AL FAAB ideas

[Billy Rohr]

11 Team AL only 5x5 w/ 6 man reserve. Team is bat heavy, arms are predictably thin:
SP - Shields, Smoltz, Dave Purcey, Scott Lewis, Rich Hill
RP - Dan Wheeler, Chad Cordero, Dotel & Matt Thornton

After 15 yrs in NL only leagues w/ 1st-come-1st-served free agent access, now I'm in dealing w/ AL guys and I'm a FAAB virgin. First FAAB run is tomorrow @ midnite. Budget is $100. Looking for guidance about who to FAAB and how much.

Available SP -
Anthony Reyes-CLE,
Scott Richmond & Dustin McGowan-TOR,
Brad Penny-BOS,
M. Harrison & Kris Benson (shudder)-TEX
Dustin Mosely & Shane Loux - LAA,
J. Washburn, C. Silva & R.Rowland-Smith- SEA,
Glen Perkins-MIN,
Zach Miner-DET,
Josh Outman-OAK
Ponson & Ramirez-KC (double shudder).

Available RP - Scott Downs-TOR, Santiago Casiila-OAK, CJWilson-TX, Saito-BOS, Betancourt-CLE, Farnsworth-KC, Sean Gallagher-OAK (starter upside later?)

I figure I need arms and wanna stash 3-4 on the reserve. Initial targets were Penny, Reyes, Richmond & Downs, maybe Casilla since I don't thin Ziegler can possibly repeat last years #s.

Thoughts? Looking for any opinions re: am I missing anyone significantly better AND what might be a reasonable bid (if such a thing exists).

PS - Josh Anderson-DET, DeWayne Wise-CHI, W. Balentin-SEA & G.Matthews-LAA look like the best bats. Since I own Alexi Ramirez do I need to get Liilibridge?

Thanks for your input.

[da_big_kid_94]

11 Team AL only 5x5 w/ 6 man reserve. Team is bat heavy, arms are predictably thin:
SP - Shields, Smoltz, Dave Purcey, Scott Lewis, Rich Hill
RP - Dan Wheeler, Chad Cordero, Dotel & Matt Thornton

After 15 yrs in NL only leagues w/ 1st-come-1st-served free agent access, now I'm in dealing w/ AL guys and I'm a FAAB virgin. First FAAB run is tomorrow @ midnite. Budget is $100. Looking for guidance about who to FAAB and how much.

Available SP -
Anthony Reyes- No - he's been a train wreck except for the World Series
Scott Richmond & Dustin McGowan-Neither- Richmond ia AA material;Mc G may be done for they year
Brad Penny-BOS, - I'd throw 5 bucks his way
M. Harrison & Kris Benson (shudder)-TEX - Harrison was the former hotshot in the Brave organization, but he still hits too many bats.
Dustin Mosely & Shane Loux - LAA, - Neither
J. Washburn, C. Silva & R.Rowland-Smith- SEA, I'd consider Rowand-Smith - I'd lose the numbers of the other two
Glen Perkins-MIN, - I'd go 5 units on him
Zach Miner-DET, - Pass
Josh Outman-OAK _ I like him if you can stash him - he probably won't be up long - I'd go 2 units
Ponson & Ramirez-KC (double shudder).

Available RP - Scott Downs-TOR, Santiago Casiila-OAK, CJWilson-TX, Saito-BOS, Betancourt-CLE, Farnsworth-KC, Sean Gallagher-OAK (starter upside later?) The only one here worth a flier on is Downs.

I figure I need arms and wanna stash 3-4 on the reserve. Initial targets were Penny, Reyes, Richmond & Downs, maybe Casilla since I don't thin Ziegler can possibly repeat last years #s. - He may not, but there's no promise it'll be Casilla if that happens.

Thoughts? Looking for any opinions re: am I missing anyone significantly better AND what might be a reasonable bid (if such a thing exists).

PS - Josh Anderson-DET, DeWayne Wise-CHI, W. Balentin-SEA & G.Matthews-LAA look like the best bats. Since I own Alexi Ramirez do I need to get Liilibridge? Anderson will be behind Granderson - not a good situation for him. Wise and Brian Anderson will probably split time until one gets hot - and remember Jerry Owens is sill at AAA. I would see if Brian Buscher is available rather than anyone here.

Thanks for your input.

Good luck to you.

[Billy Rohr]

Thanks for the Buscher idea - he is still available.

[CubFan]

Most of my thoughts are very similar to da big kid. I'll use the same format.

Anthony Reyes-CLE, $1 and stash him on your bench
Scott Richmond & Dustin McGowan-TOR, if this is a keeper league I'd throw $1 at McGowan for 2010 otherwise forget them
Brad Penny-BOS, $3-$5
M. Harrison & Kris Benson (shudder)-TEX see Scott Richmond
Dustin Mosely & Shane Loux - LAA, nothing here people move along
J. Washburn, C. Silva & R.Rowland-Smith- SEA, Smith is worth $2 flyer
Glen Perkins-MIN, $2 flyer
Zach Miner-DET, nope
Josh Outman-OAK double nope
Ponson & Ramirez-KC (double shudder). Moore and Hillman should be shot

Available RP - Scott Downs-TOR, Santiago Casiila-OAK, CJWilson-TX, Saito-BOS, Betancourt-CLE, Farnsworth-KC, Sean Gallagher-OAK (starter upside later?) Downs is gonna cost you high single digits until we see how bad/good Ryan looks then adjust Downs value accordingly, Cassilla is worth $3 as insurance since his name has been floated around,: also see if Blevins is available as he misses more bats

I figure I need arms and wanna stash 3-4 on the reserve. Initial targets were Penny, Reyes, Richmond & Downs, maybe Casilla since I don't thin Ziegler can possibly repeat last years #s.

Thoughts? Looking for any opinions re: am I missing anyone significantly better AND what might be a reasonable bid (if such a thing exists).

PS - Josh Anderson-DET, DeWayne Wise-CHI, W. Balentin-SEA & G.Matthews-LAA look like the best bats. Since I own Alexi Ramirez do I need to get Liilibridge? Detroit has said they will play Anderson at all 3 OF spots so to me he's worth $5 if you need SBs, Wise has some pop/speed at the expense of BA but is worth $3-$5.

I'm not a Hill believer (he has a history of control problems. If he can solve that, big maybe, he'd be worth keeping. Then again he is in Baltimore). So I'd drop Hill and pick up one of the other pitchers noted. If you have a DL place Cordero there and pick up another pitcher. The other thing to keep in mind as that early in the season don't be afraid to throw some big FAAB at a player if he is going to start and have a significant role as you'll get most of the year's worth of stats. So if Weiters and/or Price come up ala Longoria throw some big time dollars at them.

[CubFan]

Almost forgot, Buscher is good Crede insurance. Chronic back problems = reduced pt. If you need SBs see if Endy Chavez is available. He's gonna play LF more often than Jr. and will lead off while Ichiro is on the DL. He's got 6 SBs in ST so he still has some wheels.

[Billy Rohr]

Thanks CubFan. Chavez is available and you think he'll get the AB's over Balentien?

I understand the idea of throwing big $ early to get a guy for the full year. Unfortunately for me, the biggest of AL stud prospects who might come up are already on teams. I'm looking to load up on some flyers early and hope 1 or 2 hit, then start dealing.

[roche]

I understand the idea of throwing big $ early to get a guy for the full year

Every year, a few NL superstars come over at the deadline. If you blow your FAAB stash now, you'll never get a sniff at those studs later. Tex, Jason Bay, Xavier Nady all came over last year. You will need 90+ FAAB to get a shot at a guy like Tex. Two months of Tex-like production is worth 6 years of Brian Buscher.

It depends on the league but a lot of teams don't make moves until 2-3 weeks into the season. Most owners want to "scout" a couple of starts by iffy starters before claiming them with FAAB. Also, most owners want to see how their rosters perform before making changes. I think that you can get most of your picks now for 1-2 units. Remember that these free agents are the dregs of the league and were left unclaimed at your draft. No one wanted them at the draft and nothing has changed to make any of these guys more attractive.

Better to hoard your FAAB than waste them.

[Trav The Ump]

Better to hoard your FAAB than waste them.

I agree, none of these guys on the list will win or lose you the league. But we had a guy go $1 on Carlos Santana last year for no reason. (Didn't keep him this year) And than missed Tex and Bay for the full $100 when he would have got them had he not made that one foolish bid.

Just a thought...take a look at NL contract years and see if you think anything pique's your interest.

[Hambowen]

Two months of Tex-like production is worth 6 years of Brian Buscher.

Well said

[Billy Rohr]

Roche, Trav, Ham -
Thanks for the counterpoint. I do appreciate the difference between Tex & Buscher, but the Carlos Santana story drives your point home. I had not considered how $1 might have that much impact. I'd read about "hoarding vs. spend early", but I guess I figured hoarding meant keep $80-85, not $95-99. Interesting.

[Todd Zola]

For me, my team's plight dictates what I do.

If I have injuries and need to FAAB early, I realize I am now out of the running for the deadline deals, so instead I overspend early to make sure I get the best available help. If I am not getting the stud at the deadline, I am sure as shoot going to get the best available in the beginning.

The other thing is to have some leftover FAAB for September moves, as more teams are giving extended last month auditions to players that can help you down the stretch, and with fantasy football in full swing, competition for these guys is not as strong.

[CubFan]

For me, my team's plight dictates what I do.

If I have injuries and need to FAAB early, I realize I am now out of the running for the deadline deals, so instead I overspend early to make sure I get the best available help. If I am not getting the stud at the deadline, I am sure as shoot going to get the best available in the beginning.

The other thing is to have some leftover FAAB for September moves, as more teams are giving extended last month auditions to players that can help you down the stretch, and with fantasy football in full swing, competition for these guys is not as strong.

Exactly!! It also depends upon your league setup. We have a salary cap after the draft of $310 so there is no need to hoard all $100 in hopes of landing a stud coming over from the NL. And there is no guarantee you'll get that guy coming over unless you save all $100. I'm not smart enough to know who will or wont get injured so I use Todd's philosophy.

[Billy Rohr]

We have a salary cap after the draft of $310 so there is no need to hoard all $100 in hopes of landing a stud coming over from the NL.

Excellent point. This league has a $320 active roster cap. As best I can tell, biggest FAABs from last year were Junior @ $40, Adam Lind @ $48 (guys with even 1 MLB AB who get sent down can't be drafted for the farm team, so they get FAABed upon call-up - this will happen to Clay Bucholz this year), Bay @ $55 & Teix @ $63.

Looks like they don't "hoard" in the extreme, so I'm probably safe to bid on a few flyers w/o killing my shot at future big studs.

This place is awesome, thanks again all.

[HotCornerHero]

I understand the idea of throwing big $ early to get a guy for the full year

Every year, a few NL superstars come over at the deadline. If you blow your FAAB stash now, you'll never get a sniff at those studs later. Tex, Jason Bay, Xavier Nady all came over last year. You will need 90+ FAAB to get a shot at a guy like Tex. Two months of Tex-like production is worth 6 years of Brian Buscher.

It depends on the league but a lot of teams don't make moves until 2-3 weeks into the season. Most owners want to "scout" a couple of starts by iffy starters before claiming them with FAAB. Also, most owners want to see how their rosters perform before making changes. I think that you can get most of your picks now for 1-2 units. Remember that these free agents are the dregs of the league and were left unclaimed at your draft. No one wanted them at the draft and nothing has changed to make any of these guys more attractive.

Better to hoard your FAAB than waste them.

What happens if no "stud" comes over at the trade deadline?
Then you're left with a ton of FAAB money with minimal talent left in the pool.

Personally I think that grabbing marginal players early on, and having 4-5 months of their stats is a better investment then a speculative play of a month and a half.

But realistically this all comes down to personal preference, and what your team needs dictate.
Injuries, under performing players, etc will ultimately make the decision for you.