For an explanation of league rules, see the introductory post.

After a few slow weeks, weeks 17-18 in the Way Too Deep League featured some exciting FAAB bids, including the largest bid so far this season. Teams are starting to give opportunities to their young stars, and owners are pouncing on those that have success.

WEEK 9 FAAB RESULTS ($100 BUDGET FOR THE SEASON, NO ZERO BIDS)

PLAYERS WHO WENT FOR $10 OR MORE

Aquino, Aristides RF | CIN: $75

$75?! For a player that I hadn’t heard of before he hit 3 home runs on Saturday? Aquino sure has had an explosive start to his major league career, hitting .464/.500/1.250 in 9 games. His breakout started, after years of mediocrity, with a strong .299/.356/.636 showing at Triple-A. Owners bid aggressively on Aquino in every league that I’m a part of, but we’ll have to see if he’s more than a flash in the pan, or if he reverts to his previous form.

PLAYERS WHO WENT FOR $5 OR MORE

Garcia, Jarlin RP | MIA: $7
Wittgren, Nick RP | CLE: $7
Osuna, Jose 1B | PIT: $7
Peters, Dillon SP | LAA: $5
Berti, Jon 2B | MIA: $5
Green, Chad RP | NYY: $5
Houser, Adrian RP | MIL: $5

I’m split on whether I think Chad Green is valuable in this format. On one hand, he has been dominant since being reset in the minor leagues, with a 2.01 ERA and 43/7 K/BB ratio. On the other hand, the Yankees seem in no rush to give him holds. Green has been pitching as an opener and a middle relief role. I’d much prefer an inferior pitcher like Tommy Kahnle or Zach Britton who could accumulate holds in this format.

Jon Berti is having a strong season despite seeing his first real major league playing time at age-29. I’ll take .303/.358/.455 with 5 steals any day. He’s another guy with a long record of mediocrity in the minor leagues, but a 2019 Triple-A breakout with the new baseball. He’s better than a lot of MIs for now.

Finally, let’s focus on Jose Osuna, owner of a .994 OPS in a no-longer-tiny 124 PAs. Despite the relative depth of 1b-types in this league (where teams roster just one 1b and no CI) and his complete lack of a track record, it’s hard to ignore what Osuna is doing. He’s playing a mix of 1b, 3b, and corner outfield for Pittsburgh, and could retain eligibility at all three if he continues playing full time through the end of the season. I’d still bet against Osuna hitting enough to earn playing time on a team with Josh Bell, but he’s a great lottery ticket.

PLAYERS WHO WENT FOR LESS THAN $5

Nola, Austin SS | SEA: $4
Quijada, Jose RP | MIA: $4
Zobrist, Ben RF | CHC: $3
Stallings, Jacob C | PIT: $2
Solano, Donovan 2B | SF: $2
Leon, Sandy C | BOS: $2
Castillo, Welington C | CHW: $2
Law, Derek RP | TOR: $1
Bass, Anthony RP | SEA: $1
Daza, Yonathan RF | COL: $1
Sandoval, Patrick SP | LAA: $1
Guerra, Junior SP | MIL: $1
Marshall, Evan RP | CHW: $1
Winning bid amount: $1

We have several interesting relief flyers here. Ken Giles is injured, so Derek Law is getting saves for Toronto. Anthony Bass inherited the closer role after the trade deadline in Seattle.

Is Joe Ross back? After losing two seasons to injury, Ross had a lackluster return to the majors at the beginning of 2019, and was demoted. His 4.28 ERA at Triple-A wasn’t much to write home about. He’s shut out opposing teams in his last two starts, but had lackluster peripherals. I considered adding Soss as an insurance starter, but I’m not convinced that much has changed.José Quijada has impressive strikeout numbers, but no control. Evan Marshall has a 2.20 ERA, but little prospect for closing.

Finally, let’s talk about A. Nola. I always assume that a player who shares initials with a famous player has an inflated ownership rate due to the name confusion, and thus never considered bidding on Austin Nola. I was very wrong. The shortstop is hitting .299/.346/.505 after a similarly-strong Triple-A breakout. He’s eligible at 1b/2b/SS, and could even have catcher eligibility in some leagues. He should be owned in leagues less deep than this one.