many of them as an autograph signer.  I am pretty sure that this might be my first of the year.  Since the Cardinals have changed managers, Bader has become a regular player, and seems like someone who is going to stick around for awhile.  

I did not actually trade for this card, but my trade partner included this in their package.  Not an expensive card or anything, but I really like the Archives sets.  The 2001 set was one of the better versions of the product.  Most of Matthews career was before my time, but he was a decent outfielder for the Cubs by the time I started watching baseball.

Very generous throw in.

Not So Sure About This One....

Coming into this summer there was so much to like about Cardinals prospect Harrison Bader.  The former Florida Gator star was drafted by the Cardinals in the third round of the 2015 MLB Draft.  During his first summer of Minor League Baseball Bader hit .311/.368/.523 with 11 home runs, 13 doubles, and 17 steals in just 61 games.  

He was on my list of players to find this summer.  He had cards in some Panini products last year which featured him in a college uni, but nothing in a Major League licensed product.  Honestly, I think the U of F cards looked cool, but there were a little bit more expensive than what I was willing to pay, or part with in trade.  

Then Bowman Chrome came out this summer and Harrison Bader appeared.  I was initially pretty excited, but the cards seemed to linger in and around $25 and Bader had on OPS below .700 in 50 Triple games this summer.  I was still interested in his cards, just not at that price.  

Last week I finally found a Harrison Bader card in a trade and was happy with what I gave up for the card......

I am still not sure about Bader given what happened last year in the high minors, but I should also mention that I picked up another Cardinals player's autograph in the trade.  I wasn't really looking forward to having to pay money for this guy's card......

but apparently he is on the Cardinals roster for the next few years.  Since it was practically a throw-in, I am going to go ahead and be alright with this card being in my collection.  Hopefully both players do a little better in 2017 and we can revisit this post and laugh....