The latest Sim Auction featured the players from four World Series teams spanning a century of baseball history, creating an interesting blend of old-school legends and modern-day superstars. This was the first auction in which all the participants were prior champions. Andy Palomino, Steve Andrusko, Anthony Spencer and Jason Besly squared off in what developed into a very competitive auction!
Ultimately, Andy Palomino emerged victorious, winning the Sim Auction World Series in six simulated seasons while averaging 96 wins per season. His strategy was built on balance—11 of his 12 pitchers were Grade 10 or higher, ensuring strong performances across the rotation. Meanwhile, his starting lineup had no weak links, with every batter boasting an OPS above .700. Andy secured Lou Gehrig, arguably the best hitter in the auction, for $43, pairing him with Goose Goslin ($19), forming the most potent duo in the competition. Their offensive firepower propelled his team to the best OPS in the World Series (.780), providing the foundation for championship success.
Steve Andrusko’s team kept the battle competitive, averaging 87 wins per season and pulling off dramatic comebacks in two of the simulated seasons. His team was highlighted by strong offensive production led by Hall of Famers Joe DiMaggio and Bill Dickey. On the pitching side, Steve battled with Andy for the services of Walter Johnson, ultimately landing Johnson with a bold $55 bid. Johnson delivered as expected, but Steve struggled to find a strong supporting cast of starters. Steve’s team did have the best group of relief pitchers, which made his team dangerous in the season simulations that remained close until the end.
Jason Besly’s team was built around a dominant pitching duo—Lefty Gomez and Red Ruffing—but the combined $99 spent on them limited his ability to construct a quality lineup. The lack of offensive production made it difficult for his team to keep pace with the more balanced rosters. Jason’s team did get an impressive performance from Mike Napoli (2nd highest composite OPS) and Mookie Betts and Ian Kinsler were also strong contributors, but his lineup dropped off dramatically after that. Jason’s bullpen also proved to be a weakness, further contributing to his team’s struggles.
Anthony Spencer’s team introduced an unforgettable moment in Sim Auction history—a bidding war for Shohei Ohtani. In an intense back-and-forth, Anthony emerged victorious, securing Ohtani for $58—the second-highest total ever paid for a hitter in a Sim Auction! However, Anthony did not realize the strategic consequences of this purchase—if he had let Steve win Ohtani at $57, it would have forced Steve into 18 one-dollar bids for his remaining players, significantly impacting his ability to field a competitive roster. After acquiring Ohtani, Anthony doubled down and spent a total of $155 on hitters, including Josh Hamilton, Adrian Beltre, Nelson Cruz, and Michael Young. This aggressive spending led to deficiencies in his pitching staff, resulting in the worst-performing rotation in the auction (4.85 ERA).
Overall, this Sim Auction was defined by aggressive bidding, bold strategies, and an intense competitive field. Andy’s well-balanced approach, combined with top-tier hitting and fielding and effective pitching, proved to be the ultimate formula for success. With each auction bringing fresh surprises, one can only imagine what twists await in future competitions!
Contact Andy Palomino at baseballsimauctions@yahoo.com if you are interested in participating in a future Sim Auction.
Download the Sim Auction results: https://sabrbaseballgaming.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Sim-Auction-Spreadsheet_5-31-25.xlsx
Download the statistical summary of the season simulations: https://sabrbaseballgaming.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Sim-Auction-Stats-Summary_5-31-25.xlsx
I've been a baseball fan since 1974, I was originally a New York Mets fan, but in 1989 I discovered Fantasy Baseball, in the span of a few years, I switched my allegiance from the Mets to the yearly batch of players on my Fantasy Teams. I'm still the commissioner of the two Fantasy Baseball leagues I started in 1989! In my work life I'm a Compliance Manager for a Hearing Aids manufacturer. In my spare time, I like to read, play baseball game simulations and spend time binge watching science fiction shows with my wife.
I've been a baseball fan since 1974, I was originally a New York Mets fan, but in 1989 I discovered Fantasy Baseball, in the span of a few years, I switched my allegiance from the Mets to the yearly batch of players on my Fantasy Teams. I'm still the commissioner of the two Fantasy Baseball leagues I started in 1989! In my work life I'm a Compliance Manager for a Hearing Aids manufacturer. In my spare time, I like to read, play baseball game simulations and spend time binge watching science fiction shows with my wife.
