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.
SUCCESSFUL BIDS
| PLAYER | WINNING BID | ||
| CBassitt, Oak | Chris Liss 100 | Jeff Erickson 11 | Vlad Sedler 9 |
| Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 1 | |||
| BDrury, NYY | Chris Liss 66 | Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 21 | Vlad Sedler 17 |
| Mike Podhorzer 2 | |||
| WPeralta, KC | Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 56 | Chris Liss 77 | Vlad Sedler 37 |
| Jeff Erickson 11 | Doug Dennis 7 | ||
| EJackson, Oak | Chris Liss 55 | Vlad Sedler 9 | Jeff Erickson 3 |
| JDiekman, Tex | Patrick Davitt 29 | ||
| JFry, CWS | Patrick Davitt 29 | ||
| RBorucki, Tor | Rob Leibowitz 28 | Vlad Sedler 9 | Jeff Erickson 5 |
| FPena, LAA | Vlad Sedler 9 | Vlad Sedler 6 | |
| RStanek, TB | Jeff Erickson 7 | Vlad Sedler 9 | |
| SWilkerson, Bal | Mike Podhorzer 2 | ||
| RRua, Tex | Vlad Sedler 2 | ||
| HVelazquez, Bos | Lawr Michaels 1 | ||
| KSmith, CWS | Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 0 | ||
| EPagan, Oak | Doug Dennis 0 |
UNAWARDED BIDS
| PLAYER | |||
| AMejia, Min | Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 1 | ||
| BPhillips, Bos | Mike Podhorzer 1 | ||
| JKelly, Bos | Jeff Erickson 1 | ||
| TMotter, Min | Vlad Sedler 0 | ||
| CSisco, Bal | Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 0 | ||
| JBriceno, LAA | Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 0 | ||
| JPhegley, Oak | Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 0 | ||
| JSucre, TB | Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 0 | ||
| RoPerez, Cle | Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 0 | ||
| KCowart, LAA | Mike Podhorzer 0 | ||
| JCave, Min | Chris Liss 0 | ||
| JField, TB | Chris Liss 0 | ||
| SCasilla, Oak | Chris Liss 0 | ||
| VReyes, Det | Chris Liss 0 |
Todd’s Take
Either Chris Liss is a closet A’s fan or he needs starting pitching – my money is on the latter. Bassitt has a home affair on the docket with the Padres, a soft enough landing to use this week. I’m not so warm and fuzzy about E-Jax visiting Cleveland.
League leaders Colton and the Wolfman made a couple of shrewd pick-ups, grabbing Wily Peralta, ostensibly the new Royals closer and Kevan Smith, filling in behind the plate as Welington Castillo is in time-out. Not only do Glenn and Rick lead the league, they’re on top of the standings in the save category. The reason Peralta makes sense is adding a few more saves could enable the duo to deal one of their other closers (Cody Allen and Keona Kela) not to mention they’re playing some defense, inhibiting a competitor to gain some points in a tightly contested category.
SUCCESSFUL BIDS
| PLAYER | WINNING BID | ||
| MFried, Atl | Andy Behrens 111 | Craig Mish 54 | Phil Hertz 42 |
| Tristan H. Cockcroft 1 | |||
| PLopez, Mia | Craig Mish 71 | Phil Hertz 14 | Tristan H. Cockcroft 5 |
| AKnapp, Phi | Phil Hertz 27 | Scott Wilderman 0 | |
| TGlasnow, Pit | Phil Hertz 24 | Phil Hertz 20 | Andy Behrens 0 |
| CAsuaje, SD | Phil Hertz 17 | Phil Hertz 1 | |
| TomHunter, Phi | Phil Hertz 16 | Phil Hertz 14 | |
| PValaika, Col | Scott Wilderman 4 | ||
| CShaw, SF | Andy Behrens 1 | ||
| JHughes, Cin | Grey Albright 1 | ||
| DSantana, Atl | Derek Carty 0 | Scott Wilderman 0 | |
| JMathis, Ari | Scott Wilderman 0 |
UNAWARDED BIDS
| PLAYER | |||
| JMcNeil, NYM | Phil Hertz 2 | ||
| ESantana, Pit | Grey Albright 1 | ||
| JFields, LAD | Grey Albright 1 | ||
| VArano, Phi | Grey Albright 1 | Andy Behrens 1 | |
| CGimenez, ChC | Scott Wilderman 0 | ||
| ESogard, Mil | Scott Wilderman 0 | ||
| JValentin, Phi | Scott Wilderman 0 | ||
| SKieboom, Was | Scott Wilderman 0 | ||
| ABass, ChC | Phil Hertz 0 | ||
| DHudson, LAD | Phil Hertz 0 | ||
| TPeterson, NYM | Phil Hertz 0 |
Todd’s Take
It was a rather quiet week for the NL Warriors with Andy Behrens leading the way, taking a chance Max Fried impresses the Braves while Brandon McCarthy is out. Luiz Gohara looms at Triple-A but at least for now, Fried remains with the big club. Fried’s development was curtailed recovering from Tommy John surgery. He pitched in the AFL, looking like one of the league’s better hurlers. Still just 24, there’s plenty of time for Fried to carve out a career, likely as a mid-rotation starter.
Craig Mish is hoping Pablo Lopez gets another start, though the Marlins plans are unclear. Lopez and Sandy Alcantara both started games last week with Jose Urena out with a sore shoulder and Caleb Smith out for the season. Urena is due back early in the week, likely displacing either Lopez or Alcantara from the Marlins short term plans.
Team Mastersball is still in need of another starting pitcher, but I didn’t see anything to use my limited FAAB on. Plus, there’s only one player in my active lineup, Taylor Williams, I care to release and I have Lorenzo Cain due back. Since I can activate Cain when he’s ready, I can use Williams (currently at swing) then drop him for Cain.
SUCCESSFUL BIDS
| PLAYER | WINNING BID | ||
| ADeSclafani, Cin | Derek VanRiper 87 | Ray Flowers 9 | |
| TClippard, Tor | Zach Steinhorn 83 | Tim Heaney 13 | Ray Flowers 9 |
| Jeff Zimmerman 5 | |||
| FPena, LAA | Al Melchior 39 | ||
| YSanchez, CWS | Zach Steinhorn 38 | Fred Zinkie 12 | |
| AMejia, Min | Derek VanRiper 37 | ||
| WSmith, SF | Al Melchior 36 | Fred Zinkie 0 | |
| KBroxton, Mil | Fred Zinkie 30 | Derek VanRiper 22 | Tim Heaney 22 |
| Ron Shandler 18 | Al Melchior 18 | ||
| Scott Engel 4 | |||
| RTapia, Col | Ron Shandler 18 | ||
| WPeralta, KC | Tim Heaney 13 | Zach Steinhorn 28 | Al Melchior 18 |
| Ray Flowers 9 | Jeff Zimmerman 5 | ||
| MFried, Atl | Ron Shandler 11 | ||
| ELauer, SD | Ray Flowers 9 | ||
| RBorucki, Tor | Ron Shandler 5 | ||
| NHundley, SF | Brent Hershey 5 | ||
| TWatson, SF | Jeff Zimmerman 2 | Al Melchior 18 | |
| APujols, LAA | Jeff Zimmerman 2 | ||
| EDiaz, Pit | Scott Engel 1 | Brent Hershey 0 | |
| MCanha, Oak | Scott Engel 1 | ||
| CBassitt, Oak | Fred Zinkie 0 | Ray Flowers 9 | Derek VanRiper 1 |
UNAWARDED BIDS
| PLAYER | |||
| SAlcantara, Mia | Derek VanRiper 22 | ||
| BKeller, KC | Ray Flowers 9 | Ron Shandler 5 | Al Melchior 0 |
| JShields, CWS | Ray Flowers 9 | ||
| MHarvey, Cin | Ray Flowers 9 | ||
| CPerez, Hou | Ron Shandler 5 | ||
| JBonifacio, KC | Ron Shandler 5 | Jeff Zimmerman 0 | |
| SRomano, Cin | Ray Flowers 3 | Derek VanRiper 0 | |
| DHolland, SF | Al Melchior 2 | Fred Zinkie 0 | Derek VanRiper 1 |
| HBader, StL | Scott Engel 1 | Jeff Zimmerman 1 | |
| PLopez, Mia | Al Melchior 1 | ||
| SOh, Tor | Tim Heaney 0 | ||
| THildenberger, Min | Jeff Zimmerman 0 | ||
| DRobertson, NYY | Fred Zinkie 0 | ||
| JJeffress, Mil | Fred Zinkie 0 | ||
| MStrahm, SD | Fred Zinkie 0 | ||
| JHolder, NYY | Al Melchior 0 | ||
| SGaviglio, Tor | Al Melchior 0 |
Jeff Zimmerman’s Commentary
Not many standouts were available during this week’s FAAB run. Most of the league’s focus was trying to pick up the few possible Save candidates in Kansas City (Wily Peralta), San Francisco (Tony Watson, Wil Smith), and Toronto (Tyler Clippard). The struggle for Saves is real.
I took a chance and picked up Albert Pujols after league leader Tim Heaney dropped him last. Pujols is a huge drag on OBP and Heaney needed to drop the burden since he’s in 13th place in OBP. I probably have too much of an OBP cushion with an eight-point lead over Brent Hershey in second place and a 13-point lead over Derek VanRiper in third. I don’t mind one bit having too much OBP early on as I can take on these riskier players has the season goes on.
My favorite pickup of the week was Yolmer Sanchez. He’s the replacement level hitter for our league. He’s had five different owners with winning bids of $5, $14, $20, $38, and $59.
Todd’s Take
it’s interesting Ron Shandler grabbed two starting pitchers with uncontested bids. Fried has already been discussed. Borucki isn’t a top prospect, but he can be an innings-eater type. The Jays are thought to be a seller, with J.A. Happ one of the better starting pitchers potentially on the market. Currently, Borucki is filling in for Aaron Sanchez. If Happ is moved, his visit could be extended to something more permanent.
SUCCESSFUL BIDS
| PLAYER | WINNING BID | ||
| KBroxton, Mil | Tim McCullough 61 | Anthony Perri 24 | Adam Ronis 16 |
| Charlie Wiegert 7 | |||
| JPolanco, Min | Adam Ronis 58 | Rudy Gamble 1 | |
| ABarnes, LAD | Gene McCaffrey 47 | ||
| WSmith, SF | D.J. Short 35 | Ray Murphy 16 | Tim McCullough 2 |
| Scott White 0 | |||
| AMondesi, KC | Gene McCaffrey 33 | ||
| NEovaldi, TB | Anthony Perri 31 | Perry Van Hook 27 | Tim McCullough 22 |
| Charlie Wiegert 2 | |||
| DRodriguez, SF | Perry Van Hook 27 | ||
| KTucker, Hou | Scott White 22 | ||
| MMaldonado, LAA | Jeff Boggis 21 | Charlie Wiegert 2 | |
| RTapia, Col | Tim McCullough 21 | Adam Ronis 2 | |
| SOh, Tor | Ray Murphy 16 | ||
| DWinkler, Atl | Ray Murphy 16 | ||
| JShields, CWS | Jeff Boggis 12 | Tom Kessenich 2 | |
| EJimenez, CWS | Scott White 6 | ||
| HPerez, Mil | Tom Kessenich 4 | ||
| MFried, Atl | Tim McCullough 3 | ||
| JMarisnick, Hou | Charlie Wiegert 3 | ||
| CMoran, Pit | Michael Beller 3 | ||
| JAlfaro, Phi | Charlie Wiegert 2 | Gene McCaffrey 2 | |
| HBader, StL | Charlie Wiegert 2 | ||
| CStratton, SF | Michael Beller 2 | ||
| CCulberson, Atl | Michael Beller 1 | ||
| AGarrett, Cin | Michael Beller 1 | ||
| DHolland, SF | Tom Kessenich 1 | Charlie Wiegert 2 | |
| KPlawecki, NYM | Perry Van Hook 0 | Charlie Wiegert 2 | |
| RMartin, Tor | Michael Beller 0 | Perry Van Hook 0 |
UNAWARDED BIDS
| PLAYER | |||
| BMiller, Mil | Adam Ronis 16 | ||
| WFlores, NYM | Adam Ronis 16 | Charlie Wiegert 2 | |
| JAlvarado, TB | Ray Murphy 6 | ||
| LTrivino, Oak | Ray Murphy 6 | ||
| CVazquez, Bos | Charlie Wiegert 2 | ||
| IKennedy, KC | Charlie Wiegert 2 | ||
| JGant, StL | Charlie Wiegert 2 | ||
| APlutko, Cle | Tom Kessenich 1 | ||
| JJeffress, Mil | Tom Kessenich 1 | ||
| KYates, SD | Tom Kessenich 1 | ||
| CMcHugh, Hou | Scott White 0 | ||
| JMurphy, Ari | Perry Van Hook 0 | ||
| ONarvaez, CWS | Perry Van Hook 0 | ||
| SLeon, Bos | Perry Van Hook 0 |
Perry Van Hook’s Commentary
Some very interesting bids/strategy this week in the mixed draft league. The high bid was for recently recalled Brewer outfielder Keon Broxton who had a great line in his first game back – enough to get $61 from Tim McCullough (dollars to donuts that is his best game of the year)
Next highest was for Twins shortstop Jorge Polanco who hasn’t played his first or best game yet as he is soon to be activated from his 80 game suspension. But with a need at MI, Adam Ronis put his bet at $58.
I wanted one of two starting pitchers this week – the younger hurler on the better team, Dereck Rodriguez (SF) or the veteran with a good two start week, Nathan Eovaldi (TB)? I bid $27, ten percent of my remaining FAAB and had Rodriguez first who I won because Eovaldi went for $31 to Anthony Perri.
I needed to DL Gary Sanchez but found a good handful of catchers who wouldn’t hurt by OBP that I bid $0 on. Good thing lists differ widely because two backstops not on my list went for $47 (Austin Barnes, LAD) and $21 (Martin Maldonado, LAA).
Scott White had his eye on the future, rostering current minor league studs Eloy Jimenez ($6), and Kyle Tucker ($22) and hoping they more than cover the zeroes he will likely get from them this week.
Todd’s Take
Something to consider with Tucker is George Springer missed Sunday with a sore back incurred while falling into the stands. Reportedly, it’s minor and Springer isn’t expected to lose more time, but you never know, backs are tricky.
Keon Broxton is giving the Brewers something else to think about as Lorenzo Cain nears a return, though Broxton’s services may still be needed if Christian Yelich’s back continues to be an issue.
Austin Barnes receive some attention is a few leagues. Yasmani Grandal is mired in a slump with Barnes playing three of the past four games through Sunday. Something similar happened last season though it was later in the season. It’s not panic time for those with Grandal on their roster, but it’s something to keep in mind.
SUCCESSFUL BIDS
| PLAYER | WINNING BID | ||
| EHernandez, LAD | Michael Rathburn 22 | Peter Kreutzer 0 | |
| CBassitt, Oak | Jeff Mans 18 | Peter Kreutzer 1 | |
| JCamargo, Atl | Peter Kreutzer 14 | ||
| RChirinos, Tex | Andrea LaMont 7 | Michael Rathburn 6 | Jake Ciely 4 |
| RYarbrough, TB | Peter Kreutzer 7 | Michael Rathburn 6 | Dr. Roto 4 |
| Clay Link 0 | |||
| WChen, Mia | Peter Kreutzer 7 | Clay Link 0 | |
| JBauers, TB | Michael Rathburn 6 | ||
| MBoyd, Det | Michael Rathburn 6 | Peter Kreutzer 1 | |
| ADeSclafani, Cin | Dr. Roto 5 | Stephania Bell 4 | Justin Mason 0 |
| MPina, Mil | Michael Rathburn 4 | ||
| JHeyward, ChC | Peter Kreutzer 4 | Andrea LaMont 3 | |
| ROdor, Tex | Andrea LaMont 3 | Michael Rathburn 4 | |
| KTucker, Hou | Justin Mason 1 | ||
| JShields, CWS | Clay Link 1 | ||
| SRomano, Cin | Justin Mason 1 | Dr. Roto 4 | |
| DCovey, CWS | Justin Mason 0 | ||
| JGant, StL | Clay Link 0 |
UNAWARDED BIDS
| PLAYER | |||
| WFont, TB | Jeff Mans 11 | ||
| ARussell, ChC | Michael Rathburn 6 | ||
| WFlores, NYM | Michael Rathburn 6 | ||
| AMejia, Min | Peter Kreutzer 3 | ||
| AMondesi, KC | Peter Kreutzer 3 | ||
| RBorucki, Tor | Jeff Mans 2 | Clay Link 0 | |
| SAlcantara, Mia | Dr. Roto 2 | Clay Link 0 | |
| FPena, LAA | Jeff Mans 2 | ||
| CIannetta, Col | Andrea LaMont 2 | ||
| JHellickson, Was | Justin Mason 1 | ||
| EHernandez, Mia | Jeff Mans 1 | ||
| JBautista, NYM | Peter Kreutzer 0 | ||
| KBroxton, Mil | Peter Kreutzer 0 | ||
| SLeon, Bos | Andrea LaMont 0 |
Todd’s Take
There’s no doubt the head to head league has caught on with the notion of picking up two-start pitchers. The problem is this week there just aren’t that many options routinely available, even in shallower leagues.
Justin Mason is well aware of this as he explained on his show with Lawr Michaels on the FNTSY network. Justin is looking a week ahead, bidding on pitchers with one start this week but lined up for a double dip next week.