Another fine week of baseball is upon us -- or is it really a fine week? I think a fine week would be defined by the excitement that comes with it and the caliber of players involved. I think the highlight of the week is none other than Jose Reyes. Besides that this is a pretty boring week. How can we compare Konerko to other first basemen in the league? 1B is a loaded position and Konerko is at rock bottom this year. So the question here is… should we give him a card because he was programmed in from the beginning of the year or should we adjust our base set based on a player's performance? Alright… let's move on. This week is not as boring as we have seen in the past but I don't find it particularly exciting. I like the fact that four of the six players with IPO's this week are first-timers. I however can counter that with three pitchers (who never fare that well in eTopps unless they're named "Prior"). So I ask why do we load up on so many pitchers who are just getting by?

I love the vote-in's this week, especially the Dontrelle Willis card. What a STUD. 6-0 in his last 6 appearances. Plus, don't forget that one-hitter, a gem he pitched against the Mets. Those mysterious Mets are hot and cold with a hot rookie of their own, Reyes. I also like Jose Cruz, Jr. I have liked him since he was booted to Toronto from Seattle, before landing in San Fran. He is a great complement to Barry.

Now the last thing I want to cover this week is our print runs. What is up with all the 2,000 PR's this week? We have three of them. Is this a direct reflection of an earlier article we saw on buying strategies on CardTarget? I am not sure whether it is that or an attempt to lure us into a self-reassuring state that we are buying solid players with low PR's. I will let you be the judge there.

Well, enough of me this week. I have been kept extremely busy by the US Army and have had little time to check up on my port and get my pieces done. So I apologize for getting this to you late. Now let's get on with our picks.

Jarrod Washburn (2,500 @ $6.50)

Welcome to eTopps Jarrod. With a 6-8 record in 15 games this year he is not making it easy for us. Last year was a breakout year for Jarrod. He won 18 games, struck out 139 batters and posted a 3.15 ERA, all career bests for this pitcher. In his sixth season he has a lot of room to grow and excel with the Angels or whomever. His ERA this year is higher than his career ERA. He is also not on pace this year to match the numbers he put up last year. I doubt it is a lack of control or a loss of his stuff. I suggest it is an inability to win the tight games and get good run support. He is a first-timer to eTopps but it is not going to help his card. This card may sell out. I am going to wait and get it on the secondary market. DON'T BUY THIS CARD.

Jason Schmidt (3,500 @ $6.50)

Jason bounced around a bit in the late 90's but he is finally starting to pitch like we all thought he could when he came up with the Braves in 1995. After the Braves he was traded to Pittsburgh and is now pitching with San Fran. Last year he tied his career high for wins with 13 victories. He is on pace to pass that mark this year. Last year he also set a career high for strikeouts with 196. This year he is on pace to pass that mark as well. I think this will be one of his finest seasons and I am on board with several of my fantasy teams. Right now he is 7-3 with a 2.23 ERA. You also must like this card because it is his first in the eTopps realm. He is proving this year that he is worthy of a card, dominating batters and getting offensive support. This IPO should sell around 3,100 cards and fluctuate about 5% above and below IPO level. His PB appears to be well within reach. BUY THIS CARD.

Jose Reyes (5,000 @ $6.50)

Can I just say BUY THIS CARD upfront? I guess I can since I just did. Jose is the future of the Mets at shortstop, reason numero uno why they got rid of Rey Ordonez last year. Last year in Single A and Double A he led all minor leaguers in triples with 19. He was also noted as the top defensive shortstop in both leagues. He went on to star in the Venezuelan league where he was annointed the top prospect. He has followed through with a great splash in the majors this year. Don't get scared by his low average right now (.204). He will right himself and match his average to his RBI's (15). This kid will be a star for many years. Look for this card to sell out and shoot up to nine dollars. Buy it now before you miss out and pay too much! BUY THIS CARD!!

Paul Konerko (2,000 @ $6.50)

Like I said to buy Jose upfront I am telling you upfront not to buy this card. Sure, Paul was an all-star last year and he had a "breakout" year. However, this year he is, to put it frankly, awful. He has an average below .200 and only 3 homers with 17 RBI's. I am not impressed with the PR or the price here. If anything, this should have been a $4 card. I cannot see this card amounting to anything and my recommendation is to buy it on the secondary market (if at all). I know some guys want to get the complete set. So be it... If I could vote players out this guy would be voted out and I would gladly put anyone - ANYONE -- else in! DON'T BUY THIS CARD!!

Tim Hudson (2,000 @ $6.50)

Tim is a former Auburn Tiger and All-SEC team player. He is in his sixth year with the A's and this will be his fifth full season. This is not his first eTopps card. He has two other runs, 2001 and 2002. His 2001 card is the one to own of course. It has a print run of 663 cards and a seven-day average of $28.91. His 2003 issue is going to be an exact replica of his 2002 card, 2,000 PR at $6.50. So what makes you think I am going to like this card or be attracted to it any more? Sure, he has a career ERA of 3.41 and has averaged 158 K's a year (not counting his shortened rookie year). So far this year he has produced average numbers, going 5-3 in sixteen appearances. If you're counting that is eight no-decisions. I am sorry but I don't like this card and cannot recommend it. He might make his PB. MIGHT. This card will sell out. However if you're smart you'll buy his '02 card up or splurge for an '01. DON'T BUY THIS CARD.

Troy Glaus (2,000 @ $6.50)

So what do you want to hear about Troy? Do you want to hear that he might earn his PB? Well, I doubt he will. Do you want to hear that he will have a

Glaus & Other MLB Jerseys

more productive year than last year? I am not sure there. I will tell you this though; this is his third eTopps card. The 2002 World Series MVP is a great buy but I have a hard time recommending this card. His 111 RBI's last year was a career best and the Angels were 44-19 when he had at least one RBI. This year he is not likely to match his career average numbers, including his average of 37 homers per a year. The price doesn't attract me and neither does the PR. Another case of a $6.50 card being sold for too much. DON'T BUY THIS CARD.

In closing, I have a true story for you. I was typing this all up and got halfway through it all and my damn right foot hit the power strip and it was gone! However, thanks to the miracles of computer technology I did not lose a thing. If I can leave you with one thought it is this: invest wisely, whatever it may be in. I may not be the voice of reason but I hope I can guide you on a clear path.