Really nice day of insert releases yesterday, including one for my Minnesota Twins. Im really glad we are getting new cards almost every day, as it makes the game more fun.

Signature Series – Nick Swisher

Playbility:
Collectability: Strong

This is the first non-super rare signature card of the year, and it wont be the last. At 750 copies and a less desirable player, this card wont be as valuable as its predecessor, but we know there will be signatures like this during the year. Each team should get at least one card from what Topps posted on twitter, and the series will have ups and downs. They did just offer a reward for collecting them, which might make them more valuable if you have the luck to pull and trade for them.

Topps Illustrated – Joe Mauer/Andrew McCutchen

Playability:
Collectability: Strong+

Man do I love the looks of these cards, and I like that Topps is digging into their vault of sketch cards to make a set of these. Because there is a print run of 1000, the value of these should be consistent across the board. It sure doesnt hurt that the cards are awesome. Mauer is a consistent play above negative points as well, so he is relatively good card to actually play too. McCutchen has had a slow start to the year, but he is still work hanging onto. This set looks good enough for me to try to get them all and win the reward of the Nolan Ryan that comes with it.

Fired Up – Jason Grilli

Playability:
Collectability: Good

As much as I love this series, I really am not a huge fan of the player checklist so far. They are limited by the actual real series from Topps 2014 Series 1, so we know who will actually be comprising the rest of the set. Some good names to come.

More cards are coming today, and ill break them down tomorrow as normal!

(images courtesy of Topps)