The 2007 Fleer baseball card set featured some of the biggest stars and rookies in the game at the time. While the set didn’t have the same historical significance or collector demand as some others from the 1980s or 1990s Fleer runs, there were still several chase cards that have grown in value in the years since. For collectors looking to build an investment collection or find cards of players who went on to Hall of Fame careers, here are some of the most valuable options from the 2007 Fleer release.
One of the obvious choices is any card showing New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez. As one of the greatest right-handed hitters of all time and a surefire first-ballot Hall of Famer, Rodriguez cards from any season hold value. His base rookie card from the 1993 Finest set trades for thousands, so anything showing him in his prime Yankee years commands solid prices. His 2007 Fleer card can be acquired in graded mint condition for $50-75, but raw near-mint copies still sell for $20-30. Any evidence of autographs or memorabilia cards featuring A-Rod from 2007 Fleer increase value significantly.
Staying in the American League East, cards highlighting Boston Red Sox left-hander Jon Lester have gained value over time as well. Lester is a three-time World Series champion who has racked up over 150 wins in his career so far. In 2007, he was still establishing himself as the ace of the Red Sox’s rotation after overcoming cancer earlier in his career. High-grade Lester rookies from 2007 sell in the $15-25 range nowadays. Later accomplishments and awards like his 2008 Cy Young contributing to the rising prices.
Another obvious Hall of Famer option is Los Angeles Dodgers righty Clayton Kershaw. Widely considered one of the best pitchers of his generation, Kershaw had already begun making a name for himself in 2007 as a teenager just up from the minors. His rookie cards, which can be found for under $5 just a few years ago, now sell for $15-25 in top condition. As Kershaw continues adding to his resume and marches toward 300 career wins and more hardware, his early cards stand to gain more value with time.
Switching to position players, St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt has seen his 2007 Fleer rookie appreciate greatly in recent years. Goldschmidt has established himself as one of baseball’s most consistent all-around producers, batting over .300 with 25+ home runs annually. He’s also been a staple of playoff teams in Arizona and St. Louis. Near-mint Goldschmidt rookies have appreciated from a few dollars to a $15-20 range average price.
Another 2007 rookie who has paid great long-term dividends is Philadelphia Phillies ace Aaron Nola. Still in his prime and a stalwart at the front of Philadelphia’s rotation for years, Nola’s early cards look like solid investments. Near-mint copies can be found for $10-15, a solid return considering they sold for $1-2 just a few years ago. Nola remains one of the best and most durable starters in baseball as he approaches 30 wins, putting incremental upside on those 2007 rookies.
While position players sometimes gain more attention, shortstop phenoms also hold value. 2007 Fleer included rookie cards for Tampa Bay Rays star shortstop Willy Adames, who has emerged as a fan favorite and consistent producer at a premium position. Despite playing for a small-market team, Adames’ success has driven his rookies from practically free to a $5-10 average for top-graded copies. With continued offensive contributions and Gold Glove caliber defense, Adames’ future remains bright.
The allure of promising rookies also lifts values on prospects who haven’t fully panned out. Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum, Giants/Blue Jays first baseman Brandon Belt, and Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen all showed promise as 2007 rookies before injuries derailed careers or slowed progress. Even though they didn’t achieve superstar status, strong near-mint examples still sell for $5-10 thanks to past hype and a chance they contribute more down the road.
2007 Fleer also included rookie cards for superstars like Ryan Braun, Troy Tulowitzki, and Justin Upton, who all went on to stardom. High-grade versions of their initial cards now demand $10-15 minimum. Pitchers like Max Scherzer, Cole Hamels, and Jered Weaver that found ace-level success also hold $5-10 rookie values.
While 2007 Fleer doesn’t have the same cachet as vintage ’80s or ’90s releases, cards spotlighting players who became Hall of Famers like Kershaw, A-Rod, and Goldschmidt or long-time standouts like Lester, Adames, and Nola have grown substantially in value since issue. For investors, these provide a low risk/high upside entry point compared to pricier vintage cards. With patience, even prospects and injured players like Lincecum, Belt, and McCutchen hold residual value. Overall, 2007 Fleer remains a solid investment base set with recognizable stars throughout.
