FAABwire Week 2

Welcome to the second FAABwire series for the 2012 season. This article will cover the top pickups of the week and how much FAAB (Free agent acquisition budget) you should spend. The FAABwire series is mostly catered to twelve and fifteen team mixed league formats. Each week I will focus on players that are owned in under thirty-four percent of CBS leagues. FAAB bids are of course very specific to individual leagues, so I will give you ballpark bids of what it should take to acquire each player based on a one thousand dollar budget. Throughout the week, feel free to tweet players at me that I can discuss is the column. @MarkusPotter

Santiago Casilla, RP, San Francisco Giants (3% owned) (FAAB $250)
Yet another closer bites the dust with Brian Wilson visiting Dr. James Andrews and likely done for the year. John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that Santiago Casilla will close out games for the GIants. Bruce Bochy hinted that he will use a committee in the ninth inning, but Casilla seems to have an edge on the job as of now. Last year Bochy did in fact use a committee, so I am not willing to over spend on the Giants bullpen.

Sergio Romo, RP, San Francisco GIants (21% owned) (FAAB $225)
If you are skeptical that Casilla is the guy, Romo is a must add. This situation is moving quickly, but for now Romo and Casilla should be added in all formats. Romo has the best skill set in the Giants bullpen, so it would not be a surprise to see Romo in the ninth. Romo owns an elite skill set, so even if he is not getting saves, he still has value as a middle reliever.

Johnny Damon, OF, Cleveland Indians (12% owned) (FAAB $225)
You will not find many 15 HR/15 SB players available that can also hit for a respectable average. Even in the last several years of his career, Damon demonstrated a solid skill set. With the trade to the Indians, Damon should be playing almost every day. Solid pickup for your fourth or fifth outfield slot.

Greg Holland, RP, Kansas City Royals (33% owned) (FAAB $100)
I was surprised to see that Holland's ownership levels still so low.
Broxton's last save opportunity was nothing less of a disaster.
Of all the non-closer relievers, Holland has the quickest path to finding saves. Holland has the greater skill set then Broxton, whose leash is short. Go get him. Holland could emerge as a top 10 closer by years end.

Danny Duffy, SP, Kansas City Royals (31% owned) (FAAB $70)
Duffy is a two-start pitcher this week, who will face the White sox and Angels. The lefty is still a work in progress and could be very be hot and cold this year. If the match ups are right, Duffy can be an excellent spot starter in a twelve-team league and could emerge as a six starter in a fifteen-team league very quickly. The lefty is a strike out machine, but also struggles with throwing strikes.

Jason Bourgeois, OF, Kansas City Royals (4% owned) (FAAB $65)
Bourgeois finished the season last year with a .294 batting average and 31 steals in 238 at-bats. He will be the primary beneficiary of the injured Lorenzo Cain. The speedster has horrible plate discipline, but should get on base enough for some cheap steals.

Phillip Humber, SP, Chicago White Sox (25% owned) (FAAB $50)
Humber has two favorable matchups this week against the Orioles and Mariners. Beyond this week, Humber makes a very serviceable number six starter. Many are expecting regression in Humber from his breakout campaign last year. I think a repeat of the skills he showed in 2011 could be for real.

Brian Matusz, SP, Baltimore Orioles (30% owned) (FAAB $25)
Matusz had a difficult time with control against the Yankees, allowing four runs on six hits and four walks with only one strikeout. Matusz may have been dropped by many, but I am still intrigued by his 22:3 K:BB ratio in the spring.
Stash him on your bench and watch him closely in his next few starts.

Kyle Drabek Toronto Blue Jays (19% owned) (FAAB $10)

Drabek was on many pre season rookie of the year picks last year, then had a disaster of season. Drabek is yet another post-hype prospect that deserves our attention. Drabek has been know for excellent control with an excellent ground ball inducing sinker. He should also put up a very solid 7 K/9 rate. I would want to see several starts before he gains my trust for a mixed league, but stash him on your bench!

Hector Noesi, SP, Seattle Mariners (14% owned) (FAAB $5)
Noesi was crushed in his season debut, but this can still be a serviceable pitcher for the back end of your rotation. Noesi's stuff is not electric, but his control and command could play nicely in Safeco Field. The former Yankee prospect will face the putrid Athletics next week.

Wei-Yin Chen Baltimore Orioles (23% owned) (FAAB $5)
Chen has been one of Japan's most successful pitchers in Japan before signing with the Orioles. Noesi's raw stuff has diminished in the last several years, but striking out six against the Yankees could portend some continued success. This is another guy I'd stash on my bench and watch for a few more starts.