Goodbye and good luck to some great TTM signers

As someone who likes following prospects, it was a bit sad to see a few good ones go over the past couple of weeks as a . I’m also a realist and know that 1. You have to give something to get something and 2. These guys don’t always pan out. But still, that doesn’t make it easier.

Many of us had visions of James Kaprielian taking the hill in a big game for the Yankees, or Jorge Mateo swiping a crucial bag in a late inning. However, with the depth the Yankees have built in their farm system, and unexpectedly being in first place on July 31, the Yankees traded from areas of strength to improve the current team. Maybe it’s not fair to ever say it’s a surprise the Yankees are in first, but their “rebuild” is a little ahead of schedule when most figured 2018 and 2019 were when it would come to fruition.

Plus, outside of Todd Frazier, each piece the Yankees have acquired are under control to help those expected runs in 2018 and beyond.

However, there is no guarantee for the next season and beyond, and when your team is in first place on July 31, you do what you can to improve. The Yankees have done that, and only time will tell if it will work out or not.

Of the prospects the Yankees traded over the last week, six of them were past TTM signers for me.

I’ll still cherish these autographs, and certainly wish each player well in his new organization. I especially hope that Kaprielian and Fowler each come back 100% from their injuries. They are A+ dudes, and deserve successful careers.

Mateo, don't ya know

Just two years ago, Jorge Mateo was the crown jewel of the Yankees system. He swiped 82 bases, showed some pop with the bat, and played a premium position.

There were high expectations for him in 2016, and for the most part, had a lackluster season in A+ ball, where he spent all season. Then the Yankees system acquired guys like Gleyber Torres and Clint Frazier in trades and Blake Rutherford via the Draft, and he quickly slid down top prospect lists and seemed to fall a bit out of favor within the organization.

He’s repeating High-A ball again this year, and isn’t quite lighting the world on fire. Still, he’s swiped 20 bags and has been working out in CF, so perhaps he’ll take to the OF and help the Yanks in that way. Plus, he’s on the 40-man roster, and I fully expect him to be called up in September to serve as a pinch running extraordinaire, assuming that the Yankees are still firmly in a Pennant race. Instead of going out an getting a Rico Noel or Eric Young Jr, they'll have their own, homegrown version.

His cards have cooled down as well, and I actually think this is a great time to buy. I snagged this Bowman insert for $.75 shipped, and I look forward to stocking up on a few autos that will be harder to get when he swipes a bag that helps set up the winning World Series run later this fall.

Is Napkin Doon making a comeback?

A lot of you remember Napkin Doon. Some of you never had the privilege, but if you're curious, check out the archives: The Adventures of Napkin Doon.

Napkin Doon just dropped some big hints about a possible return to the "blogosphere." First off, he sent me a big 'ol batch of Yankees cards. It sounds to me like he's clearing out some space of a flux of incoming trades. Am I reading that right, Nap?

Second, there was this Twitter exchange with JBF/Willinghammer:

Sure sounds like the comeback is in the works, doesn't it?

Ahh yes, I did mention some cards, didn't I? Nap sent me the goods - Yankees prospects and Tinos. What more could I want? Unsurprisingly, I don't see many Gary Sanchez cards come my way anymore, so I always appreciate when they do. Here's my newest Sanchez cards, along with the rest of the loot. Nap, don't hate me too much for fueling the fire, here. It's only because we miss you.

 

 

Also, Nap, this is Gaby, not Gary. I won't lie, I've won a few cards on eBay because of the Gaby/Gary thing.

Napkin Doon defaces the card of the year

Napkin Doon has defaced the Card of the Year ™, a crime punishable by banishment from the blogging community. However, he hasn’t done a blog post in over two years, so I guess that isn’t going to work. Next worst punishment: being featured on my blog.

Why he did it, we’ll never know. Actually, I do know. He is a Rangers fan, and hates Jose Bautista. He hates him so much he asked me to get him an NY Post from the day that Rougned Odor punched Bautista in the face. I obliged, and Napkin Doon sent me some cards in return.

Outside of this custom work of art, there were great Yankees in the batch:

Three Jose Canseco Yankee cards for my Unofficial Jose Canseco Yankees PC. I needed these.

My favorite card of the bunch is easily this framed Gypsy Queen Gary Sanchez. Little did Nap know he was sending me a cool parallel of a one day AL MVP.

Here is another future MVP, Jorge Mateo, on yellow Bowman parallel. His prospect status has cooled down a lot, but I’m still going to gobble up his cards.

Wow, another MVP. This time, MVP of the 1999 ALCS. This is not one of the cooler insert sets of the 1990s, although I’m sure Adidas would disagree.

I like Oscar Gamble. A lot. He had some goofy hair. But why can’t I get Tino in an Archives set?

Speaking of Tino!

Boom. Love this vintage. Elston Howard, one of the most underrated Yankees of all time.

This Bernie is sweet. Eat your heart out, Mike Trout.

And the best of the rest!

Napkin Doon, next time put your high-end artistic skills to work in a more positive way, ok?

Zippy Zapped and it feels so good

I'm seriously contemplating not giving Zippy Zappy my new address.

It's not that I don't appreciate his packages. It's that they are too good! When I moved, I had to basically use one whole truck just to bring cards ZZ has sent me.

I'm kidding, of course. I would never say no to one of the epic Zappings. He definitely puts a lot of thought into his package, and the layer of personalization is a large part of what make these great.

He always throws in some from Staten Island Yankee goodies, which is cool. Even though I live close, I never make it out to the SI games, but ZZ always has me covered:

But the best part was this cool anniversary set from SI's 2000 Championship.

Great looking set! The cards all fold out and are perforated, but I haven't separated them.

Speaking of great looking sets, there was also a complete 2015 SI Yankees team set. I know I commented several times to ZZ how much I like the look of this set. I intend to use a few of them for TTM purposes.

A Jeter Lego guy! I'm definitely going to let my little guy play with this. No sense keeping it in a box.

Zippy makes some cool customs that he uses for in-person and TTM autographs. He was nice enough to give me a SIGNED one of Yankees stud pitching prospect James Kaprielian. Just fantastic! Except I read "Jimmy Key" when I look at his signature.

Here are a couple of unsigned customs. I love the '85-themed Kaprielian. Nice touch with the Draft logo too!

As if that wasn't a lot, he sent along a re-pack hobby box, as he's done in the past. It's always such a fun break. Imagine, packs upon packs containing cards of your team/guys you collect.

There's a bit of everything in there too. Hits after hits! I'm not sure what the odds were of this re-pack box, but I'm pretty sure I obliterated them:

ZZ, do you want this Tyler Austin back when he comes up in a couple days and wins AL Player of the Week right away?

Boomer? Sheffield? F yeah. Great cards!

Man, I miss you Ty Hensley. Come back.

Were there autos, you ask? There. Were. Autos. Feast your eyes upon signature after signature:

Man, I forgot all about the Battle Creek Yankees!

There were Tinos too! This Bowman's Best background looks like the wallpaper in my new foyer. (I used the word 'foyer' on a card blog. Is that allowed?)

If you like shiny, there was plenty of that too:

 

 

Prospects? Of course. ZZ's knowledge of the Yankee system dwarfs mine, but I know enough to get excited when I get a Thairo Estrada.

Or a Luis Severino.

Or a Jorge Mateo.

Or a Kyle Holder.

Hey Topps, make inserts that look as sweet as this. I dare you.

Honestly, Zippy Zappy, your generosity always astounds me, and this re-pack hobby box was no exception. From the big hits to the minor league issues, they all have a place in my collection. Thank you!