Affordable Auctions

[Bronx Yankees]

That was a lot of fun. A lot of fun. I now understand the appeal of auctions. I know I made a bunch of beginner mistakes, and spent my money too quickly, but it was a great learning experience. I found it interesting that, with few exceptions, I wound up with a very different team and players than in my DC auctions. Rather than being hellbent on acquiring "my guys," I tried to react to the auction and bid aggressively where I thought bargains could be had. Individually, I liked most of my buys; collectively, not so much. I rarely use high draft picks on top tier closers, and so I did not expect to win any at a high price. I made perhaps a fatal mistake, however, in grossly underestimating what the middle tier and lower tier closers would cost (making some of the higher-priced ones seem like relative bargains in retrospect). Consequently, Mark Melancon sits alone in my bullpen heading into the 27-round snake draft. Still, I have a strong starting rotation, so perhaps not all is lost. The "end game" was fascinating, and I was dying for a few extra bucks to spend at times. Somehow I wound up with three shortstops, which definitely was not the plan going into the auction. While each was a fairly compelling value in my opinion (at the time), and they definitely will help in runs, SBs and hopefully BA, in retrospect I never should've bought a third when I had two on my roster, irrespective of cost. I'm not sure if everyone is like this, but I definitely tend to focus much more on my mistakes (and there were many last night) and things I should have done differently than any of my more positive moves. I also found the pace of the auction to be a bit of an adjustment after doing a bunch of DC leagues, and I imagine a live auction probably moves even faster.

Much thanks to Todd for a great job procuring the room and running things, and Dan for taking the lead in setting this up.

I'm exhausted. The auction took a little longer than I expected, which was no big deal, but it was very tough trying to go to sleep immediately afterwards - my head was racing!

Final thought: what a blast!

Mike

[Deadheadz]

Let's get some auction prices posted!

C Rosario, Wilin (COL) (C,U) $19
C Arencibia, J.P. (TEX) (C,U) $1
1B Craig, Allen (STL) (1B,CI,U,OF) $22
2B Wong, Kolten (STL) (2B,U) $1
SS Mercer, Jordy (PIT) (2B,SS,MI,U) $1
3B Cabrera, Miguel (DET) (3B,CI,U) $47
MI Bonifacio, Emilio (KC) (2B,MI,U,OF) $1
CI Alvarez, Pedro (PIT) (3B,CI,U) $19
U Ortiz, David (BOS) (U) $24
OF Ellsbury, Jacoby (NYY) (U,OF) $35
OF Marte, Starling (PIT) (U,OF) $26
OF Hamilton, Billy (CIN) (U,OF) $19
OF Eaton, Adam (CWS) (U,OF) $2
OF Moss, Brandon (OAK) (1B,CI,U,OF) $16
P Frieri, Ernesto (LAA) (RP) $11
P Parnell, Bobby (NYM) (RP) $5
P Masterson, Justin (CLE) (SP) $3
P Garcia, Jaime (STL) (SP) $2
P Ogando, Alexi (TEX) (SP) $2
P Colon, Bartolo (NYM) (SP) $1
P Santiago, Hector (LAA) (SP) $1
P Skaggs, Tyler (LAA) (SP) $1
P Thornburg, Tyler (BOS) (RP) $1

[76erfan]

One note. Use google chrome. Internet explorer gave me problems at first

[JohnP]

Let's get some auction prices posted!

From what I've learned we don't post DC teams because there is an overall prize involved but since this is not a league where teams are eligible for the overall prize, I can accommodate your request. My first instinct is to just give highlights of my good and bad picks but maybe it's just best to post my whole team and let the chips fall where they may:

C Rosario, Wilin (COL) (C,U) $19
C Arencibia, J.P. (TEX) (C,U) $1
1B Craig, Allen (STL) (1B,CI,U,OF) $22
2B Wong, Kolten (STL) (2B,U) $1 <<<-last pick of the draft
SS Mercer, Jordy (PIT) (2B,SS,MI,U) $1
3B Cabrera, Miguel (DET) (3B,CI,U) $47
MI Bonifacio, Emilio (KC) (2B,MI,U,OF) $1
CI Alvarez, Pedro (PIT) (3B,CI,U) $19
U Ortiz, David (BOS) (U) $24
OF Ellsbury, Jacoby (NYY) (U,OF) $35
OF Marte, Starling (PIT) (U,OF) $26
OF Hamilton, Billy (CIN) (U,OF) $19
OF Eaton, Adam (CWS) (U,OF) $2
OF Moss, Brandon (OAK) (1B,CI,U,OF) $16
P Frieri, Ernesto (LAA) (RP) $11
P Parnell, Bobby (NYM) (RP) $5
P Masterson, Justin (CLE) (SP) $3
P Garcia, Jaime (STL) (SP) $2
P Ogando, Alexi (TEX) (SP) $2
P Colon, Bartolo (NYM) (SP) $1
P Santiago, Hector (LAA) (SP) $1
P Skaggs, Tyler (LAA) (SP) $1
P Thornburg, Tyler (BOS) (RP) $1

You should change your moniker to deadteamz.

[Bronx Yankees]

Let's get some auction prices posted!

From what I've learned we don't post DC teams because there is an overall prize involved but since this is not a league where teams are eligible for the overall prize, I can accommodate your request. My first instinct is to just give highlights of my good and bad picks but maybe it's just best to post my whole team and let the chips fall where they may:

C Rosario, Wilin (COL) (C,U) $19
C Arencibia, J.P. (TEX) (C,U) $1
1B Craig, Allen (STL) (1B,CI,U,OF) $22
2B Wong, Kolten (STL) (2B,U) $1 <<<-last pick of the draft
SS Mercer, Jordy (PIT) (2B,SS,MI,U) $1
3B Cabrera, Miguel (DET) (3B,CI,U) $47
MI Bonifacio, Emilio (KC) (2B,MI,U,OF) $1
CI Alvarez, Pedro (PIT) (3B,CI,U) $19
U Ortiz, David (BOS) (U) $24
OF Ellsbury, Jacoby (NYY) (U,OF) $35
OF Marte, Starling (PIT) (U,OF) $26
OF Hamilton, Billy (CIN) (U,OF) $19
OF Eaton, Adam (CWS) (U,OF) $2
OF Moss, Brandon (OAK) (1B,CI,U,OF) $16
P Frieri, Ernesto (LAA) (RP) $11
P Parnell, Bobby (NYM) (RP) $5
P Masterson, Justin (CLE) (SP) $3
P Garcia, Jaime (STL) (SP) $2
P Ogando, Alexi (TEX) (SP) $2
P Colon, Bartolo (NYM) (SP) $1
P Santiago, Hector (LAA) (SP) $1
P Skaggs, Tyler (LAA) (SP) $1
P Thornburg, Tyler (BOS) (RP) $1

Chris, I'm curious as to what you thought were your good and bad picks. I thought many of your better picks were the lower-priced ones (Eaton $2, Parnell $5, Masterson $3, Santiago $1), and a few of the questionable ones were higher-priced (Marte $26, Moss $16; not that I dislike the players, just those prices). Then again, last night was my first auction, so I can be way off-base with all of my thoughts. It will be interesting how your low-priced pitching staff fares. Still lots of rounds to bolster. I think (actually, know) that I spent too much on pitching relative to hitting.

Mike

[76erfan]

I went opposite of that. I spent over 100 on pitching with 21 spread across three closers and a very good top four I think of max, zimmermann, tanaka and cain(aj burnett and miguel a gonzalez too)

[DOUGHBOYS]

Cheap pitching for me
Wacha-20
Moore- 11
Smyly- 11
Lester- 8
Lincecum- 7
Kuroda- 6
Lackey- 5
Car Martinez- 2
Brothers- 4

Like Mike, I got shut out of Closers....
Rookie mistakes.
If anything, I'm kicking myself for even paying this much for pitching, there was a lot to be had, cheaper, at the end of the draft

[Bronx Yankees]

I went opposite of that. I spent over 100 on pitching with 21 spread across three closers and a very good top four I think of max, zimmermann, tanaka and cain(aj burnett and miguel a gonzalez too)

I spent $92 on pitching, but bit too early on SPs. My starters are strong, but in retrospect I should have held off one of the higher-priced ones and grabbed two mid-tier closers. A definite learning experience for me.

Mike

[Rog]

I loved it and completely understand the attraction of it all. I also tried to attack a certain number of my favorite players.
Dont think I got any of them.Thanks again Todd/Dan and Stats for helping to make this happen.
Adam jones $31
Cano $27
Hosmer $22
Kimbrel $22
Rosenthal $21
Holland $18
bogarts $15
cruz $12
simmons $10
b miller $ 9
y gomes $9
cingranni $8
corbin $8
bucholz $7
hudson $5
j parker $4
cj wilson $3
fowler $7
navarro $6
calhoun $6
reddick $5
lake $3
moreland $2

I am ok with how it all plays out/ really enjoyed it /looking forward to actually learning it.
CANT WAIT for the next one I do.

[Bronx Yankees]

Cheap pitching for me
Wacha-20
Moore- 11
Smyly- 11
Lester- 8
Lincecum- 7
Kuroda- 6
Lackey- 5
Car Martinez- 2
Brothers- 4

Like Mike, I got shut out of Closers....
Rookie mistakes.
If anything, I'm kicking myself for even paying this much for pitching, there was a lot to be had, cheaper, at the end of the draft

I knew you were getting Wacha. I thought some of your pitchers were really good buys, particularly Kuroda and Lester. There was more good starting pitching than I had expected at the end.

Mike

[76erfan]

Salty 4
Ellis 1
Freeman 27
Kendrick 12
Castro 11
Beltre 28
W.myers 21
Cespedes 18
Jennings 15
Revere 6
Ethier 1
Laroche 4
A.escobar 3
Howard 3

[Deadheadz]

You should change your moniker to deadteamz.

Haters gonna hate!

[Yah Mule]

I had a blast. This was my first auction in 26 years, It sure won't be my last. I blew past my estimated pitching budget by almost 50%. Once I went over - my four most expensive arms cost $79 and I wanted to spend $80 total - I just said screw it and kept bidding. As a result, my staff looks really strong and my offense looks like I spent $38 less than originally intended. I had to fill my final five hitting slots with $6. This is probably not a recommended strategy, but I did like the bang I got for those few bucks. My hitting might still be competitive if Springer and Taveras find their way to regular AB's sooner rather than later.

C Castro, Jason (HOU) (C,U) $9
C Jaso, John (OAK) (C,U) $1
1B Encarnacion, E. (TOR) (1B,CI,U) $27
2B Guerrero, A. (LAD) (2B,U) $3
SS Segura, Jean (MIL) (SS,MI,U) $23
3B Donaldson, Josh (OAK) (3B,CI,U) $18
MI Villar, Jonathan (HOU) (SS,MI,U) $11
CI Dominguez, Matt (HOU) (3B,CI,U) $1
U Middlebrooks, W. (BOS) (3B,CI,U) $1
OF Puig, Yasiel (LAD) (U,OF) $26
OF Springer, George (HOU) (U,OF) $14
OF Arcia, Oswaldo (MIN) (U,OF) $2
OF Cabrera, Melky (TOR) (U,OF) $1
OF Taveras, Oscar (STL) (U,OF) $1
P Strasburg, S. (WSH) (SP) $25
P Wainwright, Adam (STL) (SP) $25
P Cobb, Alex (TB) (SP) $15
P Salazar, Danny (CLE) (SP) $14
P Ryu, Hyun-Jin (LAD) (SP) $13
P Janssen, Casey (TOR) (RP) $11
P Street, Huston (SD) (RP) $11
P Kazmir, Scott (OAK) (SP) $4
P Wood, Alex (ATL) (SP) $4

[ALL-IN JD]

Totally agree with you John on Deadheadz team. Deadheadz=Dead money!!

There are no bonus points for getting 200 steals and that is a brutal pitching staff

[ALL-IN JD]

Dan,

Sneak a closer in there in place of Lincecum and I would love that staff for the price that you spent.

[ALL-IN JD]

Andy,

Love your starting staff but yourt offense was going to have to pay the price somewhere. I think you will be very well off in homers and RBI but you will be in the bottom of BA and struggle with runs and sb's.

[76erfan]

U don't think revere and jennings will keep me competitive in steals? I agree on ba

[ALL-IN JD]

Rog,

$61 was tremendous overkill for closers, in my opinion. That being said, for a first timer, you did okay with your starters and you did really well with our end game. Good luck this season!

[ALL-IN JD]

I think both guys are going to hit the dl at least once, if not more.

[Deadheadz]

Redacted

[Gekko]

good fun last night guys.

on the bad end

*the auction locked up my computer for about 15 minutes. luckily a friend of mine was watching my team and was able to fill in for me. still sucked to be out of the action. cost me a player or two

*auction lasted too long. need to eliminate a break and decrease the nomination time

*the auction site seemed to lock up multiple people at times (with me being one of them). i highly recommend using google chrome (i was), reboot your computer before beginning, and make sure you have nothing else running in the background

thanks dan and todd for running it. like i said it was fun.

[NorCalAtlFan]

lots of fun guys!
i think we all left the draft deficient in one area or another. but hey, we can trade, right?

[Gekko]

We still want to hear more about the Pain promised by Gekko. I tried googling the Sabotage auction strategy but found nothing. Care to share Gordon?

look at your roster. i was going to throw out david ortiz so it would lock up the winners util spot right from the get go. his adp dictates he should go for about $16 or $17. he will tie up your util spot from the get go (ie, he will cost you a chance at a bargain later in the draft). didnt need to wait long as you took the bait for $24!!!!! LOL!!! OVERPAID AND LOCKED YOU OUT OF A BARGAIN LATER IN AUCTION!!! SABOTAGE

[Deadheadz]

We still want to hear more about the Pain promised by Gekko. I tried googling the Sabotage auction strategy but found nothing. Care to share Gordon?

look at your roster. i was going to throw out david ortiz so it would lock up the winners util spot right from the get go. his adp dictates he should go for about $16 or $17. he will tie up your util spot from the get go (ie, he will cost you a chance at a bargain later in the draft). didnt need to wait long as you took the bait for $24!!!!! LOL!!! OVERPAID AND LOCKED YOU OUT OF A BARGAIN LATER IN AUCTION!!! SABOTAGE

Lol. That's cool.
I've thought Ortiz has been underdrafted in DCs this season based on how well he did in a shortened 2013 season. We've seen his production fall off a cliff in the past and it could be he's due again.
His playoffs were even better but still a 6th rounder.

I had expected Sabotage to be something you'd to to many teams not just one.


Cheers!

[Gekko]

We still want to hear more about the Pain promised by Gekko. I tried googling the Sabotage auction strategy but found nothing. Care to share Gordon?

look at your roster. i was going to throw out david ortiz so it would lock up the winners util spot right from the get go. his adp dictates he should go for about $16 or $17. he will tie up your util spot from the get go (ie, he will cost you a chance at a bargain later in the draft). didnt need to wait long as you took the bait for $24!!!!! LOL!!! OVERPAID AND LOCKED YOU OUT OF A BARGAIN LATER IN AUCTION!!! SABOTAGE

Lol. That's cool.
I've thought Ortiz has been underdrafted in DCs this season based on how well he did in a shortened 2013 season. We've seen his production fall off a cliff in the past and it could be he's due again.
His playoffs were even better but still a 6th rounder.

I had expected Sabotage to be something you'd to to many teams not just one.


Cheers!

$24 means u just bought him in the 3rd round. whatever value you think you got from him vaporized in an instant.

ortiz, vmart, b.butler could go to anyone. u just happened to be the one who got ortiz