Welcome to our summary of 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
15 players moved from free agency to AL Tout rosters this week – but at mostly single-digit prices. The clear exception is Minnesota reliever Trevor Hildenberger. The 28-year old, recently thought to be third in the Twins closer hierarchy, bailed out Blake Parker on Sunday for his first save of 2019. That was enough for Jeff Erickson of Rotowire to put in a winning $65 offer.
At $59, Mike Gianella of Baseball Prospectus added Roenis Elias of Seattle. The 30-year old lefty has logged a pair of saves already this season despite apparently not being in the Mariners’ closing race.
Josh Phegley of Oakland has swung a hot bat in the early going, taking playing time away from Nick Hundley. Three home runs and eight RBI this week is an impressive haul, but Gianella won’t get those stats for his $26.
National League
With recent call-ups Austin Dean (MIA OF) and Touki Toussaint (ATL SP) already rostered, NL owners were faced with an offensive talent pool led in at-bats for the week by Giants back-up catcher Erik Kratz with 12.
Another new Giant, Tyler Austin, has received decent playing time at first base and offered one of the few offensive upgrades this week. Yet, seven strikeouts in 13 at-bats across his two stops is hardly comforting. Yet, I bit the bullet and paid $55.
Miami reliever Nick Anderson is off to a strong start, with 14 punchouts in just 6 1/3 innings to go with just one run allowed. Mastersball’s Todd Zola won the bidding at $37 as a replacement for injured Atlanta closer Arodys Vizcaino.
Zola, who has been bidding aggressively early this season, plunked down $33 for Rockies outfielder Yonathan Daza. An 0-for-11 start with four K’s did not deter Todd, but the potential near-term return of David Dahl could put Daza back down to Triple-A.
In total, 13 players were acquired this week, including four $0 winning offers.
Mixed Auction
There was both quality and higher prices paid this week in Mixed Auction. 21 players were acquired, led by the $203 paid for former Phillies closer Hector Neris. Jeff Zimmerman is Neris’ new owner. The reliever collected a save this week, but still seems behind David Robertson and Seranthony Dominguez in the closing hierarchy.
Braves starter Touki Toussaint was called up to replace another hurler who attracted FAAB dollars in week no. 1, Kyle Wright. After throwing six shutout innings on Saturday, Toussaint joined the roster of Brent Hershey of BaseballHQ for $179.
With injury to Scooter Gennett in Cincinnati and top prospect Nick Senzel biding his time in Triple-A, free agent signee Derek Dietrich has received regular playing time. The former Marlin has shown nice power and attracted the eye of Tim Heaney for $47.
Review all 4/14 Mixed Auction bids here.
Mixed Draft
21 new players acquired was also the total in Mixed Draft this week. The top dollar offer went for Pirates starter Jordan Lyles, joining the roster of Perry Van Hook for $123. Now on his fifth MLB team, the right is being skipped in the Pittsburgh rotation this week, but seems to have hold of the no. 5 spot. An 0.82 ERA over two starts has to have a lot to do with that.
Tom Kessenich of the NFBC acquired Toussaint for $69 and his boss Greg Ambrosius snared Angels infielder Tommy La Stella for $55. Earlier in the week, the veteran hit three home runs on Monday and Tuesday, but hasn’t had a hit since.
Outfielder Avisail Garcia is with Tampa Bay this season and joined the roster of Van Hook for $53. The veteran was red-hot this week, with a total of 11 hits in a four-game stretch. Eight of those hits were against his former White Sox teammates.
Review all 4/14 Mixed Draft bids here.
Head to Head
This was a relatively quiet week in Head-to-Head, with 14 players acquired, none over $75.
In fact, $75 was the highest offer made, as Brandon Lowe of the Rays was acquired by Dr. Roto. The second baseman had two standout outings this past week, with three long balls and six driven in. Lowe is working on an eight-game hitting streak.
Max Fried looks to have positioned himself in the Braves youthful starting rotation, justifying a $71 bid from Clay Link of Rotowire. Five other owners placed lesser offers.
Franmil Reyes, competing for time in a crowded and talented Padres outfield, brought $49 of Ralph Lifshitz’ cash. The 23-year old outfielder launched his first three home runs of the season this past week.