Category: Trade

A FAABulous Move

Steve Gardner describes his midseason FAAB strategy, which Brian Walton touched on in a story at Mastersball, and looks at the thinking of the owners with the money at the trading deadline.

FAAB Trading, Like It or Not

By Brian Walton, Tout NL champ 2009

[Editors Note: Brian wrote and submitted this story before the recent FAABonanza played out in Tout NL on July 31st. You can view the results of the trading deadline frenzy here.]

The concept of trading FAAB (free agent allocation budget) dollars is a most interesting and topical subject currently. As the major leagues are approaching their non-waiver trade deadline on Sunday, fantasy owners in many FAAB leagues were maneuvering as well.

Though not the case in all formats, in many leagues including Tout Wars, FAAB can be traded right along with players. However, any money acquired in any given week cannot be used until the next – meaning to increase the contents in one’s war chest in time to use this weekend, owners had to complete their deals prior to this past Monday.

The goal of some is to accrue the highest available FAAB balance. That would allow the cash leader to hopefully snag the best player coming into the league at the deadline, when AL-NL and NL-AL trade activity is traditionally at its highest.

Having the third-highest FAAB total in NL Tout Wars this season at $82 is not somewhere I planned to be. I generally subscribe to the theory of acquiring needed parts whenever possible, even if that is in week one.
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Scott Pianowski Shops Braun. Uses Brains.

Last week in NL Tout Scott Pianowski, for his good hit-no pitch team, sought offers for his main stud, Ryan Braun. His requirements, an ace pitcher and an everyday hitter, were stringent, and few made offers.

This week Scott tells all, but doesn’t address the elephant in the room: Can anyone catch Brian Walton without making a bold pivot?