LABR AL Auction Recap: Stars Shine Bright in Online Format
The League of Alternative Baseball Reality (LABR) AL auction draft unfolded this year with a modern twist, trading the usual in-person intensity for a digital landscape. While the familiar faces and competitive spirit remained, tiny avatars and a simple "BID+1" button replaced the traditional auction table atmosphere. This marked only the second time in LABR history that the AL and NL auctions were held online, a testament to the evolving nature of fantasy baseball.
Despite the technological shift, many cherished traditions persevered. James Anderson of Rotowire, the reigning AL champion, had the honor of nominating the first player, Jazz Chisholm, setting the stage for an evening of spirited bidding. The New York Yankees, known for their real-life spending habits, continued to be a popular target for LABR managers. Chisholm, offering eligibility at both third base and outfield, commanded a hefty $33.
The early rounds were dominated by high-profile hitters. Aaron Judge emerged as the most expensive player of the night, fetching $46 from Chris Towers of CBS Sports. In a surprising turn, Bobby Witt Jr., the Kansas City Royals shortstop, also went for exactly $46, matching Judge’s price tag. This underscored the premium placed on elite talent in the LABR format.
The aggressive bidding continued throughout the initial rounds. Jose Ramirez was acquired for $41, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. went for $39, Gunnar Henderson commanded $36, and Julio Rodriguez was snatched up for $35. Jarren Duran ($33), Corey Seager ($29), and Brent Rooker ($27) were also among the first 40 players taken off the board, highlighting the focus on offensive production.
Pitching, while perhaps not as aggressively pursued as hitting in the early stages, still demanded significant investment. Ian Kahn, returning to the AL after a year in the NL, spent the most on a single pitcher, securing the services of Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal for $33. Logan Gilbert followed closely behind at $27, with Garrett Crochet going for $25 and Framber Valdez at $24.
The perceived depth of the AL pitching pool this year seemed to encourage a variety of drafting strategies. Andy Andres, a professor at Boston University and entering his second year in LABR, adopted a strategy of prioritizing hitting, allocating a significant $220 of his $260 budget to offensive players. This approach influenced the market for pitching, as eleven pitchers were acquired for between $18 and $22, as teams filled their rosters with what they considered to be upper-tier starters.
One of the most intriguing players in the draft was Jacob deGrom of the Texas Rangers. A two-time NL Cy Young winner, deGrom has been plagued by injuries in recent years, throwing a mere 41 innings combined over the past two seasons. However, he enters the season reportedly healthy for the first time since 2020, presenting the potential for a significant return on investment.
Following Skubal’s nomination, a flurry of pitchers were nominated in succession. Luis Castillo of the Mariners ($19) and Gilbert were quickly claimed before attention turned to deGrom. Concerns surrounding his durability kept his price in check, with Jesse Roche of Baseball Prospectus ultimately acquiring him for $21. This illustrated the calculated risk assessment that LABR managers must undertake when considering players with injury histories.
The market for closers remained relatively stable, with Emmanuel Clase leading the pack at $25, followed by Josh Hader at $24 and Devin Williams at $22. The predictability of closer roles in the AL seemed to mitigate any significant bidding wars.
A prominent theme that emerged early in the draft was the value placed on stolen bases. While elite power/speed players like Witt, Ramirez, Rodriguez, Duran, and Chisholm were always going to be expensive, mid-tier players with the ability to steal bases also garnered considerable interest from AL LABR managers.
Everyday shortstops Anthony Volpe and Jeremy Peña were acquired for $23 apiece, only $6 less than the price of Seager. This highlighted the premium placed on speed, particularly in a league where stolen bases can be a significant differentiator.
The value of positional versatility was also evident, as players eligible at multiple positions were highly sought after. This flexibility allows managers to optimize their lineups and navigate potential injuries or slumps.
One of the key takeaways from the AL LABR auction was the perceived lack of outfield depth beyond the top stars. The traditional sweet spot for five-outfielder leagues, where managers typically look to acquire solid contributors without breaking the bank, usually falls between $10 and $19.
However, in this draft, only 15 outfielders fell within that range, averaging slightly more than one per team. This scarcity left some teams struggling to fill their outfield slots with optimal choices in the later stages of the draft. The shallower outfield pool emphasized the importance of securing reliable outfield production early on, or being prepared to navigate a less-than-ideal endgame scenario.
The LABR AL auction draft, even in its online format, provided a fascinating glimpse into the strategies and priorities of experienced fantasy baseball managers. The emphasis on early hitting, the calculated approach to pitching, the premium on stolen bases and positional versatility, and the thinness of the outfield pool all contributed to a dynamic and competitive auction. The results will undoubtedly be closely analyzed as the season progresses, offering valuable insights into player valuations and the ever-evolving landscape of fantasy baseball.
