Spring Training thread (Advice)

[worldwideed]

I'm starting to put my strategy together for spring training and decided that I'm going to go after some long-shot bigger names. Even if I only go 1/10 on these type of players I can be worth it.

Who have you got returns from in the last few years, say all-star types, that you did not expect to get back?

Also, lets piggy back off this thread for other questions/advice.

 

[MasonAsher2014]

Gordon Beckham, Josh Hamilton, Adam Dunn, Jay Bruce, Cole Hamels, Mark Buerhle, Todd Helton, Ryan Howard, Chipper, Austin Jackson, C.C Sabathia, David Price. I have alot of success with ST. The Sabathia I sent in 2010 and got it back the next ST.

 

[Vladfan27]

I did some research in the SCF TTM Manager and am sending to these players based off of past success:

Drew Pomeranz
Derek Holland
C.J. Wilson
Joe Nathan
James Loney
Ron Gardenhire (manager)
Ben Revere
Josh Tomlin
Nyjer Morgan
Max Scherzer
Luis Gonzalez (coach)
Andrew Bailey
Mike Morse
Brandon Phillips
Shin-Soo Choo
Colby Rasmus
Dustin Ackley
Justin Masterson
R.A. Dickey
Adam Jones

Also sending to these players. Not sure about Trout, but I know the other 3 are iffy TTM:

Michael Brantley
Mike Trout
Clayton Kershaw
Sandy Alomar Jr.

I got Sabathia TTM via spring training probably 10 years ago now. Glad to see he is still signing TTM at least through spring training.

 

[worldwideed]

Of all the players mentioned I have got successes from these in the past.
Gordon Beckham
Josh Hamilton (you'll see in Dec. 2013)
Mark Buerhle (hit and miss but does sign off and on)
Joe Nathan (is pretty consistant for 1 card)
Josh Tomlin
Nyjer Morgan
Max Scherzer (personalized)
Luis Gonzalez (coach)
Andrew Bailey
Dustin Ackley
R.A. Dickey (several years ago)
Adam Jones (several years ago)

 

[mort]

A good long shot that usually gets sporadic returns: Mariano Rivera. Since this may be his last season, it may be your last opportunity to get an autograph. From the past results of others, I tend to think sending a larger envelope may result in a bigger chance for success.

 

[tigsfan]

I would first like to note that the general consensus is that the Adam Dunn, Paul Konerko, and Gordon Beckham returns are ghost signed. You may want to keep that in mind before sending to them.

I've had success within the past two years on these guys.

Derek Holland
C.J. Wilson
Joe Nathan
James Loney
Josh Tomlin
Nyjer Morgan
Max Scherzer
Luis Gonzalez (coach)
Andrew Bailey - none after he got traded to Boston
Dustin Ackley
Justin Masterson
R.A. Dickey

Clayton Kershaw
Sandy Alomar Jr.

It also worth noting that CC doesn't sign TTM anymore, probably something to do with his Steiner contract.

A good long shot that usually gets sporadic returns: Mariano Rivera. Since this may be his last season, it may be your last opportunity to get an autograph. From the past results of others, I tend to think sending a larger envelope may result in a bigger chance for success.

I used a 'medium' sized envelope last year and still haven't gotten anything back from the Sandman. I think it makes me 0/3 now, so I'm just giving up.

 

[DaNotoriousNIC]

Here's the true longshots I've had returned during ST (not counting bigger names that signed a bit at the time but don't now)
David Wright, Mark McGwire, Jose Valverde, Ryan Zimmerman, Johnny Damon and Jim Thome (for some people he was easy, took me like 3 trys)

The guy I've yet to get TTM that everyone else seems to have gotten once thats been trying over the years is Mariano Rivera, I did break down and buy a 08 Topps off someone but if he comes back again I will try for him once again just because of the fact I've yet to get him and have sent atleast 10 times now

 

[worldwideed]

For better or worse these 46 are going out on Friday, some are set needs and others are for fun.
Roberto Kelly
Walt Weiss
Gary Pettis
Terry Pendleton
Billy Hatcher
Jose Oquendo
Tim Teufel
Robby Thompson
Terry Steinbach
Bobby Thigpen
Mike Harkey
Alfredo Griffin
Roger McDowell
Ryne Sandberg
Alan Trammell
Steve Sax
Sandy Alomar Jr.
Mark McGwire
Brad Miller
Stefen Romero
Adrian Beltre
Adam Jones
Carlos Santana
Charlie Manuel
Mariano Rivera
Mark Buehrle
Andrew McCutchen
Mike Trout
Jeremy Hellickson
Justin Masterson
Anthony Fernandez
Kendrys Morales
John Lannan
Edwin Jackson
Paul Goldschmidt
Ryan Doumit
Aaron Hill
Nathan Eovaldi
Anthony Rizzo
A.J. Pierzynski
Ryan Lavarnway
Todd Frazier
Gavin Floyd
R. A. Dickey
Steven Strasburg
Adam Eaton

 

[longhornjunkie]

I got some tougher signers over the past few years. I mostly go for "long" shots, special instructors, and guys that I'm afraid might fall off the map again so to speak.

Mark McGwire
Tino Martinez (twice)
Tony Phillips
Jae Seo (while training with the Kia Tigers in Arizona)
Mariano Rivera
Edwin Encarnacion (sent last year, received back this year)
Jose Valverde
Chili Davis
Miguel Batista
Howard Johnson (took almost 2 years to get back)

I did some research in the SCF TTM Manager and am sending to these players based off of past success:

Nyjer Morgan

Nyjer Morgan signed to play in Japan.

 

[Vladfan27]

Nyjer Morgan signed to play in Japan.

Whoops. At least I'll get my SASE back if they RTS.

 

[cdahlk2001]

Omar vizqual is with the angels this spring training FyI

 

[Clemson2012]

Any1 had success with Justin Upton or BJ Upton?