Welcome to my weekly Free Agent Acquisition Bidding/Budget (FAAB) column where my goal is to have you confidently prepared to acquire the hitters and pitchers off free agency or waivers to make your team better. Like most everything else in life, you get out what you put in. Those quickly slapping one- and two-dollar bids together at the last second very rarely stay competitive in a game where FAAB is of the utmost importance. Properly setting our squads up for the following week starts with our efforts in FAAB, and those who spend the proper time on it, are usually rewarded. They’re either catching lightning in a bottle with someone who provides value for the rest of the year, or they’re renting someone who has immediate impact and value based on upcoming matchups.
Churning and burning is important, no matter the size of your league (10, 12, 15), though the smaller the league, the more active you need to be in FAAB. The art of FAAB isn’t just about picking up the right players as a rental or for the long-term. It involves a fine balance with also being sure you’re not dropping the wrong players prematurely. Here’s a refresher from draft season on how to manage FAAB.
WEEK 10 PREVIEW
Last week’s FAABapalooza ended up living up to the hype in every which way. In fact, even my expectations were surpassed with some massive average bids in the NFBC Main Event including $348 for Austin Riley, $247 for Keston Hiura and $193 for Willie Calhoun. The other four bid adds (Martin – HOU SP, Lopez – 2B KC, Rodgers 2B COL, Mercado OF CLE) all saw average bids between $85 and $160. All in all, a whole lot of spending. Since that time, Riley has been mashing, Hiura has fit in well as an everyday 2B for the Brewers, Lopez is enjoying life at or around the top of the Royals’ lineup and Rodgers has had some productive games despite not playing every day (classic Rockies). Meanwhile, Calhoun hit the IL, Mercado suffered a minor injury that kept him out a couple games and Martin got bludgeoned by the White Sox and could be sent down to Triple-A with another rough start.
Queue the Mocking SpongeBob GIF for those telling had to spend up for those kids last week because there aren’t really “aNy OtHeR bIG fReE aGeNtS gEtTiNg CaLlEd uP bEsIdEs Yordan Alvarez and Casey Mize.” A few days later and folks are going gaga over the latest batch of guys promoted, including C.J.’s little brother, Dbacks’ masher Kevin Cron, power-hitting lefty Josh Naylor, son of Craig, Blue Jays’ Cavan Biggio and I’m sure there will be more! Alvarez still being out there in leagues where he can’t be stashed is one reason to still hold on to FAAB money, but the main reason is to be able to have some leverage to stream week to week because there is still about two-thirds of the season left.
Yes, it’s true – Cron was crushing baseballs in Triple-A at an obscene pace (22 HR in 44 games) and has the potential to provide a powerful impact for teams suffering at corner infield and had missed out on Riley. You’ll undoubtedly see triple-digit bids on him, and he could certainly be worth it, especially since Christian Walker’s been hitting under the Mendoza Line this month and Jake Lamb is hardly a threat, especially as someone who can only hit southpaws. I’ll discuss Biggio and Naylor more down below but also want to bring your attention to the return of Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Nick Pivetta, and the possibility of Daniel Ponce de Leon joining this rotation with Wacha rightfully sent to the bullpen (no need for my victory lap since it’s already assumed).
Last week we had some nice hits with streamers like Renato Nunez (4 HR, 7 RBI) and Albert Almora (more consistent playing time and 2 HR / 5 RBI) that we were able to snag for single-digit bids mostly because we’re paying attention to upcoming schedules. At the end of the day, it usually isn’t that hard – who’s going to Coors? Who’s facing the Orioles? Which lefty bat can we stream with great matchups this week? Make sure you’re comfortable with my schedule notes in the middle section each week as it should help properly guide you towards offensive players in optimal matchups.
PITCHERS
Two-Steppers to Target
- 12 & 15-team: Jeff Samardzija (RH/SFG) – @ MIA, @ BAL
- 12 & 15-team: Ryan Yarbrough (LH/TBR) – v TOR, v MIN
Samardzija is 90% owned in Main Event leagues and those who own him will probably use him for the two starts, though there’s a high probability of at least one of these starts going south. Shark has extreme home/road splits yet again (2.03 ERA home, 4.56 road) and is allowing a 1.72 HR/9 this season which is his career-worst mark. Just keep this in mind before attempting to bid on a Shark who has pretty much lost his bite.
Yarbrough had a brief stint in Triple-A and is back for what looks like two games next week for bulk work entering after an opener. He’s under 25% owned in Main Event and likely available everywhere in your 12-teamers. That second start v MIN is scary but if you’re in need of wins and strikeouts, he’s potentially streamable.
15-Team Only (if you’re feeling lucky)
- Daniel Norris (LH/DET) – @ BAL, @ ATL
- Dan Straily (RH/BAL) – v DET, v SFG
Two Dans who are not only not that good at throwing baseballs, but actually among the worst in the league this season. It’s hard to imagine Norris escaping these two starts safely but the start @ BAL (bottom-10 team against LHP) could soften the blow he’ll likely receive against the Braves (top-10 wOBA / ISO vs LHP). As for Straily, I’d prefer these starts if they were on the road as Camden is a rather hitter-friendly ballpark, but sometimes dire situations call for extreme measures. Both are single-digit bids in 15-teamers only and should be like fifth on down in your conditionals.
Two-Steppers to Avoid
- Merrill Kelly (RH/ARI) – @ COL, v NYM
- Ryan Weber (RH/BOS) – v CLE, @ NYY
- Jefry Rodriguez (RH/CLE) – @ BOS, @ CHW
- Antonio Senzatela (RH/COL) – v ARI, v TOR
- Adrian Sampson (RH/TEX) – @ SEA, v KC
- Michael Pineda (RH/MIN) – v MLW, @ TB
Pineda is owned in most 15’s and available in about half of 12’s, but I still don’t think he’s worth the potential ratio damage, given his 2.38 HR/9 and tough matchups against lefties who crush like Yelich, Moustakas, Meadows and Lowe.
General SP / RP Additions
- Daniel Ponce de Leon (RH/STL) – For 15-teamers only. Home park will help, but Ponce’s main issue is walking batters (12% BB in Triple-A). First start is one where we’d probably leave him on the bench, as it’s @ PHI.
- Nick Pivetta (RH/PHI) – Well, our ratios have been in recovery mode and here comes Pivetta back to the rotation to tempt us. It’s been same ol’ Pivetta in the minors – lots of strikeouts and lots of walks (33% K, 13% BB) so just be sure you know what you’re getting into. Lines up for two (v STL, @ LAD) so I’d probably only play him this week on teams that can stomach a bit of a ratio rise.
- Sandy Alcantara (RH/MIA) – Erratic sophomore pitches a bit better at home in general and now lines up for a single start against the Giants at home.
- RP – Shawn Kelley (RH/TEX) – Three saves this week since coming off the IL and it looks like the 35-year-old is the Rangers’ ninth-inning man for now as LeClerc will have to wait.
- RP – Hunter Strickland (RH/SEA) – A couple weeks back from returning and looking good in throwing sessions. The Mariners don’t really have a closer (lefty Elias is holding it down for now) so they’ll likely plug Strickland back in when he returns. He was already added in some Main Events last week with this anticipation in mind.
SCHEDULE NOTES
Teams with 7 games:
National League: ARI, CIN, COL, LAD, MIA, NYM
American League: BOS, CLE, CWS, KCR, LAA, NYY, SEA, TBR
8 games: PIT
5 games: ATL
RENTALS
- Gorgeous eight-game schedule for the Pirates with four at Great American (Reds) and four at home against the Brewers. Projected for six or seven RHP so in 15-teamers we’re looking at renting guys like lefty corner Colin Moran, switch-hitting rookie Bryan Reynolds and catcher Elias Diaz. Moran is only 10% owned in the NFBC Main Event. Remember I recommended him last week with Kang out (ended up picking up a share and he’s .318 with 7 RBI so far this week).
- Big week for the Diamondbacks with seven, including four at Coors Field. With three-hole hitter Peralta on the IL, they called Ildemaro Vargas back up and he homered in his very first at-bat on Friday. He won’t do much more of that but you’ll at least have to consider bidding for his services in 15-teamers for the big Coors series.
- A big seven-game homestand for the Rockies with the Dbacks and Blue Jays. Not many lefties upcoming so Mark Reynolds isn’t worth picking up this week but Chris Iannetta could work as a 15-team streamer. Mostly every other viable Rockies hitter is owned in 12 and 15-team leagues but you play them all without question.
- The Giants don’t have bad sets of games here with six on the road (3 @ MIA, 3 @ BAL). They’ll likely avoid the studly Caleb Smith and then will enjoy three in the friendly confines of hitter-friendly Camden. Just about every hitter on this team is unowned on 12-teamers and for good reason. In 15’s perhaps it’s worth taking a shot on Tyler Austin. Not sure why he’s not in the lineup more often as he’s their best power hitter.
- Orioles play six at home and may line up for four or five LHP. That would be good news for those who need a CI to rent with Renato Nunez available in over 75% of 12-teamers. He’s among the league leaders in home runs against southpaws so far and has a nearly .300 ISO against them.
- Make sure to play all your Royals – a very nice setup with seven on the road (3 @ CHW, 4 @ TEX). Clearly, you’re rolling out Mondesi, Merrifield, Dozier and Gordon but may also want to consider slotting Nicky Lopez in as your MI and perhaps even streaming an overdue Ryan O’Hearn in 15’s.
HITTERS – 15-TEAM ADDS
**under 90% owned in NFBC Main Event
Catchers – Elias Diaz (RH/PIT), Carson Kelly (RH/ARI) / Alex Avila (LH/ARI)
Diaz has been playing more lately with old-man Cervelli struggling and they get eight games this week so he might start at least five of them. Problem is, not many LHP on the schedule and that’s his preferred platoon split. Kelly goes to Coors and that’s enough to whet your whistle. Problem is, not that many LHP for him to face (.467 ISO vs LHP, .107 vs RHP) which mean he may cede starts to Avila who is probably the better add this week.
Corner Infielders – *Kevin Cron (RH/ARI), Colin Moran (LH/PIT), Tyler Austin (RH/SFG), Josh Naylor? (LH/SDP)
Cron is the big-ticket item of the weekend and the draw for his services is boosted by the fact that the Diamondbacks head to Coors. It seems as though Cron has been in the minors forever (he’s 26) but this promotion has been long overdue and it’s only his second season in Triple-A. I do see him sticking around and think he’s worth the price of admission with 20-HR potential from here on out.
Careful on the Naylor bid as it’s very possible he’s sent back down to the minors after this series in an American League park. Tatis, among others, should be back soon.
Middle Infielders – *Cavan Biggio (LH/TOR), Lourdes Gurriel Jr (SW/TOR), Ildemaro Vargas (SW/ARI)
Gurriel swatted homers on Friday and Saturday but still likely won’t surpass his teammate in bid amounts because of Biggio’s name and pedigree. Biggio has both speed and pop putting together a 26-HR / 20-SB season in Double-A last season. He has a gorgeous 18% walk rate over his last two seasons as well. Gurriel is a horrendous defender and is all bat so his path to sticking around may not be as strong but he’ll likely be the better fantasy asset for the remainder of the season. Vargas was called up along with Cron and proceeded to rack up five hits and a homer. We’re only renting him for the week in Coors.
Outfielders – Bryan Reynolds (SW/PIT), Garrett Cooper (RH/MIA), Derek Fisher (LH/HOU), Carlos Gomez (RH/NYM), Matt Kemp (RH/NYM), Keon Broxton (RH/BAL), Harold Ramirez (RH/MIA)
Not sure how much staying power most of these guys have. Reynolds is one of four outfielders and has been playing a bit over his head (.318 AVG / .371 BABIP) but the Pirates do get eight games this week. Cooper was a sneaky add last week and swatted two homers as he gets comfortable in the two-hole. To the lament of Kyle Tucker and Yordan Alvarez truthers, it’s Fisher who gets the call-up with Springer on IL. He’s nothing more than a conditional single-digit one-week rental. Talk about blasts from the past, how about Gomez, Kemp and Broxton? The Mets are just signing all the veterans (also Aaron Altherr and Rajai Davis) and all of these guys are likely going to suck value out from one another as all of these guys are past their prime. Altherr could be the guy who gets cut when Conforto returns. Not many here have long-term value besides Cooper.
HITTERS – 12-TEAM ADDS
*Under 90% owned in NFBC 12-team leagues
Corner Infielders – Kevin Cron (RH/ARI), Kyle Seager (LH/SEA), Rowdy Tellez (LH/TOR), Brian Anderson (RH/MIA)
Middle Infielders – Derek Dietrich (LH/CIN), David Fletcher (RH/LAA)
Outfielders – Jackie Bradley Jr. (LH/BOS), Kevin Kiermaier (LH/TBR), Melky Cabrera (LH/PIT), Bryan Reynolds (SW/PIT)
