Welcome to this week’s 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
16 new players were rostered this week in the American League-only format. Prices were subdued, with the most expensive player being Cleveland right-hander Adam Plutko, acquired by Chris Liss of Rotowire for $47. Other than a seven-run clunker in his second start, the 27-year old has not allowed more than two runs in any of his five starts. However, last time out, Plutko was pulled in the fifth, so he apparently is working on a short rope.
Apparently, the time for 22-year old Luis Arraez of the Twins is now, as he joined Jeff Erickson’s team for $35. The second base prospect is batting .364 and a .500 OBP though his first 14 MLB games.
Next in the financial hierarchy this week were a pair of $16 winning offers for Joakim Soria of the A’s by Colton and the Wolfman and Aaron Civale of the Tribe by Erickson. The ninth inning is at least temporarily open in Oakland and Civale threw six scoreless innings on just two hits in his MLB debut against the Tigers.
National League
This week in NL Tout, 14 free agents were acquired. Top dollar price of $101 went for starting pitcher Logan Allen of San Diego. The prospect did not have a good start to 2019 in Triple-A, but after a strong MLB debut against the Brewers this week, he has been given at least one more start, with the Orioles next. Tristan H. Cockcroft of ESPN is Allen’s new owner.
Cursed with bad luck with closers this year, I dropped $55 for Michael Lorenzen, who has collected three saves already for the Reds with Raisel Iglesias continuing to be shaky.
Andy Behrens of Yahoo made a speculative $46 winning offer for Cardinals reliever Tyler Webb, likely based on an emergency save collected by the lefty on Saturday when (my closer) Jordan Hicks exited with triceps tendinitis. If Hicks misses any considerable time, my money would be all in on Carlos Martinez and/or John Gant getting the opportunities ahead of Webb.
Mixed Auction
It was a busy week in Mixed Auction, with 21 free agents acquired via FAAB this Sunday night. Still, they stayed just under triple digits in their bidding.
At $99, former and current closer Roenis Elias of Seattle joined the roster of Yahoo’s Scott Pianowski. The 30-year old has four saves in his last five appearances and nine on the season.
Emilio Pagan of Tampa Bay was acquired by Zach Steinhorn of Creativesports for $88. Though the right-hander has just two wins and four saves this season, his ERA/WHIP combination of 1.23 and 0.818 would help any roster. Interim saves are possible with Jose Alvarado and now, Diego Castillo, on the shelf.
Sadly, the next most expensive free agent did not go for $77. Instead, $57 fetched Oakland starter Liam Hendriks, who picked a save on Saturday. He may not be the favorite for saves in Blake Treinen’s absence, but who knows for sure?
Review all 6/23 Mixed Auction bids here.
Mixed Draft
An even 20 free agents were purchased via FAAB in Mixed Draft this week.
Padres starter Allen topped the bidding at $123, going to Perry Van Hook, followed by Hendriks at $73 to Adam Ronis.
Tim McCullough acquired Indians power-hitting first base prospect Bobby Bradley for $61. 24 home runs and 55 RBI in 67 Triple-A games are a solid return, with the 32 percent strikeout rate concerning. Called up on Sunday, Bradley should get another chance to earn a starting role.
League leader Rudy Gamble picked up Nationals first sacker Matt Adams for $56. The slugger dodged a recent minor oblique strain while playing regularly in the absence of oft-injured Ryan Zimmerman.
Review all 6/23 Mixed Draft bids here.
Head to Head
While the least number of players were acquired this week in Head-to-Head, the highest bid was placed here. Marlins prospect Zac Gallen fetched $179 of league-leader Clay Link’s FAAB. Gallen was leading the minors in innings pitched and ERA before his strong MLB debut this week against the team that traded him away, the Cardinals.
Hendriks went for $39 to RotoLady, aka Andrea LaMont.
Despite an uneven first start on Friday, well-rested new Braves starter Dallas Keuchel fetched a $33 winning bid from Dr. Roto.
Alex Chamberlain went $22 for St. Louis’ Carlos Martinez, who stepped in as closer for the Cardinals for Jordan Hicks last September and may have to do it again, depending on how Hicks progresses with his forearm injury.