Ep. 127 : NL Central Preview With Derek VanRiper

Ep. 127 : NL Central Preview With Derek VanRiper

Author: Mike Couillard February 12, 2026 Duration: 1:46:21
In our 127th episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer discuss the latest MLB transactions and baseball card news before previewing the NL Central with Derek VanRiper of The Athletic and the Rates & Barrels podcast.

You can find us on bluesky at @cardscategories.bsky.social@mcouill7.bsky.social, and @jbrewer17.bsky.social. Email the pod at cardscategories@gmail.com.

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Links to things discussed in the pod:Upcoming baseball card release schedule:
  • 2/11: 2025 Topps MLB MVP Collection
  • 2/11: 2026 Topps Series 1
  • 2/12: 2025 Topps Pristine
  • 2/18: 2025 Panini Prospect Edition
  • 2/18: 2025 Topps Stadium Club
  • 2/20: 2025 Topps Gilded
  • TBD: 2025 Bowman’s Best
  • TBD: 2025 Topps Chrome Platinum ‘55
NL Central Preview (33:00)
  • Chicago Cubs
    • Buy: Ian Happ, Alex Bregman
    • Sell: Pete Crow-Armstrong, Nico Hoerner, Cade Horton
  • Cincinnati Reds
    • Buy: Matt McLain, Will Benson, Elly De La Cruz
    • Sell: Emilio Pagan, Noelvi Marte
  • Milwaukee Brewers
    • Buy: Jacob Misiorowski, Logan Henderson, Andrew Vaughn
    • Sell: Abner Uribe, Trevor Megill
  • Pittsburgh Pirates
    • Buy: Braxton Ashcraft, Bryan Reynolds
    • Sell: Dennis Santana, Konnor Griffin
  • St. Louis Cardinals
    • Buy: Jordan Walker, Alec Burleson, Kyle Leahy
    • Sell: Victor Scott II, Riley O’Brien
 

Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer have a shared obsession that branches in two fascinating directions: the strategic depths of fantasy baseball and the nostalgic, tangible world of MLB card collecting. Their Cards & Categories podcast sits right at that unique intersection, creating a space where lineup decisions and auction values are debated with the same passion as rookie card prospecting and vintage set completion. It’s a conversation built for those who find equal joy in analyzing a player’s on-base percentage and the crisp corner of a mint-condition insert. Each episode feels like pulling up a chair at a local card shop or diving into a lively fantasy league chat, blending statistical deep dives with personal stories from the hobby. You’ll hear them break down weekly player performances for fantasy relevance while also discussing the cultural and financial currents within the sports card market. This isn’t just another baseball podcast; it’s a dedicated look at how our fandom manifests, both in digital leagues and in physical collections, all through the informed and often humorous perspective of two genuine enthusiasts. Tune in for a regular dose of actionable advice, collecting trends, and the simple pleasure of talking about the game from these two distinct, yet beautifully connected, angles.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 134

Cards & Categories
Podcast Episodes
Ep. 53 : Deadline Preparations [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Ep. 52 : All-Star Festivities Recap, Topps Chrome Release [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Ep. 49 : Oh No, Mookie And Last 30 Days Breakouts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Ep. 48 : All-Star Ballots & Topps Series 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:53:11
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Ep. 47 : May Players Of The Month PC [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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In our 47th episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer open with banter on the latest moves and news including Spencer Torkelson and Reid Detmers' journeys to Triple-A. Then we select cards to enter the Player of the Mont…
Ep. 46 : Stashable Prospects [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:35:34
In our 46th episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer open with banter on the latest moves and news including injuries to Ronald Acuna Jr. and Xander Bogaerts along with the Angel Hernandez's retirement and the inclusion…
Ep. 45 : Biggest Movers In The Top 100 Hitters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:47
In our 45th episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer open with banter on the latest moves and news including new injuries plus Edwin Diaz's demotion from the Mets closer role. Then we discuss the biggest movers (good an…
Ep. 44 : Droppable Bats [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:42:26
In our 44th episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer open with banter on the new Statcast bat tracking metrics (Batcast?) before discussing the latest moves and news including new injuries plus prospect debuts. Then we…