Tout Wars FAAB Report: Week of June 4

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
FMontas, Oak Lawr Michaels 237 Vlad Sedler 79 Jeff Erickson 77
Jason Collette 60 Chris Liss 54
Rob Leibowitz 33 Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 2
RRodriguez, Det Chris Liss 193 Seth Trachtman 25
RLaMarre, Min Chris Liss 44 Seth Trachtman 20
MSkole, CWS Jason Collette 31 Chris Liss 29 Seth Trachtman 0
LGiolito, CWS Vlad Sedler 12
TFederowicz, Hou Rob Leibowitz 0
JSucre, TB Seth Trachtman 0 Rob Leibowitz 0
JAlvarez, LAA Seth Trachtman 0
LTrivino, Oak Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 0
SWright, Bos Chris Liss 0
CBYoung, LAA Seth Trachtman 0 Chris Liss 0

UNAWARDED BIDS

PLAYER
BHardy, Det Vlad Sedler 12
ACole, NYY Vlad Sedler 7
RElias, Sea Vlad Sedler 3
RoPerez, Cle Seth Trachtman 0 Rob Leibowitz 0
AAlmonte, KC Seth Trachtman 0 Chris Liss 0
JBriceno, LAA Seth Trachtman 0
JChavez, Tex Seth Trachtman 0
TraThompson, CWS Seth Trachtman 0
KCowart, LAA Chris Liss 0

Todd’s Take

Despite exhibiting decent control on the farm, when Montas pitches from an MLB mound, the walks have piled up – until this season. It’s only two starts, but with the dearth of available starters and Montas’ favorable home park and sneakily productive offense, two starts was enough for over half the league to place a bid on the A’s 25-year old righty. Trust me, getting more than half of a league to agree on anything is a chore. Lawr Michaels read the room correctly in terms of interest so an aggressive bid is understandable. Perhaps it’s rationalization, but whenever I overbid on a player, my Pavlovian response is my bid was proper, everyone else underbid.

The next two players were batters, both now on the roster of Chris Liss. Ronny Rodriguez is a stealth pick-up, not only because the Tigers have eight games this week, but also due to his slashing .318/.341/.540 for Triple-A Toledo. The rebuilding Tigers have nothing to lose by giving Rodriguez a long look, having  spent the first two months watching Dixon Machado. Rodriguez is exactly the type of player you want to go after if you aren’t going to have the hammer at the July 31 trade deadline. Ryan LaMarre is a journeyman fly-chaser, currently getting the majority of the playing time while Byron Buxton’s toe heals. Liss has Buxton, helping to explain the aggressive bid.

The under-the-radar pick-up goes to Seth Trachtman with veteran Chris Young. Kole Calhoun and his .374 OPS are on the DL, clearing some extra playing time for Young.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

SUCCESSFUL BIDS

PLAYER WINNING BID
BValera, LAD Todd Zola 43 Mike Gianella 0
HRamirez, FA Andy Behrens 26
MLorenzen, Cin Todd Zola 17
DRodriguez, SF Todd Zola 13
DSantana, LAD Grey Albright 11
DCozens, Phi Andy Behrens 4 Tristan H. Cockcroft 4
ESogard, Mil Mike Gianella 4 Todd Zola 33
VArano, Phi Lenny Melnick 2
GHolland, StL Lenny Melnick 2
CCasali, Cin Andy Behrens 1 Steve Gardner 0 Scott Wilderman 0
ADean, Mia Craig Mish 1
SCishek, ChC Andy Behrens 0 Grey Albright 2
LGuillorme, NYM Derek Carty 0 Mike Gianella 0
EDiaz, Pit Scott Wilderman 0 Steve Gardner 0
ACimber, SD Scott Wilderman 0 Todd Zola 13
JVargas, NYM Derek Carty 0

UNAWARDED BIDS

PLAYER
YRivera, Mia Todd Zola 17
JBarnes, Mil Todd Zola 13
JCastillo, SD Todd Zola 13
JusMiller, Was Todd Zola 13
MStrahm, SD Todd Zola 13
PSewald, NYM Todd Zola 13
RRosario, ChC Todd Zola 13
TWilliams, Mil Todd Zola 13
ESantana, Pit Todd Zola 7
SRodriguez, Pit Mike Gianella 4 Andy Behrens 1
ABlandio, Cin Mike Gianella 2
BRodgers, Col Andy Behrens 1
JMathis, Ari Andy Behrens 1
ASanchez, Was Mike Gianella 0
JLobaton, NYM Andy Behrens 0
JValentin, Phi Mike Gianella 0
MAlbers, Mil Lenny Melnick 0
MSzczur, SD Andy Behrens 0
SKieboom, Was Andy Behrens 0
YHirano, Ari Andy Behrens 0

Todd’s Commentary and Take

I submitted the high bid this week, looking to upgrade the anemic Daniel Castro. There’s nothing special about Valera other than I need at bats and he’s playing a little, forcing Logan Forsythe to the bench.

Andy Behrens from Yahoo! took advantage of a rules proviso allowing bidding on anyone not on the 40-man roster of the American League, making a player for free agent Hanley Ramirez. Most feel Ramirez will land in the AL, but perhaps the Rockies will turn to a Ryan McMahon/Ramirez platoon at first. Andy needs to keep Ramirez active this week, getting his stats if he signs in the NL. If he signs in the AL, Ramirez is an immediate drop. It’s a chance worth taking if rules allow.

I made a trade this week, dealing one of my three closers, Brandon Morrow, for the under-producing Gregory Polanco. I lost David Dahl, so Polanco ostensibly replaces him. I still have Brad Boxberger and Arodys Vizcaino and desperately need starting pitching with Taijuan Walker out for the season and Robbie Ray and Kyle Davies both out. The current plan is to rack up a few more saves, then put them both on the market, perhaps dealing both to the same team so they can make a real move in the category. The risk is one, or both losing their job, more of a concern with Vizcaino than Boxberger.

MIXED LEAGUE AUCTION 

SUCCESSFUL BIDS

PLAYER WINNING BID
NWilliams, Phi Bret Sayre 67 Tim Heaney 46 Derek VanRiper 33
Al Melchior 23 Fred Zinkie 7
Zach Steinhorn 3
YMunoz, StL Bret Sayre 63 Fred Zinkie 23
DDescalso, Ari Al Melchior 55 Bret Sayre 45 Derek VanRiper 22
Scott Engel 5
HBader, StL Scott Engel 55 Zach Steinhorn 18 Al Melchior 13
Fred Zinkie 7
BHardy, Det Al Melchior 41 Scott Engel 12
FMontas, Oak Tim McLeod 37 Brent Hershey 31 Fred Zinkie 22
Scott Engel 22 Jeff Zimmerman 14
Derek VanRiper 3
TMahle, Cin Brent Hershey 32
JJones, Det Al Melchior 23
MMontgomery, ChC Scott Engel 22 Derek VanRiper 22
GoHernandez, SF Fred Zinkie 21
JField, TB Zach Steinhorn 18 Al Melchior 23
KCrick, Pit Jeff Zimmerman 4 Al Melchior 0
CBuchholz, Ari Scott Engel 4 Scott Engel 3 Fred Zinkie 2
Tim McLeod 1
JJimenez, Det Al Melchior 0 Tim McLeod 3 Fred Zinkie 0
CMcHugh, Hou Fred Zinkie 0
JKelly, Bos Fred Zinkie 0

UNAWARDED BIDS

PLAYER
GAllen, Cle Al Melchior 13
JJay, KC Al Melchior 13
SPiscotty, Oak Zach Steinhorn 13 Al Melchior 13
TKemp, Hou Al Melchior 13
RGsellman, NYM Scott Engel 7 Scott Engel 4 Tim McLeod 2
DCozens, Phi Scott Engel 5
KMarte, Ari Bret Sayre 5
JPirela, SD Jeff Zimmerman 4
BGamel, Sea Zach Steinhorn 3
RGrossman, Min Zach Steinhorn 3
DSteckenrider, Mia Scott Engel 2
JJeffress, Mil Scott Engel 0
JLeclerc, Tex Al Melchior 0
KYates, SD Fred Zinkie 0
MAndriese, TB Fred Zinkie 0
MBarnes, Bos Fred Zinkie 0
PTucker, Atl Al Melchior 0
SGaviglio, Tor Al Melchior 0
TScott, Bal Al Melchior 0

Jeff Zimmerman’s Commentary

The overall available waiver options were weak this week. Usually, just two player types cause heavy bidding, new closers and unexpected rookie call-ups, and neither happened this week. Additionally, the available two-start pitchers’ group was headlined by Frankie Montas who went to Tim McLeod for just $37. The highest bid was $67 by Bret Sayre for Nick Williams. Last week, four players went over $67.

One player who has caught my attention, especially in deeper leagues, is the Cardinals Yairo Munoz. The 23-year-old infielder was hitting .287/.330/.436 with 11 home runs in Triple-A. He’s continued the hot streak and is clobbering MLB’s juice ball for a .296/.345/.444 triple slash helped by a .412 BABIP. Owners aren’t buying him for his AVG/OBP, even though it helps, but for his power and speed (22 stolen bases last year). It’ll be interesting to see how his playing adjusts once Paul DeJong returns from the DL.

My only addition was the Pirates setup man Kyle Crick. I’m the Felipe Vazquez owner and can’t afford to lose a Save source since I’m down at 13th place in the category. My other two Save options, Hunter Strickland and Ryan Tepera, don’t have their roles secured. Crick is insurance if Vazquez continues to struggle.

Todd’s Take

Felipe Vazquez presents a conundrum for his fantasy managers. A week ago, he left a game with soreness, going so far as to say he heard a pop. Vazquez then pitched Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The first two appearances went fine, with Vazquez snaring a save in the second. The last outing was a disaster, prompting a mad rush to pick up Edgar Santana and Kyle Crick, with Crick being the preferred option. Of course, Vazquez has been given a vote of confidence by management. If this were just a blip, I’d be less concerned but I’m not convinced there isn’t an injury in play.

MIXED LEAGUE DRAFT

SUCCESSFUL BIDS

PLAYER WINNING BID
JJimenez, Det Gene McCaffrey 173
RTepera, Tor Ray Murphy 98
ARosario, NYM Ray Murphy 32 Adam Ronis 8 D.J. Short 5
MMuncy, LAD D.J. Short 25 Perry Van Hook 11 Charlie Wiegert 7
Adam Ronis 3
IKinerFalefa, Tex Anthony Perri 23
FMontas, Oak Anthony Perri 23 Tim McCullough 22 Charlie Wiegert 14
Tom Kessenich 7
JUrena, Mia Perry Van Hook 17
YMunoz, StL Adam Ronis 17 Charlie Wiegert 7
MMontgomery, ChC Jeff Boggis 16 Tim McCullough 16 Tom Kessenich 7
Scott White 0
DDietrich, Mia Charlie Wiegert 14 Perry Van Hook 7
JMurphy, Ari Adam Ronis 13
SPiscotty, Oak Ray Murphy 12
NEovaldi, TB Charlie Wiegert 12 Tim McCullough 12 Anthony Perri 9
BHolt, Bos Perry Van Hook 7
WAdames, TB Scott White 6
BKeller, KC Tom Kessenich 5
CBuchholz, Ari Charlie Wiegert 5 Tim McCullough 1
JSoria, CWS Perry Van Hook 2
BMcCarthy, Atl Greg Ambrosius 2 Charlie Wiegert 3

UNAWARDED BIDS

PLAYER
HBader, StL D.J. Short 25 Adam Ronis 8
JPirela, SD Anthony Perri 12
CMoran, Pit Charlie Wiegert 7
MLeake, Sea Charlie Wiegert 7 Perry Van Hook 2
BHardy, Det Charlie Wiegert 5
CStratton, SF Charlie Wiegert 5
DHess, Bal Charlie Wiegert 5
JHammel, KC Charlie Wiegert 5
DGerman, NYY Charlie Wiegert 3
JAlfaro, Phi Adam Ronis 3
KMarte, Ari Anthony Perri 2 Scott White 0
SLugo, NYM Perry Van Hook 2
JField, TB Charlie Wiegert 1
JShields, CWS Tom Kessenich 1
AGarrett, Cin Scott White 0

Perry Van Hooks’ Commentary

While others spent far more for new closers du jour – Joe Jimenez, DET for $173 to Gene McCaffrey, and $98 for Ryan Tepera, TOR by Ray Murphy, my low budget option, Joakim Soria, CWS may get as many saves for $2. My objective was to add depth this week with low budget choices. IF Brock Holt gets half of the Pedroia at bats at second base, that will have been $7 well spent. And while I admit there were sexier pitchers to add this week, at least Jose Urena, MIA for $17 gets me two starts (hopefully).

Todd’s Take

Last season, it was Chris Taylor. This time around, there’s no way Max Muncy is for real, right? Maybe, but it looks like the Dodgers are intent on seeing if they’ve found gold twice. Muncy and Taylor are different type players with Taylor being more toolsy and Muncy having good plate skills with some latent power. The Dodgers have been playing Cody Bellinger in center, clearing first for Muncy. There’s no guarantee Muncy sticks, but that’s what we said about Taylor last season.

HEAD-TO-HEAD MIXED AUCTION

SUCCESSFUL BIDS

PLAYER WINNING BID
VGuerreroJr, Tor Clay Link 83
IKinsler, LAA Paul Sporer 77 Howard Bender 12
KMorales, Tor Justin Mason 37
NEovaldi, TB Justin Mason 33 Dr. Roto 14 Peter Kreutzer 13
Michael Rathburn 6
NWilliams, Phi Dr. Roto 33
HStrickland, SF Justin Mason 17
NTropeano, LAA Dr. Roto 14 Justin Mason 11 Howard Bender 8
Peter Kreutzer 0
AnSuarez, SF Clay Link 13
MFiers, Det Peter Kreutzer 13
FMontas, Oak Howard Bender 12 Dr. Roto 14 Michael Rathburn 6
Peter Kreutzer 3
GParra, Col Michael Rathburn 8
BAnderson, Mia Howard Bender 8
JUrena, Mia Justin Mason 8 Michael Rathburn 5 Peter Kreutzer 0
MMontgomery, ChC Michael Rathburn 7
DMesoraco, NYM Stephania Bell 7
JLyles, SD Peter Kreutzer 7 Justin Mason 0
BKeller, KC Michael Rathburn 5
WLeBlanc, Sea Peter Kreutzer 5
ADeSclafani, Cin Michael Rathburn 4
MStassi, Hou Michael Rathburn 3

UNAWARDED BIDS

PLAYER
MMuncy, LAD Justin Mason 37
GAllen, Cle Dr. Roto 12
DPomeranz, Bos Justin Mason 7
SRomano, Cin Justin Mason 7
BSuter, Mil Dr. Roto 4
SGaviglio, Tor Peter Kreutzer 3
MEstrada, Tor Michael Rathburn 3
FRodney, Min Clay Link 2 Justin Mason 0
LValbuena, LAA Justin Mason 2
DDietrich, Mia Howard Bender 2
LMaile, Tor Stephania Bell 1
CMoran, Pit Justin Mason 1
DWinkler, Atl Justin Mason 1
ZBritton, Bal Howard Bender 1
NJones, CWS Clay Link 1
BMiller, TB Justin Mason 0
JDDavis, Hou Justin Mason 0
PSandoval, SF Justin Mason 0

Todd’s Take

Rotowire’s Clay Link is hoping the Jays give the fans what they want and call up Vlad Jr. It’s a risk, especially since Clay is in first, but he must have the confidence be can compete this week down a roster spot. Justin Mason, his opponent this period is aware and hopes to take advantage. It should be an interesting cat and mouse game this week.

Don’t look now but early season disappointment Ian Kinsler is on a heater, posting a 1.324 OPS the past week, featuring three homers. On a personal note, I’d like to apologize to my niece for suggesting she drop Kinsler last weekend. My Uncle of the Year status is in serious jeopardy.

2 thoughts on “Tout Wars FAAB Report: Week of June 4”

  1. Great stuff guys. I always check the FAAB bids on both TOUT and LABR just to validate my bids in my AL league (and sometimes to invalidate them)

    Just one thing I noticed, when I click on the “American League Only” link (under the Montas image),
    it takes me to the LABR website and not Tout.

    Thanks again,
    Ben

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