The Joy of FAABing
By John Coleman, statistical expert at the Shrink
Monday, May 8, 2000
I just love FAABing. Way back in the 80’s, if you remember, free agents were first-come, first-serve. This caused an unbelievable panic at the trading deadline. (June 15th in those days) Of course, free roster substitution was not allowed, causing owners to sit on demoted or injured players, preserving the "open spot" as they waited for a hot prospect to be promoted.
If your team was too healthy, you could salivate over an Alvin Davis for almost a month, (as I did in 1984) before watching someone else’s first baseman go down before yours did.
FAAB (Free Agent Acquisition Budget, as I’m sure you know) changed all that, and makes the in-season game much more active and rewarding. Controlling the damage caused by poor pitching is the best part, and the overall value of pitchers is raised by the option to remove at will. The deeper your league, the more fun FAAB can be.
I’m a "feel" bidder; I never use any formulas or projections to arrive at a figure. I believe in making as many claims over the course of a season as I can. The earlier you FAAB, the less you pay, I always say. The $0 minimum bid used in Toutwars fits my style perfectly.
The best thing about Toutwars is watching the pros make stupid moves. I’m going to review my moves so far this season, and offer an occasional defense of them. I like to think that I make the best stupid moves, so see if you agree:
April 8th
I spent this week on the learning curve. I couldn’t figure out the internet roster-move system, although I managed to make a rather panicked bid of $3 on John Frascatore. I have since come to my senses and waived him. A waste.
April 15th
I really made up for lost time this week, spending money on 8 free agents. After a bit of study, I became adept enough at the system to bid $11 on Scott Schoeneweis. This young man has had his share of misfortunes, including cancer, but he’s pitching like an old pro right now. After that shutout, I felt like making a good-sized bid, but I did not actually expect to get him for $11. He’s earned that and more so far, and it’s safe to say that he hasn’t been a free agent anywhere for a while.
I made another aggressive bid on Wiki Gonzales ($8). It’s high, but since I owned Carlos Hernandez, I needed this man more than anyone else could have. Carlos may yet be moved, and Wiki has hit.
Jason Bere cost me $6, but he’s pretty questionable. I was right up against the deadline again, and was throwing caution to the winds. It’s funny how a great start makes you bid like crazy for an old retread. I’d feel a lot better about this fellow if I’d paid $1!
Now here was a mistake: Andrew Lorraine for $6. I wrote down $0, and was working right up to the deadline. I misread my chicken-scratch, and hastily wasted some FAAB. Most folks wouldn’t even have taken him for $0, I know, but I thought I’d give him a chance after he struck out 10 that day. Don’t try this at home. Oh, I waived him last week.
Danny Klassen seems like a funny pick for $2, but he played a few games for Matt Williams, and I have a strange dislike for Tony Womack. I just like this kid, and I want him around on reserve.
Chris Stynes is a nice spare part to have around, and he’s fast. He’s been an effective pinch-hitter so far, though I would appreciate a start now and then. $2 again. I have a lot of holes to fill.
Geoffrey Blum ($1) has a little bit of pop. If he played, he could help a team. I later waived him, because he’s not going to play. Oh, well.
Finally, I took Danny Bautista for $0. He had been getting a couple of odd starts in Florida, and I wanted to see if I could snatch a couple of RBIs for a week or two. That didn’t happen, and I waived him two weeks later.
April 22nd
I calmed down a bit this week, adding Jason Dickson for $6. He’s got a defense behind him and an offense in front of him, and goodness knows he’s had enough rest lately. Hopefully, he’ll earn some money when he gets off of the DL.
April 29th
Made a nice pickup with Midre Cummings for $3. He might finally find some playing time in Minnesota. He’s a perfect choice to retard the development of a youngster. Remember that Tom Kelly likes the scrubs to get plenty of time, just to keep everyone humble. Minnesota always has the best scrubs.
Mark Lewis was an easy $0. He was all that was left after Cummings! Truly slim pickings this week in the American league.
Placido Polanco had been pounding the ball, so I picked him up for $4. He promptly stopped pounding, but his power might actually be for real. When Tatis tore his groin, I thought I might really have lucked into something, but I guess I’ll have to wait for Paquette to tear a groin, too.
Heathcliff Slocumb is almost old enough to really appeal to Tony LaRussa. The pressure is completely off Heath now, and he’s pitching rather well. I bid $3 on him, but please don’t tell him. He’ll get nervous.
In desperation, I tabbed James Mouton for $0. (To replace Bautista) I had tried for two other outfielders, but was outbid. The NL bidding system allows for alternates, and I make extensive use of this feature.
May 6th
The missing outfielder continues to taunt me. I take Rob Ducey for $0. Now I really like making $0 bids, but I’d like it even better if the Phillies would trade Ron Gant so I could activate Pat Burrell and forget about the pinch-hitters.
Jolbert Cabrera is a nice ballplayer. I got him for $3. He built himself up over the winter and could impress while substituting for Lofton. He’s outstandingly versatile, but is only a backup.
Shane Halter is another true $0 pickup. If Garner takes a liking to him, he could collect a hundred at bats or so. I surely hope that I don’t have him long enough to find out.
Matt Mieske is my secret pick $0 for next week. Don’t anybody bid on him.
Happy bidding, folks.
