Auction Strategy for Fantasy League

[Mike - N.C. Pine Tar Sluggers]

I have joined a local Raleigh league this season. It is an auction league, Roto, 5x5. It is a keeper league with a maximum of 5 keepers per year. Keepers are kept at a slightly inflated price from the draft price. Waiver picks are $10 keepers. There are 23 starters and 6 bench spots. All of this is pretty standard.

There is one rule that I have never seen in an auction league though. Specifically, you are allowed to spend all of your auction on just your 23 starters and then pack up and use the waivers process post-draft. What I am trying to decide is whether to (1) spend all the money on starters, (2) keep enough players to fill a couple bench spots, or (3) use the auction draft to fill all 29 spots with keepers.

I am also interested in your reasons why. In particular is it for keeper purposes, i.e. will the cheap $1 and $2 bench players be the key or not. I find myself wondering with a keeper limit of 5 players whether the focus in future years will be stars or low salary value players.

Thanks for your help.

[Chris - D-Town Diamond Dusters]

Hey Mike.

This is a pretty interesting question you pose. My initial reaction would be to spend the whole amount on the 23 starters and then punt the bench. But, I’ve found that depth can be the deciding factor in roto leagues. Assuming it’s 12 teams, nearly 350 players will be rostered (29x12), which could result in a thin waiver wire. I think what I would do is plan on buying the 23 starters, plus 4 of your bench guys (1 each IF, OF, RP, SP). Safe guard against a catastrophic injury, but also maximize your starters. With only 5 keepers allowed, I think the onus will be on star power for those keepers – unless you buy a prospect for a couple bucks who then immediately blows up (Pujols, Trout, etc.). My gut tells me that the strongest teams will be those who bring 5 highly productive players to auction as keepers and build around them. The more keepers that a league allows, the more you are able to project talent rather than rely on proven commodities, in my experience. Hopefully that helps you out a bit.

[Mike - N.C. Pine Tar Sluggers]

Chris - I appreciated your advice. I tried to follow a strategy to pick up 4 or so of my bench. I found however that most of the teams were very loose with the money making it hard to get anyone for $1 (since they didn't need to budget till the end). In addition, I spent a bit more than I wanted on top pitchers, but the auction values seemed like good value. Overall I think I did good with my bats, got some top pitchers, and then a drop in the 3rd tier type pitchers. Below I have my team with draft and waiver spots. Note that I did go all in with my FAAB bids and got 5 of my top 6 choices to fill the bench.

Since this is my first 5x5 in a few years (and that was H2H not roto), any advice you have would be great.

Specific questions:
1. DJ Lamehiu or pick up Bonifacio instead? MI is my weak spot, but also want an IF that can cover 3B when needed.
2. I was keeping Teixera in case he comes back (hoping for trade bait), but should I just drop and pick up another SP.
3. With a 1535 inning maximum for pitching, do I really need more SP or should I focus on something else?

Thanks. Mike

By the way, the Royals fell to me. The only one I reached on was Butler, but that was because when he was finally nominated he was by far the best hitter left - all others were lower than $5. I think he was forgotten because he was a DH on most lists.

Here is the team with auction amounts:
C Jason Castro HOU 3
1B Prince Fielder TEX 35
1B Eric Hosmer KC 20
1B Mark Teixeira NYY 2
2B Aaron Hill ARI 13
2B,3B D.J. LeMahieu COL waiver
3B Adrian Beltre TEX 34
2B,SS Brad Miller SEA 5
SS Jimmy Rollins PHI 5
OF Matt Kemp LAD 17
OF Hunter Pence SF 22
OF Michael Cuddyer COL 12
OF Michael Bourn CLE 5
OF Norichika Aoki KC 4
OF Angel Pagan SF waiver
OF Colby Rasmus TOR waiver
U Billy Butler KC 15

SP Zack Greinke LAD 16
SP Felix Hernandez SEA 25
SP Cole Hamels PHI 14
SP CC Sabathia NYY 9
SP Jon Niese NYM 2
SP Rick Porcello DET 4
SP Matt Harrison TEX 1
SP Jose Quintana CHW waiver
SP Dillon Gee NYM waiver
RP Glen Perkins MIN 11
RP Jim Johnson OAK 7
P Bobby Parnell NYM 7
P J.J. Hoover CIN waiver