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 | ||
| AMeadows, TB | Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 29 | Mike Podhorzer 8 | |
| MStraw, Hou | Patrick Davitt 5 | ||
| DCovey, CWS | Mike Podhorzer 3 | ||
| RTellez, Tor | Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 0 |
UNAWARDED BIDS
| PLAYER | |||
| DStewart, Bal | Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 29 | ||
| RHerrera, KC | Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 29 | ||
| RLaMarre, CWS | Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 29 | ||
| VReyes, Det | Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 29 | ||
| WCalhoun, Tex | Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton 29 | ||
| HRondon, Hou | Patrick Davitt 5 | ||
| RBrasier, Bos | Patrick Davitt 5 | ||
| SRomo, TB | Patrick Davitt 5 |
Todd’s Take
It was surprising that the Rays did not call up Meadows sooner, especially after he performed decently with the Pirates for a stretch earlier in the summer. He’s up now, and after a three-hit game Friday night, Meadows could get a few starts the last week of the season.
Aside from being fodder for “stirs the drink” or “broke the back” puns, Myles Straw is up to do one thing – steal bases as a pinch runner.
SUCCESSFUL BIDS
| PLAYER | WINNING BID | ||
| AAltherr, Phi | Phil Hertz 15 | Tristan H. Cockcroft 0 | |
| MKoch, Ari | Steve Gardner 1 | Tristan H. Cockcroft 0 | |
| COswalt, NYM | Tristan H. Cockcroft 0 | Phil Hertz 5 | Steve Gardner 1 |
| EDiaz, Pit | Tristan H. Cockcroft 0 | Steve Gardner 0 | |
| POBrien, Mia | Mike Gianella 0 | ||
| AConley, Mia | Tristan H. Cockcroft 0 | ||
| PReyes, Pit | Tristan H. Cockcroft 0 |
UNAWARDED BIDS
| PLAYER | |||
| RRodriguez, Pit | Phil Hertz 15 | Tristan H. Cockcroft 0 | |
| CFerguson, LAD | Phil Hertz 15 | ||
| MAndriese, Ari | Phil Hertz 5 | ||
| GParra, Col | Tristan H. Cockcroft 0 | ||
| HPence, SF | Tristan H. Cockcroft 0 | ||
| JBrebbia, StL | Tristan H. Cockcroft 0 | ||
| KCrick, Pit | Tristan H. Cockcroft 0 |
Todd’s Take
Much more was expected from Aaron Altherr, at minimum he was thought to be a solid contributor to the Phillies outfield, garnering a $9 bid in March from an unsuspecting owner (cough, cough). Well, he couldn’t even deliver in a platoon role and was sent to Triple-A. Altherr was recalled in September, seeing regular playing time with Nick Williams sidelined. He hasn’t played as much lately, but is still capable of a couple swipes the final week.
Tristan Cockcroft is doing all he can to catch Steve Gardner, who currently holds five point lead. Both combatants made bids, with Tristan aiming to maintain his overall lead in strikeouts while using solid relievers to capture some ratio points still in play.
SUCCESSFUL BIDS
| PLAYER | WINNING BID | ||
| JShields, CWS | Scott Pianowski 55 | ||
| WDifo, Was | Fred Zinkie 23 | ||
| TCahill, Oak | Ron Shandler 8 | ||
| ZDavies, Mil | Fred Zinkie 4 | Fred Zinkie 23 | Ray Flowers 1 |
| POBrien, Mia | Ray Flowers 2 | Jeff Zimmerman 0 | |
| TButtrey, LAA | Jeff Zimmerman 2 | ||
| KSeager, Sea | Zach Steinhorn 1 | Ray Flowers 2 | Scott Swanay 0 |
| TFlowers, Atl | Ray Flowers 1 | ||
| JVargas, NYM | Al Melchior 0 | Jeff Zimmerman 2 | |
| BHolt, Bos | Scott Swanay 0 | Ray Flowers 0 | |
| EAdrianza, Min | Ray Flowers 0 | ||
| AGarcia, SF | Al Melchior 0 | ||
| MMahtook, Det | Fred Zinkie 0 |
UNAWARDED BIDS
| PLAYER | |||
| JJames, Hou | Ron Shandler 8 | Al Melchior 0 | |
| TPannone, Tor | Ron Shandler 8 | ||
| AConley, Mia | Jeff Zimmerman 2 | Al Melchior 0 | |
| EHernandez, LAD | Ray Flowers 0 | ||
| MPina, Mil | Ray Flowers 0 | ||
| JJones, Det | Fred Zinkie 0 |
Todd’s Take
While this can be construed as a backhanded dig at the other leagues, it isn’t. It’s just that nine of 15 participants still making bids despite leader Tim Heaney enjoying a over a 20-point lead is exemplary.
Most of the acquired names are familiar with a few exceptions. Ray Flowers grabbed journeyman slugger Pete O’Brien, who despite showing pop on the farm, has get to latch onto an MLB roster as he continues to exhibit defensive deficiencies along with a proclivity for punching out.
Jeff Zimmerman sees the Angels with an early week series against the Rangers, envisioning a save or two for Ty Buttrey, author of four ninth-inning conversions in five tries since being handed the closer gig in early September.
Al Melchior noticed Aramis Garcia is spitting time behind the plate and at first base, essentially filling in for Buster Posey. Garcia has an OPS of 1.000 with three homers since his promotion.
SUCCESSFUL BIDS
| PLAYER | WINNING BID | ||
| GAllen, Cle | Charlie Wiegert 300 | ||
| BreAnderson, Oak | D.J. Short 100 | ||
| LVoit, NYY | Adam Ronis 16 | ||
| WAstudillo, Min | Adam Ronis 1 | ||
| TButtrey, LAA | Gene McCaffrey 0 |
UNAWARDED BIDS
| PLAYER | |||
| TAnderson, Col | D.J. Short 100 | ||
| CStewart, Det | Adam Ronis 16 | ||
| LGurriel, Tor | Adam Ronis 16 | ||
| VRobles, Was | Adam Ronis 16 |
Todd’s Take
With Josh Donaldson back pushing Jose Ramirez to second, Greg Allen is losing playing time to Jason Kipnis. However, the Indians are likely to give everyone some rest this week as they’re locked into the three-seed, availing more action for Allen, even if it is coming into games in the mid innings. His asset, other than excellent defense is running, so if you need bags this week, consider Allen.
SUCCESSFUL BIDS
| PLAYER | WINNING BID | ||
| TToussaint, Atl | Peter Kreutzer 101 | ||
| DPalka, CWS | Peter Kreutzer 57 | Andrea LaMont 0 | |
| ROsuna, Hou | Andrea LaMont 1 | ||
| AMondesi, KC | Andrea LaMont 1 | ||
| LVoit, NYY | Andrea LaMont 1 | ||
| JJames, Hou | Andrea LaMont 0 |
Todd’s Take
As mentioned last week, Jake Ciely is your 2018 Head to Head champion. Peter and Andrea continue to grind, looking to finish as high as possible, perhaps conserving FAAB for next season as all the leagues are penalized for finishes below a threshold contextual to the respective leagues.