Another Sunday night means another weekly report, 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
14 players were acquired by American League owners in this week’s free agent period.
Leading the way at $128 is Royals outfielder Brett Phillips, a new member of the roster of Colton and the Wolfman. The former Brewers prospect should be playing in center along with Bubba Starling now that Billy Hamilton has been designated for assignment.
Chris Liss added catcher Jose Treviño of the Rangers for $35. It must be driven by a hope for better things to come as Treviño is batting just .188 in his first nine games after a .229 mark in Triple-A. His defense is good enough to keep earning him at-bats.
At $33, Rick Porcello joined Mike Podhorzer’s team. The Red Sox right-hander has alternated bad and good starts over his most recent six outings, but that is progress, as his ERA has crept down to 5.49.
National League
This week, 17 free agents joined National League rosters via free agent bidding.
Former Astros prospect Josh Rojas joined the Snakes in the Greinke trade and has been called up. Starting at third base for Arizona, the 25-year old is batting .263 in his first 19 MLB at-bats. Todd Zola snapped Rojas up for $113.
When Neal Walker was about to come off the injured list of the Marlins, league leader Phil Hertz jettisoned the infielder. That led to a mini bidding frenzy this week, with Steve Gardner winning the bidding at $55.
In this evolving world of August waiver moves, Freddy Galvis returned to the Senior Circuit and is starting in the middle infield for the post-Scooter Reds. In his first five games with his new team, Galvis batted a cool .529. No steals yet, but the former Phillie-Padre-Blue Jay could pick up a few in the late going for a needy owner. Justin Mason’s top bid was $31.
Mixed Auction
In a fairly busy Sunday night, 19 players were acquired via FAAB in Mixed Auction.
The top dollar and third-highest free agents were acquired by Scott Pianowski. Arizona’s Nick Ahmed for $113 and Adrian Houser of Milwaukee for $44. The D-backs’ infielder was red-hot this past week, with five long balls and 13 RBI in seven games. The Brewers’ right-hander has allowed one run each in three of his last four starts, logging a 2.74 ERA during that period.
Ron Shandler acquired Arizona’s Rojas for $57.
Left-handed pitcher Kolby Allard of Texas joined Scott Swanay’s roster for $35. The former Brave, who moved to the Rangers in the Chris Martin trade, has a 4.50 ERA in his first two American League starts, which were against the Brewers and Blue Jays. Allard fanned 12 in his 10 innings.
Review all 8/18 Mixed Auction bids here.
Mixed Draft
Mixed Draft had a busy week, with 22 free agents purchased.
At $89, Rojas led the way, joining Rudy Gamble’s roster.
It took $51 of Tim McCullough’s FAAB for acquire Brewers reliever Matt Albers. With closer Josh Hader slumping, the 36-year old Albers has picked up three saves already this month for a Milwaukee team which has been giving up runs at an alarming rate.
Peter Kreutzer, aka Rotoman, picked up Edwin Rios for $32. The first-third baseman was back from the minors and productive when given a chance while Alex Verdugo is out for the Dodgers. Rios had a two-home run, three RBI game in Miami on Wednesday and batted .333 for the week. However, he was still optioned to the minors on Sunday.
Review all 8/18 Mixed Draft bids here.
Head to Head
The busiest league action this Sunday came in Head-to-Head, with 24 players acquired. Spending was muted, however.
Top dollar was just $35, spent by Dan Strafford on Pirates infielder Colin Moran. The third baseman is coming off a hot week during which he batted .368, with two doubles, two runs scored and two RBI. That raised his season batting average to .280 with a .327 OBP.
Ian Kahn made a nice acquisition of Daniel Hudson of the Nationals for $23. With Sean Doolittle placed on the injured list, the 32-year old Hudson should be in the middle of mix for saves with the resurgent Nats. He picked up one save this past week.
A player already picked up in many other leagues previously, Mike Yastrzemski, went to Andrea Lamont for $22. The Giants outfielder had a strong week, with five home runs and eight RBI in just five games. The 28-year old is up to 16 long balls in 71 games in his rookie season.
Review all 8/18 Head to Head bids here.