December Pickups
 

I got a cool print error 89 Fleer Bill Ripken and this 86 Topps Roger Clemens Blue Streak error. Now I have a loose Clemens error and one on the top of a Rack Pack.

Christmas treat for myself
 

I haven't been buying many of the Bowman Chrome prospects, but I think I might start prospecting to make some money, as I'd intended to do at one time. I got this one in today.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/a/img913/9725/BSySfF.png

I think Martinez is just scratching the surface in the Majors. He had a .912 OPS in 123 games last year with the Tigers, hitting .315 with 30 doubles and 23 home runs. He lit it up in the minors. In 343 career games, he hit .332 with a .394 OBP and a .548 SLG. If he can lower his strikeout rate just a little, and draw some more walks...look out. I was really high on him with the Astros, and now he's on a good team. He and Nick Castellanos could spearhead the Detroit attack for the next ten years.

I'd be a little hesitant on Martinez just for the fact that he's already 27. Not that he can't be a good, productive player for a few years, but he's pretty much entering a typical career peak. You can make money, as long as you actually sell if he gets hot in the next couple seasons. Too many people hold too long. I know people with a handful of Uggla, Utley, and Howard rookies they were convinced would keep going up a bit longer.