Airbrushed Fridays: 2012 Bowman #40

Are we officially in the post-PED era now?

Who is he? Melky Cabrera is a Dominican born outfielder whose rise to prominence coincided with a suspension for performance-enhancing drugs. Earlier this year, we pondered what 2014 would be like for some prominent players who were recently busted. For Melky, at least, it's been a good year as he just landed a big 3 year deal with the White Sox.

How did he get here? The Giants traded Jonathan Sanchez, to the Royals to get Melky after he had his best season at the plate to date. Even including Cabrera's suspension, the Giants clearly got the better of the deal with Sanchez not resembling a major league player for several years now.

Repeat offender? Yes

Other versions of this card: None

Airbrushed Score: 4

Comments: I'm not 100% positive that this is a Photoshop job, but Bowman's set was released in early May that year and considering how much lead time Topps usually needs to get any old card into their set, I have my suspicions.

Airbrushed Fridays: 2012 Bowman #28

Is Photoshop the Botox for baseball cards?

Who is he? Mat Latos is a young right-handed starting pitcher. More importantly, he owns a cat named Cat Latos. The more famous of the two single-T big league Mats (the other being Gamel), Latos had a 21 game winning streak that spanned portions of the 2012 and 2013 seasons.

How did he get here? Latos came up with the Padres and excited people. He must have excited the Reds, because they gave up four players for him, including some young talent like Yonder Alonso and Yasmani Grandal. And, uh, they also got Edinson Volquez.

Repeat offender? No

Other versions of this card? No

Airbrushed Score: 3

Comments: Well, if it wasn't for the fact that Bowman's release date that year was only a couple of months after the beginning of spring training, I'd be a little suspicious. But when you look at the background of this card, perhaps it's not the player who is Photoshopped than it is the background. I mean, what kind of dreamscape is Latos pitching in front of? The Reds spring uni starts to look more and more legit when you see it that way, while his pitching motion seems more and more posed. Weird stuff. Bowman is more Photoshop than natural, I tell you.

I Wasn't Prepared For This

I'm not sure how long 2012 Bowman has been out, and I guess I don't really care. I picked up a pack on a whim, even though it cost me $2.99, because I hadn't made any retail purchases in quite a long time and a little curiosity bug bit me. What I didn't expect is to see what is, quite possibly, my favorite Bowman design of the modern era - or at least for as long as I care to remember. I'm not saying that I'm going to go full blown nuts and try to collect this beast, but I am liking what I have seen so far.

Here's the pack in full:

149 - Evan Longoria (Longoria is still looking to rebound from his worst season in MLB and an injury that cost him some time.)

182 - Prince Fielder (This is the first Tigers Prince Fielder card as far as I'm concerned. I'm actually starting to detest Photoshopped cards more than anything else right now.)

BCP12 - Rafael Ortega Chrome Prospects (Ortega was a free agent signee out of Venezuela. So... when is this international draft we've all been hearing about supposed to happen?)

BCP11 - Philip Wunderlich Chrome Prospects (Any relation to that quiz they give new pro football players?)

155 - Ben Zobrist Gold (These are skinny this year. Sometimes they are thick.)

45 - Adam Jones International (That's what these are, right? International?)

BP108 - Luis Angel Sanz Prospects (Another free agent signee from Venezuela.)

BP96 - Greg Billo Prospects (Ladies and gentlemen, the 835th pick of the 2008 MLB Draft!)

111 - Ricky Romero

193 - Yoenis Cespedes (When Cespedes was signed for 36 million dollars by Billy Beane's A's, I think some heads exploded. Are his cards collectible? If so, can I interest you in some other Oakland cards I've been unintentionally hoarding? Pretty please?)