Well, I wanted Joey Votto on this team. Other than that, I entered this past weekend’s Tout Wars mixed-league proceedings with a simple plan to construct a balanced roster focused on playing time and avoiding potentially irrelevant statistical options — and that was about it. Tout Wars swaps batting average for on-base percentage and Votto, still the Cincinnati Reds first baseman because they cannot find a place to send his hefty contract, gets on base a lot. Like really a lot. I got Votto, and myriad others that get on base.
In LABR-NL bidding a few weeks ago, I tried to avoid spending more than $20 on any player. I liked how the team turned out, as the “stars and scrubs” system simply does not appeal to me any longer, but the assembled team may have been a bit too balanced. I had some money at the end, so I was willing to spend more than $20 in this auction for a player or two, and when the bidding on Toronto Blue Jays SS Bo Bichette stalled a bit early, I pounced. I spent $35 on my first player. I also went above $20 on a few others, but it was worth it.
Fantasy managers really should practice their draft approaches (be it salary cap or snake) before heading to the real thing, because, well, it may define your entire season. Your draft is the biggest day of the year! Be willing to alter your approach during play, but I still recommend having a plan and aiming to stick to it. This Tout Wars roster, much like my LABR one, should contend. It will need in-season tweaks, both with the bullpens ideally, and perhaps each ends up with yet another second-place finish — and maybe even better.
Behind the plate
Just because I avoid spending big bucks on catchers hardly means you must do the same. I just see too much risk, and I would prefer spending my funds on safer, more durable hitters who are more likely to accumulate plate appearances. Since this is an OBP format, I actually targeted new Miami Marlins backstop Jacob Stallings a bit — after at least a dozen catchers went at considerable cost — and got him for a cheap $3. I had money to spend later on and went a few extra bucks on Colorado Rockies starter Elias Diaz for $8. When in doubt, go Rockies hitters.
Across the infield
I would not recommend what I did initially here, making my first two selections shortstops. Bichette went early, and a half-hour later, I went the extra buck on Tampa Bay Rays phenom Wander Franco. Now my middle-infield spot is set, but doing so precluded my bidding on other shortstops, even though Franco is a potential superstar. This was about the price and the upside. I like both. I may have really erred on the DJ LeMahieu bidding, though, as I nominated him at $11 and heard crickets. Perhaps I could have secured him for a few bucks less, but who knows. LeMahieu is a risk, but I like the eligibility at three infield spots — it will come in handy — and the likelihood that he bounces back to hit .300 with 15-plus home runs. He was clearly hurt last season.
Votto at $17 is a bargain and so is Baltimore Orioles slugger Trey Mancini at $10. I love the $23 Kris Bryant buy. He is in Colorado! Nothing can go wrong! Ty France for $3 at utility is a steal. I really did not target players, but when prices on established veterans stalled at good prices, especially those with multi-eligibility and OBP upside, I acted.
Around the outfield
This is a rather old, veteran team that I have assembled, which can be a bit risky for injury purposes, but otherwise seems safe for playing-time projections. Rookies look great until they struggle. Older J.D. Martinez will hit for power with the Boston Red Sox. Mitch Haniger will do the same, albeit with a lesser OBP, for the Seattle Mariners. Alex Verdugo is safe in Boston. Chris Taylor is going to play a lot for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Michael Brantley will hit for average (and get on base) for the Houston Astros. There’s not much upside in this 30-something outfield, but I know what I have, and if there is an occasional IL stint, Bryant can move to the outfield. By the way, in a mixed league, it is not tough to find available outfielders!
In the rotation
Well, look elsewhere if you’re expecting to find an ace here. There is depth and security and yeah, my infatuation with St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Adam Wainwright continues, but I like it. I am comfortable with veterans who may never lead the league in strikeouts, but have proven themselves, especially if they are Astros. I did not get rehabbing ace Justin Verlander, as he was out of the ol’ price range (I aimed at $12 or less for six or seven starters) but feel good about Luis Garcia, Framber Valdez and Jose Urquidy for a combined $25.
The Reds’ Tyler Mahle misses bats. The Mariners’ Logan Gilbert does, too, and my reserve list (it was a six-round draft) has innings. Wainwright was fantastic last season and I guess I just refuse to believe it was a fluke, or that he could thrive at age 39 but will suddenly fall apart at 40. I do not buy that.
Out in the bullpen
As with my LABR team, there is a strong likelihood that this is not my final bullpen. I think Mark Melancon is the Arizona Diamondbacks closer, and $7 is fair for 25-plus saves, even though he is not a big strikeout option. I felt no desire to secure Ian Kennedy in case he gets the Arizona saves instead. I did go the Robert Suarez route again, as I did in LABR. Suarez, 31, signed with the San Diego Padres for one year, plus an option, after dominating in Japan for the past two seasons. He has big-league velocity and perhaps an opportunity to close for the Padres.
I wanted Milwaukee Brewers setup man Devin Williams in LABR but could not afford him. Here, I could. When in doubt, go with skills over opportunity. Josh Hader is great, but Williams is valuable — with a chance to strike out 100 batters (certainly possible) to go along with strong peripherals — even if he falls short of double-digit saves. What if Hader gets hurt or traded? Hmmm.
Rounding out the bench
In this post-auction, six-round snake draft, I focused on upside, which is how Rays 2B Vidal Brujan (OBP monster!) and Cardinals 2B/3B Nolan Gorman (power) ended up here. I think both are going to play in the majors and succeed. I have no idea what to expect with Washington Nationals SP Stephen Strasburg, but how could I not take the risk at this stage? I assume he will pitch at some point and pitch well. Is it 20 starts? Is it five? It’s worth the risk either way.
Arizona’s Dan Straily probably eats innings. Cincinnati rookie Hunter Greene probably does not but, as with Strasburg, there is strikeout upside if he does pitch. As for my final pick of Miami RHP Sixto Sanchez, full disclosure: a storm knocked out my power just before I picked, and this was the autopick. I have little faith in Sanchez and his troublesome right shoulder contributing this season, but hey, I can always move on once the season starts, and if he does pitch well, what a story I have!
Eric’s 2022 Tout Wars mixed-league roster
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Catchers: Elias Diaz ($8), Jacob Stallings ($3)
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Infield: Joey Votto ($17), DJ LeMahieu ($11), Bo Bichette ($35), Kris Bryant ($23), Trey Mancini ($10), Wander Franco ($22), Ty France ($3)
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Outfield: J.D. Martinez ($22), Mitch Haniger ($15), Chris Taylor ($10), Alex Verdugo ($9), Michael Brantley ($8)
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Pitchers: Tyler Mahle ($10), Framber Valdez ($9), Luis Garcia ($9), Logan Gilbert ($8), Adam Wainwright ($8), Jose Urquidy ($7), Mark Melancon ($7), Devin Williams ($4), Robert Suarez ($6)
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Reserve: Stephen Strasburg, Vidal Brujan, Nolan Gorman, Hunter Greene, Dan Straily, Sixto Sanchez
Note: To see all Tout Wars mixed-league rosters, head here.