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Fantasy Football Auction Strategy (2025)

fantasy football auction strategy

Fantasy Football Auction Strategy (2025) Fantasy football auctions have become an increasingly popular alternative to traditional snake drafts, offering managers more control over their roster construction. Unlike snake drafts, where players are selected in a predetermined order, auctions allow managers to bid on any player, building a team tailored to their strategy within a fixed budget. FullTime Fantasy has you covered with our fantasy football auction strategy (2025). Success in an auction requires careful planning, adaptability, and a deep understanding of player value dynamics. Fantasy football auction strategy (2025)  explores the key strategies to master your fantasy football auction draft, covering preparation, budgeting, bidding tactics, and roster construction. Understanding Auction Basics In a fantasy football auction, each manager starts with a fixed budget, typically $200 in standard leagues, to bid on players to fill their roster. The roster usually includes 16-18 players, such as 1 QB, 2-3 RBs, 2-3 WRs, 1 TE, 1 K, 1 DST, and several bench spots. Players are nominated one at a time, and managers bid until the highest bidder secures the player. The goal is to maximize the value of your roster while staying within budget constraints. Auctions reward strategic thinking, as managers must decide when to spend big on elite players, when to hunt for value, and how to manage their budget to avoid being left with insufficient funds for key positions. Below, we dive into the essential strategies to dominate your auction draft. Auction Prep Success in a fantasy football auction starts long before the draft begins. Thorough preparation is critical to making informed decisions under pressure 1. Know Your League Settings Every league has unique rules that impact player values and draft strategy: Scoring System: Standard, PPR (points per reception), or half-PPR scoring affects the value of positions. In PPR leagues, pass-catching running backs and wide receivers gain value, while in standard leagues, workhorse running backs dominate. Roster Requirements: Understand the number of starters and bench spots. Deep rosters increase the value of depth players, while shallow rosters prioritize studs. Budget and Lineup Rules: Confirm the auction budget (usually $200) and whether there are flex positions, superflex (allowing a second QB), or other unique rules. Number of Teams: In a 12-team league, talent scarcity is higher than in an 8- or 10-team league, affecting how aggressively you bid for top players. 2. Create a Tier-Based Player Value System Player rankings are crucial, but in auctions, organizing players into tiers is more effective. Tiers group players of similar value, helping you identify when to bid aggressively or wait for a bargain. For example: Elite Tier (Top RBs/WRs): Players like Bijan Robinson or Justin Jefferson, who might cost $60-$80 in a $200 budget. High-End Starters: Reliable starters like Alvin Kamara or A.J. Brown, typically costing $20-$40. Mid-Tier Values: Players like Garrett Wilson or Sam LaPorta, often available for $10-$25. Late-Round Bargains: Sleepers and depth players, usually $1-$5. Adjust your auction values based on your league’s scoring and trends from mock drafts. Tools like average auction values (AAV) help estimate how much players typically cost in similar leagues. 3. Mock Draft Often In mock auctions to familiarize yourself with bidding dynamics and player prices. Mock drafts can reveal: How much top-tier players cost in your league’s format. When certain positions (e.g., QB, TE) tend to be nominated. How aggressive or conservative your leaguemates bid. Mock drafts also help you practice sticking to a budget and adapting when prices deviate from expectations. Use our Mock Draft Simulator as a great starting point and customize it to fit your league’s settings.  4. Study Your Leaguemates. If you’re in a league with familiar opponents, analyze their tendencies: Do they overspend on stars early? Are they position-focused (e.g., prioritizing RBs over WRs)? Do they chase rookies or stick to veterans? Understanding their habits allows you to exploit their weaknesses, such as nominating players they’re likely to overbid on. Budgeting Strategies Effective budget management is the backbone of a successful auction draft. Your $200 budget (or equivalent) must be allocated strategically to balance star power, depth, and flexibility.1 1. Choose a Roster Construction Philosophy There are three primary approaches to roster construction in auctions: Stars and Scrubs: Spend heavily (70-80% of your budget) on 2-3 elite players, then fill the roster with $1-$5 sleepers and rookies. This strategy maximizes upside but risks weak depth if your stars underperform or get injured. Example: Spending $50 on Christian McCaffrey, $60 on Ja’Marr Chase, and $30 on a mid-tier QB like Patrick Mahomes, leaving $60 for the rest of your roster. Best for: Leagues with deep benches or high waiver wire activity, where you can find replacements for cheap players. Balanced Approach: Distribute your budget evenly across positions, targeting high-end starters and reliable mid-tier players. This minimizes risk but may lack the ceiling of a stars-and-scrubs roster. Example: Allocating $30-$40 each for a top RB, WR, and QB, then $10-$20 for solid starters and $5-$10 for depth. Best for: Leagues with moderate depth or standard scoring, where consistency is key. Value-Based Drafting: Focus on players who provide the best return on investment, often in the $10-$25 range. This approach avoids overpaying for stars and builds a deep, flexible roster. Example: Targeting players like Alvin Kamara ($25), Chris Olave ($24), and Evan Engram ($15) while avoiding $50+ players. Best for: Managers who excel at identifying sleepers and managing waivers. 2. Allocate Your Budget A common budget split for a 12-team, $200 PPR league might look like this: Starters (70-80%): $140-$160 for your starting lineup (QB, 2-3 RBs, 2-3 WRs, TE, K, DST). Bench (20-30%): $40-$60 for depth players, sleepers, and handcuffs. Reserve: Always save $1-$2 per roster spot for the late stages to avoid being shut out of bidding. Adjust based on your strategy. For stars and scrubs, allocate 80% to 2-3 players; for a balanced approach, spread funds more evenly. 3. Account for Positional Scarcity Positional scarcity influences how much you should spend: Running Backs: In most leagues, elite RBs are scarce

2025 Fantasy Baseball: Auction Pitching Strategy

2025 Fantasy Baseball: Auction Pitching Strategy  This Fantasy Baseball Strategy Guide is courtesy of Shawn Childs. Read Shawn’s expert fantasy analysis at his Substack. Pitching is the most challenging part of fantasy baseball. It’s easy to overspend in an auction, aiming to build a strong foundation in ERA, WHIP, and strikeouts. A solid pitching base provides a margin for error in the back end of your rotation, but the downside is a weakened offense due to limited resources. our 2025 Fantasy Baseball: Auction Pitching Strategy provides the ideal game plan to win this season. Unlike other formats, you can’t trade pitching for hitting in high-stakes leagues, making budget balance crucial. It’s difficult to finish in the middle of all five pitching categories, let alone earn 66% of the needed points to be competitive. Given the high injury rates and unpredictability, pitching is the most frustrating part of roster construction. If fantasy managers had their way, they’d allocate most of their budget to hitting and minimizing pitching investments. This should always be the pre-auction plan. Finding Value in Pitching When evaluating the pitching pool, I look for under-the-radar buying opportunities. This could mean targeting a setup reliever poised to take over a closer role early in the season or identifying a $10 starter who could deliver the value of a $20 pitcher. The key is determining whether I can construct a quality pitching staff for less than expected and if my targets will be available at my price points. Managing Saves Most teams will buy one closer, but a single 35-save reliever may only secure four points in saves in a 12-team AL or NL Roto league. That’s a minimal return on a $15+ investment. Typically, a team needs 50+ saves to finish in the top third of the category, which is why many managers either buy saves cheaply or punt the category altogether. Spending 30% of your pitching budget for limited gains isn’t ideal. Before the auction, I decide on my approach to saves: Is there a closer worth a top-tier investment? Are there discounted options that could provide elite value? Is there a reliever with a strong chance of earning the job midseason? While I never fully punt saves, I prefer grabbing a couple of potential closers in the reserve rounds at no cost to my auction budget. Saves can be the deciding factor in winning or losing a league. My goal is to maximize saves per dollar spent, increasing my competitive edge. Top-tier closers contribute more than just saves, and if the price is right, I won’t hesitate to invest. In early fantasy baseball years, elite closers cost close to $30, but the market corrected itself, with top options now around $20. If I’m comfortable paying $15, I need to be ready to pounce if a premier closer stalls in bidding before $20. Building an Ace Foundation Once I set my strategy for saves, I need a strong starting pitching core. This phase of an auction is a great equalizer—big investments in an ace limit flexibility elsewhere unless I commit a larger budget to pitching. When Pedro Martinez was in his prime, I could spend $40+ on him and dominate pitching categories due to his massive ERA, WHIP, and strikeout advantages. But in today’s game, does a $40+ investment in Paul Skenes or Tarik Skubal provide the same edge over the field? Would I be better off with two $20 pitchers instead? Could I build a strong rotation with four solid starters for around $50? Should I prioritize accumulating 200, 400, or 750 high-quality innings? The answers depend on the depth of each year’s pitching pool. In some seasons, there’s a clear drop-off in pitching talent; in others, there’s enough depth to spread investments. After analyzing the player pool, I pinpoint two or three pitchers I want as my staff’s foundation. Like with hitters, I track actual auction prices to see if my targets fit within my budget. If I plan to spend $60 on two starters and a closer, I need to confirm those prices align with my strategy. If a specific pitcher is critical to my plan, I might nominate him early to see if I can land him. Pitching Budget Allocation Most fantasy teams allocate between $60 and $80 to pitching. My goal is to establish a strong base with three key pitchers for $60, then round out my staff with cost-effective arms. The back half of my rotation often determines whether I win or lose. Discipline is essential. If I spend $8 early on a mid-tier pitcher, I might lose the flexibility to grab two $4 pitchers I prefer later. Timing is just as important as price. In some leagues, managers try to dominate pitching by spending $100+. When this happens, it inflates prices for top-end starters. But if everyone targets second-tier aces instead, elite pitchers may come at a relative discount. My pitching strategy dictates my hitting budget. It’s often easier to skimp on pitching and load up on offense, but some years provide opportunities to invest more in arms. In certain seasons, fading ERA and WHIP while maximizing wins, strikeouts, and saves can still earn 50% of the pitching points. Developing a Winning Plan Every fantasy manager must craft a strategy that gives them the best shot at winning. In non-trading auction leagues, investing in core players is key. Research the player pool for value opportunities. Enter the auction with both an early strategy and a contingency plan. Stay disciplined to secure impact players late in the auction. Here are the top 30 pitchers from 2024, ranked by FPGscores: (Note: These FPGscores are based on 12-team mixed leagues. Player values will vary slightly in 15-team leagues, AL- or NL-only leagues, and non-trading formats in the National Fantasy Baseball Championship.) Three of the top seven pitchers in 2024 were closers. Emmanuel Clase ranked first due to his elite performance and strong pre-season price. Ryan Helsley was the best draft-day value closer, while Kirby Yates

2025 Fantasy Baseball Auction Strategy

2025 Fantasy Baseball Auction Strategy  This Fantasy Baseball Strategy Guide is courtesy of Shawn Childs. Read Shawn’s expert fantasy analysis at his Substack. Fantasy baseball comes in various formats and league sizes, particularly in auctions. Over the years, I’ve competed in American League-only, National League-only, and mixed-league formats with 12 or 15 teams. Some leagues incorporate keepers (players held for multiple seasons) and trading, both of which significantly impact player values during an auction. However, in the high-stakes fantasy market—where I’ve played for over 20 seasons—trading isn’t allowed. This restriction places immense pressure on managers to construct a winning roster before the auction ends. Here’s my 2025 Fantasy Baseball Auction Strategy. The Challenges of a No-Trading Auction League In a no-trade auction league, the margin for error is razor-thin. No other team will bail you out by offering to trade for your surplus closer. If your roster is unbalanced—strong in some categories but weak in others—you can’t swap hitting for pitching or speed for saves. While there are multiple paths to winning an auction, many managers lose before the season even begins due to a flawed strategy or lack of foresight. Each year, the player pool shifts slightly, requiring managers to assess available talent and craft a plan they can execute at the auction table. Success hinges on assembling enough key pieces to manage the season effectively. Regardless of my approach, I must remain flexible. While an auction allows me to target any player, every acquisition comes at a cost. Auction Basics Most fantasy baseball auction leagues allocate each team a $260 budget to assemble a 23-player roster (14 hitters, nine pitchers). Scoring is based on 10 categories: Hitting: Batting average, runs, home runs, RBIs, and steals Pitching: Wins, ERA, WHIP, strikeouts, and saves In a 12-team league, first place in a category earns 12 points, second place gets 11, and so on down to one point for last place. The team with the highest cumulative score across all categories wins the league. Calling Out Players Strategically A common mistake fantasy managers make is waiting too long to nominate key players. While the idea of saving money for later bidding may seem smart, it often backfires. If I sit back while other elite players come off the board, I risk running out of viable options. Instead, I prefer to call out my priority players early. If I believe a particular player is essential to my team’s foundation, I want to know right away if I can get him at a reasonable price—or if I need to pivot to an alternative plan. The sooner I know my roster’s core, the better I can execute my strategy or adjust on the fly. Budgeting for Key Players Using my FPGscores after last season, Shohei Ohtani had a fantasy value of $62.91, contributing 19.55 league points on the hitting side in a 12-team mixed format. If my roster plan was to allocate $180 for hitting and $80 for pitching, Ohtani would be a cornerstone of my offense. Every manager has a different approach to budgeting. Some teams invest heavily in elite bats and “cheat” pitching, while others allocate $100+ to pitching, limiting their ability to compete for top-tier hitters. For example, if I aimed to build my team around Ohtani, expecting him to replicate a strong 2024 season (.310/134/54/130/59) with a $55 target value, I would need a backup plan if I missed out on him. My next tier of power-speed hitters might include José Ramírez (.279/114/39/118/41), who had a $43.66 fantasy value in 2024. If Ramírez gets nominated early and sells for $45 while I wait for Ohtani, I risk losing both. If Ohtani then exceeds my budget, I’m left scrambling for a replacement with fewer options remaining. This scenario forces me to adjust my plan on the fly. If Ohtani sells too high, my fallback could be Aaron Judge ($50.11 value in 2024)—but that weakens my stolen base potential. Alternatively, I could target Bobby Witt Jr. ($45.65 value) to lock in elite steals while maintaining power. The key is being prepared for multiple outcomes. If my top choices are taken, I must adapt while ensuring my team remains well-rounded. Overpaying vs. Letting Go One strategy to avoid missing out on key players is overpaying early, intending to recoup those extra dollars later in the auction. While this can work, it requires discipline to ensure later bargains offset early splurges. Executing a Game Plan A strong auction strategy involves executing my game plan early while ignoring how others are spending. My goal is to establish a solid foundation in hitting and pitching, spending up to $200 of my $260 on my key players. This aggressive approach means I may need to shut down spending mid-auction while waiting for value picks later. Many managers become frustrated when others hold onto their money, fearing late-stage overbidding. But once the auction progresses, everyone will still need players, and competition remains. A team with a large budget late in the auction won’t have unlimited power—they’ll still be competing with other managers for every player. Keeping an Open Mind Some of the best values emerge early in an auction. Recognizing player value in real-time is crucial, as hesitation can mean missing out on bargains. A $33 player may not seem like a steal, but if that same player goes for $38 a few rounds later, I’ve lost out on value. For example, if José Ramírez is nominated early and his price hovers in the mid-30s, it may be smart to buy rather than risk Ohtani and Judge going for premium prices. Avoiding the “Last Top Player” Trap A common mistake in auctions is waiting for the final top-tier player at a position. Late in the draft, managers hesitate to call out the last available elite player, hoping to get them cheap. When that player finally gets nominated, demand spikes, often leading to an overpay. I use this knowledge to my advantage. If I like multiple players at a position,

2025 Fantasy Baseball: Auction Hitting Strategy

2025 Fantasy Baseball: Auction Hitting Strategy  This Fantasy Baseball Strategy Guide is courtesy of Shawn Childs. Read Shawn’s expert fantasy analysis at his Substack. A fantasy manager must separate hitting from pitching when preparing for an auction. While each accounts for 50% of the game, finding a spending balance that fits your strategy is key. Here is my 2025 Fantasy Baseball: Auction Hitting Strategy. Core Batters Building a strong offensive foundation starts with identifying cornerstone players. Depending on your budget, your core may consist of three or four hitters. I typically begin with three: A high-average power hitter (.300/30/100). A balanced player with speed (.300/10/60/40). A well-rounded contributor (.300/20/80/20). The increased stolen bases in 2023 and 2024 have expanded the player pool and raised the target number needed to compete in that category. Shifting Batting Average Standards Pitching depth and injuries fluctuate each year, impacting offensive production. Fewer hitters now exceed a .300 average, affecting category targets. In 2024, MLB’s league-wide average was .243, down from .248 in 2023 and equal to 2022’s mark. By contrast, early 2000s averages were higher (.270 in 2000, .266 in 2004). Given this decline, a .280 hitter may now serve as the new “.300” in fantasy baseball. Hitting Budget Allocating your hitting budget effectively is crucial. My approach involves spending $90-$100 on three to four cornerstone batters and about $180 of my $260 total budget on offense. However, the player pool shifts yearly, requiring flexibility. Eight Foundation Bats In a single-league auction, your offensive core consists of a catcher, first baseman, second baseman, third baseman, shortstop, and three outfielders. These eight players form your team’s backbone. Each year, I analyze the player pool by position to identify my core targets, assess positional depth, and adjust my spending accordingly. This includes identifying breakout candidates and potential value picks. Understanding the Player Pool With 15 teams in both the AL and NL, there are 135 starting lineup spots across the league, divided among 12 fantasy teams (approximately 11-12 starting hitters per roster). Many real-life starters will be platoon players or unproven bats, creating gaps. Strategically, you can position your weaker spots in areas where depth or upside exists. Ideally, you’ll patch those holes through the waiver wire or bench. Core Spending Strategy A fantasy manager typically invests between $120 and $170 in their eight-core hitters. Patience is critical—finding full-time at-bats for minimal cost is the ultimate goal. The focus should be on at-bat volume and young players with upside rather than established part-timers. Rounding Out Your Roster Many managers hesitate to take zeros in their starting lineup, but sometimes, drafting an upside minor leaguer is better than grabbing a low-ceiling bench bat. For instance, in an NL-only league in 2025, rostering a prospect like 3B Matt Shaw or 1B Tyler Black could pay off if they get called up early. Instead of drafting a $1 low-upside middle infielder, I’d rather take a shot on a player with real growth potential. Similar part-time at-bats are often available on the waiver wire, making it wiser to gamble on a player who could earn regular playing time. I generally target three or four high-upside players for my bench while staying mindful of waiver wire opportunities to plug roster gaps. Understanding Player Value Auction success depends on preparation. Studying real-money auction drafts helps gauge market trends. The LABR auctions in early March provide insight into player valuations heading into the season. You should never be caught off guard by a player’s auction price. Top players will always draw heavy interest—if you want one, be ready to strike when their name is called. The 2025 NFL off-season is underway but you can still get access to the best help out there! All FullTime Fantasy members get exclusive access to our 24/7 Chat Room on Discord! All morning on Sunday, Senior Analyst Jody Smith will be standing by to answer all your crucial fantasy questions and keep you updated with all the latest news and injury updates. JOIN OUR MAILING LIST! GET THE LATEST ARTICLES & UPDATES Subscribe to our FREE newsletter – Breaking Fantasy news & site updates! Like and share our new Facebook page! Be sure to pay attention to our giveaways for your shot at some sweet prizes!

Fantasy Baseball Auction Strategy

Fantasy Baseball Auction Strategy Shawn Childs is a legend in the fantasy baseball world and his advice is invaluable. A member of the NFBC Hall of Fame, Shawn has several top-5 finishes in the National Fantasy Baseball Championship as well as five NFBC auction championship titles under his belt. He also boasts several prominent in the high-stakes market and multiple huge DFS wins. Shawn’s process and evaluation are among the most thorough in the sport and his exclusive FPGscore metric is changing the game. This 2024 Fantasy Baseball Auction Strategy and insight are courtesy of the brilliant mind of one of the sport’s best.    This Fantasy Baseball Auction Strategy is courtesy of Shawn Childs. Read Shawn’s expert fantasy analysis at his Substack.   Also, check out Shawn’s detailed 2024 Fantasy Baseball Strategy Guide for the most thorough tips and advice that you will find anywhere. Auction Overview The fantasy baseball market has many formats and league sizes, especially in auctions. I’ve played in American and National League formats with 12 teams plus 15-team mixed leagues. Each setup could also have keepers (players held for more than one year) or trading, which changes all players’ value during the auction. Over the last 20+ seasons, I’ve played in the high-stakes fantasy market where there is no trading, which puts pressure on a fantasy manager to develop a winning plan before the auction.  When doing an auction league with no trading, a fantasy manager has a small margin for error. No other team will be knocking on your door looking to take your third closer off your hands via a trade. If your roster is out of balance (strong in some categories and weak in others), you can’t trade hitting for pitching or even speed for saves. An auction can be won in many different ways, but many managers can lose the battle during the auction due to a questionable game plan or even a lack of foresight. Every year, the player pool will change slightly. The goal of a manager is to evaluate the inventory and develop a strategy that can be executed at the draft table. If I come away with enough pieces to the puzzle, I can manage my way to a championship. Whatever game plan I decide to use, I must be ready to adjust if I don’t get my key players. A fantasy manager can roster any player they want in an auction, but it comes with a price.  In most baseball auction leagues, each team starts with $260 to buy 14 hitters and nine pitchers. The goal is to accumulate the most league points in five hitting (batting average, runs, home runs, RBIs, and steals) and five pitching (wins, ERA, WHIP, strikeouts, and saves) categories.  In a 12-team league, a first-place finish in a category would be worth 12 points, second place is 11 points, and so on until reaching 12th place (one point). The winner of each league is determined by adding up all 10 categories.  Calling Out Players to Improve Your Team-Building Chances A common mistake fantasy managers make is hoping the players they want don’t get called out early. It sounds good in principle, but the problem is that all the other good players are coming off the board while I sit back, holding my money. If I wait and miss on my targeted players, I will have fewer options to build my team. Getting my key players called out as quickly as possible is essential. For example, if I want a player in the auction and believe he is the key to building my foundation, I would like to call him out on my first opportunity. By doing this, I find out how much he will cost (higher or lower than my predicted price point) or if I need to start looking for someone else to develop my team around. The quicker I know where I stand on critical players, the better my chance of executing my plan or adjusting on the fly.  For example, I wanted to build my team around Ronald Acuna, and I believed he could repeat a good portion of his 2023 stats (.337/149/41/106/73) with a target value of $55. If I miss on him, I will need to find another player with a step down in overall expectations. I should have a secondary plan to shift to another player with a similar skill set with less upside, but I would then save some of my spending budget.  In this example, my next tier for power and speed could be Julio Rodriguez. If Acuna gets called out early and sells for more than I’m willing to pay, Rodriguez would be attainable if his salary falls within my expected budget and his targeted salary. Suppose Rodriguez gets called out first, and someone buys him for $41 while I sit on Acuna as my first key player. In that case, I will have a further drop-off in the player pool if Acuna is purchased by another manager above my budgeted salary target. The situation worsens if many top players get called out before Acuna, forcing me to shove all in, no matter the cost, or revamp the foundation of my build on the fly. This freelancing style could lead to an imbalance in roster construction in a non-trading format where a trade can’t fix a shortfall in a category. In this example, a detour off of Acuna may push me to Freddie Freeman, putting me in a weaker position in speed but a potentially high floor and ceiling in batting average. This decision would force me to find stolen bases differently and potentially look for another source of high-end power.  If the drop-off from Acuna led me to Bobby Witt, I would set a high foundation in steals with 30+ home run power but only a neutral option for batting average. I would then focus on landing another high-average bat with one of my next two core hitters. Again,

2018 Fantasy Baseball: High-Stakes Auction Recap

Senior Fantasy Baseball Expert Shawn Childs runs through his recent high-stakes Fantasy Baseball auctions. While in Vegas, Childs put together a couple teams and like you might expect, the auction format didn’t always play out ideally.