NL LABR Auction: High Stakes, Contrarian Strategies, and Early Spending Sprees
The annual NL LABR (League of Alternative Baseball Reality) auction, a gathering of some of the sharpest minds in fantasy baseball, unfolded with its usual blend of anticipation, strategic maneuvering, and unexpected twists. Heading into the auction, the consensus was clear: Shohei Ohtani, the reigning league MVP, and Paul Skenes, the highly touted rookie pitcher, would command the highest prices. The only uncertainty revolved around just how high the bidding would escalate for these prized assets.
As the clock ticked down on the RT Sports website, Doug Dennis of Baseball HQ, the defending champion, held the crucial first nomination. Conventional wisdom suggested he would immediately nominate either Ohtani or Skenes, setting the tone for a high-stakes auction. However, Dennis, known for his contrarian approach, defied expectations by nominating Mark Vientos, a move that immediately injected an element of surprise into the proceedings.
The suspense regarding Skenes’s availability was short-lived. He emerged as the fourth player nominated, sparking a competitive bidding war. Howard Bender of Fantasy Alarm ultimately prevailed, securing Skenes’s services for $33. The focus then shifted to Ohtani, whose exceptional talent and unique dual-threat capabilities made him the most coveted player in the auction.
Coming off a season where he blasted 54 home runs and stole 59 bases, and with a return to the pitching mound slated for 2025, Ohtani represents the ultimate fantasy weapon. His ability to be deployed as either a pitcher or a hitter (though not simultaneously each week) provides unparalleled roster flexibility, giving his team a significant advantage.
The bidding for Ohtani quickly surpassed the $33 mark set by Skenes, and then exceeded the $38 that Elly De La Cruz had fetched as the second player nominated. The final showdown pitted the author of the article against Matt Cederholm, Baseball HQ’s injury expert. After a back-and-forth battle, Cederholm ultimately secured Ohtani for a staggering $46, establishing him as his franchise cornerstone.
Cederholm’s aggressive spending didn’t stop with Ohtani. In the subsequent rounds, he added Zack Wheeler, Ryan Helsley, Mookie Betts, James Wood, Michael Toglia, Spencer Schwellenbach, and Matthew Boyd to his roster, rapidly depleting his budget. By the end of the first six rounds, Cederholm had already committed $199 of his $260 budget, signaling a clear strategy of acquiring top-tier talent early.
In contrast to Cederholm’s aggressive approach, Frank Stampfl of CBS Sports adopted a more patient and balanced strategy. He didn’t win a single player through the first three rounds of nominations, and secured only two of the first 65 players nominated. Stampfl’s approach reflected a classic spread-the-wealth philosophy, aiming to build a deep and well-rounded roster without overspending on any single player. His top acquisitions were third baseman Austin Riley and pitcher Dylan Cease, both secured for $25 each. This difference in strategy highlighted the diverse approaches employed by the participants in the NL LABR auction.
Despite the initial spirited bidding for top players, the prices realized for those players ultimately fell slightly below pre-auction expectations, leading to what some observers termed in-draft inflation. After De La Cruz, outfielders Juan Soto and Kyle Tucker each went for $37, while Corbin Carroll was acquired for $35. Only one other pitcher, Zack Wheeler of the Phillies, exceeded the $30 mark, fetching $31.
While the general consensus among NL first basemen placed Bryce Harper or Freddie Freeman at the top of the position rankings, Pete Alonso emerged as LABR’s most expensive first baseman, commanding a price of $32. Freeman, surprisingly, was nominated first and only reached $27, representing a shrewd acquisition for Brian Walton of Creative Sports. Harper was acquired for $30, while Olson went for $29.
The auction of closers unfolded in a particularly chaotic manner, with nominations occurring in a seemingly random order. Ryan Walker of the Giants was nominated first, setting the initial benchmark at $18 and driving up prices for the higher-rated closers who followed. Ryan Helsley went for $23, Edwin Diaz also fetched $23, Robert Suarez was acquired for $19, and Raisel Iglesias commanded $24.
Once the top relief arms were off the board, the market cooled considerably, as LABR managers became hesitant to chase saves aggressively or opted to invest in closers-in-waiting, hoping to secure value later in the season. Several bullpens were identified as potential sources of emerging closer opportunities.
The NL LABR auction also provides a valuable insight into how experienced fantasy managers evaluate young players with limited major league track records. In the previous year, players such as Jackson Chourio, Paul Skenes, and Michael Busch proved to be exceptional values, rewarding those who took a chance on their potential.
This year, Nationals outfielder Dylan Crews, who demonstrated his ability to steal bases late last season, emerged as the top rookie acquisition, commanding a price of $20 from ESPN’s Eric Karabell. Karabell also picked up Cubs third baseman Matt Shaw for $13.
On the pitching side, Roki Sasaki of the Dodgers, despite his immense potential, was acquired for a surprisingly modest $14 by Brian Walton of The Cardinal Nation. Karabell also secured Phillies pitcher Andrew Painter for a bargain price of $3.
Other notable rookie acquisitions included Brewers infielder Caleb Durbin ($6), Marlins first baseman Deyvison De Los Santos ($5), and Diamondbacks shortstop Jordan Lawlar ($2). Catchers Dalton Rushing ($3) and Augustin Ramirez ($2), and pitchers Quinn Mathews ($4), Bubba Chandler ($2), Brandon Sproat ($1), and Rhett Lowder ($1) were also selected, demonstrating the willingness of LABR managers to invest in unproven talent.
The NL LABR auction continues to serve as a valuable benchmark for fantasy baseball valuations and provides a fascinating glimpse into the diverse strategies employed by experienced fantasy managers. From aggressive early spending to patient roster construction, the auction showcases the myriad paths to success in the competitive world of fantasy baseball. By analyzing the results and understanding the underlying motivations of the participants, fantasy players can gain a competitive edge in their own leagues.
