Tout Wars FAAB Report: Week of July 9

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
RRodriguez, Det Chris Liss 79 Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 26 Jason Collette 23
WAstudillo, Min Jason Collette 58 Chris Liss 34 Jeff Erickson 5
Doug Dennis 0
CSisco, Bal Larry Schechter 45 Seth Trachtman 15 Doug Dennis 0
JCave, Min Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 41 Chris Liss 79 Jason Collette 18
Seth Trachtman 2
MMahtook, Det Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 41 Larry Schechter 32 Chris Liss 21
Jason Collette 18 Seth Trachtman 2
GAllen, Cle Larry Schechter 33 Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 6
TWade, NYY Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 26
JAdduci, Det Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 21 Seth Trachtman 2
THildenberger, Min Larry Schechter 14 Patrick Davitt 11
AReed, Min Larry Schechter 13
TThornburg, Bos Jason Collette 12
HWood, TB Jason Collette 5
KHigashioka, NYY Jeff Erickson 3 Doug Dennis 0
TFederowicz, Hou Seth Trachtman 2
TWhite, Hou Seth Trachtman 1
BSmith, KC Seth Trachtman 1
VReyes, Det Chris Liss 0 Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 2 Chris Liss 2

UNAWARDED BIDS

PLAYER
JoeSmith, Hou Jason Collette 3
BGuyer, Cle Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 2 Seth Trachtman 1
HHembree, Bos Jason Collette 2
ASlegers, Min Jason Collette 0
CTocci, Tex Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 0
DButera, KC Seth Trachtman 0
JAndreoli, Sea Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 0
JField, TB Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 0
NMartini, Oak Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 0

Todd’s Take

With the caveat I’m 0-for-2 thinking the Tigers will give Ronny Rodriguez a decent look, third time could be a charm with the release of Dixon Machado. That said, at least recently, Detroit has seen fit to play journeyman outfielder Jim Adduci at first and designated hitter instead of Rodriguez. I guess a slash line of .338/.365/.558 isn’t enough to get time without the platoon edge in Motown.

Willians Astudillo is one of the most unique players in the league. In 500 plate appearances, he’ll put the ball on play 450 times with about 25 walks and 25 whiffs. Well, that was his minor league track record, it remains to be seen how this translates to the majors. Astudillo is a catcher by trade but can play all over, so far appearing at 2B, 3B, LF and CF for the Twins.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

SUCCESSFUL BIDS

PLAYER WINNING BID
LPerdomo, SD Todd Zola 57 Phil Hertz 7
VArano, Phi Brian Walton 45 Lenny Melnick 30 Phil Hertz 17
Grey Albright 1
CDArnaud, SF Craig Mish 34 Andy Behrens 9
JValentin, Phi Brian Walton 23 Craig Mish 1
JPatterson, Col Craig Mish 17
PValaika, Col Grey Albright 12
YRivera, Mia Andy Behrens 9
ASenzatela, Col Derek Carty 1
TWilliams, Mil Andy Behrens 1
SAlexander, LAD Andy Behrens 1
RDelgado, Ari Phil Hertz 1 Phil Hertz 0
JNottingham, Mil Craig Mish 1

UNAWARDED BIDS

PLAYER
DBote, ChC Grey Albright 12
JLuplow, Pit Andy Behrens 9
NOrf, Mil Craig Mish 6
RMadson, Was Andy Behrens 1 Phil Hertz 0
AWilkerson, Mil Phil Hertz 0
DHudson, LAD Phil Hertz 0
MAlbers, Mil Phil Hertz 0
MLeiter, Phi Phil Hertz 0
TPeterson, NYM Phil Hertz 0
DanJennings, Mil Andy Behrens 0

Brian Walton’s Commentary

It is no coincidence that I volunteered to take today’s National League Tout Wars recap. With almost two-thirds of my full-year FAAB remaining and more than half the season complete, I am in an unpleasant place – with not enough cash to win top interleague traded free agents.

This week, with two players having hit the disabled list, I had two open roster spots. My focus was the new co-leaders of the NL East, the Philadelphia Phillies.

I beat out several other bidders for the services of reliever Victor Arano, paying $45. What caught my attention was the second of his two saves this past week, in a game in which manager Gabe Kapler used Seranthony Dominguez in the eighth. On the other hand, throwing money at presumed closers for the Phils is high risk, as eight pitchers have already logged saves for the club this season.

Infielder-outfielder Jesmuel Valentin has been seeing semi-regular time, even leading off. However, some of that is due to Cesar Hernandez’ sore foot, which is not bad enough to put him on the DL. On the positive side, Valentin qualifies and both second and third (and therefore middle and corner infield) as well as in the outfield. On the other hand, his .274 OBP this season to-date leaves a lot to be desired. I overpaid at $23 for Valentin.

The top bidder this week was Lord Zola, who added former Rule 5 pick Luis Perdomo for $57. Back in the Padres’ rotation because he earned it with good work in Triple-A, the 25-year old right-hander has upped his strikeouts, but walks remain a problem – that and his 6.86 ERA this season through five starts.

Another notable winning bid was the $34 by SiriusXM’s Craig Mish for infielder Chase d’Arnaud of the Giants, just called up from Triple-A. With Joe Panik injured, it would appear that d’Arnaud will be competing with former Pirates prospect Alen Hanson for playing time at second. d’Arnaud, Travis’ brother, is 31 years old, having first reached the bigs in 2011. His career batting average is .223.

In other words, offensive difference-makers are not to be found on the waiver wire in this league.

Todd’s Take

Not only does Perdomo have two starts this week, he’s reportedly staying in the Padres rotation over the second half. Brian hit the key points, improving strikeouts with walks an issue. Better control is always a good thing, but it’s more crucial for extreme ground ball pitchers since seeing-eye grounders elevate WHIP. He obviously needs to display it at the MLB level, but if Perdomo can carry over his 2.1 BB/9 walk rate posted at Triple-A El Paso, I’ll be less peeved about spending an extra $50 to win this week’s bid.

MIXED LEAGUE AUCTION

SUCCESSFUL BIDS

PLAYER WINNING BID
HBader, StL Derek VanRiper 44 Al Melchior 23 Ray Flowers 17
Tim Heaney 12 Scott Swanay 8
Scott Pianowski 5
JShields, CWS Fred Zinkie 41
MHarvey, Cin Ron Shandler 27 Ray Flowers 17 Tim McLeod 5
Scott Engel 5 Tim Heaney 0
TAnderson, Col Al Melchior 27 Ray Flowers 17 Tim McLeod 7
Scott Pianowski 5
DDuffy, KC Derek VanRiper 22 Al Melchior 2
MarkReynolds, Was Scott Engel 21 Scott Swanay 8
AHedges, SD Bret Sayre 14
VArano, Phi Scott Pianowski 13
WChen, Mia Bret Sayre 12
CDickerson, Pit Scott Swanay 8
DSteckenrider, Mia Ray Flowers 7
CHerrmann, Sea Ron Shandler 5
NAhmed, Ari Scott Pianowski 5
EDeLosSantos, Phi Tim McLeod 3
BZiegler, Mia Tim McLeod 3
WAdames, TB Tim McLeod 2 Derek VanRiper 1
LTrivino, Oak Jeff Zimmerman 2 Scott Pianowski 0
YRamirez, Bal Al Melchior 0 Ron Shandler 1
DValencia, Bal Al Melchior 0

UNAWARDED BIDS

PLAYER
SLeon, Bos Bret Sayre 14
WAstudillo, Min Bret Sayre 14
AKnapp, Phi Ron Shandler 5
MRojas, Mia Tim McLeod 1
ASlegers, Min Ron Shandler 1
KPlawecki, NYM Ron Shandler 1
JHellickson, Was Jeff Zimmerman 0 Al Melchior 0
GCooper, Mia Al Melchior 0
JHolder, NYY Al Melchior 0
SGaviglio, Tor Al Melchior 0
GHolland, StL Bret Sayre 0
ASwarzak, NYM Jeff Zimmerman 0
THildenberger, Min Jeff Zimmerman 0
HPerez, Mil Tim McLeod 0

Jeff Zimmerman’s Commentary

After looking over the potential free agents, there was no must adds for me this week. When James Shields ($41) was the second highest bid, the pickings were slim.

Here are my thoughts on a few pickups:

Matt Harvey (to Ron Shandler for $27): While his ERA has been better with the Reds than Mets (7.00 vs 3.79) his ERA estimators are nearly identical: 4.51 xFIP vs 4.46 xFIP and 4.63 SIERA vs 4.33 SIERA.

Danny Duffy (to Derek Van Riper for $22): I dropped Duffy last when faced with a roster crunch. I was, and still am, dying in ERA and WHIP so Duffy’s 4.3 BB/9 had to go. Goof luck DVR.

Corey Dickerson (to Scott Swanay for $8): I’m a little surprised there wasn’t more bidding on Dickerson but the lack of home runs (only 6) likely scared off some teams. Dickerson is a perfect player to hope for a second-half rebound.

Todd’s Take

I find in interesting most of the players were awarded without a losing bid. We’re just past the halfway point and most players could be won with a $1 bid. This really suggests being aggressive early, then bidding smartly later in the season.

MIXED LEAGUE DRAFT

SUCCESSFUL BIDS

PLAYER WINNING BID
AnSuarez, SF Rudy Gamble 27 Adam Ronis 13 Charlie Wiegert 8
Jeff Boggis 6 Perry Van Hook 4
MSemien, Oak Adam Ronis 18
MFiers, Det Greg Ambrosius 11
JJeffress, Mil Greg Ambrosius 9 Scott White 0
TAnderson, Col Charlie Wiegert 7 Jeff Boggis 6 Scott White 6
ACashner, Bal Jeff Boggis 5
SPearce, Bos Perry Van Hook 4
AniSanchez, Atl Adam Ronis 3
AHanson, SF Rudy Gamble 2 Adam Ronis 18 Ray Murphy 0
BMiller, Mil Ray Murphy 0 Adam Ronis 4 Rudy Gamble 2
CMcHugh, Hou Scott White 0
KYates, SD Scott White 0
GMarquez, Col Scott White 0

UNAWARDED BIDS

PLAYER
TClippard, Tor Rudy Gamble 27
JLucchesi, SD Rudy Gamble 7
BPeacock, Hou Greg Ambrosius 6
SKingery, Phi Adam Ronis 4 Ray Murphy 0
THildenberger, Min Rudy Gamble 3
SGaviglio, Tor Greg Ambrosius 3
WFlores, NYM Adam Ronis 3
DValencia, Bal Rudy Gamble 2
LTrivino, Oak Charlie Wiegert 2
FLiriano, Det Jeff Boggis 1
NAhmed, Ari Ray Murphy 0
BHolt, Bos Perry Van Hook 0
JCave, Min Perry Van Hook 0
RDavis, Cle Perry Van Hook 0

Perry Van Hook’s Commentary

Just eight of the Touts bidding this week – mainly for slight upgrades/replacements. High bid was Rudy Gamble’s $27 for Giants SP Andrew Suarez who has a nice two start week. Suarez was my second choice (at a much cheaper price but I won Boston 1B/OF Steve Pearce for $4 as the Sox will face three LHSP next week so Pearce, a good OBP hitter should have starts in those games plus whatever other at bats he gets. After four dollar bids for Pearce and Suarez, I bid $0 on other choices, a ploy also used by Scott White to add three pitchers.

Todd’s Take

Suarez is one of the good first half stories. With Madison Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija all missing time, Suarez gave the Giants innings. With Chris Stratton having issues lately, Suarez stays in the rotation while Stratton has been farmed.

Along with Perry’s sage Pearce pick-up, I like Rudy Gamble snagging Alen Hanson. Hanson has been playing nearly every day, but with Joe Panik out, Hanson should play even more. Better yet, he’s been leading off, assuring maximum number of at bats.

HEAD-TO-HEAD MIXED AUCTION

SUCCESSFUL BIDS

PLAYER WINNING BID
JZimmermann, Det Paul Sporer 77 Andrea LaMont 23 Michael Rathburn 4
Dr. Roto 3
MTrumbo, Bal Andrea LaMont 44
MStassi, Hou Jake Ciely 29 Stephania Bell 7 Michael Rathburn 3
ASlegers, Min Peter Kreutzer 22 Jake Ciely 17
JWinker, Cin Peter Kreutzer 13
EDeLosSantos, Phi Dr. Roto 13
SRomo, TB Andrea LaMont 12
JHellickson, Was Michael Rathburn 8 Dr. Roto 3
BJohnson, Bos Michael Rathburn 8
NGoodrum, Det Dr. Roto 8
YRamirez, Bal Jake Ciely 7
CIannetta, Col Stephania Bell 5
IKinerFalefa, Tex Andrea LaMont 2
JJimenez, Det Dr. Roto 2
LPerdomo, SD Clay Link 1 Michael Rathburn 4

UNAWARDED BIDS

PLAYER
KMorales, Tor Andrea LaMont 12
LTrivino, Oak Andrea LaMont 5
MHarvey, Cin Michael Rathburn 4 Clay Link 0
COswalt, NYM Michael Rathburn 4
MAndriese, TB Michael Rathburn 4
CMcHugh, Hou Jake Ciely 2
AMinter, Atl Clay Link 1
KHigashioka, NYY Andrea LaMont 1

Todd’s Take

Is Jordan Zimmermann to be trusted? This recent stretch could just be a hot streak or he could have found something. With declining velocity, the veteran righty needs to figure out a way to get MLB hitters out. For Zimmermann, it’s increased usage of a slider that’s always been scored as his best pitch. I prefer velocity, but Zimmermann could continue some short term success. This type of change doesn’t always have staying power.