I really don’t think the post season has much to do with it if anything. That has rarely been a major factor in baseball. To me there’s a couple of factors.
1. Ohtani. He’s taking most of the speculative high end baseball money in the market of “which current guy has the chance to be inner circle HoF.” Once you get past the early boom speculation with prospects and rookies then usually the big money is saved for someone who people think could reach legend level. That’s why Trout cards consistently rose for so long. Ohtani is just the safer bet right now considering his pitching/hitting/international draw.
2. Acuna was seen as that guy potentially then he got hurt. There was still enough speculation before the season started last year (and the market was still strong) so his cards didn’t take a hit immediately. Then he had a difficult year last year (for good reason). Money started going to other guys in droves. He didn’t have the same steam coming into this year. Even though he’s on a historic pace I think it will take a full year of this and possibly a follow up performance next year for major money to start going back his way.
3. From my experience there are very few times that established players get a bump mid season despite a great season. Unless they have gone through a long lull already. I would guess that if he finishes this season going 30/60 or better then he will have some momentum before the sewson starts next year
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