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 | ||
| BGoodwin, KC | Seth Trachtman 160 | Larry Schechter 31 | Vlad Sedler 12 |
| Patrick Davitt 10 | |||
| NMartini, Oak | Lawr Michaels 117 | Chris Liss 89 | Jeff Erickson 15 |
| Vlad Sedler 7 | |||
| BPhillips, KC | Chris Liss 89 | Jeff Erickson 45 | Larry Schechter 30 |
| Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 16 | Seth Trachtman 10 | ||
| FArcia, LAA | Vlad Sedler 48 | Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 0 | |
| EButler, Tex | Lawr Michaels 47 | ||
| YChirinos, TB | Jeff Erickson 45 | Jason Collette 36 | Vlad Sedler 31 |
| Mike Podhorzer 26 | |||
| MCabrera, Cle | Larry Schechter 32 | Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 16 | Jeff Erickson 5 |
| CTocci, Tex | Larry Schechter 29 | ||
| JMinaya, CWS | Vlad Sedler 18 | ||
| BMcKinney, Tor | Lawr Michaels 17 | ||
| YGallardo, Tex | Vlad Sedler 15 | Vlad Sedler 6 | |
| SRobinson, NYY | Jeff Erickson 15 | ||
| EAdrianza, Min | Patrick Davitt 10 | Mike Podhorzer 0 | |
| MPerez, TB | Seth Trachtman 10 | Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 0 | |
| YRamirez, Bal | Doug Dennis 5 | Vlad Sedler 5 | |
| JChoi, TB | Vlad Sedler 4 | ||
| JBriceno, LAA | Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 0 |
UNAWARDED BIDS
| PLAYER | |||
| BreAnderson, Oak | Vlad Sedler 7 | ||
| JAlvarado, TB | Jeff Erickson 5 | ||
| JPhegley, Oak | Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 0 | ||
| KHigashioka, NYY | Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 0 | ||
| RoPerez, Cle | Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 0 |
Todd’s Take
AL only leagues are faced with a huge conundrum. If you have the hammer, do you go all-in on Brian Goodwin or hope someone else comes over prior to Wednesday’s deadline? Goodwin is a nice player, likely to get regular playing time with the Royals but is he a difference-maker? I think it comes down to deciding if Goodwin is enough to get you where you want to go or if your forced to hope for a miracle at the deadline.
Part of the problem is there aren’t any rumored players crossing over from the National League. This isn’t to say it won’t happen, but this is the classic bird in hand scenario.
Nick Martini wasn’t traded into the league, but a solid week as him a hot commodity. He’s bumped Dustin Fowler from the leadoff spot, which is key in front of the power-laden Athletics lineup. Despite social media pointing out I had the metaphor reversed… Martini may not shake things up with power, but he can certainly stir stuff up with his on base ability and speed.
Brett Phillips also crossed leagues. Phillips is still young enough to figure things out, especially contact. He’s been given a couple of chances with the Brewers, with patches of mediocrity before getting exposed. To be honest, I have a feeling another B. Phillips, namely Brandon, may end up being a sneaky AL only pickup.
SUCCESSFUL BIDS
| PLAYER | WINNING BID | ||
| MMoustakas, Mil | Derek Carty 740 | Steve Gardner 707 | Grey Albright 581 |
| Andy Behrens 577 | Brian Walton 328 | ||
| Mike Gianella 230 | Tristan H. Cockcroft 97 | ||
| Phil Hertz 46 | Lenny Melnick 29 | ||
| Tristan H. Cockcroft 0 | |||
| EEscobar, Ari | Steve Gardner 707 | Grey Albright 578 | Brian Walton 328 |
| Derek Carty 291 | Mike Gianella 230 | ||
| Tristan H. Cockcroft 97 | Phil Hertz 47 | ||
| Lenny Melnick 29 | Tristan H. Cockcroft 0 | ||
| CHamels, ChC | Grey Albright 581 | Andy Behrens 577 | Derek Carty 291 |
| Mike Gianella 230 | Tristan H. Cockcroft 97 | ||
| Lenny Melnick 29 | |||
| MWilliams, Cin | Mike Gianella 36 | ||
| DBote, ChC | Todd Zola 30 | Grey Albright 16 | Scott Wilderman 2 |
| Tristan H. Cockcroft 1 | Mike Gianella 1 | ||
| RQuinn, Phi | Lenny Melnick 29 | Mike Gianella 1 | Tristan H. Cockcroft 0 |
| JSoria, Mil | Phil Hertz 12 | ||
| TMilone, Was | Grey Albright 11 | ||
| JOsuna, Pit | Scott Wilderman 5 | Tristan H. Cockcroft 1 | Grey Albright 1 |
| JPirela, SD | Tristan H. Cockcroft 5 | Mike Gianella 10 | Scott Wilderman 1 |
| AFrazier, Pit | Tristan H. Cockcroft 5 | Scott Wilderman 2 | Grey Albright 1 |
| DHudson, StL | Tristan H. Cockcroft 5 | Grey Albright 2 | |
| MAndriese, Ari | Grey Albright 2 | Mike Gianella 1 | |
| AJackson, NYM | Grey Albright 1 | Tristan H. Cockcroft 0 |
UNAWARDED BIDS
| PLAYER | |||
| DPoncedeleon, StL | Tristan H. Cockcroft 5 | Grey Albright 2 | |
| CFerguson, LAD | Phil Hertz 4 | Grey Albright 2 | Tristan H. Cockcroft 1 |
| Mike Gianella 1 | |||
| RErlin, SD | Phil Hertz 4 | ||
| PAlonso, NYM | Mike Gianella 2 | ||
| AGomber, StL | Grey Albright 2 | Tristan H. Cockcroft 1 | |
| BKintzler, Was | Grey Albright 2 | ||
| PBaez, LAD | Grey Albright 2 | ||
| SOh, Col | Grey Albright 2 | ||
| DHernandez, Cin | Mike Gianella 1 | Tristan H. Cockcroft 0 | |
| PEvans, NYM | Mike Gianella 1 | ||
| SDyson, SF | Mike Gianella 1 | ||
| DiHerrera, Cin | Tristan H. Cockcroft 0 |
Todd’s Take
It’s pretty much chalk at the top with some decent consolation prizes after Manny Machado was purchased last week. The only question was whether someone on the top three wanted pitching more than hitting. Speaking of which, I know Cole Hamels has struggled lately but I’m intrigued by the park/league. Overall, the move to Wrigley Field is huge, at least according to park factors. Hamels lines up to allow fewer runs, fan more and walk fewer – and that’s without even considering the lack of the DH.
Most of the other hitting pickups are injury replacements, including my all-in bid for David Bote who is picking up some extra time with Kris Bryant out. Mason Williams is getting some run in the Reds outfield with Jesse Winker out for the season and Scott Schebler on the shelf, though the latter is on rehab and could be back this week. Jose Osuna is another injury fix with Josh Bell on the DL.
As opposed to the AL where it’s hard to envision someone of consequence coming over by the deadline, we could have another set of spirited bidding in the Senior Circuit next week.
SUCCESSFUL BIDS
| PLAYER | WINNING BID | ||
| JFry, CWS | Scott Pianowski 69 | Zach Steinhorn 38 | Al Melchior 11 |
| Ray Flowers 11 | |||
| RZimmerman, Was | Scott Swanay 68 | Scott Engel 7 | |
| LGurriel, Tor | Al Melchior 46 | Scott Swanay 65 | Derek VanRiper 44 |
| Fred Zinkie 17 | Ray Flowers 16 | ||
| Jeff Zimmerman 0 | |||
| BGoodwin, KC | Derek VanRiper 44 | Fred Zinkie 1 | |
| NDelmonico, CWS | Fred Zinkie 43 | Jeff Zimmerman 0 | |
| DHolland, SF | Zach Steinhorn 42 | Fred Zinkie 35 | Derek VanRiper 31 |
| Ray Flowers 14 | Scott Pianowski 13 | ||
| Tim Heaney 8 | Jeff Zimmerman 0 | ||
| SPearce, Bos | Derek VanRiper 22 | ||
| LMorrison, Min | Fred Zinkie 12 | Scott Swanay 28 | Scott Pianowski 7 |
| RQuinn, Phi | Ron Shandler 11 | ||
| NTropeano, LAA | Ray Flowers 11 | ||
| JMauer, Min | Scott Engel 9 | Scott Pianowski 7 | Ron Shandler 1 |
| DFreese, Pit | Scott Engel 8 | Scott Swanay 13 | |
| ARomine, NYY | Fred Zinkie 6 | ||
| MCanha, Oak | Ron Shandler 5 | Fred Zinkie 1 | Jeff Zimmerman 0 |
| LTrivino, Oak | Scott Pianowski 5 | ||
| FArcia, LAA | Al Melchior 2 | ||
| OArcia, Mil | Tim Heaney 2 | Fred Zinkie 12 | |
| LGarcia, CWS | Jeff Zimmerman 1 | Fred Zinkie 1 | Scott Engel 1 |
| DValencia, Bal | Jeff Zimmerman 1 | Jeff Zimmerman 0 | |
| YChirinos, TB | Jeff Zimmerman 1 | Scott Swanay 28 | Derek VanRiper 0 |
| JBeeks, TB | Derek VanRiper 0 |
UNAWARDED BIDS
| PLAYER | |||
| AVerdugo, LAD | Ron Shandler 5 | ||
| RYarbrough, TB | Tim Heaney 2 | Jeff Zimmerman 1 | |
| CBurnes, Mil | Tim Heaney 2 | ||
| CCulberson, Atl | Ron Shandler 1 | ||
| THildenberger, Min | Jeff Zimmerman 1 | ||
| ASwarzak, NYM | Tim Heaney 0 | ||
| DCovey, CWS | Jeff Zimmerman 0 | ||
| DDescalso, Ari | Jeff Zimmerman 0 | ||
| JAnderson, LAA | Tim Heaney 0 | ||
| JJay, Ari | Jeff Zimmerman 0 | ||
| JPirela, SD | Jeff Zimmerman 0 | ||
| MMinor, Tex | Jeff Zimmerman 0 | ||
| RDavis, Cle | Jeff Zimmerman 0 | ||
| RGrossman, Min | Jeff Zimmerman 0 | ||
| SDuggar, SF | Jeff Zimmerman 0 |
Todd’s Take
This week’s flavor of the week in terms of closing is Jace Fry, replacing Joakim Soria. This is an intriguing pickup as the White Sox play the Royals and Rays next week, on paper a couple of lesser teams. The problem is Fry blew Sunday’s save chance, well before the bids were finalized. It’s not like the South Siders have a treasure trove of options, but Sunday’s events are discouraging.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has been seeing regular playing time which shouldn’t be hindered with the Blue Jays acquisition of Brandon Drury. Gurriel Jr. profiles as a high average without much power or speed, though he’s shown some pop in his rookie campaign.
Derek Holland was the most sought after starter, for good reason. He’s over 100 innings into the season, still maintaining over a whiff an inning. This week, Holland has a good pair of starts, first facing a weak Padres lineup followed by a manageable Diamondbacks offense.
SUCCESSFUL BIDS
| PLAYER | WINNING BID | ||
| LGurriel, Tor | Adam Ronis 73 | Scott White 21 | Tim McCullough 21 |
| JMcNeil, NYM | Tim McCullough 51 | ||
| WPeralta, KC | Rudy Gamble 36 | Ray Murphy 18 | Perry Van Hook 17 |
| DHolland, SF | Michael Beller 24 | Perry Van Hook 2 | |
| JBradley, Bos | Perry Van Hook 17 | Ray Murphy 14 | Adam Ronis 8 |
| SGray, NYY | Michael Beller 17 | Ray Murphy 11 | |
| DFowler, StL | Ray Murphy 14 | ||
| JJay, Ari | Tim McCullough 11 | Perry Van Hook 0 | |
| JFry, CWS | Ray Murphy 11 | Scott White 9 | |
| JGyorko, StL | Tim McCullough 3 | ||
| MBoyd, Det | Perry Van Hook 3 | ||
| JAlfaro, Phi | Adam Ronis 2 | Perry Van Hook 0 | |
| JWendle, TB | Tim McCullough 2 | ||
| MPerez, TB | Perry Van Hook 0 |
UNAWARDED BIDS
| PLAYER | |||
| BDrury, Tor | Adam Ronis 23 | Ray Murphy 14 | |
| ARomine, NYY | Perry Van Hook 0 | ||
| BGoodwin, KC | Perry Van Hook 0 | ||
| BHolt, Bos | Perry Van Hook 0 | ||
| CIannetta, Col | Perry Van Hook 0 | ||
| FArcia, LAA | Perry Van Hook 0 | ||
| JRickard, Bal | Perry Van Hook 0 | ||
| KSmith, CWS | Perry Van Hook 0 | ||
| LMaile, Tor | Perry Van Hook 0 | ||
| PErvin, Cin | Perry Van Hook 0 |
Todd’s Take
It’s a little surprising Jeff McNeil didn’t garner more attention. It appears the Mets will play McNeil regularly after dealing Asdrubal Cabrera. His .268/.427/.600 line in Triple-A looks impressive, but keep in mind Las Vegas is one of the best hitting venues while McNeil is a little old for the level at 26 years old.
Don’t look now but Sonny Gray is relevant again. The veteran righty is sporting a 1.10 ERA and .92 WHIP over his past three outings, featuring 19 punch outs in those 16.1 frames.
SUCCESSFUL BIDS
| PLAYER | WINNING BID | ||
| MChapman, Oak | Jake Ciely 55 | Jeff Mans 19 | Andrea LaMont 18 |
| Michael Rathburn 2 | Justin Mason 0 | ||
| BNimmo, NYM | Jeff Mans 48 | ||
| TRoark, Was | Jake Ciely 25 | Andrea LaMont 18 | Michael Rathburn 14 |
| Jeff Mans 8 | |||
| AAlmora, ChC | Jeff Mans 21 | ||
| LGurriel, Tor | Andrea LaMont 14 | Michael Rathburn 6 | |
| MFried, Atl | Andrea LaMont 14 | Jeff Mans 4 | |
| DHolland, SF | Andrea LaMont 13 | Peter Kreutzer 3 | |
| JShields, CWS | Michael Rathburn 12 | Andrea LaMont 3 | Justin Mason 2 |
| Jeff Mans 1 | |||
| NWilliams, Phi | Dr. Roto 10 | Jeff Mans 31 | |
| EJimenez, CWS | Dr. Roto 8 | ||
| JUrena, Mia | Jeff Mans 7 | ||
| MBoyd, Det | Michael Rathburn 6 | Andrea LaMont 11 | Peter Kreutzer 3 |
| AHedges, SD | Andrea LaMont 6 | ||
| RBorucki, Tor | Michael Rathburn 6 | ||
| SDuggar, SF | Dr. Roto 5 | Jeff Mans 2 | |
| NDelmonico, CWS | Dr. Roto 5 | ||
| SGaviglio, Tor | Peter Kreutzer 2 | ||
| BColon, Tex | Peter Kreutzer 2 | ||
| NHundley, SF | Jeff Mans 1 | ||
| KMorales, Tor | Justin Mason 0 |
UNAWARDED BIDS
| PLAYER | |||
| JHeyward, ChC | Jeff Mans 19 | Dr. Roto 5 | |
| YAlonso, Cle | Jake Ciely 15 | Jeff Mans 12 | Justin Mason 0 |
| ADeSclafani, Cin | Jeff Mans 5 | ||
| FLiriano, Det | Jeff Mans 5 | ||
| NTropeano, LAA | Jeff Mans 5 | ||
| ARomine, NYY | Andrea LaMont 4 | Jeff Mans 1 | |
| CMaybin, Mia | Andrea LaMont 3 | ||
| MGonzalez, Hou | Jeff Mans 3 | ||
| YRamirez, Bal | Michael Rathburn 2 | Peter Kreutzer 1 | |
| AMeadows, Pit | Dr. Roto 2 | ||
| BPhillips, KC | Dr. Roto 2 | ||
| DPalka, CWS | Jeff Mans 2 | ||
| ELauer, SD | Michael Rathburn 1 | ||
| JMauer, Min | Jeff Mans 1 | ||
| KPlawecki, NYM | Jeff Mans 1 | ||
| KSuzuki, Atl | Jeff Mans 1 | ||
| NMartini, Oak | Jeff Mans 1 | ||
| ONarvaez, CWS | Jeff Mans 1 | ||
| PLopez, Mia | Jeff Mans 1 | ||
| SPearce, Bos | Jeff Mans 1 | ||
| WChen, Mia | Michael Rathburn 1 | ||
| WMiley, Mil | Peter Kreutzer 1 | ||
| ASenzatela, Col | Michael Rathburn 0 | ||
| IKinerFalefa, Tex | Andrea LaMont 0 |
Todd’s Take
There’s still plenty of season left but my spring declaration that Matt Chapman would have a better season than Matt Olson doesn’t look as outrageous as some made it out to be, especially after Chapman missed some time due to injury. OK, Olson will outpace Olson in terms of homers and RBI, but by triple-slash, Chapman can be considered to be having a better campaign. This isn’t an indictment of Olson, just another reminder how sometimes outstanding fielders can translate their superior hand-eye coordination and timing to the dish, most notably with respect to contact.