The 1990 Topps Traded baseball card set was released mid-season by the Topps Company as a supplemental product to their main 1990 baseball card release. The Traded set featured players who were traded or acquired via free agency after printing of the base set had been completed. This added numerous stars to new clubs shown for the first time in their new uniforms.
Some of the biggest player trades preceding the 1990 season included Frank Viola going from the Twins to the Mets, Dave Stewart from the A’s to the Padres, and Dennis Martinez from the Expos to the Blue Jays. Free agent prizes like Bobby Bonilla (Pirates), Ryne Sandberg (Cubs), and Rick Sutcliffe ( Indians) also signed with new teams. The Traded set helped collectors update their rosters to reflect these many mid-season roster changes.
The 1990 Topps Traded set contains 132 cards total. The designs and photography styles generally match the main 1990 Topps issue. All cards in the Traded set feature the subject in the uniform of their new club acquired after the original printing. This allows collectors a way to keep up with the many player transactions that occur each season.
Several notable stars are featured prominently in the 1990 Topps Traded set wearing their new uniforms for the first time. Future Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley is shown as an Ace reliever for the formidable A’s bullpen on card #T1 after being obtained from the Cubs. Star outfielder Bobby Bonilla, a key free agent signing by the Pirates, leads off the set with card #T2 photographed in the Pittsburgh black and gold.
Two of the biggest acquisitions before the 1990 season, Dave Stewart and Dennis Martinez, both receive star treatment early in the Traded checklist. Stewart is photographed on the mound for the Padres on card #T3 after coming over from the A’s. Martinez also gets one of the prized early spots at #T7 in his new Blue Jays duds obtained from Montreal. Both pitchers would go on to have solid seasons helping their new clubs.
Other notable players included in the Traded set wearing their post-deal uniforms are Carter (Dodgers), Saberhagen (Red Sox), Morris (Blue Jays), Higuera (Marlins), Fernandez (Mets), and Sandberg (Cubs). Most of these stars were obtained via trade but some like Sandberg signed as notable free agents. The mix makes for an all-star collection of players updated for collectors in their latest jerseys mid-season.
Beyond just star players, the 1990 Topps Traded set also contains several other interesting subset-style inserts. A nine-card “Top Prospects” subset at the beginning highlights some of the top rookies on the cusp of joining their parent club’s roster. A three-card “Olympic Team USA” insert honors baseball’s return to the Summer Games that year. And three traded managers—Lasorda, Cox, and Johnson—also receive special spotlight cards outside the base checklist.
In terms of specialty parallels, the 1990 Topps Traded release also marked one of the earliest Gold Label parallel variations introduced by Topps. A mere four Gold Label parallel cards were inserted randomly in hobby packs back then featuring Boggs, Whitaker, Saberhagen, and Martinez. These scarce early parallels can fetch a hefty premium today for advanced collectors.
When it comes to the overall condition and demand for the 1990 Topps Traded cards today, the set maintains strong collector interest due its ability to update key rosters and showcase many new uniforms. Commons are quite affordable across all grades while the biggest stars and notable parallels command higher values. Aside from a few very light production lines, centering is also generally above average compared to some early ’90s Topps issues—a plus for grading potential.
The 1990 Topps Traded baseball card set enjoys a special nostalgia amongst collectors for its ability to showcase so many famous baseball players in the uniforms of their new teams. Featuring a who’s who of stars and several popular inserts at only 132 cards total, it serves as a fun and affordable supplemental set for keeping rosters current during baseball’s hot stove season each year. The strong visuals and overall collecting demand ensure the 1990 Topps Traded cards remain a valued part of baseball card history.
