LABR FAAB Report: Week of June 11

Welcome to this week’s LABR FAAB report.

The American League only and National League only formats are 12-team contests using standard 5×5 scoring rules. There’s an old-school flavor as players purchased in the auction cannot be freely bounced from the active to reserve roster. A player purchased in the auction can be placed on the disabled list if he’s on the MLB DL. However, he can’t be reserved then replaced by a player won with FAAB; he must be released. A auction-purchased player may also moved to reserves if subsequently sent down to the minors.

The 15-team Mixed LABR league allows free movement between active and six-man reserve.

In all three leagues, a player acquired via FAAB must be immediately inserted into the team’s active lineup. Each LABR squad starts with 100 FAAB units, with a minimum bid of $1. Owners can ask for a FAAB rebate upon releasing a player on the DL.

Each week’s report will display the winning bids along with listing all contingency and failed bids so you get a feel for the level of interest in each player. After the tables showing the successful and unsuccessful bids, Lawr Michaels, Brian Walton and yours truly will offer commentary for our respective leagues. I’ll share additional thoughts for each league. The heading for each league doubles as a publicly accessible link so you can check the standings, roster and complete list of transactions.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

SUCCESSFUL BIDS

UNAWARDED BIDS

Lawr Michaels Commentary

Sometimes it pays to be in last place. Well, not really, that is a rationalization, but, what allows me to justify saying that I need to note that I have had enough of Alcides Escobar, so I dumped him in deference to Jose M. Fernandez, who both can rake, and should get a serious chance on a contending team suffering injuries and an inability to get on base.

I bid $5 to try and stay out of the cellar (Andrea Lamont and I are playing leap frog with one another in a vain attempt to get out, or stay in, depending upon mood) and it was $5 I really didn’t have, but what can one do? I bested another $5 bid, winning the rights by virtue of having a crappier team–that is lower in the standings–and three shots at $3.

Thanks Alcides. It’s been fun. (And, I am curious just who will pick him up for the at-bats.)

Now, you might indeed question whether a sane manager would indeed add a guy with a .272 OBP. but Larry Schechter, as shrewd and savvy an owner as there is, grabbed the Royals equally anemic stick Paulo Orlando for a couple of bucks–Larry also nabbed Orlando in Tout Wars–searching for those elusive at-bats, hoping it means at least a .250 average and handful of steals anyway. Which indeed he might.

Larry also bagged Southpaw Blaine Hardy who has a two-start week facing a couple of teams that struggle against lefties, similarly for a couple of bucks

The remaining bids involving players of interest were the $2 buy of Red Sox first sacker Sam Travis by Mike Gianella. Travis is a good on-base guy who likely does not have the pop of the prototype first sacker, and he has struggled mightily at Pawtucket this year.

Finally Glenn Colton and Rick Wolf nabbed the White Sox Lucas Giolito for a couple of bucks. Rick and Glenn tried to do something about catcher too, with the buy of Josh Phegley where the pair lurk in third, trailing Gianella, and RotoWire’s Clay Link who holds a handy 11 point lead over second-place Gianella.

Me? I’m just trying to stay out of the cellar in a rugged year.

Todd’s Take

Given this time last week I thought Ronny Rodriguez would be given an extended look by the Tigers only to be returned to the minors, I like the Fernandez pickup. With Shohei Ohtani sidelined, Albert Pujols can return to primary DH, paving the way for Fernandez to play some first base.

Lawr may turn out prescient with his Escobar drop as Adelberto Mondesi is slashing an impressive .270/.315/.550 with 10 steals in 10 attempts for Triple-A Omaha. The Royals have to be close from moving on, much like the Zen Master.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

SUCCESSFUL BIDS

UNAWARDED BIDS

Todd’s Commentary and Take

Brian is on a well deserved vacation so I’ll do my best to channel his commentary. As it turns out, Brian submitted the single highest bid, securing the services of Jon Jay for $22. Jay was acquired by the Diamondbacks to provide outfield at bats while AJ Pollock (on Brian’s disabled list) and Steven Souza Jr. remain out. Jay will likely serve as leadoff hitter versus righties, much like he did with the Royals. If Paul Goldschmidt can channel his recent success at Coors to his home field, Jay could be a nice source of runs, Brian has Adam Eaton back, so maybe the two can help make up some ground.

A couple of risky starting pitchers were picked up as Zack Steinhorn took a shot on Derek Holland while Greg Ambrosius and Shawn Childs nabbed Trevor Williams. Both only have on start this week – but it’s a slow week for double-dippers.

An under the radar pickup was veteran Justin Miller, now rostered by Eric Karabell. Miller has a silly 17:0 K:BB in 9 innings with the Nationals. Miller may not be in the save mix, but he’s captured three wins in his seven appearances. Obviously, wins are fickle, but this does suggest Washington is using Miller in scenarios conducive to a few more vulture victories.

MIXED

SUCCESSFUL BIDS

UNAWARDED BIDS

Todd Zola’s Commentary

As is often the case, saves are the chief focus. Hector Rondon’s three saves the past week were bested by Joakim Soria’s four. With Rondon being the better pitcher and Houston the better team, Rondon drew a little more attention and a higher bid than Soria. I put a slightly higher bid on Soria, feeling he’s in a little better position to continue to get saves. My bids were trumped, but I did grab Joe Jimenez to stash, anticipating the Tigers to move Shane Greene.

Jordan Hicks was purchased by Jason Collette and Paul Sporer. Hicks strikeouts make him mixed league worthy but with Bud Norris hitting a rut, he’s a nice next-in-line play as well.

Steven Wright was the top starting pitcher this week. The knuckleball specialist is filling in for Drew Pomeranz. Wright is lined up for two starts against Baltimore and Seattle.

Todd’s Take

Team Mastersball made a minor deal, swapping Chase Anderson for Matt Duffy. Alan Harrison from the Fantasy Fix inquired about the availability of a starting pitcher. I wasn’t looking to deal as I like having a few choices to stream, but since he was only looking for a small deal, parting with Tyler Mahle or Chase Anderson wouldn’t hurt. Alan sent me a list of hitters he’d deal. I opted for Duffy and have him his choice of Anderson or Mahle. As I’ve written in the past, offering choices is a great ploy. I prefer to keep Mahle. Had I offered Mahle, assuming Alan also favored the Reds starter, he may have accepted without countering with Anderson. If Alan indeed chose Mahle, I’d be OK with that, but as it turns out he wanted Anderson. If possible, always offer choices.

Please follow me on Twitter @ToddZola and visit me at Mastersball.