Here is the latest weekly report summarizing the top free agent bids in each of the five Tout Wars leagues, with links to the detailed bidding action following our 8 p.m. ET deadline each Sunday evening. All prices are on a $1000 base.
After you scan the detail below, please join our live chat, starting at 9 p.m. ET Sunday evening, to discuss these results with Todd Zola of Mastersball and other Touts.
American League
A lucky total of 13 free agents were purchased this week in American League Tout, however, prices were subdued.
League leader Jason Collette paid the top dollar, $27, for lefty Colin Poche. Since Collette follows the Rays especially closely, he must see something in the 25-year old reliever beyond his mediocre Triple-A and limited MLB numbers to date.
Seattle shortstop Austin Nola joined the roster of Nando DiFino of The Athletic for $18. The 29-year old, the older brother of Aaron, can play all over the infield and catch and had good all-around numbers at Triple-A. Maybe he can carve out a reserve role in his first stint in the majors.
For $14, Aaron Bummer of the White Sox was acquired by Larry Schechter for $14. The 25-year old lefty picked up a stray save this week, and could serve as a closer-in-reserve if the Sox trade Alex Colome this summer.
National League
Only nine players were acquired in NL Tout Wars this week, with starting pitching leading the way.
Jordan Yamamoto was promoted from Double-A by Miami to fill-in for injured starter Jose Urena. The 23-year old tossed seven scoreless innings at the Cardinals in his debut, striking out five. Yamamoto will draw St. Louis again on Wednesday. Andy Behrens of Yahoo acquired the right-hander for $146.
His teammate, Elieser Hernandez, posted a solid outing last week, also against the Cards. He also gets St. Louis next, on Monday. Grey Albright decided an $11 bid was right, and he won.
Another fill-in starter, Daniel Ponce de Leon of St. Louis, was picked up for $27 by Mastersball’s Todd Zola. The walks are high and five innings are about all one can expect from the 27-year old righty, but the Cards have a need with few other obvious choices.
Mixed Auction
Bidding was brisker this week in Mixed Auction, with 19 free agents acquired via FAAB.
The most expensive player added is Toronto’s Joe Biagini, for $57 to Gene McCaffrey. The 29-year old reliever has two stray saves this season, and has a 3.72 ERA and a 1.103 WHIP to go with 28 strikeouts in 29 innings.
Brent Hershey of BaseballHQ picked up St. Louis reliever Giovanny Gallegos for $45. The right-hander, acquired from the Yankees in the Luke Voit trade, has received more meaningful innings for the Cardinals, but is unlikely to get a shot at the ninth inning.
For a dollar less, Gallegos’ second base teammate Kolten Wong was acquired by Scott Pianowski of Yahoo. The 29-year old started the season strongly, slumped in May, but has picked up his game in the last two weeks, batting .350 with five stolen bases.
Review all 6/16 Mixed Auction bids here.
Mixed Draft
It was a busy Sunday night in Mixed Draft with 22 free agents acquired via FAAB.
Reborn Phillies infielder Scott Kingery fetched the highest bid both in Mixed Draft and all five leagues, a $314 winning offer made by Michael Beller. The 25-year old launched four home runs and plated eight over his last six games while batting .455. That increased Kingery’s season batting average to .347 and OBP to .389.
Another Philadelphia player, starting pitcher Zach Eflin, went for $167 to Scott White of USATODAY. In 13 starts, the 25-year old right-hander has a solid 2.81 ERA and 1.150 WHIP.
Marlins starter Yamamoto fetched a winning $127 offer from Perry Van Hook.
Review all 6/16 Mixed Draft bids here.
Head to Head
15 players were picked up this week in Head to Head Tout.
Leading the way with the top two bids is Ian Kahn, who spent over a quarter of his full-year FAAB, $235 specifically. For that, he acquired NL East offense in Kingery for $144 and outfielder Garrett Cooper of the Marlins for $91. Finally healthy, Cooper is hitting .400 with a .474 OBP and 13 RBI over the last three weeks.
Andrea Lamont, aka RotoLady, dropped a total of $101 on four pitchers – Ian Kennedy, Adam Plutko, Merrill Kelly and Pedro Strop. For $30, Cleveland starter Plutko is an especially intriguing selection. In two starts since his return from Triple-A, the 27-year old beat the Yankees and Tigers with a 3.00 ERA and 10 strikeouts in 12 innings.