The 1987 Topps Traded baseball card set was released as a parallel issue to Topps’ flagship 1987 set. Where the standard 1987 set included cards of players on the teams they were currently playing for, Topps Traded focused on players who had been traded to new teams during or after the 1986 season. As such, it provided collectors an updated look at where certain stars were playing in 1987.
The 1987 Topps Traded set includes 108 total cards and was widely popular among collectors at the time of its release. Some of the biggest star players of the late 1980s are featured after moves to new clubs. The set remains a highly sought after vintage issue for collectors today due to the star power and updated team placements it showcases. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key details and notable cards from the 1987 Topps Traded set.
One of the biggest trades leading up to the 1987 season saw AL MVP George Bell get dealt from the Philadelphia Phillies to the Toronto Blue Jays. Bell’s card in the Traded set shows him in his new Blue Jays uniform, reflecting this major player move. Another AL MVP, Don Mattingly of the New York Yankees, also received a Traded card after re-signing with the team as a free agent in the offseason. His standard 1987 card had him with the Yankees as well, but the Traded issue was still desirable for collectors.
Two of the game’s all-time great pitchers – Nolan Ryan and Tom Seaver – received Traded cards after offseason trades. Ryan’s shows him with the new Houston Astros uniform after being acquired from the Mets. At age 40, Seaver joined the Boston Red Sox organization via trade from the Mets and his Traded card portrays this change. Both Ryan and Seaver were still pitching effectively in the late stages of their Hall of Fame careers in 1987 as well.
Another future Hall of Famer with a sought after Traded card is Rickey Henderson. After leading the majors with 130 stolen bases for the Oakland A’s in 1986, Henderson was surprisingly traded to the New York Yankees. His Traded issue shows him in pinstripes, foreshadowing the success he’d enjoy as arguably the greatest leadoff hitter and base stealer in MLB history. Henderson would go on to steal 78 bases and win the AL MVP award in his first season with the Yankees.
Other notable players receiving Traded cards included slugging first baseman Jack Clark after joining the St. Louis Cardinals, power hitting outfielder Dave Parker heading to Oakland, veteran pitcher Charlie Lea upon arrival in Houston, and catcher Lance Parrish as the newest member of the Philadelphia Phillies. Clark, Parker, and Parrish were all impact bats who provided offensive production for their new clubs. Lea brought pitching depth as a reliable innings eater.
Rookies featured in the Traded set after winter trades included pitcher Mark Eichhorn of the Blue Jays, outfielder Darnell Coles with the Detroit Tigers, and catcher Sal Butera upon joining the Minnesota Twins organization. While none became true superstars, Eichhorn, Coles, and Butera all enjoyed lengthy MLB careers after their Traded issue cards. For collectors, it’s interesting to see the debut cards of players just breaking into the big leagues.
In terms of rarity and demand, the headlining cards tend to be those showing true superstars in new uniforms, like Bell, Henderson, Ryan, and Seaver. But there is also strong collector interest in cards that were more scarce produced or had oddball team placements. Examples include Mets pitcher Rick Aguilera’s card listing him as property of the Red Sox before he ever played a game for them, or Yankees minor leaguer Steve Frey appearing in a Traded uniform despite never actually being traded.
The 1987 Topps Traded baseball card set remains a highly collectible vintage issue. It provided an updated look at where many top players ended up for the 1987 season after winter trades. Rookie cards, oddball placements, and stars in new uniforms are all aspects that make individual cards stand out. When found in good centered, high grade condition, elite Traded issues can demand premium prices from dedicated collectors today. The set plays an important role in documenting major player movement from 1986 to 1987.
