Changes in Cardinals Winter Warm-Up Autograph Prices for 2019

Autograph details for the 2019 St. Louis Cardinals Care Winter Warm-Up have been posted on the team’s official website – prior to tickets going on sale Monday, December 10.

The three-day Winter Warm-Up fan event – from which all proceeds go to charity – is held each January over Martin Luther King weekend. This year’s dates are from Saturday, January 19 through Monday, January 21.

In my annual just-for-fun endeavor, I look at rising and falling autograph prices from year to year. These values are set by someone within the Cardinals hierarchy, and apparently reflect at least some estimation of the expected supply and demand for the signatures.

One needs to remember that these lists are fluid up until the event itself. Players who are missing now could be added later, just as once in a while, a player has a last-minute cancellation.

Dakota Hudson (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

Let’s get into the details.

There is quite a bit of change from last year’s Top Dogs, but the names on the very top are the same – Yadier Molina followed by Adam Wainwright. Carlos Martinez is still among them, but his price fell for the second consecutive year. Stalwart Matt Carpenter remains, joined by rising stars Miles Mikolas, Harrison Bader and Paul DeJong.

Two players one would expect to see among the leaders, Marcell Ozuna and Paul Goldschmidt, are not yet listed. Fans will be hoping that changes in the next five weeks.

Top dogs 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 Commentary
Yadier Molina $150 $150 $150 $125 $100 $100 $75 $75 $90 $75 $100 $90 The current face of the franchise turns 37 in July
Adam Wainwright $75 $75 $75 $100 $90 $80 $50 $50 $45 $50 $60 $80 Always 1 of most popular even as StL career winds down
Matt Carpenter $60 $60 $75 $60 $50 $40 $15 free Highs very very high, bookended by lows at start and end
Carlos Martinez $50 $60 $75 $35 $25 $30 Major rebound candidate after perplexing 2018
Miles Mikolas $50 $25 A life-saver in 2018 – free agent next fall
Paul DeJong $40 $30 $5 Long-term answer at shortstop
Harrison Bader $40 $10 $5 Stormed in and seized CF with hustling play

About half of those in the middle tier of autograph prices are new to this grouping. Alex Reyes and Michael Wacha have dropped down in price. Jordan Hicks and Mike Shildt are new, with the latter the bargain of the event at just $25.

Risers in the mid-tier include Jack Flaherty, Jose Martinez, Dakota Hudson and Tyler O’Neill.

Middle of the pack 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 Commentary
Kolten Wong $35 $35 $50 $50 $40 $15 Quietly stepped up performance in 2018
Jordan Hicks $30 Long-shot 21-year old made the team and excelled
Alex Reyes $30 $50 $60 One of baseball’s top prospects is rehabbing again
Jack Flaherty $30 $10 Strong emergence made possible by Waino’s injuries
Michael Wacha $25 $50 $50 $70 $70 $70 $5 Health problems ruined second half – free agency in fall
Jose Martinez $25 $10 $5 free Second-best hitter, but may be worst defender
Jedd Gyorko $25 $25 $35 $10 Team leader in home runs in 2016 has slipped in power
Mike Shildt $25 Manager of the Cards is too cheap – should sell out fast
Tyler O’Neill $20 $10 Likely slated to be a reserve in 2018, but can make his way
Dakota Hudson $15 $5 Emerged in 2018 as a top set-up man

Though bargain major league signees at $5 have disappeared for 2019, very reasonable $10 autograph opportunities are prevalent. My top choices are first-timers Yairo Muñoz and Daniel Ponce de Leon.

Value picks 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 Commentary
Patrick Wisdom $10 $5 $5 free Made MLB debut but looks to be infield insurance
Yairo Munoz $10 Earned job of top infield reserve with good bat
Adolis Garcia $10 Cuban native came up for first time in 2018
John Brebbia $10 $10 Came up, pitched well, went down – repeated repeatedly
Austin Gomber $10 $5 $5 free Lefty showed well as rookie starter and reliever
Mike Mayers $10 $5 $5 Great spring camp but so-so season
John Gant $10 $5 $10 Quietly stepped into rotation and held his own
Daniel Ponce de Leon $10 Inspiring comeback from head injury led to MLB debut
Tyler Webb $10 Lefty pitched well at Memphis and in short StL time
Chasen Shreve $10 Former Yankee was tendered a 2019 contract
Dominic Leone $10 Acquisition from Toronto dealt with injury in 2018

This year’s initial group of prospects yet to reach St. Louis is relatively short, at least at this point. They are led by top catching prospect Andrew Knizner and two recent 40-man roster additions, Ryan Helsley and Lane Thomas. Likely others will be added as the Cardinals Caravan rosters of talent are assembled.

Future Cardinals 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 Commentary
Andrew Knizner $10 $5 With Kelly gone, he becomes Molina’s heir
Ryan Helsley $5 Could have made StL debut in 2018 if not injured
Lane Thomas $5 Minors home run and RBI leader added to the 40-man
Max Schrock $5 Acquisition from Oakland left exposed in Rule 5 draft
Justin Williams $5 Former Rays prospect made MLB debut before July trade

The early list of absentees is longer than usual. I noted Ozuna and Goldschmidt above, though the former committed late last year. Dexter Fowler would be absent three years running after missing his initial WWU due to travel problems and Luke Gregerson skipped the 2018 event, also. Brett Cecil is another notable missing name. Of course, these and others may still join the lineup between now and January 19.

Missing in action? 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 Commentary
Brett Cecil $15 $35 Two rough years behind and two to go on contract
Dexter Fowler $75 Looking for a rebound from poor and injured 2018
Luke Gregerson Looking for a rebound from poor and injured 2018
Marcell Ozuna $100 Last of two StL seasons before free agency ahead
Paul Goldschmidt Newest team star will almost certainly be added later
Giovanny Gallegos Reliever came from the Yankees in the Luke Voit trade
Edmundo Sosa Infielder made brief MLB intro. in Sept.
Genesis Cabrera Exciting LH now pitching in Dominican winter play
Ramon Urias New 40-man IF is in winter ball in Mexico

Here are some other interesting and important groupings.

The list Cooperstown Hall of Famers is down to four – Whitey Herzog, Bob Gibson and Ozzie Smith, plus Lou Brock, whose health is improved. Unfortunately, Herzog is the only one scheduled to attend in person. Tony La Russa was in this group in prior years, but is not yet listed among 2019 participants.

Hall of Famers 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 Commentary
Whitey Herzog $75 $75 $75 $75 $75 $75 $75 $75 $60 $60 $40 $50 One of the most popular – for good reason
Bob Gibson $50* $50* $75* $75* $75* $75* $125 * Pre-signed balls for sale only
Ozzie Smith $50* $50* $75* $75* $75* $75* * Pre-signed balls for sale only
Lou Brock $50* $50* $75* $75* $75 $75 $100 * Pre-signed balls for sale only

The list of ex-Cardinals signing for a fee has shrunk considerably, but always-popular Jim Edmunds joins another Cardinals Hall of Famer, Mike Shannon. New first base coach Stubby Clapp is the third, moving up from the free autograph class in years past.

Ex-Cards players 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 Commentary
Mike Shannon $30 $30 $30 $25 $20 $10 $10 $10 Joined team Hall of Fame in 2014
Jim Edmonds $30 Popular former CF now works for FOX Midwest
Stubby Clapp $10 free free Ex-Memphis manager is StL’s new first base coach

Rick Ankiel and Ray Lankford are among the former Cardinals not (yet?) returning to WWU for 2019.

Not back for 2019 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 Commentary
Tony La Russa $75 $75 $75 $75 $75 $40 $40 $30 $30 $30 $30 His job is with Boston, but still admired in StL
Rick Ankiel $20 $60 $55 Pitching comeback delayed by injury
Ray Lankford $10 $5 $10 $10 Fan favorite entered Cards Hall of Fame
John Tudor $10 “Cranky Yankee” may be one and done
Brian Jordan $5 $5 $10 $5 $15 Braves’ broadcaster delivered great memories
Ray King $5 $5 $5 Burger time closed for 2019

The Cardinals who have moved on to new organizations from last year’s WWU makes for a long list of 18 individuals. In all fairness, several were traded away between when the 2018 prices were announced and the event itself, but are included here, anyway. Among the more notable departees are long-time Cardinals Tommy Pham, Mike Matheny and Carson Kelly.

Moved on 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 Commentary
Tommy Pham $60 $10 $10 free Center field starter traded to Rays in July
Stephen Piscotty $50 $75 $35 $5 free Had nice bounce-back 2018 with Oakland
Randal Grichuk $35 $35 $35 $20 free Became a more dependable power bat with Tornoto
Mike Matheny $25 $25 $40 $40 $40 $30 $30 $10 $10 Fired manager joined Royals
Luke Weaver $25 $10 free Lost rotation spot in 2018, then traded
Carson Kelly $15 $10 free Traded to Arizona in Goldschmidt deal
Matt Bowman $15 $15 Claimed by Reds off waivers
Sandy Alcantara $10 Traded to Miami for Marcell Ozuna
Magneuris Sierra $10 Traded to Miami for Marcell Ozuna
Greg Garcia $10 $10 $5 free free Claimed by Padres off waivers
Sam Tuivailala $10 $5 $5 $5 Traded to Seattle for Seth Elledge
Luke Voit $10 $5 Traded to Yankees for Shreve and Gallegos
Tyler Lyons $10 $5 $5 $5 $5 Removed from 40-man and declared free agency
Ryan Sherriff $5 $5 free Released and signed with Tampa Bay
Josh Lucas $5 Traded to Oakland, now with Baltimore
Alex Mejia $5 Became a minor league free agent
Rowan Wick $5 $5 Claimed off waivers by San Diego, now with Cubs
Oscar Mercado $5 Traded to Cleveland for Conner Capel, Jhon Torres

Finally, the 18 individuals who will be signing for free follow. For the second consecutive year, free-player autograph tickets will be available online or at the Busch Stadium box office only. As always, check the website for further details.

Notable first-timer is former outfielder Bernard Gilkey. For the vast majority who have no hope of ever getting a Bill DeWitt signature on a payroll check, you can secure the next best thing – on a piece of paper, for free. Choose father, son or both! President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak is also in the no-charge group.

Alan Benes Scott Cooper Danny Cox Bill DeWitt Jr.
Bill DeWitt III Randy Flores Bernard Gilkey Rick Horton
Al Hrabosky Kyle McClellan Bengie Molina Jason Motte
John Mozeliak Cliff Politte Kerry Robinson Ted Savage
Scott Terry Brad Thompson Andy Benes Ryan Franklin

All proceeds go to charity, Cardinals Care, so the needy are the true winners. Autograph tickets are to go on sale online at cardinals.com on Monday, December 10 at noon Central time. Each individual typically signs for just two hours on one of the three days only, so check the detailed event schedule carefully before buying your tickets.

The 23rd Annual Winter Warm-Up, a three-day event, will take place on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. weekend; Saturday, Sunday and Monday, January 19-21, 2019. Three-day event passes are already on sale for $40 for adults and $10 for children 5-15 years of age, same prices as at least the last eight years.

For full WWU information, including signing schedules and ticket ordering, follow this link.

Note

The article will be updated periodically as changes are made to the event participants and schedule.

December 7 update

Later on Friday, December 7, the Cardinals made their formal announcement, with two additional names. Also, after I noted his name appeared on the free list for the first time, Bernard Gilkey was removed. Andy Benes and Ryan Franklin were added to the freebies.

December 17 update

In a highly-visible change of plans, embattled outfielder Dexter Fowler has decided to participate, after all.

Later additions 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 Commentary
Paul Goldschmidt $100 Newest team star will almost certainly sell out fast
Rick Ankiel $20 $20 $60 $55 Pitching comeback delayed by injury
Dexter Fowler $25 $75 Should sell out fast

January 4 update

Four more additions. Two new Cardinals and a minor leaguer join plus the former manager commits to return.

Later additions 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 Commentary
Tony La Russa $75 $75 $75 $75 $75 $75 $40 $40 $30 $30 $30 $30 His job is with Boston, but still admired in StL
Andrew Miller $65 Newest left-handed reliever makes his St. Louis debut
Drew Robinson $10 LHH utilityman acquired from Texas for Patrick Wisdom
Tommy Edman $5 IF was co-MVP of Pacific Coast League Playoffs

January 8 update


Related activity

Many of the event participants also appear at the St. Louis Baseball Writers’ Dinner, always held on WWU Sunday night. Tickets are $250. and $150. each. Details here.


Bonus for members of The Cardinal Nation

TCN 2019 St. Louis Cardinals Prospect #26 – Evan Mendoza


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Brian Walton can be reached via email at brian@thecardinalnation.com. Follow Brian on Twitter.

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