Scott Rolen (1,300 @ $5.50)

Perhaps the most underrated superstar in baseball today. Health will dictate Scott’s season and career. When completely healthy, he is one of the best all-around players in the game. Hits for average, hits for power and fields his position better than anyone else in the game today. Five to ten more years under his belt, and he’ll go down as one of the best third-basemen to ever play the game. Unfortunately, his underrated stature as major leaguer has also translated to him being on the lower level of collectibility in the sports card hobby. With his last issue (2003) rarely able to break the $4.00 mark with a relatively low PR of 2000, it’s difficult to recommend this as a safe buy at the new veteran price of $5.50. However, with a low maximum offering and a legitimate shot to sell less than 1000... Buy this card.

Gavin Floyd (2,600 @ $6.75)

Doesn’t experience quite the hype of a Dontrelle Willis, Brandon Webb or Rich Harden that we experienced in 2003, but maybe he should! A sturdy right-hander who has solidified his position in the Phillies starting rotation this year. Look for a very respectable showing from Gavin this season. So far Gavin is 1-0 this season, 3-0 in his career and if his arm can sustain an entire season he should have a very good shot at obtaining his performance bonus requirements. Buy this card.

David Ortiz (1,300 @ $5.50)

Where he left off last season was off the charts, and he’s picked it right back up this year. At the time of this writing, he’s batting .385 with 2 home runs and 6 runs batted in. Look for another big year from Boston’s big DH. As it is though, performance on the field doesn’t always translate to success in the wild world of eTopps. With only 4 stolen bases in 740 career games, eTopps again gave another fine card the performance bonus kiss of death when requiring the one stolen base. With his only other eTopps card (2004) possessing only a slightly higher print run and has been sat stagnant below IPO, this card will be a dog if it doesn’t sell well under 1000 cards. Unless you’re one of those die-hard Red Sox fans, don’t buy this card.

Carlos Guillen (1,300 @ $5.50)

Time to crank up the SP Speculation Machine and see where this little cat takes us. I can’t recall, but seriously, was this card a vote in by the community? I didn’t know the fan base in Detroit was that well accounted for in the world of eTopps! In his eighth season, Carlos is a career .278 hitter with a 2-to-3 strike out to hit ratio. So, maybe he’s a speedster... guess again, only 28 career stolen bases. If his career statistics are any indication, he’s got little to no chance of producing any performance bonus points for your purchase. Unless this card achieves SP status and maintains throughout the remainder of the set, you’ll never see that $5.50 again. Like I even need to say it... Don’t buy this card.

Mark Teixeira (1,300 @ $5.50)

Mark is full of potential and this should be the year when it really shows and the rest of the league begins to take notice. Mark hasn’t been a great average hitter yet, but he’s still very young and has displayed the power already in his young career to make anyone believe he’ll be a force for years to come. With only one other eTopps card (2003) holding nicely above this offering price with a then sell out PR of 5000, this appears to be a simple choice. The performance bonus numbers will be tough, but regardless... Buy this card.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (1,300 @ $6.75)

The new name is painful to say, but the team is anything but painful to watch. A solid lineup, which includes the reigning league MVP, and a pitching staff that should support their offense more than adequately. Ownership has this franchise moving forward, and the 93 wins for season performance bonus seems like a relatively safe bet. I’m not a big fan of the $6.75 price tag on the team cards, but if you like to speculate on the points... Buy this card.

Florida Marlins (1,300 @ $6.75)

Another year, another revamped Marlins ball club! However, whatever they seem to be doing done their in South Florida seems to pay off more times than not. So far this season, the big guys in the pitching staff have looked good. Have that progress throughout the season, with a potent offensive lineup.... they got a really good shot at being a great team. Unfortunately, I will go out on a limb right now and put it in print that these Marlins will not win 91 games this season. Don’t buy this card.

Detroit Tigers (1,300 @ $6.75)

Two Tiger cards in the same week. Good for Detroit fans, not so great for the rest of us. They appear to have again improved their team this season, and things look to be strengthening within this organization. Better players to watch and cheer for, and a still solid fan base have this team heading in the right direction. 79 wins this season though, I don’t think so. Playoffs... ain’t happening! Save your money and buy 2 of the rookie (Floyd)! Don’t buy this card.