For the first time this season, I landed my top bid (though not the highest bid player) in my NFBC Main Event. Though I'm still reeling from two major blows (losing Madison Bumgarner to injury, not getting a competitive bid on Cody Bellinger), my feel for the FAAB process in my respective leagues has improved. At least, that's my line and I'm sticking to it.
Without further ado, here are my results for the week:
NFBC MAIN EVENT (15-tm mixed, no trading, no DL, $1,000 budget, no $0 bids):
| Waiver Draft on 05/07 | |||
| Team | Player | Bid | Runner-Up |
| Is It Football Season Yet? | Marwin Gonzalez (1B) | 150 | 79 |
| BaBaBaBANDY AND THE JETT | Tommy Pham (CF) | 101 | 65 |
| Stewie's Team 2 | Joe Biagini (MR) | 74 | |
| Ray Of Light | Kennys Vargas (1B) | 47 | 11 |
| Team Erickson | Luis Perdomo (MR) | 43 | 22 |
| Stewie's Team 2 | Robbie Grossman (LF) | 38 | 1 |
| Man In Black | Tommy Kahnle (MR) | 38 | 13 |
| Man In Black | Cory Spangenberg (2B) | 37 | 19 |
| Ray Of Light | Jacob Turner (SP) | 31 | 17 |
| Cali Cartel | Andrew Cashner (SP) | 29 | |
| Team Robinson | Yovani Gallardo (SP) | 26 | |
| Bronx Yankees (ME2) | Tyson Ross (SP) | 25 | 2 |
| Team Robinson | Matt Garza (SP) | 21 | 1 |
| Cali Cartel | Gerardo Parra (LF) | 19 | 1 |
| Slappy and Pentaw | Junior Guerra (SP) | 15 | |
| Ray Of Light | Seth Smith (LF) | 13 | 4 |
| Cheaper cigs | Jason Hammel (SP) | 13 | 9 |
| Cali Cartel | Ben Revere (CF) | 9 | |
| Cali Cartel | Mike Montgomery (MR) | 9 | |
| Cheaper cigs | C.J. Cron (1B) | 9 | |
| Team Erickson | Enny Romero (MR) | 7 | |
| Cali Cartel | Nick Martinez (SP) | 5 | 1 |
| Slappy and Pentaw | Matt Duffy (3B) | 5 | |
| Ray Of Light | Rene Rivera (C) | 3 | |
| Team Withrow | Miguel Montero (C) | 3 | |
| Hungry Hippos | Matt Albers (MR) | 1 | |
| Hungry Hippos | Josh Tomlin (SP) | 1 | |
| Hungry Hippos | Kike Hernandez (LF) | 1 | |
| Hungry Hippos | T.J. Rivera (3B) | 1 | |
| Hungry Hippos | Martin Perez (SP) | 1 | |
Perdomo was my first choice this week - I'm hurting for K's and wins, and while Perdomo is unlikely to help me too much there, I've always liked his skills. Initially he was scheduled to get two starts this week, but Sunday's "spotting-a-unicorn" rainout in San Diego changed that, so he'll not get that second start in Chicago against the White Sox. Instead his two-step will be the following week, with both at home.
My drops: Edinson Volquez, Tyler Saladino.
NFBC Online - "Beat Jeff Erickson" (12tm Mixed, $1,000 budget, no trades, no $0 bids):
| Waiver Draft on 05/07 | |||
| Team | Player | Bid | Runner-Up |
| Collins & Fitz Forever | Brad Brach (MR) | 173 | 170 |
| Collins & Fitz Forever | Devin Mesoraco (C) | 77 | 23 |
| Billyhaze | Kevin Kiermaier (CF) | 73 | 58 |
| 3Point1416=Pie | Aaron Hicks (CF) | 69 | 37 |
| The Road Warriors | Marwin Gonzalez (1B) | 48 | |
| Troynado | Patrick Corbin (SP) | 34 | 11 |
| 3Point1416=Pie | Darren O'Day (MR) | 29 | |
| Billyhaze | Justin Wilson (MR) | 29 | |
| Keepin it on the DL | A.J. Griffin (SP) | 28 | 7 |
| Billyhaze | J.C. Ramirez (MR) | 27 | |
| The Road Warriors | Matt Albers (MR) | 23 | |
| Space Cowboy | Derek Holland (SP) | 21 | 13 |
| Troynado | Dansby Swanson (SS) | 18 | |
| The Dirty Pearls | Jeremy Hellickson (SP) | 14 | |
| Collins & Fitz Forever | Justin Bour (1B) | 7 | |
| 3Point1416=Pie | Wily Peralta (SP) | 6 | |
| Collins & Fitz Forever | Chase Anderson (SP) | 5 | 2 |
| MustSeeTV314{OLJE} | Chris Tillman (SP) | 4 | 2 |
| This American Carnage | Ariel Miranda (MR) | 3 | 2 |
| The Road Warriors | Antonio Senzatela (SP) | 2 | |
| The Road Warriors | Mike Montgomery (MR) | 2 | |
| Stricks SlumpBusters OLC 03/22 | Yan Gomes (C) | 2 | |
| Space Cowboy | Justin Smoak (1B) | 1 | |
| The Road Warriors | Jesse Hahn (SP) | 1 | |
Not too many things have gone right for this team - before waivers on Sunday, I had eight guys on the DL and one sent to the minors. We have a seven-man bench with no DL slots.
One of those players on the DL is Zach Britton, who is returning back to the DL after a short return and subsequent relapse. He's going to seek a second opinion on his strained forearm, which can't be good. Luckily, Brach's previous owner dropped him after Britton returned, and equally luckily I was able to optimize my bid, winning by a scant $3. Mesoraco is back and replaces Travis d'Arnaud, who is on yet another DL stint. I predict more revolving door movement here. Justin Bour fills an otherwise vacant UT slot, and Anderson was picked up for next week, not this week. He faces the Red Sox at home this week, but then has a two-step the following week.
My drops in this league: Joe Ross, Edinson Volquez, d'Arnaud, and Joe Panik.
NFBC Online 2:
| Waiver Draft on 05/07 | |||
| Team | Player | Bid | Runner-Up |
| Dem Brooklyn Bums | Derek Holland (SP) | 81 | 6 |
| Big Fat Globs | Fernando Rodney (MR) | 65 | 52 |
| Last Shot 11 | Yonder Alonso (1B) | 57 | 5 |
| Dumpster Fire OC3 | Aaron Altherr (RF) | 55 | 2 |
| Dumpster Fire OC3 | Jose Reyes (SS) | 55 | |
| Lone Star | Aaron Hicks (CF) | 32 | 2 |
| Dem Brooklyn Bums | Zack Cozart (SS) | 31 | 2 |
| Team Brody | Delino DeShields (CF) | 21 | 6 |
| Cheez Its | Matt Albers (MR) | 17 | |
| Last Shot 11 | Ryan Schimpf (3B) | 17 | |
| The Beers | Didi Gregorius (SS) | 11 | 1 |
| Big Fat Globs | J.C. Ramirez (MR) | 6 | 3 |
| FitzCollins17 | Jesse Hahn (SP) | 5 | |
| Team Brody | Ricky Nolasco (SP) | 5 | |
| Big Fat Globs | Nate Karns (SP) | 1 | |
| Big Fat Globs | Logan Morrison (1B) | 1 | |
| The Krukster | Marwin Gonzalez (1B) | 1 | |
| Last Shot 11 | Jordan Montgomery (SP) | 1 | |
| Team Brody | Jed Lowrie (2B) | 1 | |
I actually preferred Hahn over Holland, who was the big bid for the week. I'm ashamed that I didn't see Alonso still available on the waiver wire.
LABR Mixed League: (15tm mixed, $100 budget, unlimited DL, no $0 bids)
Mon May 08 12:09 AM ET: Justin Wilson awarded to Fangraphs - Sleeper & Bust for $13.
Mon May 08 12:09 AM ET: Failed bids for Justin Wilson: $2, $1, $4, $3, $8, $8, $4, $3.
Mon May 08 12:09 AM ET: Marwin Gonzalez awarded to Fantasy Alarm for $7.
Mon May 08 12:09 AM ET: Failed bids for Marwin Gonzalez: $4, $4, $3, $3, $3, $1.
Mon May 08 12:09 AM ET: Ariel Miranda awarded to Razzball (Rudy Gamble) for $5.
Mon May 08 12:09 AM ET: Failed bids for Ariel Miranda: $2, $2, $2, $2, $1, $3, $3, $1, $1.
Mon May 08 12:09 AM ET: Zack Cozart awarded to RotoExperts/ FNTSY for $5.
Mon May 08 12:09 AM ET: Failed bids for Zack Cozart: $1, $1, $2.
Mon May 08 12:09 AM ET: A.J. Griffin awarded to Baseball Prospectus for $3.
Mon May 08 12:09 AM ET: Failed bids for A.J. Griffin: $1, $1, $1.
Mon May 08 12:09 AM ET: Sandy Leon awarded to Baseball HQ for $3.
Mon May 08 12:09 AM ET: Failed bids for Sandy Leon: $1, $1.
Mon May 08 12:09 AM ET: Jose Berrios awarded to Fangraphs - Sleeper & Bust for $3.
Mon May 08 12:09 AM ET: Mike Montgomery awarded to Scout Fantasy for $3.
Mon May 08 12:09 AM ET: Matt Cain awarded to Mastersball for $2.
Mon May 08 12:09 AM ET: Luis Perdomo awarded to Mastersball for $2.
Mon May 08 12:09 AM ET: Colby Rasmus awarded to Fangraphs for $2.
Mon May 08 12:09 AM ET: Tyler Anderson awarded to @TheFantasyFix for $2.
Mon May 08 12:09 AM ET: Yan Gomes awarded to Baseball HQ for $2.
Mon May 08 12:09 AM ET: Failed bids for Yan Gomes: $1.
Mon May 08 12:09 AM ET: Guillermo Heredia awarded to Baseball HQ for $2.
Mon May 08 12:09 AM ET: Justin Smoak awarded to Rotowire for $2.
Mon May 08 12:09 AM ET: Miguel Gonzalez awarded to Yahoo Sports for $1.
Mon May 08 12:09 AM ET: Failed bids for Miguel Gonzalez: $1, $1.
Mon May 08 12:09 AM ET: Dustin Garneau awarded to Baseball Prospectus for $1.
Mon May 08 12:09 AM ET: Brad Peacock awarded to USA TODAY Sports for $1.
Mon May 08 12:09 AM ET: Joe Biagini awarded to Scout Fantasy for $1.
Mon May 08 12:09 AM ET: Failed bids for Joe Biagini: $1, $1.
Justin Wilson was the big prize this week after yet another implosion by K-Rod on Sunday. I'm a little hamstrung in terms of FAAB budget thanks to disastrously winning Blake Treinen at the start of the season. Chalk that up as another lesson re-learned. Smoak has seven home games this week and has been hitting reasonably well of late.
TOUT WARS (AL only, 12 teams, unlimited DL spots, $1,000 FAAB for most teams):
Rob Leibowitz: rel SWright Bos, pur ACashner Tex 164
Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton: dis JPhegley Oak, pur CRuiz Sea 26
Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton: res LGregerson Hou, pur NMartinez Tex 21
Patrick Davitt: res BShaw Cle, pur JHolder NYY 2
Jeff Erickson: rel MLatos Tor, pur JStaumont KC 3
Chris Liss: res IKennedy KC, pur NVincent Sea 2
Chris Liss: dis AJackson Cle, pur BZimmer Cle 21
Seth Trachtman: dis MHernandez Bos, pur DRobertson TB 21
Seth Trachtman: res DCovey CWS, pur YPetit LAA 0
Nando DiFino: rel RDull Oak, pur ZMcAllister Cle 4
Nando DiFino: rel JGrilli Tor, pur LHendriks Oak 18
Jason Collette: rel RWeeks TB, pur BMaxwell Oak 13
Rick Wolf/Glenn Colton: res DVogelbach Sea, pur RGoins Tor 0
Mike Podhorzer: res MZunino Sea, pur JSucre TB 1
It's tough to find difference-makers in a mono-league, so one thing we're allowed to do is bid on minor leaguers before they get the call, only you have to keep them active for one week before reserving them. But ... it's a mono-league, so the cost is pretty low. Consider my team (or really, don't!) - I dropped Mat Latos for crying out loud.
RotoWire Staff Keeper League (18tm mixed, 7-man res, no DL, $100 budget no $0 bids):
| Shoe and Liss' Dynasty: Pick up Matt Albers ($1), drop Jered Weaver |
| McLovin's Spoonful: Pick up Francisco Cervelli ($7), drop Tucker Barnhart (Rufe: $7) (Diamond Dogs: $3) |
| Frozen Ropes: Pick up Yovani Gallardo ($4), drop Danny Espinosa |
| Casale Industries: Pick up Matt Garza ($4), drop Whit Merrifield (Casale Industries: $5) |
| Casale Industries: Pick up A.J. Griffin ($9), drop Martin Perez (Shoe and Liss' Dynasty: $3) (High-A West Madison: $2) (Browns: $1) (Schin Kickers: $1) (Browns: $1) (Browns: $1) |
| Casale Industries: Pick up Jose Iglesias ($1), drop Erick Aybar |
| Wheeler in the Sky: Pick up Hyun Soo Kim ($3), drop Miguel Rojas |
| High-A West Madison: Pick up Chad Kuhl ($7), drop Will Harris (Rufe: $3) |
| Wheeler in the Sky: Pick up Jake McGee ($3), drop Sean Doolittle |
| Rufe: Pick up Steve Pearce ($11), drop Ezequiel Carrera (Erickson: $5) (Wakanda Panthers: $2) |
| Diamond Dogs: Pick up Tommy Pham ($14), drop Ryan Pressly (Frozen Ropes: $7) |
| Wakanda Panthers: Pick up Colby Rasmus ($2), drop Jaff Decker (Browns: $1) (Browns: $1) (Browns: $1) |
| Erickson: Pick up Joey Rickard ($1), drop Wilmer Difo |
| Frozen Ropes: Pick up T.J. Rivera ($2), drop Rickie Weeks Jr. (Rufe: $10) (Diamond Dogs: $2) (Frozen Ropes: $2) (Browns: $1) (Browns: $1) (Browns: $1) |
| Erickson: Pick up Enny Romero ($3), drop Trevor Plouffe |
| Browns: Pick up Magneuris Sierra ($2), drop Abraham Almonte (Browns: $2) (Frozen Ropes: $2) (Frozen Ropes: $2) (Shoe and Liss' Dynasty: $2) |
| Browns: Pick up Joakim Soria ($3), drop Ryan Rua (Schin Kickers: $2) |
| Browns: Pick up Jake Thompson ($2), drop Jefry Marte (Browns: $2) (Browns: $2) |
| Wheeler in the Sky: Pick up Jacob Turner ($5), drop Mike Fiers (McLovin's Spoonful: $5) (McLovin's Spoonful: $5) |
| McLovin's Spoonful: Pick up Jose Urena ($8), drop Howie Kendrick (McLovin's Spoonful: $8) |
| McLovin's Spoonful: Pick up Luis Valbuena ($11), drop Leonys Martin (Wakanda Panthers: $5) (Diamond Dogs: $3) (Browns: $1) (Browns: $1) (Browns: $1) |
| East Coast Bias: Pick up Chris Young ($4), drop Marco Hernandez (Diamond Dogs: $5) |
That's two leagues where I've landed Enny Romero on a speculative bid. I have no inside track that Romero will get the job, but among Romero, Matt Albers, Joe Blanton and Blake Treinen, I think that Romero is pitching the best right now. My goal is to land another cheap closer and trying to flip him, or more likely another one of my cheap closers. I need a starting pitcher upgrade, but those are so rarely available on the waiver wire in such a deep league.