Tout Wars FAAB Report: Week of April 30

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
CTillman, Bal Larry Schechter 33
DPalka, CWS Vlad Sedler 29 Mike Podhorzer 16 Chris Liss 11
CaJoseph, Bal Rob Leibowitz 23
BreAnderson, Oak Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 6 Seth Trachtman 1
RRua, Tex Mike Podhorzer 1
JZimmermann, Det Mike Podhorzer 1
LSardinas, Bal Patrick Davitt 0
JAnderson, LAA Patrick Davitt 0
JPazos, Sea Doug Dennis 0

UNAWARDED BIDS

PLAYER
TOlson, Cle Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 2 Doug Dennis 0
JAlvarez, LAA Doug Dennis 0

Ron Leibowitz’s Commentary

Caleb Joseph – The Orioles catching situation continues to shuffle between Chance Sisco and Caleb Joseph. Neither player has been able, so far, to run away with the job. The pendulum has swung back to Joseph at least temporarily with Sisco striking out 40% of the time. Joseph, 31, continues to be a high-strikeout, aggressive, right-handed hitter with occasional power. From my team’s perspective, he is still an upgrade for me with Bruce Maxwell rarely playing.

Chris Tillman – Larry Schechter purchased the longtime Orioles for $33 and like me had no one else bidding against them. Tillman’s been awful, striking out less than 5 batters per nine innings while walking just as many and home runs galore with a non-inflated BABIP. It should also be noted his velocity is down 2 mph from last year to under 89 mph. Larry must see something in him or have a plan here, but I wouldn’t recommend him unless you’re trying to actively torch your team’s pitching staff.

Daniel Palka – Journeyman outfielder who came over from the Twins on waivers earlier in the season. Platoon left-handed hitter with 20+ homerun power who is filling in alongside Trayce Thompson while Avisail Garica is on the DL. Perhaps the most attractive temporary outfield fill in on the free agent market at the moment, but is probably up in the Majors only temporarily.

Todd’s Take

I’m with Rob with respect to Tillman.  Maybe Larry needs a challenge with so many titles and bet someone he could win Tout Wars with Tillman on his roster. Even this week’s matchup isn’t ideal as he takes on an Angels club among the league leaders in homers versus righties.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

SUCCESSFUL BIDS

PLAYER WINNING BID
WChen, Mia Scott Wilderman 115 Brian Walton 88 Lenny Melnick 61
Derek Carty 52 Phil Hertz 11
Craig Mish 1
AHanson, SF Scott Wilderman 103 Phil Hertz 21 Craig Mish 7
PSandoval, SF Scott Wilderman 69 Steve Gardner 18 Todd Zola 3
MKoch, Ari Lenny Melnick 61 Steve Gardner 37 Mike Gianella 27
JKang, Pit Brian Walton 56
NKingham, Pit Brian Walton 33 Phil Hertz 5
KFreeland, Col Steve Gardner 22 Phil Hertz 5 Mike Gianella 2
MFried, Atl Lenny Melnick 18 Lenny Melnick 11 Mike Gianella 0
ARiley, Atl Todd Zola 17
DHutchison, Phi Craig Mish 6
ASlater, SF Phil Hertz 6 Brian Walton 22
AVoth, Was Phil Hertz 5 Phil Hertz 2
MMoroff, Pit Scott Wilderman 4 Craig Mish 1
JMurphy, Ari Todd Zola 3
CCulberson, Atl Craig Mish 1 Scott Wilderman 0
PMaton, SD Grey Albright 1
CGearrin, SF Scott Wilderman 0

UNAWARDED BIDS

PLAYER
AStevenson, Was Brian Walton 23 Steve Gardner 0 Scott Wilderman 0
ASanchez, Was Brian Walton 22 Scott Wilderman 0
AEllis, SD Todd Zola 3
PFlorimon, Phi Phil Hertz 3 Scott Wilderman 0
JValentin, Phi Phil Hertz 2
PSewald, NYM Phil Hertz 1 Scott Wilderman 0 Phil Hertz 0
ZEflin, Phi Phil Hertz 1
SCarle, Atl Grey Albright 1
TGuerrero, Mia Grey Albright 1
VArano, Phi Craig Mish 1 Phil Hertz 0
JMathis, Ari Todd Zola 0
YRivera, Mia Todd Zola 0
MSzczur, SD Steve Gardner 0 Scott Wilderman 0
AChafin, Ari Scott Wilderman 0
DHernandez, Cin Scott Wilderman 0
DWinkler, Atl Phil Hertz 0
LGarcia, Phi Phil Hertz 0

Phil Hertz’s Commentary

After missing on all of his claims for the last two weeks, OnRoto’s Scott Wilderman was not to be denied this week, making the three most expensive purchases. With almost no starting pitching available at the moment in NL Tout,  it was not surprising that Wei-Yin Chen was the most expensive, going for 115, especially after his solid return from the DL on Saturday evening. Note every single available free agent starter was claimed this week.

Scott’s other two purchases were Giant infielders, also not very surprising with Joe Panik headed for surgery. One was Alen Hanson who was just called up from the minors. The former Pirate and White Sox, who has been on fire in the minors with an 1.140 OPS along with six steals, went for 103. Scott also acquired Pablo Sandoval, as an infielder not as a closer possibility :-),  for 69. In all three cases, Scott paid considerably more than the runner-up bid, but if you want someone, it’s better to pay a little more than lose out (as I did with the next highest bid on Hanson).

Also noteworthy were two owners claiming players who won’t be contributing anything for awhile. Brian Walton of The Cardinal Nation Blog’s Brian Walton claimed Korea’s finally cleared Jung-ho Kang, and Masterball’s Todd Zola claimed Red hot Braves prospect Austin Riley, betting that Atlanta’s dalliance with Jose Bautista will come to nothing. Note that both Riley and Kang will need to be active for the coming week under Tout Wars rules.

As for me, even though I’ve never been to Austin,  I wound up with weekend call-ups Austin Slater and Austin Voth. One of the biggest issues with both is whether they’ll still be in the majors next week, never mind for the rest of the season. One virtue of claiming Voth is that I already own Eric Fedde and there’s a good chance at least one of them will be in the Washington rotation by the summer.

Todd’s Take

Phil alluded to my grabbing Austin Riley. I have an opening at corner with Eric Thames on the shelf. Look at the players bid on this week – there’s next to nothing at corner. Earlier in the week, I was doing a podcast with Derek Van Riper and said for everyone to hear, I’m bidding $17 on Riley, if anyone wants him, they can bid $18. Since I know my NL colleagues listen <cough, cough>, it must be they aren’t interested. I had nothing to lose; I’d be filling the spot with a virtual zero anyway.

Actually, I had a decision to make with Kang reportedly back in the Pirates picture since he also qualifies at corner. This speaks more to my lack of confidence about Kang than it does my expectation Riley is called up, but even if I hadn’t promised to bid $17 on Riley, I prefer Riley. Your team, your call.

MIXED LEAGUE AUCTION 

SUCCESSFUL BIDS

PLAYER WINNING BID
KBarraclough, Mia Tim McLeod 273 Scott Swanay 128 Zach Steinhorn 106
Ron Shandler 87 Tim Heaney 46
Al Melchior 35 Jeff Zimmerman 14
AHanson, SF Tim McLeod 87
JuGuerra, Mil Zach Steinhorn 72 Ray Flowers 36 Scott Engel 34
Tim Heaney 18 Scott Engel 13
Fred Zinkie 6 Tim McLeod 4
CBedrosian, LAA Scott Swanay 57 Tim Heaney 7 Al Melchior 0
MGonzales, Sea Al Melchior 50
JarGarcia, Mia Scott Engel 48 Tim McLeod 29 Ray Flowers 23
Zach Steinhorn 18
CGomez, TB Ron Shandler 47 Zach Steinhorn 36 Jeff Zimmerman 2
Al Melchior 0
JWendle, TB Derek VanRiper 47
JProfar, Tex Tim Heaney 47 Derek VanRiper 27 Scott Swanay 24
Scott Pianowski 4
HKendrick, Was Fred Zinkie 43 Scott Swanay 24 Derek VanRiper 17
Scott Engel 14 Jeff Zimmerman 4
MSoroka, Atl Al Melchior 41 Tim McLeod 36
JMcCann, Det Ray Flowers 39
CKuhl, Pit Tim McLeod 32
WChen, Mia Scott Swanay 28 Joe Pisapia 24 Bret Sayre 21
Zach Steinhorn 16 Jeff Zimmerman 1
DRobertson, TB Scott Swanay 24 Tim McLeod 53 Derek VanRiper 27
Joe Pisapia 22 Ray Flowers 13
Al Melchior 6 Tim Heaney 0
JHammel, KC Ray Flowers 23
JAguilar, Mil Zach Steinhorn 22 Tim Heaney 26
DValencia, Bal Tim Heaney 16
AVerdugo, LAD Ray Flowers 13
MFiers, Det Scott Engel 11 Zach Steinhorn 16
NTropeano, LAA Tim Heaney 7
MGivens, Bal Jeff Zimmerman 0

UNAWARDED BIDS

PLAYER
RGrossman, Min Scott Swanay 24
JBautista, Atl Zach Steinhorn 18 Tim Heaney 6
LGarcia, CWS Ron Shandler 18
NAhmed, Ari Tim McLeod 11
JDyson, Ari Ron Shandler 11
RGsellman, NYM Tim McLeod 9
MPrado, Mia Tim Heaney 8
YHirano, Ari Tim McLeod 7
DMachado, Det Tim McLeod 5
WMiley, Mil Al Melchior 1
DFreese, Pit Tim Heaney 0
DRobinson, Tex Tim Heaney 0
JAnderson, LAA Al Melchior 0
KFreeland, Col Al Melchior 0

Todd’s Take

How desperate are some teams for saves? Brad Ziegler is sick, Kyle Barraclough gets the call and a bidding war ensues. Barraclough may get the job and saves are saves, but my research shows while all teams generate save chances, they correlate with team wins and staff ERA – neither of which bode well for the Fish. Still, saves are saves.

Tim McLeod not only won Barraclough, he snagged Alen Hanson, hoping he picks up more of the keystone run than Kelby Tomlinson.

At least two of the Touts were following the news as Mike Soroka was scratched from his Sunday start in Triple-A, in case he’s needed for the ailing Julio Teheran and/or Anibal Sanchez early in the week.

MIXED LEAGUE DRAFT

SUCCESSFUL BIDS

PLAYER WINNING BID
MSoroka, Atl Michael Beller 152
JarGarcia, Mia Anthony Perri 32 Perry Van Hook 11 Charlie Wiegert 4
DRobertson, TB Rudy Gamble 22 Perry Van Hook 7 Charlie Wiegert 2
JAguilar, Mil Tom Kessenich 18
CMaybin, Mia Ray Murphy 14
RPressly, Min Ray Murphy 9
ATriggs, Oak Jeff Boggis 7 Anthony Perri 6 Gene McCaffrey 6
MCanha, Oak Charlie Wiegert 5
MBoyd, Det D.J. Short 5
ESkoglund, KC Charlie Wiegert 4
KTomlinson, SF Perry Van Hook 2
MAdams, Was Charlie Wiegert 1
BColon, Tex Scott White 0

UNAWARDED BIDS

PLAYER
CAsuaje, SD Rudy Gamble 21
LGurriel, Tor Rudy Gamble 17
VMartinez, Det Ray Murphy 11
CPinder, Oak Rudy Gamble 6
AGarrett, Cin D.J. Short 4 Scott White 0
JDyson, Ari Ray Murphy 4
CBedrosian, LAA Ray Murphy 3
SLugo, NYM D.J. Short 3
DMarrero, Ari Perry Van Hook 2
SPearce, Tor Charlie Wiegert 2
DMengden, Oak Charlie Wiegert 2
IKinerFalefa, Tex Rudy Gamble 1
WFlores, NYM Charlie Wiegert 1
PAlvarez, Bal Charlie Wiegert 1
NGoodrum, Det Charlie Wiegert 1
NAhmed, Ari Charlie Wiegert 1

Perry Van Hook’s Commentary

While most Touts bidding Sunday were content to make small or very small bids to fill holes in their lineups, Michael Beller consulted his crystal ball and bet $152 that Atlanta will bring up top pitching prospect Michael Soroka.

Of the pitchers bid on by several teams, Miami’s Jarlin Garcia went for $32, while Oakland’s Andrew Triggs went for $7.

I was one of the many teams who needed to fill a MI or CI slot and settled for the Giants Kelby Tomlinson for $2 while my first choice, Tampa’s Daniel Robertson went for $22 to Rudy Gamble.

Todd’s Take

Interesting, not only were there slim pickings at corner in the NL league, but the available choices here seem less than would be expected this early in the season. On one hand, an argument can be made to deal an excess corner if you happen to have one, assuming someone would be willing to make a very strong offer. However, on the other, it may be prudent to keep the roster flexibility in case you need to replace an injured corner. The assumption here is you’re using a 1B/OF type in the OF, or perhaps a CI at utility.

HEAD-TO-HEAD MIXED AUCTION

SUCCESSFUL BIDS

PLAYER WINNING BID
DMengden, Oak Andrea LaMont 84
ATriggs, Oak Clay Link 66 Jake Ciely 55 Michael Rathburn 41
Andrea LaMont 24 Stephania Bell 17
Paul Sporer 3
JAguilar, Mil Clay Link 58
JarGarcia, Mia Andrea LaMont 56
AAltherr, Phi Andrea LaMont 46 Dr. Roto 6
EEscobar, Min Andrea LaMont 34
AAlmora, ChC Michael Rathburn 24
KSuzuki, Atl Jake Ciely 24
DRobertson, TB Jake Ciely 20 Andrea LaMont 18 Paul Sporer 4
Michael Rathburn 1 Peter Kreutzer 0
JChacin, Mil Michael Rathburn 16
MKoch, Ari Jake Ciely 15
BFinnegan, Cin Michael Rathburn 10
YSanchez, CWS Andrea LaMont 9 Peter Kreutzer 3
JWinker, Cin Dr. Roto 6 Michael Rathburn 8
JZimmermann, Det Stephania Bell 5
DValencia, Bal Paul Sporer 4
MStroman, Tor Dr. Roto 1 Clay Link 24

UNAWARDED BIDS

PLAYER
EHernandez, LAD Michael Rathburn 16
AHechavarria, TB Andrea LaMont 11
MAdams, Was Andrea LaMont 8
AVerdugo, LAD Dr. Roto 6
SPearce, Tor Michael Rathburn 4
BSuter, Mil Andrea LaMont 3
HStrickland, SF Andrea LaMont 2
CMoran, Pit Paul Sporer 2
NTropeano, LAA Dr. Roto 1
 Todd’s Take
It’s interesting Daniel Mengden drew only one bid, while his teammate Andrew Triggs captured six — Triggs has two starts this week, thus makes a better short term play while Mengden is probably a better season-long option.
I was a little surprised no one gambled on Brandon Guyer in one of the mixed leagues. Yeah, this seems like an odd comment, but the Tribe is scheduled for eight games, five against a southpaw. Players like Guyer and Yan Gomes could be in play this week while Yonder Alonso could have a tough week.