Tout Wars FAAB Report: Week of August 27

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
CGomez, TB Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 166 Larry Schechter 0
SGonsalves, Min Jason Collette 49 Seth Trachtman 0
LVoit, NYY Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 11 Larry Schechter 1
FHernandez, Sea Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 11
RTorreyes, NYY Doug Dennis 4 Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 2
JGarcia, Tor Doug Dennis 4
AColome, Sea Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 2 Larry Schechter 0
BGamel, Sea Larry Schechter 1 Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 2
LTrivino, Oak Larry Schechter 0 Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 1

UNAWARDED BIDS

PLAYER
DCastillo, TB Doug Dennis 4 Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 1
SKelley, Oak Doug Dennis 4
JRondon, CWS Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 3
AMeadows, TB Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 2
BGuyer, Cle Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 2
CTocci, Tex Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 2
JAndreoli, Bal Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 2
JMinaya, CWS Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 1
TKahnle, NYY Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 1
WAstudillo, Min Larry Schechter 1
XCedeno, CWS Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 1
RLaMarre, CWS Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 0 Larry Schechter 0
MGerber, Det Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 0

Todd’s Take

After losing his regular gig lead to Mike Podhorzer dropping Gomez, Glenn Colton and Rick Wolf jumped on the free agent, perhaps because some of the lost playing time would be recaptured with Mallex Smith on the DL.

Colton and the Wolfman also grabbed Yankees first-sacker Luke Voit who is garnering most of the at bats at the position with Neil Walker covering second (Gleyber Torres filling in for the injured Did Gregorius) and Greg Bird a non-factor.

Jason Collette is rolling the dice Stephen Gonsalves figures something out after first two outings where he allowed eight runs in a combined 6.1 frames. His minor league track record suggests better days lie ahead.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

SUCCESSFUL BIDS

PLAYER WINNING BID
CStratton, SF Steve Gardner 39 Todd Zola 13 Andy Behrens 1
Phil Hertz 0
JPirela, SD Mike Gianella 36 Scott Wilderman 0
TWolters, Col Mike Gianella 10
MHolliday, Col Craig Mish 7 Steve Gardner 37 Andy Behrens 4
JRodriguez, Was Todd Zola 3 Andy Behrens 1
JVargas, NYM Todd Zola 3
KNewman, Pit Scott Wilderman 1 Mike Gianella 0
CReed, Cin Phil Hertz 0

UNAWARDED BIDS

PLAYER
AEllis, SD Mike Gianella 0
FPena, StL Mike Gianella 0
JMathis, Ari Mike Gianella 0
SKieboom, Was Mike Gianella 0
CFerguson, LAD Phil Hertz 0
DiHerrera, Cin Scott Wilderman 0

Todd’s Take

Despite the Giants not yet officially confirming Chris Stratton will remain in their rotation, likely grabbing two starts, Steve Gardner took the chance with the week’s highest NL Tout bid. Stratton began the season on a roll, before slowing down and eventually being demoted. He tossed six innings of four-hit ball against the Mets earlier in the week, allowing just two runs.

My personal quest for wins and strikeouts landed me on Jason Vargas and Jefry Rodriguez.

When’s next year’s draft?

MIXED LEAGUE AUCTION

SUCCESSFUL BIDS

PLAYER WINNING BID
RLaureano, Oak Zach Steinhorn 58 Fred Zinkie 26
MMaldonado, Hou Zach Steinhorn 28 Scott Pianowski 3 Jeff Zimmerman 0
JBruce, NYM Scott Engel 21
MMelancon, SF Scott Engel 21
CMartinez, StL Bret Sayre 21
SGaviglio, Tor Jeff Zimmerman 13
ASenzatela, Col Ray Flowers 7 Tim Heaney 0
PNeshek, Phi Jeff Zimmerman 7 Al Melchior 1
ROHearn, KC Al Melchior 6
BMcKinney, Tor Al Melchior 6 Scott Engel 14
IKinsler, Bos Tim Heaney 3 Jeff Zimmerman 1
WLeBlanc, Sea Scott Pianowski 3 Ray Flowers 7
BLowe, TB Scott Swanay 2
LVoit, NYY Scott Swanay 2 Scott Engel 15
CaJoseph, Bal Jeff Zimmerman 0
KWong, StL Derek VanRiper 0

UNAWARDED BIDS

PLAYER
NWalker, NYY Zach Steinhorn 28 Tim Heaney 0
MPerez, TB Zach Steinhorn 12
ERamirez, Sea Scott Engel 9 Ray Flowers 7
EDiaz, Pit Zach Steinhorn 8
JFry, CWS Jeff Zimmerman 7
FPena, LAA Ray Flowers 4
SLeon, Bos Zach Steinhorn 2
FHernandez, Sea Tim Heaney 2
TPannone, Tor Scott Swanay 2
FValdez, Hou Al Melchior 1
CStratton, SF Tim Heaney 0
DRobertson, NYY Tim Heaney 0
MEstrada, Tor Tim Heaney 0
BMcCann, Hou Jeff Zimmerman 0
BSwihart, Bos Jeff Zimmerman 0
EKratz, Mil Jeff Zimmerman 0
VCaratini, ChC Jeff Zimmerman 0

Jeff Zimmerman’s Commentary

When setting my bids this week, I noticed no must add players who will push up the bidding. With a small FAAB budget, I spent $13 (no other bids) on Sam Gaviglio who has two starts against the Orioles and Marlins. I took a chance on Pat Neshek as saves are close and a couple extra could make a big difference in the standings. Finally, I put in a bunch of $0 bids on catchers trying to find a Buster Posey replacement and ended up with Caleb Joseph. I might be forced to stream catcher for the rest-of-the-season.

Zach Steinhorn spent the most on single player and got Ramón Laureano for $56. After a slow start, everything is falling for Laureano who has a .304 AVG while striking out 35% of the time.

I was a little surprised Ian Kinsler went for only $3 to the Tim Heaney (overall leader). Kinsler is likely the Red Sox second baseman for the rest-of-season.

Ray Flower’s pulled off a sneaky good move by picking up Antonio Senzatela for $21. Senzatela has been great this past month can be helpful this upcoming month.

Todd’s Take

I like Jeff’s Gaviglio gambit as the Jays righty has pitched well as of late, drawing a couple of beatable offenses, though the Orioles have quietly hit righthanders hard since the break.

On the surface, the Carlos Martinez pickup may seem curious since he’s been moved to the bullpen. But, would it be that surprising if he becomes the Cardinals closer down the stretch?

MIXED LEAGUE DRAFT

SUCCESSFUL BIDS

PLAYER WINNING BID
LGiolito, CWS Tim McCullough 100
JJunis, KC Tim McCullough 100
MKopech, CWS D.J. Short 72 Adam Ronis 24 Gene McCaffrey 1
CMullins, Bal D.J. Short 25 Adam Ronis 13
CStratton, SF Perry Van Hook 21
ERamirez, Sea Ray Murphy 18
MCabrera, Cle Adam Ronis 17 D.J. Short 3
ONarvaez, CWS Charlie Wiegert 12
BreAnderson, Oak Adam Ronis 12 D.J. Short 45
RQuinn, Phi Ray Murphy 8
THildenberger, Min Gene McCaffrey 0 D.J. Short 5

UNAWARDED BIDS

PLAYER
AGomber, StL D.J. Short 15 Perry Van Hook 0
RNunez, Bal Adam Ronis 13
TAustin, Min Adam Ronis 13
RErlin, SD Perry Van Hook 11
ASlater, SF D.J. Short 10
CCasali, Cin Charlie Wiegert 8
GAllen, Cle Adam Ronis 8 D.J. Short 1
ROrtega, Mia Ray Murphy 8
ROHearn, KC Adam Ronis 4
AJackson, NYM D.J. Short 3
CIannetta, Col Charlie Wiegert 2
MMelancon, SF Gene McCaffrey 0
TPannone, Tor Perry Van Hook 0

Todd’s Take

Speaking of curious moves, I’m bit sure why Tim McCullough didn’t bid on Michael Kopech while spending an even hundred on Jake Junis and Lucas Giolito. I understand those bids, especially Giolito as he’s throwing better since the break, but Kopech is the difference maker.

Keep in mind, if you’re picking up pitchers with the plan on keeping them for the final month, an impending two-start week is nice, but they’re not likely to have another the rest of the season. A full season for a starter is usually 32 outings. That’s six weeks with a double dip, or one every four or five weeks.

HEAD-TO-HEAD MIXED AUCTION

SUCCESSFUL BIDS

PLAYER WINNING BID
MKopech, CWS Jake Ciely 118 Dr. Roto 77 Michael Rathburn 8
BBichette, Tor Justin Mason 41
BJohnson, Bos Peter Kreutzer 28 Jake Ciely 18 Michael Rathburn 8
CStratton, SF Peter Kreutzer 22
KGiles, Tor Dr. Roto 11
KSuzuki, Atl Dr. Roto 5 Michael Rathburn 1
PErvin, Cin Dr. Roto 5
FLiriano, Det Stephania Bell 4
ASenzatela, Col Michael Rathburn 3
DStraily, Mia Michael Rathburn 3
WChen, Mia Michael Rathburn 2
MMaldonado, Hou Michael Rathburn 1
DJansen, Tor Michael Rathburn 1

UNAWARDED BIDS

PLAYER
AHays, Bal Justin Mason 15
TPannone, Tor Peter Kreutzer 11
MGonzalez, Hou Dr. Roto 5
RChirinos, Tex Dr. Roto 4
AHedges, SD Dr. Roto 3
FHernandez, Sea Michael Rathburn 2
JGant, StL Michael Rathburn 2

Todd’s Take

The rich get richer as league leader Jake Ciely snagged Kopech. Keep in mind that unlike most H2H leagues, Tout Wars version doesn’t break off into playoffs. There’s no indication if Kopech will be shut down, hurting teams in leagues where he’d be unavailable for the playoffs.