I haven't forgotten about my favorite MN Twin - Kennys Vargas! There was some bittersweet news this offseason when the Twins designated Byung-ho Park for assignment, removing him from the 40 Man Roster. He is going to start the season in AAA, the same place he finished last year. He was a big investment for the team, and is still under contract after clearing waivers. The main beneficiary of this news is Kennys, who is now slated to be the regular DH with the big league club.
This blue mini Parallel from 2016 Topps is numbered to just 10! Once again, I've added another Vargas card numbered to 10, even though the one I
really want has eluded me since the summer of 2015.**
Here's the base card from the Topps Mini set, nothing fancy here, just another parallel... It looked like Vargas might not have any cards in 2016 when he was left off the series one checklist (and started in AAA, with Byung-ho Park leading the team in homers at the time), but it turns out they just waited until Series Two. More for me to chase!
Here's a "Limited Edition" parallel from an online only factory set - These are the ancestors of the old Topps Tiffany sets. The card stock is very thick, but it's essentially the same card as flagship.
Last, but not least we have a "siiiiick patch" of Vargas, which I found on eBay for less than a pack of new cards. I'm looking forward to seeing Vargas starting the season as the Twins' DH - hopefully he can make the most of the opportunity and be the guy for some time to come. He's also on the roster for Puerto Rico in the WBC, along with Twins' teammates Eddie Rosario and Jose Berrios, so they are going to be my second fave team in the tournament.
** Seriously, please do me a favor and ask your local card shop owner if they have the 2015 Series One Acetate (aka Clear) Kennys Vargas parallel numbered to 10 squirreled away behind glass or in a dusty box on a shelf or under a pile of laundry. If you find one (please send a pic), I will send money to buy it and a TON of cards as a finders' fee.**
Hope Vargas and your Twins have a great year but not at the expense of my Tigers and 'Stros. I'm selfish like that.
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