AL FAAB Factor: New Shoe

This is our weekly look at American League free agents. We have two goals for this article:

1. Identify likely free agents and discuss their strengths and weaknesses.
2. Estimate how much of your free-agent budget you should bid on them.

One size does not fit all, and we could never hope to encompass all league structures, so bids are based on:

• 12-team league (either AL or Mixed, we'll specify)
• 5x5 categories
• $100 FAAB budget

Starting Pitcher

Rich Hill, Red Sox – Hill was amazing last week, as he pitched seven innings with one hit, one walk, and 10 strikeouts against the Rays on the road. This wasn't completely out of nowhere, as he had a 2.78 ERA (3.64 FIP) with 29 strikeouts and nine walks over 32.1 innings at Triple-A Pawtucket before joining the team this month. Still, it's hard to trust him going forward, as he has a career 4.80 ERA (4.71 FIP) and before last Sunday hadn't started a game since 2009. Trot him out there, if you're feeling lucky, when he gets the Orioles this week. Mixed: $2; AL: $6.

Sean Nolin, A's – After three trips through the rotation, Nolin has a 3.24 ERA (5.00 FIP) with 10 strikeouts and eight walks over 16.2 innings. His K/BB tell the story I'm believing, as his command has been poor and his FIP screams danger. This week he's at home against the Rangers, where I'd only use him if I were pretty desperate. Earlier this season at Triple-A Nashville, he had a 2.66 ERA (4.43 FIP) with 38 strikeouts and 19 walks over 47.1 innings. Mixed: $2; AL: $6.

James Paxton, Mariners – Paxton made his second start last week since coming back from a series of finger-related issues, and now has a 3.68 ERA (3.28 FIP) with 10 strikeouts and 10 walks over just 7.1 innings. He needs to work deeper into games and limit the walks to be of any help to the Mariners or his fantasy owners. This week he gets the Royals on the road, where he'll be a risky pick to come up with a quality start. Mixed: $2; AL: $6.

Matt Shoemaker, Angels – Shoemaker will reenter the Halos' rotation Sunday after missing time due to a forearm strain. As serious as that injury sounds, he has been able to throw bullpen sessions and the team trusts him enough to put him back out there. His season has been an ugly one with few highlights, as he has a 4.31 ERA (4.47 FIP) with 115 strikeouts and 33 walks over 131.2 innings. The home runs have really done him in this year (1.50 HR/9), and it's not really a surprise, considering he battled home-run issues in 2012 and 2013 at Triple-A Salt Lake before his breakout 2014 season in the majors, where those problems quieted down a bit. This week he gets Mariners at home. Mixed: $2; AL: $6.

Adam Warren, Yankees – Warren returned to the Yankees rotation last week and lasted just four innings, as he gave up two earned runs with no walks and four strikeouts to the Rays on the road. Considering he had been in the bullpen previously and is still getting stretched out, it's a decent appearance for the former starter. On the season he has a 3.63 ERA (4.04 FIP) with 58 strikeouts and 26 walks over 86.2 innings as a starter. It's somewhat surprising he ever left the rotation, considering the success he had earlier this year, but then again he pitched 78.2 innings last season and is now at 119 innings in 2015, so they team may have been wanting to monitor his workload. This week he gets the Blue Jays on the road and White Sox at home. Mixed: $2; AL: $6.

Relief Pitcher

Wade Davis, Royals – On the off chance that Davis is available in your league, he's worth picking up, as closer Greg Holland blew his fifth save Friday, giving up two earned runs on three hits and two walks. Holland has a 5.50 ERA (3.70 FIP) in the second half of the season as his command has taken a big step back. Not surprisingly, he's complained of a "cranky" elbow recently. It could be nothing, but Davis is still worth owning on the off chance that Holland needs a little rest before the Royals get geared up for another playoff run. On the season Davis has an 0.88 ERA (2.28 FIP) with 70 strikeouts and 19 walks over 61.2 innings. Mixed: $5; AL: Owned.

Ryan Dull, A's – Brought up when rosters expanded, Dull nailed down his first major league save Friday night, pitching two scoreless innings against the Astros in what ended up being a one-run game. He has only allowed three hits in 11 innings with 13 strikeouts and four walks and is pushing for more high-leverage looks as the season winds to a close. Earlier this season between Double-A Midland and Triple-A Nashville, he had an 0.74 ERA with 73 strikeouts and 16 walks over 61 innings. Expect him to be a fixture in the A's bullpen next season if he keeps this up. Mixed: $1; AL: $3.

Glen Perkins, Twins – After missing almost the entire month to this point with back spasms, Perkins is now healthy enough to pitch in games. Expected to be eased into high-leverage situations again, it's unlikely he'll unseat Kevin Jepsen for the closer role with so little time left in the season. Still, he's worth picking up in any keeper leagues he's available, as he's an effective reliever with a 2.68 ERA (3.40 FIP), 46 strikeouts, and eight walks over 50.1 innings this season. Mixed: $3; AL: $9.

Catcher

Carson Blair, A's – Brought up from the minors when rosters expanded, Blair saw a few starts last week and hit a home run. The team is still without Stephen Vogt (groin), leaving Josh Phegley as the starter on most days. Between Double-A Midland and Triple-A Nashville this season, Blair hit .252 with nine home runs over 334 plate appearances. Mixed: No; AL: $1.

Robinson Chirinos, Rangers – Chirinos (biceps) was expected back in the Rangers' lineup Saturday after taking batting practice Friday, but he did not play. He's been out for almost 10 days, and previously missed over a month with a shoulder injury. Finally healthy enough to return, he comes back to a .225 average with nine home runs over 261 plate appearances. Expect him to get some at-bats the last two weeks as the Rangers continue to push towards the playoffs, but the team has other (and healthier) options. Mixed: $1; AL: $3.

First Base

Billy Butler, A's – Butler hit two home runs last week, and he has feasted this month, hitting .361/.409/.607 with four home runs over 66 plate appearances. Likely owned in all AL formats, he should be picked up in any mixed leagues where available. Mixed: $5; AL: Owned.

Chris Carter, Astros – Carter hit a home run Friday, as he's gotten a hit in four consecutive games entering Saturday. He's starting to get more playing time, as Marwin Gonzalez deals with an injured index finger, thumb, and wrist. Gonzalez should be back by the end of the weekend, according to reports, but Carter can push for more playing time if he can string together some quality at-bats. A free-swinger, Carter is hitting just .192 with four home runs in the second half. Not surprisingly, he has seen his opportunities dry up as his bat has cooled. Mixed: $2; AL: Owned.

Jesus Montero, Mariners – Montero hit two home runs last week as he shares time with Logan Morrison and occasionally Mark Trumbo at first base. The lack of consistent playing time limits his value, but at least he's showing he's got some pop. After crushing it at Triple-A Tacoma with a .355 batting average and 18 home runs over 430 plate appearances, he's only hitting .217 with four home runs over 96 PA in the majors. Mixed: $1; AL: $3.

Second Base

Grant Green, Angels – Green has been dealing with an Achilles injury, but has been cleared to play and should start to steal playing time from Taylor Featherston soon, as Johnny Giavotella remains out. A diverse player defensively, Green has little upside offensively, as he's hit .249 with three home runs and one stolen base over 300 plate appearances over the past three seasons in the majors. Still, if you're scrapping for middle-infield help, he's likely available on all waiver wires. Mixed: $1; AL: $3.

Micah Johnson, White Sox – Brought up almost a week ago from Triple-A Charlotte, Johnson has started four of the last six games at second base for the White Sox. He's gotten off to a terrible start, going 2-for-18, but the club is likely to stick with him as they evaluate for 2016. At Charlotte, he hit .315 with eight home runs and 28 stolen bases over 351 plate appearances. He's replacing Carlos Sanchez, who is hitting .235 with one home run over the last month, though he's a slick defender. If you're speculating for stolen bases, Johnson's not a bad place to start, though he's got to get on base first. Mixed: $2; AL: $6.

Cliff Pennington, Blue Jays – Pennington hit two home runs last week, doing his best Troy Tulowitzki impression as the latter deals with a cracked shoulder blade that will likely sideline him the remainder of the regular season. In the interim, Pennington is manning second base, while Ryan Goins slides over to shortstop. On the season he's hitting .215 with three home runs and three stolen bases over 221 plate appearances. He's obviously in a great lineup, but betting on this power to continue is a fool's errand. Mixed: $2; AL: $6.

Shortstop

Dixon Machado and Andrew Romine, Tigers – Machado and Romine continue to share shortstop duties, as starter Jose Iglesias (finger) is out for the remainder of the season. Comparatively, over the last two weeks Romine is hitting .308 with one extra-base hit and two stolen bases over 39 at-bats, while Machado is hitting .300 with one extra-base hit over 20 at-bats. Any way you slice it, the two are limited offensively, though it might make more sense to play Machado more, as he's only 23 and has some room for growth, while Romine is 29 and likely a finished product. Avoid this situation if possible. Both Mixed: $1; AL: $3.

Deven Marrero, Red Sox – Marrero saw a couple of starts last week as he develops as a utility infielder at second, short, and third base. Blocked by established players at each position, it's not likely he has much value, even in AL formats. At Triple-A Pawtucket he hit .256 with six home runs and 12 stolen bases over 419 plate appearances, but it's his glove that has carried him to the majors. Mixed: No; AL: $2.

Third Base

Matt Duffy, Astros – Duffy, the Triple-A Pacific Coast League MVP, was called up last week to get some major league experience before the season finishes up. He hit .294/.366/.484 with 20 home runs and four stolen bases over 557 plate appearances at Triple-A Fresno to earn the honors. With Jed Lowrie and Luis Valbuena ahead of him on the depth chart, it's doubtful he'll see many at-bats, leaving his value limited to those in keeper leagues playing for 2016. Mixed: No; AL: $1.

Chris Johnson, Indians – Getting semi-regular playing time, Johnson has been an effective hitter of late, though it hasn't translated to any home runs. Since coming over from the Braves, he's hitting .357 with four doubles and no home runs over 59 plate appearances. The lack of extra-base hits is somewhat surprising, though he has dealt with a hand injury earlier this month. If you need batting average, he's worth considering. Mixed: $2; AL: $6.

Mike Olt, White Sox – Olt hit two home runs last week as he has taken over the full-time duties at third base for the Pale Hose. He was claimed off waivers from the Cubs at the start of the month and really hasn't done much in his MLB career. Now 26, he showed nice power earlier in his career in the minors, but has struggled to make contact in the majors. He's worth owning in all AL formats as long as he's getting everyday at-bats. Mixed: $3; AL: $9.

Danny Valencia, A's – Noted Astros killer Valencia went 3-for-3 with two home runs against Houston on Friday and hit another home run earlier in the week, and he's hitting .278 with 10 home runs in the second half of the season. Eligible at first, third, and in the outfield and maybe even at second base in some leagues, Valencia offers nice position flexibility and pop. If he's still available in your mixed league, find a spot for him. Mixed: $5; AL: Owned.

Outfield

Tyler Collins, Tigers – Collins has started four of the last five games in left field for the Tigers as they look to evaluate for 2016. He's hitting .266 with three home runs and two stolen bases over 169 plate appearances this season, making him an option in AL formats, but he's likely not ready for mixed-league use. At Triple-A Toledo this season, he hit .247 with two home runs and nine stolen bases over 218 PA. He has shown power before with 18 home runs at Toledo in 2014, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see him pop a few out in the last two weeks of the season. Mixed: $2; AL: $6.

Mikie Mahtook, Rays – Mahtook went 5-for-5 Friday night with two doubles, as he has quickly raised his batting average to .301 to go with four home runs and three stolen bases over 82 plate appearances. Previously at Triple-A Durham, he hit .249 with four home runs and 10 stolen bases over 418 PA, which was a step back from the progress he made a season ago at Durham. With not much left to play for this season, expect the Rays to move Mahtook around the outfield as they gear up for 2016. Mixed: $3; AL: $9.

Steve Pearce, Orioles – Pearce hit three home runs last week, as he's back to manning left field for the Orioles again. In what has been a slump-filled season, he has still managed to hit 13 home runs over 266 plate appearances, which is nice pop, but drowned out by his .220 batting average. Add him back in mixed leagues, as he's too hot to ignore. Mixed: $3; AL: Owned.

Jake Smolinski, A's – Smolinski hit two home runs last week, as he has started to see more playing time in left field with Mark Canha manning first base. Formerly with the Rangers, Smolinski hit .374 with nine home runs over 147 plate appearances between Triple-A Round Rock and Nashville. In the majors, he has disappointed with a .181 batting average and five home runs over 166 PA. The power is clearly there, but he just hasn't put it all together at the plate to make consistent contact. Mixed: $1; AL: $3.

Trayce Thompson, White Sox – Thompson hit a home run and two doubles last week as he continues to impress in his limited time in the majors. He's now hitting .369 with four home runs and one stolen base over 70 plate appearances after hitting .260 with 13 home runs and 11 steals over 417 PA at Triple-A Charlotte. He's hitting fifth or sixth in the lineup and at 24 looks to be playing his way into the team's 2016 plans. Mixed: $3; AL: $9.

Note: If you have anyone else you'd like me to discuss, just drop a line in the comments section.