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. 84 : Spring Training Standouts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:27:08
In our 84th episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer open by bantering about the Japan Series before delving into the latest and greatest MLB moves and baseball card news. Then we discuss some of the hottest hitters and…
Ep. 83 : Prospect Buys With The Itch [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:08
In our 83rd episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer are joined by Razzball's very own The Itch (Nick Roos) to discuss prospect buys for both fantasy and card purposes. The Itch will give background on what he loves abo…
Ep. 82 : Card Market Buys For 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:21
In our 82nd episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer open by bantering about the latest and greatest MLB moves and baseball card news. Then we overview player types and specific players that make for good baseball card…
Ep. 81 : AL West Preview With Sam Wirsching [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:05:54
In our 81st episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer are joined by Sam Wirsching of the Pallazzo Podcast and The Dynasty Guru to preview the AL West teams. For each team in the division, we each pick a player that for f…
Ep. 80 : NL Central Preview With Erik Halterman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:29:08
In our 80th episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer are joined by Erik Halterman of Rotowire, to discuss the start(?) of spring training and the latest MLB moves, then preview the NL Central teams. For each team in the…
Ep. 79 : AL Central Preview With Keelin Billue & Jordan White [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:46:08
In our 79th episode, Mike Couillard is joined by Keelin Billue, Razzball's former Ambulance Chaser, and Jordan White, formerly of Pitcher List and Razzball, to discuss the latest MLB moves and preview the AL Central team…
Ep. 78 : 2025 Topps Series One Overview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:33
In our 78th episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer analyze Pete Alonso's return to Queens before discussing the biggest baseball card release of the year – 2025 Topps Series 1! The 2025 baseball card products have off…
Ep. 77 : NL East Preview With Joe Orrico [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:17:58
In our 77th episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer are joined by Joe Orrico of FanGraphs and FantasyPros, to discuss the latest MLB moves and preview the NL East teams. For each team in the division, we each pick a pl…
Ep. 76 : NL West Preview With Taylor Corso [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:22:24
In our 76th episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer are joined by Taylor Corso of the Dynasty Baseball Pickups podcast and Prospects Live, to discuss the latest MLB moves and preview the NL West teams. For each team in…
Ep. 75 : AL East Preview With Matt Frank [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:35:13
In our 75th episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer are joined by Matt Frank aka Marmosdad, Razzball's Top 100 Pitchers writer, to discuss Roki Sasaki joining the Dodgers and preview the AL East teams. For each team in…