MLB Showdown 2021 Set: THE HOT STOVE

 Welcome to the first bunch of cards for the 2021 Set!!! The dream that Matt and I had in the midst of the wait for the 2020 season is finally being realized, as we anticipate releasing the 2021 set in three installments: (1) HOT STOVE; (2) PENNANT RUN; (3) MAIN SET.

Now, this "HOT STOVE" collection of 55 cards functions like the original "Pennant Run" cards of the 00/01 sets -- the hottest players on new teams via free agency/trade, players returning from injury who weren't in the previous set, and expected rookie of year candidates with (optimistic but not completely unrealistic) projected cards. That's right, below you can expect Lindor, Bauer, Tatis, etc etc plus hot prospects like Dylan Carlson and Wander Franco. 

For the Pennant Run, we're going to release some cards shortly after the 2021 trade deadline showing how good the moved players have been, with cards made for their stats at that point in the season. For example, if Kris Bryant gets dealt at the deadline, he'll have his card at that point made with him on the Cubs. This let's fans have one last card with a former player and let's the new team see what the expectations should be, and then that player will have his full season stats in the Main Set at year's end on the team he ended the season with.... overall, I like this because it let's bad teams (usually sellers) add some more good cards to their bunch from the season and it lets Pennant Run live up to its name, featuring players who're actually helping during the stretch run! But that's enough of our scheming and what's to come, let's get to the cards y'all really want to see -- the 2021 HOT STOVE collection!!!

STAR PLAYERS

These cards are based on these players' cumulative stats from 2019 and 2020 mixed with some 2021 projections, and there's some true stars in here! Not to toot my own horn, but I think Lindor looks AMAZING and I cannot wait to use him. Bauer and Darvish are stud Tier 3 pitchers here, kinda shooting in between their highs and lows the last couple years and projecting they find the middle ground. Snell is the same way, but with more risk involved. Meanwhile, Springer looks like he'll be a HR machine in CF for the Blue Jays, and Arenado is going to be a vacuum at the hot corner in STL. Also, I love how his navy blue shirt pops on the red. All of these guys are sweet and I'm hyped to compare these cards to their "main set" cards after the year!

BACK FROM INJURY

The NL East is going to have some impressive arms returning to the fold in 2021, starting with the Syndergaard/Stroman combo in the Mets rotation and essential-part-of-the-2019-champion-Nationals Strasburg!! Also, I loved using this flag style Nats logo on their hot stove cards, even if I'll likely go back to their normal logo for the main set.

ROOKIES TO WATCH

Attempting to make rookie cards for the top ROY candidates that accurately reflect their rookie stats is my favorite exercise during Spring Training. Primarily, I go off their projected states on Rotoworld, and then add my own tweaks based on my personal feelings on players. Obviously, I think Wander and Adley will put up better stats than projected because I think they are *special* guys and future stars, and I see them busting into the league with the success of a Soto, Tatis Jr., Posey and/or Acuna. After them, it's a strong collection of decent players in the 300-400 point range that'd be helpful additions to any lineup or rotation! In particular, I like the idea of Detroit adding three solid starters (which I think leads to them hanging around .500 for the majority of the season).

Also, I know Devin Williams won ROY last year, and probably exceeded his limits, but I'm throwing him in here!

OLD FACES, FRESH PLACES

Definitely some fun switcheroos in teams for established veterans during this offseason, especially all the new Mets, Nationals and White Sox! Obviously, as a Brewers fan, I am ecstatic at the idea of Wong and Bradley putting up these cards for Milwaukee. However, my favorite of these cards -- Austin Gomber, I think the card looks INCREDIBLE! 

OFFSEASON CHANGES

So these final three are a strange assortment, but essentially Rojas is a young guy that I think is going to bust out this season in a good way, Suarez is potentially going to be the Reds SS (and looks to be a dang good one), and Tatis DESERVED this epic projection card after his wonderful extension!!! Whether you'd rather use his OB 9 card from the 2020 set or this OB 10 card is a tough managerial choice, but no matter what, I think this version looks SWEET.

I hope you enjoyed these cards! Any rookies you think are going to be better than these guys? Was anyone underrated?? Heck, overall -- who's going to wildly over-perform their projections? Even more importantly, which card do you think looks the best and/or are you most excited to integrate into your leagues? I'm hyped to insert Mets Lindor, Orioles Adley, and Cardinals Arenado into my cards! 

Also -- this is kind of a test run for our point formulas, so let me know if anyone seems significantly over or under priced, and what adjustment you'd make to that player!