FAAB Log - National League April 19

This is week 1 of our National League FAAB bids, so the activity was hot and heavy. As a refresher, the league is a 13 team NL-only with standard categories. The league is very experienced. There is no reserve list, so all FAAB bids are on players who will go on the active roster. Unfortunately, I did not have access to losing bids this week, so I'll try to have that up and running next week.

Wade LeBlanc $10. I wrote about LeBlanc earlier in the week. He had a decent first start, and struck out 7 Diamondbacks. He won't be up for long, and this week is a tough start against Cincinnati. This early in the season, there are likely better plays than LeBlanc.

Justin Maxwell $8. It seems as though Justin Maxwell has been on and off the radar for a long time; it is difficult to remember that he is only 26. Given the outfield situation in Washington, and given that he should get a bunch of starts against left-handed pitchers, he is a decent play in deep NL-only leagues, particularly keeper leagues, as I expect the Nats to give him every chance to win the job.

Reed Johnson $5. I wrote about Reed Johnson earlier this week as well. The Ramirez injury was not serious - this time. He is getting a lot of ABs this early in the season, and while likely not worth $5 FAAB this early, he is a decent 5th OF option in deep leagues.

Livan Hernandez $4. Ah Livan - how we've missed you. I personally wouldn't touch Livan with a 10 foot pole. He has Colorado this week (against Ubaldo Jimenez), and even though he has handled the Rockies in his career, I cannot recommend him this week. If he throws another scoreless gem this week, get back to me.

Juan Castro $3. I talked about Castro earlier in the week. He has the lowest average of any player with 16 years MLB experience. He doesn't hit for power or run, current production aside. Unless you are in a league with defense as a category, pass.

Carlos Villanueva $2. Villanueva is an interesting play. He seems destined to be a bullpen guy at this point in his career, and he seems suited for the job. The key here is for our 5x5 players - Ks. 11Ks in 7IP is something you cannot ignore, and to the extent you are in a deep league that utilizes relievers, he should be owned. A $2 bid is more than appropriate.

Oliver Perez $1 and Greg Smith $1. It is hard to write about players I FAAB, so I'll be brief. I have two starters on my team (Hamels and Lannan), and my strategy was to churn starters based on performance and availability. Oliver Perez has the Cubs and Dodgers this week (both at home), and has at least shown a heartbeat...I wouldn't recommend him unless you really need some innings, and I'm already regretting my bid. Smith is getting over a strikeout per inning and gets Florida this week. If he can get his control in order, he should be okay. Again, however, this is a play that you make only if you need some innings and have FAAB (as I'm sure most of our leagues do by now).

Edward Mujica $1, Peter Moylan $1, Burke Badenhop $1, Micah Owings $1, Joel Hanrahan $1, Tim Stauffer $1. I call this the "$1 strikeout reliever corps." Hanrahan is the most intriguing of this group, as I fully expect he'll get some save chances as the season wears on, and will net his strikeouts along the way. Mujica and Stauffer both make their home in San Diego (a pitcher's park I hear), and Moylan, Badenhop and Owings are all strikeout per inning guys. Of the three, Badenhop is the most likely to pick up a stray save here and there when Nunez needs a rest.

Brett Carroll $1, Gary Matthews, Jr. $1, Eli Whiteside $1, Lance Nix $1, Wes Helms $1, Humberto Quintero $1, Jamie Carroll $1, David Ross $1. Nix is in a very crowded outfield and it is difficult to see where he is going to get a lot of ABs. He can provide quick pop off the bench, much like Wes Helms, who is also relegated to a career pinch hitter. Gary Matthews, Jr. has logged 25 ABs so far, and has 11 Ks and a .200 average to show for it...he will likely disappear before Jerry Manuel, though it will be close. David Ross won't get too many ABs behind Brian McCann, but will not hurt you while racking up his 200 AB. Quintero, on the other hand, will kill your average while he holds a place for Jason Castro. Jamey Carroll is the more intriguing of the Carroll's; he should get enough ABs to be a little worse than neutral in average, but pick up a few runs, RBI and SBs along the way. Brett provided a bit of pop in his first few Marlins ABs, but has nowhere to play and is a significant average drag in minimal ABs.