Fantasy Focus: Dollar Options

So, my fantasy league finally showed up and we're going to draft Monday night.  We have an auction draft.  One really important part of auction drafting is to keep a list of rosterable players you are pretty sure you can get for $1 which then allows you more confidence for more aggressive bidding at the top of the draft.  I try to list at least 2-3 players for each position as other managers are likely playing the same game.  Here's my current list based on average Yahoo auction price(listed at less than $2):

Catcher:  Omar Narvaez Brewers, Carson Kelly D'Backs, Sean Murphy A's.  Narvaez hit 22 HR's last year for the Mariners. He'll be the main man for the BrewCrew in a more hitter-friendly home stadium.  Kelly and Murphy are young catchers looking to break out.

First Base:  Renato Nunez Orioles.  You will probably want to bid aggressively for a stud hitter for 1B, but 1B is a strong source for IF/UT/DH positions too.  Nunez flies under the radar because he plays for a terrible team in a smaller market, but he hit 31 HR's last year.  He also has 3B eligibility.

Second Base:  Kolton Wong Cardinals, Starlin Castro Nationals, Ian Happ Cubs.  Wong scored double digits in HR's(11) and Steals(24) last year.  Castro hit 22 HR's in a tough park and also has 3B eligibility.  Happ has had trouble finding traction on his MLB career, but could be primed for a breakout.  He also has 3B and OF eligibility.

Third Base:  Brian Anderson Marlins, Gio Urshula Yankees, Yandy Diaz Rays.  Anderson is not going to singlehandedly win you any categories but puts up solid numbers across the board.  He also has OF eligibility.  Urshula hit 21 HR's in 442 AB last year.  Diaz was hurt a lot but is a solid hitter with some power when healthy.

Shortstop:  Dansby Swanson Braves, Niko Goodrum Tigers, Willy Adames Rays, Carter Kieboom Nationals.  Swanson's MLB career started slowly, but he's improved each season and could be ready for a breakout.  Goodrum gives double digit HR's and Steals and has eligibility at 2B, 1B and OF too.  Kieboom is a rook, but is being given the full time starting 3B job for the Nationals and has SS eligibility.

Outfield:  Alex Verdugo Red Sox, Ryan Braun Brewers, Hunter Dozier Royals, Hunter Renfroe Rays, Randall Grichuk Blue Jays, Teoscar Hernandez Blue Jays, Sam Hilliard Rockies, Austin Hays Orioles, Kole Calhoun D'Backs.  Renfroe, Grichuk and Calhoun won't help your BA, but are a cheap source of HR's and all the good things that come along with them.  Hilliard and Hays are breakout candidates.

Starting Pitcher:  Joey Lucchesi Padres, Caleb Smith Marlins, Joe Musgrove Pirates, Yonny Chirinos Rays, Jon Gray Rockies, Adrian Houser Brewers, Garrett Richards Angels, Nate Eovaldi Red Sox, Kevin Gausman Giants, Drew Smyly Giants, Logan Webb Giants.  Richards and Eovaldi are coming off injuries.  They are both risky but hey, if you can snag them for $1, why not?  There are no rosterable Giants hitters in standard 10-12 team leagues, but their pitching offers some bargain opportunities. 

Not going to bother with RP's.  In our league, you will overpay for Saves, but can really help yourself in the ERA, K and WHIP categories by drafting multi-inning relievers and setup men who are almost always available for $1 if they get drafted at all.

Again, you don't want a roster of only $1 players but having several on your team frees up money to spend on elite players at the top of the draft.