Companies such as Panini and Leaf pay draft selections each signature—an industry source estimates McKinley's payment to be in the $2 to $5 range—and the players sign sticker sheets that are then affixed to the cards. The number of cards in a set varies depending on how many players make it into that year's draft.
In addition to signing cards, players can also ask for more money; sources say some players will ask for as much as $20 per card. Draft picks who don't sign within five days can be drafted again the following year by their new teams or else be offered contracts by other teams. Teams are not required to give second-year players contracts, but most do so anyway. If a player doesn't report to his new team by the start of training camp, he is subject to being declared an unrestricted free agent.
Unrestricted free agents can negotiate with any team for the first time on July 15. If they don't receive an offer from another team before then, they have two weeks to accept it or lose their rights. If a player does not accept an offer, he can still sign with another team after the deadline has passed.
There is a limit on the amount of cash that can be given to a player during its first three years. For 2012, this limit is $50,000.
Signing bonuses for first-round choices are often in the millions of dollars, but may soon decrease to a few thousand dollars for players in the 40th round. The largest single sum paid to a rookie was $4 million - - the record was later broken by another first-rounder, Mark Buehrle of the Chicago White Sox.
In addition to the $4 million bonus, Florida State pitcher Erik Bedard received a guaranteed contract worth $1.5 million if he made the major league roster this season. The remaining $3.5 million of his deal will be paid over four years, with a salary of $150,000 each year.
The most any player has ever been awarded as a signing bonus was $4.55 million - - Carlos Beltrán's contract with Houston. It contained two components: a $4 million guarantee and a $550,000 assignment bonus that could increase depending on how many games Beltrán starts this season. If he finishes outside the top five vote-getters among pitchers on the ballot, then his contract would become voidable by the Astros. In that case, they would receive a second chance by either bringing him back or finding a new catcher.
Beltrán was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame last week.
You'll note that it's always greater since those goods cost a higher price when they're sold with their autograph on them. Not every player demands a higher price for a rookie card signing. Take, for example, two Fanatics exclusives, Jerry Rice and Joe Montana, who both have upcoming signings that you can find on my website. They each sell for $10 plus shipping, but nobody is asking for them to be graded or certified by the grading company.
That being said, there are several factors that go into how much a signed rookie card might value out at today. First of all, some players will sign fewer cards than others. If you were to search through all the signatures in a large collection, you'd likely be able to find at least one instance where an unsigned rookie card was valued at more than an already signed card from the same player. This is because some players know they can command a higher price if they leave their signature unclaimed.
Secondly, some players' names are more valuable than others. In other words, some players are expected to have longer careers and thus sign more cards over time. For example, consider two similar players, say Peyton Manning and Drew Brees. Even though they both started out their careers with the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints, respectively, they ended up playing many more games over their career lengths (Manning: 187 games, Brees: 220 games).
A player's autograph on his rookie card—or any card—can really increase value, at least sentimentally if not financially. Just ask Kevin Keating, PSA/Principal DNA's Autograph Authenticator. He has sold many cards that he has purchased for $10 or less as high as $450!
The reason these cards can be so valuable is because people collect them, much in the same way that people collect baseball cards, football cards, or basketball cards. There are two types of collectors: casual and serious. Casual collectors buy a few cards here and there that interest them, usually when they come up for sale or while browsing through stores. They may keep those cards in a wallet or drawer to look at later. Serious collectors buy lots of cards over time from different players using only one rule: you have to love them all! These people will store their cards in plastic boxes, binders, file cabinets, etc.
So, yes, even signed cards can have value.
| Player Single Signed Baseball | Estimated Price |
|---|---|
| Clark, Will | $25. – $35. |
| Clemens, Roger | $50. – $60. |
| Clemente, Roberto | $5,000. – $8,000. |
| Cobb, Ty | $15,000. – $20,000. |
| Player Single Signed Baseball | Estimated Price |
|---|---|
| Clark, Jack | $20. – $30. |
| Clark, Will | $25. – $35. |
| Clemens, Roger | $50. – $60. |
| Clemente, Roberto | $5,000. – $8,000. |
While the non-baseball cards can be found for under $100, the baseball player cards are quite popular and sell for over $500. One of the more popular and valuable cards from the set is King Kelly, one of the more talented and colorful players of the time. A recent Kelly sale of a PSA 8 version of his card sold for $38,000.
Baseballs with side panel signage are a less expensive alternative to those on the sweet spot. Second, official league baseballs are often more valuable than non-league baseballs. Third, harder-to-find baseballs, such as World Series baseballs or limited-edition versions of regular-season baseballs, attract a higher price.
In baseball, all drafted players begin their careers in the minor league system, where salaries are modest, therefore the signing bonus they get on draft day covers the majority of their earnings until they reach the major leagues. In other words, minor leaguers are given a salary while in the minors and a portion of their contract is guaranteed.
In addition to the initial salary, minor leaguers also receive a share of the club's revenue from ticket sales, concessions, etc. During their time in the minor leagues, minor leaguers do not play for any team but are assigned to a "club" which represents them all over the country. For example, a minor leaguer would be assigned to a New York Yankees farm team if they were playing far away from New York City. When their season is finished, they will either be released by the team or traded to another organization.
Minor leaguers can spend several years in the minor leagues before making it to the majors. Some players never make it past Class A, while others may stay in the minors until well after their 25th birthday. Although there is no set number of games that must be played to be eligible to return to the majors, most minor leaguers report to their new teams within 60 days of being released by their previous team.
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