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 | ||
| 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.
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?
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?
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.
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.