If you listened to the RotoWire Fantasy Baseball Podcast or the Prospect Podcast last week, you're well aware that our Staff Keeper League 2 auction and reserve draft are coming up Wednesday.
With all 17 owners submitting their keepers last week -- up to 15 major league keepers and 10 minor league keepers per team -- I decided it was time to generate my "efficiency rankings" for 2015. It's a really simple concept. You take the RotoWire recommended value for each player based on your league's settings, generated using the custom auction values tool, and subtract from that number the price they were kept at. So, if RotoWire projects a player will return $11 in value and you have him at $1, that contract has a +10 efficiency score for 2015. It's not perfect, but it's a nice way to estimate how much you can expect to profit from a player's contract in the upcoming season.
Keep in mind that some owners took over a team this offseason and are building for the future, so while some of their contracts may project to be inefficient this year, they could become very efficient in the years ahead. Again, potential future profit is not taken into account in these rankings.
This is a 17-team, 5x5 rotisserie league with 24 active roster spots (14 hitters and nine pitchers). Each owners has $260 to spend in the auction every year to fill just the active spots, with keeper contracts subtracted from that $260. A reserve draft is held immediately following the auction. The salary figure of each player is listed first in parentheses in the rankings below, followed by the RotoWire recommended price.
Here we go. . .
17. Chris Smith
Nick Castellanos, DET ($3, $8) efficiency: +5
Starlin Castro, CHC ($28, $12) efficiency: -16
Hanley Ramirez, BOS ($34, $24) efficiency: -10
Xander Bogaerts, BOS ($16, $6) efficiency: -10
Jason Heyward, STL ($29, $19) efficiency: -10
Danny Santana, MIN ($3, $12) efficiency: +9
Henderson Alvarez, MIA ($1, $4) efficiency: +3
Dylan Bundy, BAL ($21, $0) efficiency: -21
Jon Gray, COL ($6, $0) efficiency: -6
Derek Holland, TEX ($1, $6) efficiency: +5
Carlos Martinez, STL ($3, $1) efficiency: -2
James Paxton, SEA ($3, $1) efficiency: -2
Drew Pomeranz, OAK ($1, $3) efficiency: +2
Aaron Sanchez ($3, $0) efficiency: -3
Zack Wheeler, NYM ($18, $10) efficiency: -8
Total 2015 Contract Efficiency: -64
16. Brad Johnson
Kurt Suzuki, MIN ($5, $0) efficiency: -5
Logan Morrison, SEA ($5, $0) efficiency: -5
Brian Dozier, MIN ($13, $20) efficiency: +7
Jordy Mercer, PIT ($3, $9) efficiency: +6
Jacoby Ellsbury, NYY ($34, $24) efficiency: -10
Alex Gordon, KC ($19, $18) efficiency: -1
Michael Saunders, TOR ($3, $0) efficiency: -3
Travis Snider, BAL ($5, $0) efficiency: -5
Kevin Gausman, BAL ($3, $5) efficiency: +2
Phil Hughes, MIN ($6, $10) efficiency: +4
Kenley Jansen, LAD ($16, $8) efficiency: -8
Ian Kennedy, SD ($12, $7) efficiency: -5
Brandon Morrow, SD ($4, $0) efficiency: -4
Glen Perkins, MIN ($13, $9) efficiency: -4
Noah Syndergaard, NYM ($3, $0) efficiency: -3
Total 2015 Contract Efficiency: -34
15. Dan Pennucci
Robinson Chirinos, TEX ($2, $0) efficiency: -2
Derek Norris, SD ($6, $6) efficiency: 0
Adam LaRoche, CHW ($16, $16) efficiency: 0
Todd Frazier, CIN ($24, $24) efficiency: 0
Jed Lowrie, HOU ($7, $6) efficiency: -1
Chris Owings, AZ ($3, $3) efficiency: 0
Kendrys Morales, KC ($7, $4) efficiency: -3
Lorenzo Cain, KC ($4, $12) efficiency: +8
George Springer, HOU ($3, $24) efficiency: +21
Justin Upton, SD ($33, $22) efficiency: -11
Jeremy Hellickson, AZ ($5, $0) efficiency: -5
Bud Norris, BAL ($1, $3) efficiency: +2
Tanner Roark, WAS ($5, $5) efficiency: 0
Taijuan Walker, SEA ($16, $1) efficiency: -15
Total 2015 Contract Efficiency: -6
14. Bernie Pleskoff
Mike Zunino, SEA ($6, $2) efficiency: -4
Kennys Vargas, MIN ($8, $8) efficiency: 0
Jose Altuve, HOU ($26, $28) efficiency: -2
Jhonny Peralta, STL ($3, $7) efficiency: +4
Avisail Garcia, CWS ($16, $12) efficiency: -4
Carlos Carrasco, CLE ($1, $11) efficiency: +10
Aroldis Chapman, CIN ($28, $18) efficiency: -10
Alex Colome, TB ($1, $0) efficiency: -1
Neftali Feliz, TEX ($5, $7) efficiency: +2
Miguel Gonzalez, BAL ($1, $5) efficiency: +4
Garrett Richards, LAA ($5, $6) efficiency: +1
Chris Tillman, BAL ($2, $9) efficiency: +7
Total 2015 Contract Efficiency: +7
12. Adam Wolf
Paul Goldschmidt, AZ ($42, $37) efficiency: -5
Jedd Gyorko, SD ($10, $9) efficiency: -1
Kyle Seager, SEA ($11, $19) efficiency: +8
A.J. Pollock, AZ ($3, $16) efficiency: +13
Zach Britton, BAL ($14, $12) efficiency: -2
Scott Feldman, HOU ($1, $0) efficiency: -1
Sonny Gray, OAK ($12, $16) efficiency: +4
Andrew Heaney, LAA ($3, $0) efficiency: -3
Danny Salazar, CLE ($8, $6) efficiency: -2
Total 2015 Contract Efficiency: +11
12. Nathan Lutterman
Miguel Montero, CHC ($16, $6) efficiency: -10
Anthony Rizzo, CHC ($22, $29) efficiency: +7
Jimmy Rollins, LAD ($12, $12) efficiency: 0
Nick Markakis, ATL ($6, $6) efficiency: 0
Tony Cingrani, CIN ($3, $0) efficiency: -3
Kyle Lohse, MIL ($2, $10) efficiency: +8
Shelby Miller, ATL ($2, $8) efficiency: +6
Jonathon Niese, NYM ($6, $3) efficiency: -3
Wily Peralta, MIL ($9, $9) efficiency: 0
Michael Wacha, STL ($3, $9) efficiency: +6
Total 2015 Contract Efficiency: +11
11. Andrew Martinez
Evan Gattis, HOU ($3, $12) efficiency: +9
Yan Gomes, CLE ($1, $16) efficiency: +15
Victor Martinez, DET ($15, $19) efficiency: +4
Matt Carpenter, STL ($2, $17) efficiency: +15
Alcides Escobar, KC ($3, $12) efficiency: +9
Ryan Braun, MIL ($44, $25) efficiency: -19
Nelson Cruz, SEA ($18, $16) efficiency: -2
Brett Gardner, NYY ($11, $18) efficiency: +7
Dellin Betances, NYY ($2, $18) efficiency: +16
Yu Darvish, TEX ($31, $0) efficiency: -31
Clayton Kershaw, LAD ($39, $37) efficiency: -2
Dallas Keuchel, HOU ($5, $2) efficiency: -3
Corey Kluber, CLE ($5, $18) efficiency: +13
Jon Lester, CHC ($12, $16) efficiency: +4
Matt Shoemaker, LAA ($6, $11) efficiency: +5
Total 2015 Contract Efficiency: +30
10. George Kurtz
Edwin Encarnacion, TOR ($38, $29) efficiency: -9
Manny Machado, BAL ($18, $17) efficiency: -1
Scooter Gennett, MIL ($1, $13) efficiency: +12
Lucas Duda, NYM ($5, $15) efficiency: +10
Melky Cabrera, CWS ($15, $17) efficiency: +2
Carl Crawford, LAD ($10, $9) efficiency: -1
Michael Cuddyer, NYM ($5, $15) efficiency: +10
Adam Jones, BAL ($32, $31) efficiency: -1
Giancarlo Stanton, MIA ($40, $33) efficiency: -7
David Ortiz, BOS ($6, $19) efficiency: +13
Cole Hamels, PHI ($21, $19) efficiency: -2
Greg Holland, KC ($8, $18) efficiency: +10
David Robertson, CWS ($8, $14) efficiency: +6
Anibal Sanchez, DET ($16, $11) efficiency: -5
Max Scherzer, WAS ($25, $25) efficiency: 0
Total 2015 Contract Efficiency: +37
8. Jake Letarski
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, MIA ($4, $3) efficiency: -1
Brandon Belt, SF ($9, $14) efficiency: +5
Trevor Plouffe, MIN ($3, $11) efficiency: +8
Carlos Santana, CLE ($21, $14) efficiency: -7
Kole Calhoun, LAA ($11, $20) efficiency: +9
Alejandro De Aza, BAL ($5, $8) efficiency: +3
Carlos Gomez, MIL ($29, $30) efficiency: +1
Jorge Soler, CHC ($3, $16) efficiency: +13
Jayson Werth, WAS ($14, $19) efficiency: +5
Andrew Cashner, SD ($11, $8) efficiency: -3
Jose Fernandez, MIA ($3, $5) efficiency: +5
Matt Garza, MIL ($1, $3) efficiency: +2
Hector Rondon, CHC ($7, $8) efficiency: +1
Trevor Rosenthal, STL ($11, $9) efficiency: -2
Jacob Turner, CHC ($1, $0) efficiency: -1
Total 2015 Contract Efficiency:+38
8. Clay Link
Jonathan Lucroy, MIL ($17, $14) efficiency: -3
Jason Castro, HOU ($5, $3) efficiency: -2
Chris Davis, BAL ($9, $21) efficiency: +12
Arismendy Alcantara, CHC ($3, $1) efficiency: -2
Charlie Blackmon, COL ($1, $18) efficiency: +17
Rusney Castillo, BOS ($12, $17) efficiency: +5
Billy Hamilton, CIN ($19, $16) efficiency: -3
Matt Kemp, SD ($27, $21) efficiency: -6
Chris Carter, HOU ($11, $18) efficiency: +7
Alex Cobb, TB ($16, $14) efficiency: -2
Chris Archer, TB ($6, $12) efficiency: +6
Brad Boxberger, TB ($1, $8) efficiency: +7
Jesse Hahn, OAK ($3, $3) efficiency: 0
Francisco Rodriguez, MIL ($5, $9) efficiency: +4
Nathan Eovaldi, NYY ($2, $0) efficiency: -2
Total 2015 Contract Efficiency: +38
7. Ryan Eisner
Miguel Cabrera, DET ($53, $36) efficiency: -17
Rougned Odor, TEX ($3, $12) efficiency: +9
Nolan Arenado, COL ($7, $21) efficiency: +14
Elvis Andrus, TEX ($16, $14) efficiency: -2
Matt Adams, STL ($5, $16) efficiency: +11
Denard Span, WAS ($3, $13) efficiency: +10
Drew Stubbs, COL ($1, $8) efficiency: +7
Homer Bailey, CIN ($7, $8) efficiency: +1
Craig Kimbrel, ATL ($33, $19) efficiency: -14
Brandon McCarthy, LAD ($1, $8) efficiency: +7
Yordano Ventura, KC ($3, $11) efficiency: +8
Jacob deGrom, NYM ($6, $11) efficiency: +5
Total 2015 Contract Efficiency: +39
6. James Anderson
Buster Posey, SF ($37, $22) efficiency: -15
Travis d'Arnaud, NYM ($8, $5) efficiency: +3
Steve Pearce, BAL ($1, $4) efficiency: +3
Kolten Wong, STL ($11, $11) efficiency: 0
Troy Tulowitzki, COL ($36, $28) efficiency: -8
Javier Baez, CHC ($3, $8) efficiency: +5
Adam Lind, MIL ($1, $9) efficiency: +8
Leonys Martin, TEX ($3, $18) efficiency: +15
Steven Souza, TB ($3, $12) efficiency: +9
Christian Yelich, MIA ($3, $22) efficiency: +19
Ken Giles, PHI ($1, $2) efficiency: +1
Matt Harvey, NYM ($9, $11) efficiency: +2
Jake McGee, TB ($1, $5) efficiency: +4
Jose Quintana, CWS ($14, $6) efficiency: -8
Marcus Stroman, TOR ($3, $6) efficiency: +3
Total 2015 Contract Efficiency: +41
5. Derek VanRiper
Brian McCann, NYY ($11, $11) efficiency: 0
Freddie Freeman, ATL ($22, $25) efficiency: +3
Pablo Sandoval, BOS ($23 $16) efficiency: -7
Jose Bautista, TOR ($35, $32) efficiency: -3
Khris Davis, MIL ($5, $12) efficiency: +7
Andrew McCutchen, PIT ($45, $38) efficiency: -7
Marcell Ozuna, MIA ($3, $20) efficiency: +17
Cody Allen, CLE ($1, $13) efficiency: +12
Jake Arrieta, CHC ($4, $14) efficiency: +10
Gerrit Cole, PIT ($9, $12) efficiency: +3
Hisashi Iwakuma, SEA ($3, $13) efficiency: +10
Chris Sale, CWS ($24, $24) efficiency: 0
Drew Storen, WAS ($5, $9) efficiency: +4
Huston Street, LAA ($9, $10) efficiency: +1
Julio Teheran, ATL ($8, $18) efficiency: +10
Total 2015 Contract Efficiency: +60
4. John Toperzer
Russell Martin, TOR ($5, $6) efficiency: +1
Josh Harrison, PIT ($8, $10) efficiency: +2
Ian Desmond, WAS ($20, $25) efficiency: +5
Neil Walker, PIT ($9, $15) efficiency: +6
Starling Marte, PIT ($15, $20) efficiency: +5
Hunter Pence, SF ($15, $18) efficiency: +3
Gregory Polanco, PIT ($3, $16) efficiency: +13
Yasiel Puig, LAD ($16, $30) efficiency: +14
Ben Revere, PHI ($9, $17) efficiency: +8
Johnny Cueto, CIN ($20, $21) efficiency: +1
Mike Fiers, MIL ($6, $14) efficiency: +8
Zack Greinke, LAD ($23, $22) efficiency: -1
Felix Hernandez, SEA ($34, $28) efficiency: -6
Mark Melancon, PIT ($6, $15) efficiency: +9
Jordan Zimmermann, WAS ($21, $19) efficiency: -2
Total 2015 Contract Efficiency: +66
3. Nick Shlain
Stephen Vogt, OAK ($1, $0) efficiency: -1
Anthony Rendon, WAS ($11, $24) efficiency: +13
Kris Bryant, CHC ($12, $17) efficiency: +5
Alexei Ramirez, CHW ($19, $16) efficiency: -3
Mookie Betts, BOS ($3, $16) efficiency: +13
Michael Brantley, CLE ($11, $27) efficiency: +16
Coco Crisp, OAK ($5, $13) efficiency: +8
Kevin Kiermaier, TB ($1, $5) efficiency: +4
J.D. Martinez, DET ($18, $17) efficiency: -1
Santiago Casilla, SF ($4, $7) efficiency: +3
Drew Hutchison, TOR ($3, $6) efficiency: +3
Scott Kazmir, OAK ($5, $3) efficiency: -2
Lance Lynn, STL ($7, $13) efficiency: +6
Collin McHugh, HOU ($6, $13) efficiency: +7
Adam Wainwright, STL ($22, $19) efficiency: -3
Total 2015 Contract Efficiency: +68
2. Andrew Fiorentino
Devin Mesoraco, CIN ($12, $11) efficiency: -1
Jose Abreu, CHW ($30, $33) efficiency: +3
Dee Gordon, MIA ($3, $17) efficiency: +14
Josh Donaldson, TOR ($5, $26) efficiency: +21
Jean Segura, MIL ($10, $11) efficiency: +1
Justin Morneau, COL ($12, $20) efficiency: +8
Oswaldo Arcia, MIN ($3, $13) efficiency: +10
Corey Dickerson, COL ($1, $27) efficiency: +26
Mike Trout, LAA ($54, $43) efficiency: -11
Steve Cishek, MIA ($4, $12) efficiency: +8
Danny Duffy, KC ($6, $9) efficiency: +3
Luke Gregerson, HOU ($2, $0) efficiency: -2
James Shields, SD ($21, $11) efficiency: -10
Drew Smyly, TB ($6, $11) efficiency: +5
Alex Wood, ATL ($10, $12) efficiency: +2
Total 2015 Contract Efficiency: +77
1. Ryan McGlone and Tim Schuler
C.J. Cron, LAA ($3, $9) efficiency: +6
Daniel Murphy, NYM ($3, $18) efficiency: +15
Marcus Semien, OAK ($1, $0) efficiency: -1
Marlon Byrd, CIN ($1, $13) efficiency: +12
Adam Eaton, CWS ($12, $13) efficiency: +1
David Peralta, AZ ($2, $0) efficiency: -2
Seth Smith, SEA ($1, $3) efficiency: +2
Madison Bumgarner, SF ($21, $20) efficiency: +1
Bartolo Colon, NYM ($3, $6) efficiency: +3
Shane Greene, DET ($1, $2) efficiency: +1
John Lackey, STL ($2, $11) efficiency: +9
Tyson Ross, SD ($6, $11) efficiency: +5
Hyun-Jin Ryu, LAD ($3, $10) efficiency: +7
Ervin Santana, MIN ($1, $7) efficiency: +6
Koji Uehara, BOS ($2, $15) efficiency: +13
Total 2015 Contract Efficiency: +78
Most efficient contracts for 2015: Corey Dickerson +26, George Springer +21, Josh Donaldson +21, Christian Yelich +19, Marcell Ozuna +17, Charlie Blackmon +17
Least efficient contracts for 2015: Yu Darvish -31, Dylan Bundy -21, Ryan Braun -19, Miguel Cabrera -17, Starlin Castro -16, Buster Posey -15
Of course, every keeper league is different, but I'm hoping this will be helpful for those with keeper deadlines in the days and weeks ahead.
What do you think? Let me know on Twitter @claywlink.