Topps MVP Buyback Program: Everything You Need to Know

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The Topps MVP Buyback Program is an offer for collectors to exchange their 2023 Topps Chrome cards of the 2023 MLB season’s MVPs from each league. This will be the second season of the MVP program, with 2022 Aaron Judge and Paul Goldschmidt cards being redeemed for store credit at participating local card shops at the end of last season.

Similar to 2022’s program, these redeemable cards include base Chrome, refractors, and others of the two MVPs, with credit amounts ranging from $20 to $200. That’s right, just when you think you’ve seen it all in this hobby and business, Topps comes out with a heck of a curveball to shake things up more than any type of Black Friday or Cyber Monday deal could.

The only difference with the 2023 program (so far) is that it is being announced now, before the 2023 Topps Chrome release and before we know who the season’s MVPs will be.

It looks like the 2023 page is being updated, but Topps had an FAQ for 2022 that addressed pretty much all of the swirling questions, and I answered a few of the bigger questions below. I’ll be sure to update this once we learn more about the 2023 program!

How Does the Program Work?

It’s a simple program, and almost seems too good to be true:

  1. Gather either of the league’s MVPs – Judge and/or Goldschmidt (for 2022)
  2. Bring the cards with you to a participating card store
  3. Redeem your cards for store credit

In terms of figuring out just how easy and smooth this process is, we will have to wait a few days as the offer begins 11/26. RIght now, the program is slated to run until 3/31/23, which is a ton of time for you to cash in your MVPs.

Why is Topps Doing This?

In terms of why, here is a big takeaway from Topps’ card shop sign-in form:

“…is a part of Fanatics Collectibles’ commitment to invest in growing the hobby and support entrepreneurs and our small business partners.” 

I also posted a TikTok video asking community members for their thoughts—you can check out the video and their comments via the link below. Many are mentioning the fact that 2022 Topps Chrome was a tough product this year, so this is one way for Topps to make up for it.

@ballcardgenius

#greenscreen Someone talk to me about this Topps Buyback Program.

♬ original sound – ballcardgenius

Which Cards are Accepted?

Pretty much all Aaron Judge cards and Paul Goldschmidt 2022 Topps Chrome cards. I’ve added the full list below, and as you can see this includes refractors and numbered parallels (which even have a premium attached to them). You’ll also see that superfractors and cards numbered /5 are not part of the program.

PlayerSetBase or ParallelTypeCard NumberBuyback Price (Store Credit)
Aaron JudgeTopps ChromeBaseBase99$20
Aaron JudgeTopps ChromeBase AlternativeBase99$20
Aaron JudgeTopps ChromeRefractorRefractor99$40
Aaron JudgeTopps ChromePrism RefractorRefractor99$40
Aaron JudgeTopps ChromePink RefractorRefractor99$40
Aaron JudgeTopps ChromeSepia RefractorRefractor99$40
Aaron JudgeTopps ChromeX-FractorRefractor99$40
Aaron JudgeTopps ChromeB&W MIni DiamondRefractor99$40
Aaron JudgeTopps ChromeNegative RefractorRefractor99$40
Aaron JudgeTopps ChromeMagenta Refractor - #/399Numbered >/10099$100
Aaron JudgeTopps ChromeMagenta Speckle Refractor - #/350Numbered >/10099$100
Aaron JudgeTopps ChromePurple Speckle Refractor - #/299Numbered >/10099$100
Aaron JudgeTopps ChromePurple Refractor - #/250Numbered >/10099$100
Aaron JudgeTopps ChromeAqua Wave - #/199Numbered >/10099$100
Aaron JudgeTopps ChromeAqua Refractor - #/199Numbered >/10099$100
Aaron JudgeTopps ChromeAqua Lava Refractor - #/199Numbered >/10099$100
Aaron JudgeTopps ChromeBlue Refractor - #/150Numbered >/10099$100
Aaron JudgeTopps ChromeGreen Refractor - #/99Numbered 99$200
Aaron JudgeTopps ChromeGreen Wave Refractor - #/99Numbered 99$200
Aaron JudgeTopps ChromeBlue Wave Refractor - #/75Numbered 99$200
Aaron JudgeTopps ChromeGold Refractor - #/50Numbered 99$200
Aaron JudgeTopps ChromeGold Wave Refractor - #/50Numbered 99$200
Aaron JudgeTopps ChromeOrange Refractor - #/25 (Hobby)Numbered 99$200
Aaron JudgeTopps ChromeOrange Wave Refractor - #/25Numbered 99$200
Aaron JudgeTopps ChromeBase Card Image Variation - Green - #/99Numbered 99$200
Aaron JudgeTopps ChromeBase Card Image Variation - Gold - #/50Numbered 99$200
Aaron JudgeTopps ChromeBase Card Image Variation - Orange - #/25Numbered 99$200
Aaron JudgeTopps Chrome SonicB&W Ray WaveRefractorUnreleased$40
Aaron JudgeTopps Chrome SonicPurple/Yellow Sonic - #/299Numbered >/100Unreleased$100
Aaron JudgeTopps Chrome SonicAqua/Pink Sonic - #/199Numbered >/100Unreleased$100
Aaron JudgeTopps Chrome SonicAqua RayWave - #/199Numbered >/100Unreleased$100
Aaron JudgeTopps Chrome SonicGreen/Yellow Sonic - #/99Numbered Unreleased$200
Aaron JudgeTopps Chrome SonicBlue/Yellow Sonic - #/75Numbered Unreleased$200
Aaron JudgeTopps Chrome SonicGold RayWave - #/50Numbered Unreleased$200
Aaron JudgeTopps Chrome SonicOrange/Black Sonic - #/25Numbered Unreleased$200
Aaron JudgeTopps Chrome Logofractor editionRefractorRefractor35$40
Aaron JudgeTopps Chrome Logofractor editionPurple MLB Refractor - #/250Numbered >/10035$100
Aaron JudgeTopps Chrome Logofractor editionPink MLB Refractor - #/199Numbered >/10035$100
Aaron JudgeTopps Chrome Logofractor editionBlue MLB Refractor - #/150Numbered >/10035$100
Aaron JudgeTopps Chrome Logofractor editionGreen MLB Refractor - #/99Numbered 35$200
Aaron JudgeTopps Chrome Logofractor editionGold MLB Refractor - #/50Numbered 35$200
Aaron JudgeTopps Chrome Logofractor editionOrange MLB Refractor - #/25Numbered 35$200
Paul GoldschmidtTopps ChromeBaseBase82$20
Paul GoldschmidtTopps ChromeRefractorRefractor82$40
Paul GoldschmidtTopps ChromePrism RefractorRefractor82$40
Paul GoldschmidtTopps ChromePink RefractorRefractor82$40
Paul GoldschmidtTopps ChromeSepia RefractorRefractor82$40
Paul GoldschmidtTopps ChromeX-FractorRefractor82$40
Paul GoldschmidtTopps ChromeB&W MIni DiamondRefractor82$40
Paul GoldschmidtTopps ChromeNegative RefractorRefractor82$40
Paul GoldschmidtTopps ChromeMagenta Refractor - #/399Numbered >/10082$100
Paul GoldschmidtTopps ChromeMagenta Speckle Refractor - #/350Numbered >/10082$100
Paul GoldschmidtTopps ChromePurple Speckle Refractor - #/299Numbered >/10082$100
Paul GoldschmidtTopps ChromePurple Refractor - #/250Numbered >/10082$100
Paul GoldschmidtTopps ChromeAqua Wave- #/199Numbered >/10082$100
Paul GoldschmidtTopps ChromeAqua Refractor - #/199Numbered >/10082$100
Paul GoldschmidtTopps ChromeAqua Lava Refractor - #/199Numbered >/10082$100
Paul GoldschmidtTopps ChromeBlue Refractor - #/150Numbered >/10082$100
Paul GoldschmidtTopps ChromeGreen Refractor - #/99Numbered 82$200
Paul GoldschmidtTopps ChromeGreen Wave Refractor - #/99Numbered 82$200
Paul GoldschmidtTopps ChromeBlue Wave Refractor - #/75Numbered 82$200
Paul GoldschmidtTopps ChromeGold Refractor - #/50Numbered 82$200
Paul GoldschmidtTopps ChromeGold Wave Refractor - #/50Numbered 82$200
Paul GoldschmidtTopps ChromeOrange Refractor - #/25 (Hobby)Numbered 82$200
Paul GoldschmidtTopps ChromeOrange Wave Refractor - #/25Numbered 82$200
Paul GoldschmidtTopps Chrome SonicB&W Ray WaveRefractorUnreleased$40
Paul GoldschmidtTopps Chrome SonicPurple/Yellow Sonic - #/299Numbered >/100Unreleased$100
Paul GoldschmidtTopps Chrome SonicAqua/Pink Sonic - #/199Numbered >/100Unreleased$100
Paul GoldschmidtTopps Chrome SonicAqua RayWave - #/199Numbered >/100Unreleased$100
Paul GoldschmidtTopps Chrome SonicGreen/Yellow Sonic - #/99Numbered Unreleased$200
Paul GoldschmidtTopps Chrome SonicBlue/Yellow Sonic - #/75Numbered Unreleased$200
Paul GoldschmidtTopps Chrome SonicGold RayWave - #/50Numbered Unreleased$200
Paul GoldschmidtTopps Chrome SonicOrange/Black Sonic - #/25Numbered Unreleased$200
Paul GoldschmidtTopps Chrome Logofractor editionRefractorRefractor68$40
Paul GoldschmidtTopps Chrome Logofractor editionPurple MLB Refractor - #/250Numbered >/10068$100
Paul GoldschmidtTopps Chrome Logofractor editionPink MLB Refractor - #/199Numbered >/10068$100
Paul GoldschmidtTopps Chrome Logofractor editionBlue MLB Refractor - #/150Numbered >/10068$100
Paul GoldschmidtTopps Chrome Logofractor editionGreen MLB Refractor - #/99Numbered 68$200
Paul GoldschmidtTopps Chrome Logofractor editionGold MLB Refractor - #/50Numbered 68$200
Paul GoldschmidtTopps Chrome Logofractor editionOrange MLB Refractor - #/25Numbered 68$200

Where Can You Redeem?

So as mentioned above, a big stated reason why Topps is doing this is to drive foot traffic to local card shops. Thus, these shops are the main redemption points for you if you have cards to trade it. Do note, though, that not all shops are participating, so be sure to check the map tool Topps has also provided:

You might find that you don’t have a local card shop that is participating in the program. In that case, major online card stores Dave & Adam’s and Blowout Cards are both participating, which means you can mail your cards in and receive credit. You’ll just want to read up on how to go about it here, which is your submission form.

Let’s also not forget that with this redeemable credit attached to these cards, their values have shot up tremendously on eBay. Thus, if you don’t feel like going through the redemption process, you can sell the cards on the secondary market for a lot more than what they are typically worth.

How Will This Play Out?

I have no idea, but I can tell you that as soon as information hit the airwaves, the still-cheap cards were flying off of eBay, COMC, and other platforms. Even a few hours after the news broke, I was still able to find a handful of cards at their normal prices (check out these many places to buy cards in case you want to do some treasure hunting yourselves).

I also bought a few blasters of 2022 Topps Chrome, my first of the year. That’s right, even as a product that has missed on a few different levels (checklist, SP debacle, etc.) I bought a few just to see if I could hit either of these MVPs and then some.

In all honesty, I’m just itching to participate, and looking forward to reading more about how this is playing out for collectors across the country. So, stay tuned for my own personal experiences and report back with anything you’re finding on your own!

About Ryan from Ballcard Genius 332 Articles
Ryan is a lifelong member of the hobby and sports card expert. Specializing in baseball cards, and showcasing a love for flashy 90s inserts and all things A's, Ryan enjoys sharing the ins and outs of collecting, while highlighting the best cardboard options to add to your collections. Last Time Ago LLC dba Ballcard Genius.