Ep. 18 : Free Agency Bonanza

Ep. 18 : Free Agency Bonanza

Author: Mike Couillard November 9, 2023 Duration: 1:53:21
In our eighteenth episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer open by discussing the Cubs hiring Craig Counsell while previewing the early offseason before briefly covering the release of Topps Archives. Then we analyze the MLB Trade Rumors' Top 10 free agents to evaluate the predicted landing spots while offering our best guesses and possible fantasy implications (29:22).

You can find us on twitter (X) at @cardscategories, @mcouill7, and @jbrewer17. Email the pod at cardscategories@gmail.com.

Links to things discussed in the pod:
Cards Discussion:
Upcoming baseball card releases:
  • 11/8: Topps Archives
  • 11/15: Topps Chrome Update
  • 11/22: Topps Museum
  • 12/6: Panini National Treasures
  • 12/6: Topps Inception
  • 12/16: Topps Japan Edition
  • 5/8/24: Bowman
Categories Discussion:
  • MLB Trade Rumors 2023-34 Top 50 Free Agents
  • 2024 NFBC draft data (change filter to start on 10/1/23)
  • Players analyzed and our signing team predictions:
    • Shohei Ohtani (Jeremy: LAD, Mike: NYY)
    • Cody Bellinger (Jeremy: NYY, Mike: ARI)
    • Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Jeremy: SFG, Mike: CHC)
    • Blake Snell (Jeremy: NYM, Mike: SFG)
    • Aaron Nola (Jeremy: STL, Mike: STL)
    • Jordan Montgomery (Jeremy: CHC, Mike: STL)
    • Matt Chapman (Jeremy: SFG, Mike: TOR)
    • Josh Hader (Jeremy: BOS, Mike: TEX)
    • Sonny Gray (Jeremy: STL, Mike: BOS)
    • Shota Imanaga (Jeremy: LAD, Mike: NYM)

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. 134 : Ambulance Chasin’ With Keelin Billue [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:10
In our 134th episode, Mike Couillard is joined by resident doctor (but not really a doctor) Keelin Billue to discuss how to navigate the rash of injuries facing our fantasy squads plus some requisite White Sox chat.You c…
Ep. 133 : Investment Targets For 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:32:19
In our 133rd episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer cover the latest happenings in MLB impacting fantasy teams before diving into players to invest in for both card collecting and dynasty formats.You can find us on bl…
Ep. 132 : 2026 Topps Heritage Overview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:28:42
In our 132nd episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer cover the latest happenings in the MLB and baseball card worlds before diving into the release of 2026 Topps Heritage, which hits shelves everywhere on March 18.You…
Ep. 131 : NL West Preview With Taylor Corso [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:46:58
In our 131st episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer discuss the latest MLB transactions and baseball card news before previewing the NL West with Taylor Corso of the Dynasty Baseball Pickups podcast and Prospects Live…
Ep. 130 : World Baseball Classic Preview With Kiri Oler [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:20
In our 130th episode, Mike Couillard is joined by Kiri Oler of FanGraphs to preview the World Baseball Classic - jerseys, vibes, players, and picks are abound.You can find us on bluesky at @cardscategories.bsky.social, @…
Ep. 129 : Zen And The Art Of Fantasy Baseball With ADHamley [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:06
In our 129th episode, Mike Couillard is joined by Anthony Hamley (aka ADHamley) of Razzball and BaseballHQ to discuss the insights from his Zen And The Art Of Fantasy Baseball columns before diving into some of the lates…
Ep. 128 : AL Central Preview With Marty Tallman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:45:46
In our 128th episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer discuss the latest MLB transactions and baseball card news before previewing the AL Central with Marty Tallman of Rotoballer.You can find us on bluesky at @cardscate…
Ep. 127 : NL Central Preview With Derek VanRiper [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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 c…
Ep. 126 : 2026 Topps Series 1 Overview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:22
In our 126th episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer host a special pod to discuss the release of 2026 Topps Series 1, which hits shelves everywhere on Feb. 11.You can find us on bluesky at @cardscategories.bsky.social…
Ep. 125 : AL West Preview With Sam Wirsching [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:50:59
In our 125th episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer discuss the latest MLB transactions and baseball card news before previewing the AL West with Sam Wirsching of the Pallazzo Podcast and The Dynasty Guru.You can find…