Ridiculous

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by bn2cardz

WAR is comparative tool of other players in the game at the same time. If you compare Pujols Black Ink for his first 5 years compared to Trout's (Trout couldn't lead a league in his first year since he only played 40 games) you see that Trout has a 25 compared to Pujols' 18.
Even comparing SLG rank over the 5 years Trout ranked at an average of 3rd for the league, Pujols average rank was 4.6. So even though Pujols numbers are higher he wasn't the better player when compared to his counterparts (if you base it off these type of stats).

Andy, do you believe WAR one of the direct determinants of this card's value, as opposed to simply that Trout is currently considered the god of active baseball players?

I think it's very cool that you and Brent have your fingers on the pulse of the modern card market - I have no feel for it. With vintage cards, I know my Babe Ruth card may go up or down in value, but it won't be because he started playing poorly, got busted in a drug test or got traded to the Mariners.

[steve B]

Originally Posted by Runscott

Andy, do you believe WAR one of the direct determinants of this card's value, as opposed to simply that Trout is currently considered the god of active baseball players?

I think it's very cool that you and Brent have your fingers on the pulse of the modern card market - I have no feel for it. With vintage cards, I know my Babe Ruth card may go up or down in value, but it won't be because he started playing poorly, got busted in a drug test or got traded to the Mariners.

And that's just it for cards of guys who haven't finished a career, even with tremendous early numbers.

Reminds me of a few years back selling at a flea market. One of the handful of cards I wouldn't budge on price was a signature rookies Derek Jeter signed card. It booked $30 at the time, and that's what I wanted. (It was near NY, so not that crazy)
One guy lowballed at $10 and said it wasn't worth 30..... So I asked him where he thought it would be after they won a few more series. He replied with "and where will it be if he blows out a knee" I told him that if that happened he could come back the next year and I'd be happy to sell it for 10 but for now it was still 30 (After a few years I eventually sold it on Ebay for I think 80. )
If the Trout card was mine, I don't think I'd be holding too firm at 500K, I'd be very happy to "settle" for the 100-200K someone mentioned. I'd pay off the house, Invest some and all my collections would get a whole lot better.

Steve B

[bn2cardz]

Originally Posted by Runscott

Andy, do you believe WAR one of the direct determinants of this card's value, as opposed to simply that Trout is currently considered the god of active baseball players?

I think it's very cool that you and Brent have your fingers on the pulse of the modern card market - I have no feel for it. With vintage cards, I know my Babe Ruth card may go up or down in value, but it won't be because he started playing poorly, got busted in a drug test or got traded to the Mariners.

Again I don't think this card is priced at its value. I have only theories as to the pricing. One theory is that the seller just wanted to field offers. The other is that they are a fan and like a few other people (me included at times) uses ebay to show it off without any intent on selling, but if it was going to sell it would take someone willing to put up the crazy money.

As far as WAR or any sabrmatrics having an affect on the modern market, it is possible. Topps has started putting these stats on the cards so these are the stats people are now looking at.

All that aside though, my only point of bringing up his stats is that I saw that he was being called the "it guy". As a cynical person, myself, I had to finally admit that he truly is more than just a fad. It has been only 6 years, but really only 5 years if you think his first year was only 40 games and he is doing stuff we haven't seen since Pujols and I merely was pointing out that there is some merit to believe he could even be better. Again this does not mean I am defending a $500k price tag, but I also don't believe this will ever be a $40 (or sub $1000) card anymore than I think a 2001 Bowman Chrome Pujols Auto will be.

[Gary Dunaier]

Originally Posted by bn2cardz

I have only theories as to the pricing. One theory is that the seller just wanted to field offers. The other is that they are a fan and like a few other people (me included at times) uses ebay to show it off without any intent on selling, but if it was going to sell it would take someone willing to put up the crazy money.

If they just want to brag about owning it, why not post an image to an appropriate form and say "I have this card" instead of spending money to list it on Ebay?

[deeg23]

Originally Posted by Gary Dunaier

If they just want to brag about owning it, why not post an image to an appropriate form and say "I have this card" instead of spending money to list it on Ebay?

eBay pretty much lets you list for free now. They give you a TON of free listings. I can't remember the last time I paid! Though, I don't sell thousands of items, but at least a couple of hundred throughout the year.