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Matt Chapman stirs interest at AL LABR draft
See how the LABR experts bid. AL LABR, 14-15 NL LABR, 24-25 Mixed draft, Pages 26-27
PHOENIX – One of the slowest free agent markets in years just added an extra air of uncertainty to the 25th anniversary season of the League of Alternative Baseball Reality.
Not only did the fantasy industry analysts have to account for several players who had yet to find a team, they also had to factor in a number of preseason injuries as well as put a price tag on someone who will split time between pitching and hitting.
At least one thing went according to plan: Mike Trout selling for top dollar. The Los Angeles Angels outfielder was the first player put up for bid — and he ended up being the most expensive purchase of the entire auction, going for $42 to Mike Gianella of Baseball Prospectus.
After Trout and reigning American League MVP Jose Altuve (who went for $39), LABR owners likely knew they were going to have to pay up for ace starting pitchers.
A year ago, my USA TODAY team built a strong staff around eventual Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber, whose incredible second half propelled me to a third AL LABR title. With fewer starting pitchers going deep into games, those aces should become even more valuable.
In last year’s AL auction no pitcher sold for more than $30. But this time the league’s top two starters blasted through that artificial ceiling.
After leading the majors with 308 strikeouts, Chris Sale sold for $38. Kluber went for $37. No one in AL LABR has paid more than $33 for a pitcher in over a decade — and this year we had two.
The “ace premium” ended up being close to $10 because no one else paid more than $26 for any other pitcher. Luis Severino went for $26, Carlos Carrasco for $25 and closer Craig Kimbrel for $25.
The AL’s most intriguing player in 2018, Japanese pitching/hitting star Shohei Ohtani, generated surprisingly little buzz in the draft room. He was nominated early and was sold in the blink of an eye for $18.
How did the owners address unsigned players? For most, the decision was made for them.
Ray Flowers of SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio took the hyperaggressive approach, rostering five free agents — Jake Arrieta (who has since signed with Phillies), Greg Holland, Jonathan Lucroy (since signed with A’s), Carlos Gonzalez (since signed with Rockies) and John Lackey — for a total of $24.
From a dollar value perspective, that’s not an unreasonable amount for five players who could be significant contributors. Even if only two of them sign with an AL team, it’s not a ton of money wasted.
The larger issue Flowers faces if he loses any of them to the NL is finding usable players to fill their roster spots. It’s similar to the risk that comes with drafting injured players, only the downside is much greater.
The most intense moment of the draft came when several owners were still looking to fill one of their corner-infield spots and Joey Gallo was clearly the best player available. His price kept rising until LABR rookie Andrea LaMont prevailed with a $28 bid.
Immediately afterward, Oakland Athletics third baseman Matt Chapman spurred a bidding war between Flowers and fellow Bay Area resident Lawr Michaels that reached $22. If the prices for Gallo and Chapman seem out of line, blame draft dynamics.
Other interesting auction results: ❚ Need for speed: Dee Gordon ($32), Byron Buxton ($29), Elvis Andrus ($22), Whit Merrifield ($21), Delino DeShields ($20), Mallex Smith ($12). ❚ Catcher scarcity? Gary Sanchez ($30), Evan Gattis ($16), Salvador Perez ($15), Welington Castillo ($15). ❚ Injury discounts: Michael Brantley ($12), Marcus Stroman ($11), Yuli Gurriel ($8), Ervin Santana ($6), Dustin Pedroia ($5). ❚ Twins closer: Fernando Rodney ($7), Addison Reed ($7), Trevor Hildenberger (reserve). ❚ Free agents: Mike Moustakas ($9), Jonathan Lucroy ($7), Jake Arrieta ($6), Carlos Gonzalez ($6), Greg Holland ($5), Alex Cobb ($4), Lance Lynn ($3). Note: Each team gets a $260 budget. Rosters listed in order from finish (first to last place) from last season. Andrea LaMont, a newcomer, is listed at the end.