Welcome to the weekly Tout Wars FAAB report, on its new home right here on the Tout Wars site. Each week, we’ll review the free agent acquisitions from all five leagues, with commentary from a league member, as well as yours truly. We changed the timing of the weekly run to 1 PM ET every Sunday, with the report posted later that afternoon so you’ll have time to digest and apply to your own leagues. In addition, I’ll be joining Lawr Michaels and Justin Mason on the Tout Wars Hour on the FNTSY Network every Sunday at 3:20 PM ET to discuss the results.
You can find the complete list of Tout Warriors here. Everyone starts with 1000 FAAB units, less any penalty incurred by finishing below a designated point in the standings. This is a means of keeping everyone motivated to keep playing all season long. The minimum bid is $0. FAAB units can be traded as well as rebated for players released off the DL.
The report will list all winning bids along with unsuccessful tries and contingencies. This provides the maximum level of information to help gauge interest on the players.
The American and National League only formats are 12-team leagues, as is the new points-based head to head league, The Mixed Auction and Draft each have 15 clubs. All the leagues have four reserves with an unlimited DL, expect the head to head league, which allows six reserves.
The headings above each league are links to publicly accessible sites where you can see standings, roster and a complete review of transactions. The initial auctions and drafts can be found here.
SUCCESSFUL BIDS
| PLAYER | WINNING BID | ||
| CMullins, Bal | Jeff Erickson 375 | Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 175 | Rob Leibowitz 145 |
| Lawr Michaels 37 | Larry Schechter 3 | ||
| THildenberger, Min | Jeff Erickson 111 | ||
| TAustin, Min | Jason Collette 74 | Jeff Erickson 375 | Rob Leibowitz 38 |
| Larry Schechter 2 | |||
| RUrena, Tor | Mike Podhorzer 56 | ||
| ROHearn, KC | Rob Leibowitz 42 | ||
| TMay, Min | Mike Podhorzer 34 | Chris Liss 0 | |
| KStewart, Min | Jason Collette 26 | ||
| JMinaya, CWS | Mike Podhorzer 16 | ||
| TPannone, Tor | Lawr Michaels 9 | Seth Trachtman 3 | |
| AJurado, Tex | Seth Trachtman 3 | ||
| AWynns, Bal | Vlad Sedler 2 | Mike Podhorzer 0 | |
| YDiaz, Cle | Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 2 | ||
| BGuyer, Cle | Larry Schechter 1 | Jeff Erickson 56 | |
| GAllen, Cle | Larry Schechter 1 | Jeff Erickson 56 | |
| ALewicki, Det | Seth Trachtman 1 | ||
| YRamirez, Bal | Chris Liss 0 | ||
| LVoit, NYY | Chris Liss 0 | ||
| GGreiner, Det | Mike Podhorzer 0 | ||
| BSmith, KC | Chris Liss 0 |
UNAWARDED BIDS
| PLAYER | |||
| JRickard, Bal | Rob Leibowitz 14 | Larry Schechter 0 | |
| JMFernandez, LAA | Jason Collette 7 | ||
| AEngel, CWS | Jeff Erickson 3 | Larry Schechter 0 | |
| RStanek, TB | Jason Collette 2 | ||
| CTocci, Tex | Larry Schechter 1 | Chris Liss 0 | |
| TCole, LAA | Jason Collette 1 | ||
| HFillmyer, KC | Seth Trachtman 0 | Chris Liss 0 | |
| JField, Min | Larry Schechter 0 | ||
| MGerber, Det | Larry Schechter 0 | ||
| RLaMarre, CWS | Larry Schechter 0 | ||
| RoPerez, Cle | Mike Podhorzer 0 |
Todd’s Take
This is a good example why it’s better to resist the temptation to get SOMEONE at the trade deadline as opposed to holding the hammer for August. There’s no telling how Cedric Mullins will perform, but he’s being given the reins to center field in Camden Yards with Adam Jones scooting over to right. I was holding out for Anthony Santader or even Austin Hays, but it appears Mullins will be the one to be auditioned.
Twins dominate the rest of the bidding, especially at closer with Fernando Rodney and his make believe quiver headed to Oakland. Most feel Hildenberger will get the gig while some are calling the Trevor May card. My make believe money is on Addison Reed who is under contact for decent money through next season. Kohl Stewart is drawing interest as the prospect is being called up to take the rotation spot of Adalberto Mejia. Finally, with Logan Morrison out for the year, Tyler Austin gets the call. If Austin plays full time, Jason Collette has himself a nice buy.
SUCCESSFUL BIDS
| PLAYER | WINNING BID | ||
| JNix, SD | Grey Albright 54 | Todd Zola 37 | Brian Walton 16 |
| Andy Behrens 11 | Phil Hertz 6 | ||
| Tristan H. Cockcroft 0 | |||
| DBote, ChC | Andy Behrens 51 | Mike Gianella 14 | Phil Hertz 7 |
| Scott Wilderman 2 | |||
| WMiley, Mil | Andy Behrens 41 | Phil Hertz 6 | Steve Gardner 2 |
| Tristan H. Cockcroft 0 | |||
| CKelly, SF | Todd Zola 17 | ||
| BKennedy, SD | Todd Zola 13 | ||
| COswalt, NYM | Phil Hertz 8 | Tristan H. Cockcroft 0 | |
| ROrtega, Mia | Phil Hertz 2 | Phil Hertz 5 | Craig Mish 1 |
| AGarica, StL | Steve Gardner 1 | Phil Hertz 2 | |
| CCasali, Cin | Grey Albright 1 | ||
| RStephenson, Cin | Tristan H. Cockcroft 0 | Phil Hertz 2 | |
| JWilson, ChC | Derek Carty 0 |
UNAWARDED BIDS
| PLAYER | |||
| TToussaint, Atl | Grey Albright 54 | ||
| DFloro, LAD | Grey Albright 31 | ||
| BDixon, Cin | Andy Behrens 21 | Phil Hertz 0 | |
| CFerguson, LAD | Grey Albright 11 | Phil Hertz 1 | |
| DHudson, StL | Grey Albright 11 | ||
| JBlevins, NYM | Grey Albright 11 | ||
| JChargois, LAD | Grey Albright 11 | ||
| IGalloway, Mia | Phil Hertz 8 | Phil Hertz 3 | |
| AGarrett, Cin | Andy Behrens 7 | ||
| RBlack, SF | Phil Hertz 2 | ||
| JMathis, Ari | Grey Albright 1 | ||
| TWolters, Col | Grey Albright 1 | ||
| KGlover, Was | Phil Hertz 0 | ||
| TGuerrero, Mia | Phil Hertz 0 | ||
| TomHunter, Phi | Phil Hertz 0 | ||
| AChafin, Ari | Derek Carty 0 | ||
| BBrach, Atl | Derek Carty 0 |
Todd’s Take
Starting pitchers dominated the NL Tout bidding as the Padres promoted a couple of their more advanced prospects, though far from the jewels of their system. Jacob Nix (no relation to Jayson or Laynce, else his name would be, you know, Jaycob) copped the top bid, coming of a scoreless debut Friday night, blanking the Phillies for six innings on four hits. Nix displayed good control with the ability to keep the ball in the yard on the farm, albeit with a pedestrian strikeout rate.
With limited funds, I landed on the other recent Padres call-up, Brett Kennedy. His initial foray into the bigs didn’t do as well as Nix as Kennedy was shelled by the Brewers. Still, he could get a look and in Petco Park, there will be better days.
I also grabbed former top prospect Casey Kelly, who was once famously traded along with Anthony Rizzo by the Red Sox for Adrian Gonzalez. Several years, and injuries later, Kelly is toiling for the Giants. After coming in relief of Ty Blach over the weekend, Kelly may get a rotation look.
SUCCESSFUL BIDS
| PLAYER | WINNING BID | ||
| RLopez, CWS | Bret Sayre 111 | Derek VanRiper 22 | Jeff Zimmerman 4 |
| Scott Swanay 3 | Jeff Zimmerman 0 | ||
| FReyes, SD | Ron Shandler 57 | Fred Zinkie 27 | Derek VanRiper 17 |
| Al Melchior 4 | Jeff Zimmerman 1 | ||
| ADiaz, Tor | Ron Shandler 57 | Zach Steinhorn 23 | Ray Flowers 21 |
| Fred Zinkie 16 | Al Melchior 4 | ||
| SAlexander, LAD | Bret Sayre 55 | Jeff Zimmerman 44 | Ray Flowers 17 |
| Al Melchior 6 | |||
| THildenberger, Min | Jeff Zimmerman 54 | Tim Heaney 7 | |
| MGivens, Bal | Scott Pianowski 47 | Jeff Zimmerman 54 | Brent Hershey 43 |
| Ray Flowers 23 | Zach Steinhorn 16 | ||
| Tim McLeod 4 | Jeff Zimmerman 4 | ||
| RMadson, Was | Bret Sayre 45 | Jeff Zimmerman 24 | Zach Steinhorn 18 |
| Ray Flowers 17 | |||
| JNix, SD | Tim McLeod 42 | Ron Shandler 5 | |
| CMullins, Bal | Ray Flowers 39 | Brent Hershey 29 | Bret Sayre 17 |
| Jeff Zimmerman 14 | |||
| BJohnson, Bos | Scott Pianowski 37 | Derek VanRiper 22 | |
| CIannetta, Col | Scott Pianowski 31 | Scott Swanay 0 | |
| JJeffress, Mil | Tim Heaney 26 | Ray Flowers 17 | Al Melchior 6 |
| MMinor, Tex | Zach Steinhorn 22 | Ray Flowers 13 | |
| JGant, StL | Derek VanRiper 22 | ||
| AFrazier, Pit | Ray Flowers 21 | ||
| RErlin, SD | Ron Shandler 18 | Al Melchior 2 | |
| SReidFoley, Tor | Tim McLeod 17 | Al Melchior 6 | Fred Zinkie 1 |
| JIglesias, Det | Zach Steinhorn 17 | ||
| GAllen, Cle | Bret Sayre 17 | ||
| TWhite, Hou | Scott Pianowski 13 | ||
| PLopez, Mia | Ron Shandler 11 | ||
| DTravis, Tor | Scott Pianowski 7 | ||
| TToussaint, Atl | Tim McLeod 6 | Fred Zinkie 3 | |
| TMay, Min | Al Melchior 6 | Tim Heaney 7 | |
| CFerguson, LAD | Tim McLeod 4 | ||
| BKennedy, SD | Jeff Zimmerman 4 | ||
| WCastillo, CWS | Zach Steinhorn 2 | ||
| MBarnes, Bos | Brent Hershey 2 | Bret Sayre 10 | |
| TWard, LAA | Fred Zinkie 1 | ||
| EDiaz, Pit | Scott Swanay 0 | ||
| AGordon, KC | Jeff Zimmerman 0 | ||
| YPetit, Oak | Fred Zinkie 0 | Bret Sayre 0 |
UNAWARDED BIDS
| PLAYER | |||
| CMaybin, Sea | Ray Flowers 21 | Jeff Zimmerman 1 | |
| WLeBlanc, Sea | Ray Flowers 13 | Scott Pianowski 1 | |
| AReed, Min | Ray Flowers 13 | ||
| MagSierra, Mia | Ray Flowers 13 | ||
| RNunez, Bal | Ron Shandler 12 | Bret Sayre 0 | |
| JFamilia, Oak | Bret Sayre 10 | Fred Zinkie 0 | |
| KStewart, Min | Ron Shandler 5 | ||
| SGaviglio, Tor | Ron Shandler 5 | ||
| TMilone, Was | Jeff Zimmerman 4 | ||
| JFaria, TB | Tim McLeod 2 | Tim Heaney 0 | |
| ASlater, SF | Jeff Zimmerman 1 | ||
| DRobertson, NYY | Fred Zinkie 0 | ||
| MTaylor, Was | Bret Sayre 0 | ||
| SLeon, Bos | Scott Pianowski 0 | ||
| SOh, Col | Jeff Zimmerman 0 |
Jeff Zimmerman’s Commentary
The number of moves ticked up this week as real and fantasy teams filled needs.
Personally, I had three open slots to fill with several players heading to the DL. I needed pick a lane and decided to concentrate on getting one closer.
After the dust cleared, I spent $54 on Trevor Hildenberger. Most of the other newly appointed closers went around the same price:
Scott Alexander: $55
Mychal Givens: $47
Ryan Madson: $45
Nine owners (5th to 13th) are separated by 14 Saves. If owners want to make a move, they can here.
I needed to replace Mike Trout in the outfield and the options were horrible. It was either part-time one trick guys or low talent accumulators. I went with Alex Gordon for his seven-game week and hopefully get Trout back soon. I was interested in Cedric Mullins but got out bid ($39) by Ray Flowers. Mullins could provide a nice source of steals.
Bret Sayre spent $111 on Reynaldo Lopez and his two starts against the Royals and Tigers. Besides Lopez, Bret picked up Alexander and Madson.
Ron Shandler also opened his wallet spending $57 on Franmil Reyes and Aledmys Diaz. Both are solid choices as Ron tries to climb up the standings.
Todd’s Take
Whenever I say something like this, I hope it isn’t taken as a back-handed swipe at another other league, be it Tout Wars, my own leagues, your leagues, whatever. With that said, golf applause to the Mixed Auction participants for such a spirited round of bidding. League leader Tim Heaney has more than a 25-point lead but the other 14 chasing him don’t care – they’re making every effort to scratch for every point, the way it should be. An impressive 13 of 15 owners bid this week with all 13 winning at least one player.
SUCCESSFUL BIDS
| PLAYER | WINNING BID | ||
| SAlexander, LAD | Michael Beller 104 | Scott White 27 | Charlie Wiegert 22 |
| RMadson, Was | Gene McCaffrey 73 | ||
| AOttavino, Col | Scott White 27 | ||
| WAdames, TB | Charlie Wiegert 22 | Adam Ronis 22 | |
| TBeckham, Bal | Adam Ronis 22 | Gene McCaffrey 0 | |
| JBarria, LAA | D.J. Short 18 | Jeff Boggis 11 | |
| JCandelario, Det | Gene McCaffrey 12 | ||
| JGant, StL | Jeff Boggis 11 | ||
| DJansen, Tor | Adam Ronis 7 | Rudy Gamble 1 | |
| HFillmyer, KC | Jeff Boggis 6 | ||
| PLopez, Mia | Jeff Boggis 6 | ||
| ALewicki, Det | Jeff Boggis 2 | ||
| DPalka, CWS | Rudy Gamble 2 | ||
| BHolt, Bos | Tom Kessenich 1 | ||
| AWynns, Bal | Perry Van Hook 0 | ||
| AReed, Min | Michael Beller 0 |
UNAWARDED BIDS
| PLAYER | |||
| BPeacock, Hou | Scott White 17 | ||
| ADiaz, Tor | Charlie Wiegert 15 | Adam Ronis 8 | |
| NAhmed, Ari | Charlie Wiegert 15 | ||
| ENunez, Bos | Adam Ronis 14 | Tom Kessenich 1 | |
| CMullins, Bal | Adam Ronis 8 | ||
| JBeeks, TB | Jeff Boggis 2 | ||
| AGordon, KC | Tom Kessenich 1 | Gene McCaffrey 0 | |
| AFrazier, Pit | Tom Kessenich 1 | ||
| ASlater, SF | Tom Kessenich 1 | ||
| BPhillips, KC | Tom Kessenich 1 | ||
| CMaybin, Sea | Tom Kessenich 1 | ||
| JCave, Min | Tom Kessenich 1 | ||
| RHerrera, KC | Rudy Gamble 1 |
Todd’s Take
Despite a recent struggle, Scott Alexander was the high bid, hoping he gets the bulk of the save ops with Kenley Jansen dealing with the recurrence of an irregular heartbeat. Kenta Maeda is also in the mix.
Infielders were front and center among the bats with Willy Adames, Tim Beckham, Jeimer Candelario and Daniel Palka all on new Tout teams. Beckham is finally in the groove after a long injury recovery. Adames is now the regular Rays shortstop with Adeiny Hechevarria out of the picture while Candelario hopes to revert to early season form where he was displaying more power.
An under the radar pickup is Jays catcher Danny Jansen, earmarked for a Monday promotion, hopefully to begin the phase-out of Russell Martin. Jansen’s bat is more advanced than his defense. That said, there’s no indication Toronto has any plans to move Jansen from behind the dish.
SUCCESSFUL BIDS
| PLAYER | WINNING BID | ||
| YChirinos, TB | Jake Ciely 25 | ||
| JMcNeil, NYM | Jake Ciely 15 | ||
| PLopez, Mia | Peter Kreutzer 13 | Justin Mason 3 | |
| CRichard, SD | Jeff Mans 11 | ||
| CGearrin, Tex | Stephania Bell 8 | ||
| TMilone, Was | Justin Mason 5 | ||
| HFillmyer, KC | Justin Mason 3 | Peter Kreutzer 11 | Jeff Mans 6 |
| THernandez, Tor | Dr. Roto 3 | ||
| JHellickson, Was | Dr. Roto 3 | ||
| JGant, StL | Justin Mason 0 | ||
| SGaviglio, Tor | Justin Mason 0 | ||
| WAdames, TB | Clay Link 0 |
UNAWARDED BIDS
| PLAYER | |||
| TBeckham, Bal | Jake Ciely 10 | ||
| AGomber, StL | Peter Kreutzer 7 | ||
| BreAnderson, Oak | Peter Kreutzer 3 | Dr. Roto 2 | |
| JShields, CWS | Dr. Roto 2 | ||
| FLiriano, Det | Jeff Mans 1 | ||
| AMondesi, KC | Clay Link 0 | ||
| BJohnson, Bos | Justin Mason 0 | ||
| BKennedy, SD | Justin Mason 0 | ||
| DTravis, Tor | Clay Link 0 | ||
| JVargas, NYM | Justin Mason 0 | ||
| MGonzalez, Hou | Clay Link 0 | ||
| RMcMahon, Col | Clay Link 0 |
Todd’s Take
Ah, the never-ending chase for two-start pitchers. Reynaldo Lopez and Clayton Richard lead the pack.
Despite this being a shallower 12-team league, I’m a little surprised Teoscar Hernandez was available. Though, to be fair, a .707 OPS the last month has a little something to do with it.