While we won’t know for sure who the 2026 MLB MVPs or Rookies of the Year will be until later this month, it’s never too early for collectors to start preparing for the Topps Red RC and MVP Buyback programs.
Based on the current industry favorites, it’s a fair guess that Pete Crow-Armstrong and Yordan Alvarez will be this year’s MVPs, while Kevin McGonigle and Sal Stewart will take home the rookie honors.
For that reason, we’re suggesting getting buyback-eligible cards of those players ready, as once the awards are finalized, collectors will be able to trade them in for a good amount of either store credit or Fanatics FanCash that can be used toward sealed wax, singles and more. And just to be absolutely safe, maybe pull your eligible Junior Caminero, JJ Wetherholt and Carson Benge cards, as well.
The Red RC and MVP Buyback programs work differently, so here’s a look at how each works, which cards are eligible and everything else you need to know.
MVP Buybacks
Which cards are eligible: All 2026 Topps Chrome base cards and parallels of the players who win the NL and AL MVP awards.
When you’ll know: MVPs will be announced on Thursday, Nov. 12.
How the buyback program will work: You can bring in the cards of the winning players to a participating card shop or mail them in to a list of eligible national retailers. The full list of participating shops and stores appears here.
What form the buyback comes in: Store credit.
How much you get: Base cards are $20 each, refractors are $40 each, numbered cards over 100 are $100 each and /99 or less are $200 each. There’s no limit to the maximum you can get in buyback credit overall, though individual card shops have the discretion to limit the amount that they will offer.
The favorites to win: Crow-Armstrong has already won Baseball America’s 2026 Player of the Year award and is the overwhelming favorite to be NL MVP, especially after Shohei Ohtani’s late-season injury slowed him down. Alvarez dominated the AL statistically in 2026, at one point even flirting with being a Triple Crown winner. His main competition could be Caminero.
Red RCs
Which cards are eligible: The 2026 Bowman and Bowman Chrome cards of the winning AL and NL Rookies of the Year that feature the red version of the Red RC logo. The Kevin McGonigle version, which was in Bowman Chrome, is pictured below.
And this is the Stewart version, which was also in Bowman Chrome:
When you’ll know: Rookies of the Year will be announced on Monday, Nov. 9.
How the buyback program will work:You’ll need to fill in a form on this page of the Fanatics Collect website and then mail your cards into Fanatics.
What form the buyback comes in: FanCash.
How much you get: Each Red RC card is worth $100 in FanCash, which can be used on the Fanatics network of sites (Fanatics, Fanatics Live, Fanatics Collect, etc.) and also on the Topps website. There is no limit to how many cards you can send in. Also, if you’re feeling lucky, you can hold onto those Red RC cards, because if this year’s ROY winners go on to win MVP or Cy Young Awards (or are even inducted into the Hall of Fame), the buyback amount multiplies. You can read more specifics on the Fanatics Collect website.
The favorites to win: In the AL, McGonigle is the heavy favorite, with Parker Messick being a potential spoiler, albeit a distant one. In the NL, Stewart remains the favorite, with Benge and Wetherholt still in the conversation there.
The post 2026 Topps Red RC, MVP Buybacks: Pete Crow-Armstrong, Kevin McGonigle & More Potential Winners appeared first on College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects - Baseball America.
