Tout Wars FAAB Report: Week of May 21

Welcome to the weekly Tout Wars FAAB report, on its new home right here on the Tout Wars site. Each week, we’ll review the free agent acquisitions from all five leagues, with commentary from a league member, as well as yours truly. We changed the timing of the weekly run to 1 PM ET every Sunday, with the report posted later that afternoon so you’ll have time to digest and apply to your own leagues. In addition, I’ll be joining Lawr Michaels and Justin Mason on the Tout Wars Hour on the FNTSY Network every Sunday at 3:20 PM ET to discuss the results.

You can find the complete list of Tout Warriors here. Everyone starts with 1000 FAAB units, less any penalty incurred by finishing below a designated point in the standings. This is a means of keeping everyone motivated to keep playing all season long. The minimum bid is $0. FAAB units can be traded as well as rebated for players released off the DL.

The report will list all winning bids along with unsuccessful tries and contingencies. This provides the maximum level of information to help gauge interest on the players.

The American and National League only formats are 12-team leagues, as is the new points-based head to head league, The Mixed Auction and Draft each have 15 clubs. All the leagues have four reserves with an unlimited DL, expect the head to head league, which allows six reserves.

The headings above each league are links to publicly accessible sites where you can see standings, roster and a complete review of transactions. The initial auctions and drafts can be found here.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

SUCCESSFUL BIDS

PLAYER WINNING BID
TKemp, Hou Jason Collette 118 Larry Schechter 38 Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 36
Lawr Michaels 10
CArroyo, TB Seth Trachtman 92 Rob Leibowitz 67 Chris Liss 38
Larry Schechter 21 Patrick Davitt 3
Seth Trachtman 3 Vlad Sedler 2
Lawr Michaels 2 Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 1
SGaviglio, Tor Lawr Michaels 77 Jeff Erickson 53 Larry Schechter 32
JCave, Min Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 36 Jason Collette 18 Chris Liss 15
GAllen, Cle Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 36 Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 21
HDozier, KC Seth Trachtman 35 Larry Schechter 22 Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 1
BRondon, CWS Jeff Erickson 23 Larry Schechter 9 Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 2
Doug Dennis 0
HSantiago, CWS Jeff Erickson 11
HAlberto, Tex Lawr Michaels 7 Seth Trachtman 0
ASusac, Bal Rob Leibowitz 5
CFrazier, NYY Rob Leibowitz 5 Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 1 Chris Liss 0
JFry, CWS Larry Schechter 4 Mike Podhorzer 0
BWilson, Min Jeff Erickson 3
DGossett, Oak Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 2
PKozma, Det Vlad Sedler 2 Seth Trachtman 3 Lawr Michaels 1
JShields, CWS Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 2 Jeff Erickson 11
ABanda, TB Patrick Davitt 1 Jeff Erickson 11 Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 2
Seth Trachtman 1
GBeckham, Sea Chris Liss 0 Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 0
JHolder, NYY Doug Dennis 0
TScott, Bal Mike Podhorzer 0
JAdam, KC Mike Podhorzer 0

UNAWARDED BIDS

PLAYER
RUrena, Tor Vlad Sedler 2
MHermosillo, LAA Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 2
TraThompson, CWS Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 1
SLeon, Bos Jeff Erickson 1
JSucre, TB Rob Leibowitz 1
CPerez, Tex Rob Leibowitz 1
CHeadley, FA Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 1
ARomine, NYY Rob Leibowitz 1
NRamirez, LAA Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 0 Mike Podhorzer 0
JAxford, Tor Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 0 Doug Dennis 0
TOlson, Cle Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 0
TKahnle, NYY Doug Dennis 0
LTrivino, Oak Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 0
JDiekman, Tex Jeff Erickson 0
JAlvarez, LAA Doug Dennis 0
HHembree, Bos Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 0
DSmithJr, Tor Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 0
DAltavilla, Sea Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 0
CBYoung, LAA Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 0
CBradford, Sea Doug Dennis 0

Seth Trachtman’s Commentary

The 5-foot-6 Tony Kemp was the big buy this week at $118 to Collette. Not surprisingly, Kemp’s speed faced bid competition from three other owners. Kemp’s opportunities in Houston have been limited over the last two years, but he’s seen some at-bats early on and certainly has the ability to help in on-base percentage and stolen bases if the opportunities continue.

I was one of eight owners to bid on Rays infielder Christian Arroyo, winning him for $92. This addition was all about opportunity. Just like Tampa Bay, my team is in need for at-bats at middle and corner, and Arroyo has a chance to play, with Adeiny Hechavarria on the DL. Arroyo has third base eligibility, but he appeared at shortstop in Durham and started at second base on Saturday. That potential position flexibility adds to his value.

Other significant hitter purchases this week included Greg Allen ($36), Jake Cave ($36), and Hunter Dozier ($35). All have seen recent opportunities due to injuries elsewhere but saw limited interest in this week’s bidding.

Sam Gaviglio was the headliner of the pitcher bidding after a great first start of the season. Michaels won the soft-tosser for $77, outbidding Erickson ($53) and Schechter ($32). Overall, Gaviglio had limited success between Seattle and Kansas City last season, but of his 13 starts, he allowed three earned runs or less in nine of them. The semi-significant bids show the optimism that he could be a nice streaming option in the near future.

Other starters purchased this week included Hector Santiago ($11), James Shields ($2), Daniel Gossett ($2), and Anthony Banda ($1), leaving Dylan Covey and Ariel Jurado as the only remaining probable starters on the waiver wire.

The Bruce Rondon market was also active, despite the relatively low $23 price, with four owners bidding. The hard-thrower is missing plenty of bats, as usual, and earned his first save of the year last Sunday. Even with Nate Jones earning the last two saves for the White Sox, Rondon is certainly a decent speculative addition for Erickson, who doesn’t currently have a closer on his roster.

Todd’s Take

It will be interesting to see how much playing time Kemp receives with J.D. Davis also in the mix. Davis started the season with the defending champs but was sent down after a couple weeks. He’s back, and with Evan Gattis and Marwin Gonzalez not hitting, there’s a lineup opening.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

SUCCESSFUL BIDS

PLAYER WINNING BID
JSoto, Was Lenny Melnick 608 Grey Albright 356 Mike Gianella 336
Steve Gardner 248 Craig Mish 237
Brian Walton 225 Todd Zola 217
Phil Hertz 55
JLyles, SD Phil Hertz 335 Todd Zola 317 Mike Gianella 88
Steve Gardner 59 Tristan H. Cockcroft 22
Brian Walton 14 Derek Carty 11
Grey Albright 6
AMeadows, Pit Todd Zola 217 Lenny Melnick 375 Mike Gianella 186
Brian Walton 125 Tristan H. Cockcroft 112
Todd Zola 77 Scott Wilderman 58
Grey Albright 53 Derek Carty 42
Craig Mish 27
FReyes, SD Mike Gianella 206 Lenny Melnick 225 Mike Gianella 166
Steve Gardner 102 Todd Zola 73
Scott Wilderman 58 Grey Albright 53
Brian Walton 30 Derek Carty 4
Tristan H. Cockcroft 2
GHampson, Col Andy Behrens 62 Grey Albright 2
NCuevas, Col Lenny Melnick 59 Scott Wilderman 2 Grey Albright 2
Scott Wilderman 0 Mike Gianella 0
Derek Carty 0
JChoi, Mil Scott Wilderman 58
DWinkler, Atl Phil Hertz 33 Craig Mish 28 Grey Albright 12
Derek Carty 6
ERamos, Phi Grey Albright 33 Steve Gardner 69 Derek Carty 32
Phil Hertz 17

UNAWARDED BIDS

PLAYER
RRodriguez, Pit Brian Walton 15 Phil Hertz 7
YMunoz, StL Scott Wilderman 15 Mike Gianella 13
MFeliz, Pit Steve Gardner 12 Derek Carty 0
TSaladino, Mil Mike Gianella 8 Scott Wilderman 7 Grey Albright 7
PEvans, NYM Grey Albright 7 Mike Gianella 0
RErlin, SD Tristan H. Cockcroft 2 Phil Hertz 44
MGomez, SF Scott Wilderman 1 Mike Gianella 0
TCruz, Cin Craig Mish 0 Andy Behrens 0
JBandy, Mil Andy Behrens 0
AChafin, Ari Derek Carty 0
TWatson, SF Derek Carty 0
CBuchholz, Ari Phil Hertz 40
EHernandez, Mia Brian Walton 12 Grey Albright 7 Phil Hertz 5
JVargas, NYM Phil Hertz 11 Tristan H. Cockcroft 0
LGarcia, Phi Grey Albright 7
JFields, LAD Grey Albright 6 Phil Hertz 0
LGuillorme, NYM Scott Wilderman 0 Mike Gianella 0
BHoladay, Mia Andy Behrens 0
JValentin, Phi Mike Gianella 0

Brian Walton’s Commentary

Recently I detailed the first-month FAAB spending in the three oldest Tout leagues, noting that here in the NL, just under $2,400, or 21.4 percent of the full-year budgets, was used in April. In this week’s major spendathon, almost $1,700 more, $1,688 to be exact, was deployed on winning bids for the 21 free agents listed in the table above.

Three offensive prospects and a re-born starting pitcher led the way.

The Touts were not sleeping on Sunday call-up Juan Soto. The Washington outfielder, up from Double-A, received the top bid of $608. This came from Lenny Melnick, who not coincidentally earlier Sunday morning traded away Eugenio Suarez and Javier Baez for starting pitching. Two other offers for the 19-year old were in the $300’s and two others in the $200’s. The opportunity in the disappointing Nats outfield is there. It is up to Soto to run with it.

If there was ever a post-hype pitcher, Jordan Lyles is it. The former top prospect of Colorado began the season in San Diego’s bullpen and even after a strong start the week before last, the lefty was ignored in the free agent bidding.  7 1/3 innings of one-hit ball with 10 strikeouts against the Rockies in his second start led to a $335 offer from Phil Hertz of BaseballHQ this time around. Not coincidentally, Hertz is the owner who sent Stephen Strasburg and Zack Greinke to Melnick.

Next in the spending derby was our own Lord Zola, who allocated $217 for new Pirates outfielder Austin Meadows. Regular playing time seems assured – at least as long as Starling Marte’s oblique is bothering him – and we know those injuries can be tricky.

Finally, at “just” $206 is San Diego’s Franmil Reyes. The outfielder was rumored to have come up last Sunday, but the move was not official until Monday. The 22-year old, a physical specimen at 6-foot-5, 240 pounds, is off to a very slow start, with just two singles to go with six strikeouts and no walks in his initial 14 MLB plate appearances. Some patience may be required.

Todd’s Take

It was like a preview of the July trade deadline this week, at least for those of us with limited FAAB resources. For the second time in recent weeks, Phil Hertz cracked my password and knew exactly how much to outbid me. Kidding, of course, but he did out pace my aggressive 317 try for Jordan Lyles by just 18 units. This piece by Craig Edwards on Fangraphs is much of the reason for my interest.

In lieu of Lyles, I opted to go after Austin Meadows, who I ranked higher than Juan Soto and Franil Reyes. I know that may seem against the norm, but recency bias is a powerful force. As a baseball fan, I’m rooting for Soto and Reyes, but the analyst in me relies on history and the examples of hitters of their ilk making a difference right away suggests caution. This doesn’t mean I’m pounding the case of Meadows, just of the three, I like his chances to contribute a little more.

The underlying story to the Hertz and Melnick FAAB bids is a blockbuster deal where Hertz sent Ian Desmond, Eugenio Suarez and Javier Baez to Melnick for Stephen Strasburg, Zack Greinke and Jose Reyes. It’s a great challenge trade, each side addressing needs, putting themselves in a better position to compete than previous to the deal. Kudos, gentlemen.

MIXED LEAGUE AUCTION 

SUCCESSFUL BIDS

PLAYER WINNING BID
JSoto, Was Ray Flowers 412 Brent Hershey 401 Tim McLeod 357
Bret Sayre 315 Fred Zinkie 285
Derek VanRiper 227 Al Melchior 126
Scott Engel 56 Tim Heaney 46
Jeff Zimmerman 31 Joe Pisapia 22
NJones, CWS Scott Swanay 222 Zach Steinhorn 128 Ray Flowers 39
Tim McLeod 32
FReyes, SD Ron Shandler 213
JLyles, SD Derek VanRiper 159 Scott Engel 76 Jeff Zimmerman 74
Tim Heaney 66 Joe Pisapia 55
Tim McLeod 42 Ron Shandler 27
Fred Zinkie 25
DWinkler, Atl Jeff Zimmerman 114 Al Melchior 54 Tim Heaney 26
Brent Hershey 10 Derek VanRiper 7
RStripling, LAD Zach Steinhorn 92 Derek VanRiper 77 Joe Pisapia 55
Ron Shandler 47 Tim McLeod 46
Scott Engel 46 Zach Steinhorn 36
Scott Swanay 28
SDominguez, Phi Scott Swanay 87 Joe Pisapia 77 Tim Heaney 46
Tim McLeod 33 Brent Hershey 26
JDyson, Ari Scott Engel 47 Tim Heaney 26
JChacin, Mil Tim Heaney 46 Zach Steinhorn 38 Scott Engel 29
Zach Steinhorn 16
VGuerreroJr, Tor Tim McLeod 43 Fred Zinkie 13
DDescalso, Ari Ray Flowers 36 Brent Hershey 20 Scott Engel 17
Tim Heaney 2
COwings, Ari Tim Heaney 36
WDifo, Was Tim Heaney 26 Brent Hershey 25 Derek VanRiper 22
GHeredia, Sea Al Melchior 25 Tim McLeod 14
AMeadows, Pit Fred Zinkie 20 Ron Shandler 71
JAnderson, LAA Ray Flowers 17 Scott Swanay 44
ACashner, Bal Jeff Zimmerman 11
IKinerFalefa, Tex Brent Hershey 11
NGoodrum, Det Derek VanRiper 11 Scott Engel 24 Ron Shandler 18
JDDavis, Hou Zach Steinhorn 8
SOh, Tor Tim McLeod 3 Derek VanRiper 7
CRichard, SD Fred Zinkie 0

UNAWARDED BIDS

PLAYER
ERamos, Phi Scott Swanay 87 Ray Flowers 17
FPeralta, Mil Tim Heaney 46 Derek VanRiper 27
DValencia, Bal Ray Flowers 26 Tim Heaney 1
MPrado, Mia Ray Flowers 26
YSanchez, CWS Ray Flowers 26
BGamel, Sea Ron Shandler 18
BRondon, CWS Ray Flowers 17
VMartinez, Det Ron Shandler 7
LBrinson, Mia Ray Flowers 7
MMahtook, Det Ron Shandler 1
GParra, Col Tim Heaney 0
HBader, StL Tim Heaney 0
RFlaherty, Atl Tim Heaney 0
SMiller, Ari Tim Heaney 0

 

Todd’s Take

It’s kind of head-scratching how only one person bid on Franmil Reyes, who seems like the perfect contingency to Juan Soto. Both are emerging prospects, called up to the bigs based on small sample size success in the minors. The Nats need someone to help their playoff run so they’re likely to stick with the 19-year old phenom while the Padres have many bodies to audition for their outfield of the future, so it’s understandable Soto was more highly sought after, but Reyes deserved a little more sloppy seconds attention.

Maybe it’s some confirmation bias since I was in on Arodys Vizcaino as a cheap source of saves, but I keep seeing bids on A.J. Minter and Dan Winkler without concern on my part Vizacaino’s job is in jeopardy. Sure, he’s blown a couple saves, but I did say cheap source – implying he’s not elite, hence vulnerable to a rough outing here and there.

MIXED LEAGUE DRAFT

SUCCESSFUL BIDS

PLAYER WINNING BID
JSoto, Was Scott White 235 D.J. Short 100 Ray Murphy 94
Adam Ronis 62 Rudy Gamble 38
LGohara, Atl Gene McCaffrey 208 Ray Murphy 54 Adam Ronis 28
GHeredia, Sea Perry Van Hook 69
FPeralta, Mil Greg Ambrosius 67
SDominguez, Phi Scott White 63 Gene McCaffrey 78 Ray Murphy 54
ERamos, Phi Michael Beller 63
JLyles, SD Michael Beller 61 Ray Murphy 54 Adam Ronis 16
AMeadows, Pit Tom Kessenich 59 Gene McCaffrey 38 D.J. Short 20
Adam Ronis 12
RStripling, LAD D.J. Short 45 Ray Murphy 24 Rudy Gamble 6
Adam Ronis 1
JDDavis, Hou Ray Murphy 44 Adam Ronis 3
MJoyce, Oak Gene McCaffrey 38
DMengden, Oak Rudy Gamble 38 Adam Ronis 16 Jeff Boggis 6
NGoodrum, Det Rudy Gamble 38 Adam Ronis 2
LGarcia, CWS Ray Murphy 34
FReyes, SD Anthony Perri 32
DWinkler, Atl Scott White 23 Ray Murphy 14 Gene McCaffrey 8
HPerez, Mil Gene McCaffrey 18
BParker, LAA Rudy Gamble 18
JHellickson, Was Adam Ronis 16 Ray Murphy 14 Jeff Boggis 5
Rudy Gamble 1
RYarbrough, TB Ray Murphy 14 Gene McCaffrey 8
BRondon, CWS Ray Murphy 14
JMercer, Pit Greg Ambrosius 5
WFlores, NYM D.J. Short 5
YSanchez, CWS Michael Beller 3
BColon, Tex Perry Van Hook 0

UNAWARDED BIDS

PLAYER
RTepera, Tor Rudy Gamble 18
TKemp, Hou Gene McCaffrey 18
JRickard, Bal Gene McCaffrey 8
JIglesias, Det Greg Ambrosius 4
AEscobar, KC Greg Ambrosius 3
ABanda, TB Rudy Gamble 1
BStewart, LAD Rudy Gamble 1

Perry Van Hook’s Commentary

 

Several Touts with big bids on the table this week. The highest winning bid was for Nationals prospect Juan Soto, just recalled by the big club at $235 to Scott White. Gene McCaffrey also put out two large – $208 for Atlanta pitcher Luis Gohara.

With Phillies OF Aaron Altherr getting fewer at bats and doing less with them I reserved him to add a fresh face and was fortunate to win my first choice, new Mariner center fielder Guillermo Heredia for $69, as in leagues with $1000 FAAB budgets he went for well over one hundred in several. With full time at bats, Heredia can be a solid contributor in all categories.

I was also looking for another starting pitcher and while out bid on Jordan Lyles and Ross Stripling was glad to get a two start week for Bartolo Colon for a zero dollar bid.

Todd’s Take

Maybe I’m misreading the buzz on Franmil Reyes, perhaps it’s a what have you done for me lately scenario and he’s off to a slow start.

Luiz Gohara was a popular pick as he’s in line for a starting gig with the Braves, sooner than later. However, keep in mind he’s slated for a start this week, then he’ll be leaving the club to be with his ailing mom in Brazil. He’s expected to be back a week later, at which point Mike Soroka could be back. At least for now, there’s one spot for the two of them but that can change on a dime.

HEAD-TO-HEAD MIXED AUCTION

SUCCESSFUL BIDS

PLAYER WINNING BID
LGohara, Atl Jake Ciely 117 Paul Sporer 5
JBour, Mia Paul Sporer 111 Justin Mason 87 Kyle Elfrink 66
Andrea LaMont 41 Dr. Roto 21
JSoto, Was Dr. Roto 79 Andrea LaMont 48 Paul Sporer 33
JProfar, Tex Dr. Roto 57 Dr. Roto 56 Peter Kreutzer 11
DSantana, Mil Justin Mason 57 Dr. Roto 40 Andrea LaMont 16
SGreene, Det Kyle Elfrink 57 Andrea LaMont 1
AMeadows, Pit Justin Mason 47 Dr. Roto 5
RErlin, SD Peter Kreutzer 37
ZEflin, Phi Andrea LaMont 32
AOttavino, Col Justin Mason 27 Dr. Roto 11
BColon, Tex Peter Kreutzer 27
JHicks, Det Paul Sporer 24
KFreeland, Col Andrea LaMont 23
JGyorko, StL Dr. Roto 22 Paul Sporer 11
TJankowski, SD Kyle Elfrink 22 Dr. Roto 39 Peter Kreutzer 8
DRobertson, TB Michael Rathburn 18 Peter Kreutzer 18
JCamargo, Atl Peter Kreutzer 18
ROdor, Tex Justin Mason 17
LMorrison, Min Paul Sporer 12 Andrea LaMont 3
KHerrera, KC Dr. Roto 11 Andrea LaMont 0
SDominguez, Phi Paul Sporer 6 Dr. Roto 11 Andrea LaMont 0
CBettis, Col Justin Mason 1
AVizcaino, Atl Andrea LaMont 0

UNAWARDED BIDS

PLAYER
JLyles, SD Andrea LaMont 24
MBoyd, Det Peter Kreutzer 23 Andrea LaMont 3 Justin Mason 1
CPinder, Oak Peter Kreutzer 18
FPeralta, Mil Peter Kreutzer 18
ARussell, ChC Michael Rathburn 10
NGoodrum, Det Peter Kreutzer 8 Peter Kreutzer 2
DDescalso, Ari Paul Sporer 7 Peter Kreutzer 0
ARiley, Atl Dr. Roto 7
JKipnis, Cle Justin Mason 7
WDifo, Was Dr. Roto 2
DFister, Tex Justin Mason 1 Justin Mason 0
OArcia, Mil Dr. Roto 1 Justin Mason 0
CMoran, Pit Paul Sporer 1
MGonzales, Sea Dr. Roto 1
AColome, TB Andrea LaMont 0
BZobrist, ChC Peter Kreutzer 0

Todd’s Take and Commentary

Here’s the difference between a 12 and 15 team league — a player like Bour was available. It’s a matter of risk profile, preferring the floor of Bour versus the ceiling of Soto. Hmm, that’s borderline poetic.

It’s interesting we have a couple of bids on Gohara, but those guys opted not to bid on any of the available starters, especially Lyles and Matthew Boyd.