AL FAAB Factor: New Starters Post-Deadline

STARTING PITCHERS

Ubaldo Jimenez, SP, CLE - If you're an Indians fan, you have to be on cloud nine about this move. For a team that's been perpetually on the sellers market, seemingly even when they were winning, over the last decade, it's encouraging as all-get-out to see them swinging for the playoff fences this season. Through 123 innings with the Rockies this season, Jimenez posted a mediocre 4.46 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, and 118:54 K:BB ratio. He should make his first start within the next few days after only pitching one inning in his scheduled start on Saturday. AL-only league players are going to have to overpay for Jimenez if they want him. Unless something silly happens with another deadline trade, Jimenez is the best pitcher that will be available through the bidding process for the rest of the season. Everyone in your league will be gunning for him. The top teams will want to add his arm, and the bottom teams should bid aggressively on him as well to use him as trade bait or to keep. If you know the other players in your league are conservative with their bids, then feel free to take a chance making a middling bid. However, my suggestion is to see what everyone's FAAB budgets are at, and make the biggest bid you have to in order to win Jimenez. Mixed: $NA; AL: $Max bid.

Jacob Turner, SP, DET - Turner was a surprise call-up from Double-A by the Tigers on Saturday. Duane Below was scheduled to start, but the Motown Tigers opted to give Turner a spot start in the rotation until they could get Doug Fister officially moved to the team after Saturday's trade. We could see Turner return to the team for some more seasoning in September, but he's not worth adding this week. Through 113.2 innings of work at Double-A Erie this season, Turner has posted a 3.48 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 90:32 K:BB ratio. He went 5.1 innings in his debut Saturday, striking out six and walking three. Turner is one of the top prospects in baseball, let alone being one of the top pitching prospects. Though he's unlikely to have a permanent rotation spot at any point the rest of this season, he's the kind of prospect that's close enough to the bigs that you need to know him. Mixed: $0; AL: $0.

Chris Tillman, SP, BAL - He was called up to start one of the Orioles games during their doubleheader Saturday, but they optioned him back to Triple-A following his start. The Orioles also obtained Tommy Hunter from the Rangers on Saturday, meaning Hunter should claim a spot in the rotation, and Tillman's chances of making more starts this year has been significantly reduced. Mixed: $0; AL: $0.

Matthew Moore, SP, TB - Moore is probably the most talked about pitching prospect in the RotoWire office. It's impossible not to be enamored with this kid's K numbers. Every time he's been promoted, his strikeouts have stayed at their prolific level. Through 102.1 innings at Double-A this season, he posted a 2.20 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 131:28 K:BB ratio. Yeah, that's 131 strikeouts in 102.1 innings. I stutter when trying to tell people's his stats, because they're, as most scouts would say, awesome. If you're trading for minor leaguers in a keeper league, Moore's the most intriguing pitching prospect to try and get right now. He was just recently promoted to Triple-A and has struck out 20 batters through his first two starts (13.0 innings). In those two starts, he's also only allowed four walks and one earned run. This kid is legit. Prospect

Manny Banuelos, SP, NYY - Banuelos is scheduled to get promoted to Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre before his next start. There's a chance this could mean we'll see him get a call-up when rosters expand in September. Banuelos is one of the top prospects in the Yankees' farm system. Through 95.1 innings of work at Double-A this season, he's posted a 3.59 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, and 94: 52 K:BB ratio. The jump in the number of walks he issued this season is a little concerning, but being that he's only 20 years old and is considered to have good command, I'm going to stay positive and say the digression there is merely a symptom of moving up the minor league ladder. A little more experience and seasoning should shake out the kinks. If you're trading for minor leaguers in a keeper league, Banuelos might be a good guy to target. He probably won't be of much use next season, but there's a chance he could find his way into the rotation with another good showing in spring. Prospect

Tommy Hunter, SP, BAL - Hunter couldn't crack the Rangers' rotation this season, but he's expected to claim a spot in the rotation for the Orioles. Through 128 innings primarily as a starter for the Rangers in 2010, Hunter posted a 3.73 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and 108:68 K:BB ratio. He walks too many batters, but that hasn't hurt him too much during his career. If you're looking for a decent starter to add in deeper mixed leagues, Hunter might surprise us with the Orioles. AL-only players will definitely want to put a bid in on him. Mixed: $5; AL: $8.

Zach Britton, SP, BAL - Britton was murder by the Yankees on Saturday. His body was found bludgeoned by maple and ash bats. The Orioles recalled the promising 23-year-old lefty. Britton was one of the best pitchers in the majors for the better part of the first two months of the season, but he's since struggled to get outs. In his last two outings in the majors, he's given up 13 earned runs in just an inning of work. He wasn't able to make it out of the first inning in either of his last two starts. It's worth grabbing him in all AL-only leagues and putting him on watch lists in mixed leagues. I might buy him in some leagues this weekend, but I'm not activating him until he has a decent outing. Mixed: $1; AL: $7.

Brad Mills, SP, TOR - The Blue Jays called up the 26-year-old Mills earlier this week and gave him the start Saturday. He doesn't have overpowering stuff. Most of his success comes from changing speeds and good location. After giving up just two run on six hits Saturday, the Jays will give him another start Friday, but any struggles could lead to Jesse Litsch getting another shake in the starting rotation. AL-only leagues will want to consider making a bid on the live arm. Through 130.2 innings at Triple-A Las Vegas this season, Mills posted a 3.99 ERA, 1.29 Whip, and a 114:35 K:BB ratio. Mixed: $0; AL: $4.

Ivan Nova, SP, NYY - Nova (ankle) was activated from the DL Saturday and started the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Orioles. He was good in his return, and the success he had could lead to the Yankees giving him a rotation spot if Phil Hughes continues to be mediocre. I'm making a speculative add of Nova in all AL-only leagues this week and some of my mixed leagues. Even though he has an unimpressive 57:38 K:BB ratio through 98.2 innings of work this season, his 9-4 record is evidence of the benefit of pitching for the Yankees. Their prolific offense can earn pitchers wins in bunches. Mixed: $1; AL: $4.

Erik Bedard, SP, SEA - Bedard (knee) made his return from the DL Friday. He got lit up by the Rays, but that could just be him shaking off some rust. He's owned in just 45 percent of Yahoo! leagues and will make his next start against the Triple-A Oakland Athletics' offense. I'm adding him in any leagues that he's available. Through 91.1 innings this season, he's posted a 3.45 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 87:30 K:BB ratio. Go get him if he's available. If he gets hurt, you can always just drop him. UPDATE: Bedard was traded to Boston just before the deadline Sunday. This helps his value even more, because the Red Sox actually win baseball games. Mixed: $10; AL: $15.

Jon Lester, SP, BOS - Lester (shoulder) was activated from the DL Monday and made two starts this week. He's healthy and working. Make sure he's in your active lineup for the week ahead.

RELIEF PITCHERS

Rafael Soriano, RP, NYY - Soriano (elbow) was activated from the DL this week. If you're in the deeper leagues that use relievers, he has the potential to be one of the better late inning (non-closer) options for the rest of the season. In his return Saturday, Soriano struck out two in his one inning of work. Mixed: $0; AL: $1.

Jesse Litsch, RP, TOR - Litsch was recalled by Blue Jays on Thursday, but he'll be working out of the bullpen in a long relief role for the foreseeable future. This kid has been overrated in fantasy for three years. Don't waste any money on him right now. Mixed: $0; AL: $0.

Mike Adams, RP, TEX - Adams has arguably been the best non-closer reliever this season. He posted a 1.13 ERA, 0.73 WHIP, and 49:9 K:BB ratio with the Padres, before being traded to the Rangers on Sunday. He's worth a speculative add this week, because the Rangers could do something crazy and shake up their bullpen in order to use Neftali Feliz in a different role. Mixed: $2; AL: $5.

CATCHERS

Taylor Teagarden, C, TEX - Yorvit Torrealba was scratched from Sunday's game with back stiffness. If this issue persists, the recently recalled Teagarden could carve out a regular role. Mixed: $0; AL: $1.

CORNER INFIELDERS

Chris Davis, 1B/3B, BAL - Davis was traded to the Orioles on Saturday and is starting at first base in Sunday's game. The Orioles also traded Derek Lee to the Pirates in a separate move. Davis did okay in limited action with the Rangers this season. Through 76 at-bats, he hit .250 with three home runs, six RBI, and nine runs scored. Unfortunately, he also struck out 24 times in that limited action. With Lee out of the picture in Baltimore, Davis should start at first the rest of the season. This kid has destroyed minor league pitching in his career, and his level of success there suggests he's capable of being a better than average power bat in the majors. If he could just get all the pieces to fit together consistently, Davis could be a regular on even shallow mixed league rosters. Mixed: $7; AL: $10.

Eric Chavez, 3B, NYY - Chavez (foot) was activated form the DL Tuesday. He's received three starts at third in the Yankees' last five games. If he continues to see regular action while Alex Rodriguez is on the DL, Chavez could have a little value in deeper AL-only leagues. Mixed: $0; AL: $0.

Brandon Allen, 1B, OAK - Allen was traded from the Diamondbacks to the Athletics on Sunday. He was only being used in a platoon after getting called up by the Diamondbacks recently. The Athletics would be foolish not to give him the starting job at first. Though he was hitting just .172, Allen had already swatted three home runs in 29 at-bats this season. Mixed: $7; AL: $10.

MIDDLE INFIELDERS

Mike Aviles, 2B/SS/3B/OF, KC - Aviles was traded to the Red Sox on Saturday. He's going to be used in the outfield initially. His versatility should earn him a fair number of at-bats with Boston, but it's doubtful he takes over an every day role at any one position. I'm not comfortable suggesting he be owned in anything but the deepest of AL-only leagues at this time, but it'll be worth watching how often he plays in the coming week to decide whether he's worth bidding on next week. Mixed: $0; AL: $0.

Jason Kipnis, 2B, CLE - Kipnis has struggled at the plate through his first week in the majors, but the Indians' trade of Orlando Cabrera all but ensures that Kipnis will be the everyday second baseman for the rest of the season. If you want to read about how much I love this kid, refer last weeks article. Mixed: $7; AL: $10.

OUTFIELDERS/UTILITY

Kosuke Fukudome, OF, CLE - Fukudome should be an everyday starter in the outfield for the Indians the rest of the season. He may get moved to center when Shin-Soo Choo returns from the DL, but something strange would have to happen for him not to be playing on a daily basis. Through 293 at-bats with the Cubs this season, Fukudome hit .273 with three home runs, 13 RBI, and 33 runs scored. I'm not using him in regular mixed leagues, but AL-only players in need of an everyday bat should throw a couple dollars at him. Mixed: $0; AL: $4.

Alejandro De Aza, OF, CHW - De Aza was called up Wednesday, and he's expected to be the almost every day starter in center for the foreseeable future. The White Sox have simply tired of the vomitous play of Alexis Rios this season. De Aza shook the foundations of U.S. Cellular on Wednesday when he homered to help solidify a win over the AL Central leading Tigers. Then the 27-year-old lefty followed up his big season debut by going 0-for-3 Friday. Rios was given the start Saturday, and Rios could get a few starts here with the Sox facing a string of left-handed starters. De Aza has some pop and speed, but he doesn't have a gross amount of either. He's a decent speculative add in AL-only leagues, but I'm not biting on him in regular mixed leagues yet. Mixed: $0; AL: $1.

Vladimir Guererro, DH, BAL - Guerrero (hand) returned from the DL, as expected, Tuesday, and he's been hitting the ball well all week. Make sure he's in your active lineup for the week ahead.

Casper Wells, OF, SEA - Wells was traded to the Mariners as part of the trade that sent Doug Fister to Detroit. Wells slashed .257/.323/.451 (.313 BABIP) in 125 plate appearances with Detroit this year after hitting even better last season. He has some power, although the strikeouts might be a problem, and Safeco is particularly mean to right-handed batters. In a September call-up in 2010, Wells hit .323 with four home runs, 17 RBI, and 14 runs scored through 93 at-bats. The Tigers need a fifth starter badly, but Detroit fans are already hoping the trade of Casper doesn't come back to haunt them in the future. Get it? Seattle should give Wells a real shot at being there everyday left fielder. Mixed: $0; AL: $4.