Week 8 FAAB Projections

With just the normal closer speculation bids, I’d not be surprised if this week had the lowest percentage of remaining FAAB spent so far this season. With Derek Dietrich as the top prize on the hitting side, I don’t expect owners to be spending much.

The guidelines:

• The ownership rates are from CBS since they have some quickdraw waiver wire leagues where players can be picked up at any time.
• The FAAB estimates are based on the 2018 15-team mixed NFBC leagues which used a $1000 FAAB budget. Owners are going to need to convert these values to their own league.
• The ownership values were taken from Saturday and lots can happen in between when they publish and FAAB bids run.
• Only players owned in 50% or fewer of CBS leagues are examined.

● Derek Dietrich: He’s been hot this May hitting .308/.419/.885 with five homers after struggling over the first month of the season. He’s provided decent power from second base. I’m just surprised for the major jump in ownership.

● James McCann: Owners are still looking to play the hot hand (.436 BABIP). He hasn’t cooled off yet (.400 BABIP) this past week. With so many catchers struggling, he’s a reasonable add. I’m just surprised it took some owners so long.

● Hunter Pence: With the demotion of Delino DeShields, Pence’s path to playing time cleared up.

● Ronny Rodriguez (SB & HR), Charlie Tilson (SB), Mac Williamson (HR), Kelvin Gutierrez (AVG), and J.P. Crawford (SB): I’d not be surprised if one or two of these five are a top-40 hitter rest of season. Each one can provide help in at least one category and playing full-time can help in Runs and RBIs. It’s not going to take much FAAB this week to roster any of them. Look at your team’s needs and pick the player who can help before the price goes up.

● Josh VanMeter: I like the talent but he needs to find some playing time.

● Franklin Barreto: Julian McWilliams of The Athletic reports Barreto may be close to major league call up.

● Didi Gregorius: Owners may want to add him this week before the news hits of his rehab games and his price jumps.

Here are my rankings for the closers listed (* must roster in 15-team leagues)

1. Michael Givens *
2. Hansel Robles *
3. Luke Jackson *
4. Diego Castillo *
5. Chris Martin *
6. Steve Cishek *
7. Lou Trivino
8. Shawn Kelley
9. Brandon Workman
10. John Gant
11. Marcus Walden

Trivino and Kelley are close to being must roster. There are several choices this week. Owners could try to go with some lower bids and cheaply settle for some names further down the list.

● Jefry Rodriguez: I gave my thoughts on him early this week while watching a game. He’s in the Freddy Peralta/Lance Lynn pitcher class who rely almost entirely on their fastball.

Again, not one starter is seeing any kind of ownership jump to warrant a major bid. If I need a starter this week, I’m probably going to bid low and shotgun several interesting arms. For reference, here are the players who saw ten bids during the same period last week and last season in the NFBC Main Event.