This is the latest of our weekly reports for 2019, summarizing 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
This week, 16 free agents were acquired via the FAAB process in the American League-only league, however, per-player spending was low. Top prospect Brendan McKay was not among them, having been owned by Mike Podhorzer since June 10. This early speculation is typical for the highest-profile prospects in the two “-only” Tout leagues.
Colton and the Wolfman bid $52 for Oakland’s Franklin Barreto, topping the next-largest offer of $32. The long-time infield prospect was just called up on Sunday, though his path to regular playing time is unclear.
Jeff Erickson of RotoWire dropped a pair of winning $11 bids on Lone Star State free agents Logan Forsythe and J Urquidy. The veteran Forsythe may be most valuable in this format due to his eligibility in all four infield spots rather than his bat. Urquidy, 24, an Astros pitching prospect, is an option to be called up to make his start Tuesday – in Colorado!
National League
13 players moved onto NL Tout rosters this Sunday evening.
It was an oldie-but-goodie move for Lenny Melnick in acquiring Fernando Rodney of the Nationals for $31. The 42-year old picked up a save this past week, for his ninth team in his long career, but his role is more likely to be a setup man ahead.
St. Louis’ Tommy Edman can do a little of everything – show a bit of pop, steal a base and can play all over. The infielder is taking advantage of Matt Carpenter’s prolonged slump, but will more likely settle into a super-sub role. I expected more interest, bidding $20 when a buck would have gotten the job done.
Alex Young was called up by Arizona and yielded three runs over five innings to the Giants in his MLB debut. Scott Wilderman of onRoto paid $14 to roster the lefty.
Mixed Auction
Mixed auction was busy this week with 18 players acquired.
Here, McKay was unowned and joined the roster of big-spending Jeff Zimmerman for $178. The two-way player seems to have the most immediate value on the mound. Zimmerman also posted a winning offer for starter Austin Voth of the Nationals. The 27-year old is up for the second season and gets the Royals this coming week.
With much of his pre-season prospect luster worn off, Rockies infielder-outfielder Garrett Hampson is back with the big club and should see time as long as Trevor Story’s thumb injury keeps him out. Yahoo’s Scott Pianowski won the bidding at $41.
Another prospect who struggled earlier, St. Louis’ Tyler O’Neill, is also back due to misfortune to another, this time Marcell Ozuna’s hand injury. O’Neill can hit for power, but has major problems with the strikeout. This may be his last big chance to show if he can replace Ozuna next season, with Brent Hershey’s winning offer of $35 sealing the deal.
Review all 6/30 Mixed Auction bids here.
Mixed Draft
Mixed Draft is often a busy group at free agent time and this week was no exception. A whopping 24 players were added.
Leading the way at $400 is new/former St. Louis closer Carlos Martinez, acquired by Seth Trachtman. The ex-starter also filled in with ninth-inning duties last season and may actually be more consistent than hard-throwing Jordan Hicks, the injured player he is replacing. With his own upper-90’s heat, Martinez can get the job done.
McKay fetched a winning offer of $222 from Greg Ambrosius of the NFBC, with the next-closed bid having been $175.
Adam Ronis acquired Dylan Cease for $57. The White Sox prospect is slated to make his MLB debut on Wednesday vs. the Tigers. The timing is odd, as Cease had a strong April and May, but a rough June. Well, it is a new month…
Review all 6/30 Mixed Draft bids here.
Head to Head
An even total of 20 players were picked up this Sunday in the Head to Head format league. The top teams in the standings made the biggest individual moves.
The top price was the $116 paid for McKay by league leader Clay Link, a relative bargain perhaps.
Next at $103 is Justin Upton. The outfielder is finally healthy again and back in the Angels outfield. He has yet to steal a base, but has three long balls in his first 11 games this season. Upton’s new team is that of second-place owner Ian Kahn.
Few if anyone thought much about Kevin Newman coming into the season, but the Pirates infielder continues to be a steady performer. The 25-year old was red-hot this past week, with three home runs and nine RBI and his second, short and third eligibility is a nice bonus. Kahn was again the high bidder with his $37 offer.