AL FAAB Factor: Roster Expansion on the Horizon

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

Jose Berrios, Twins – In August alone, Berrios has 43 strikeouts to just three walks over 34 innings with a 2.12 ERA at Triple-A Rochester and yet the Twins seem content to just let him stay there, despite the impact he could make in their rotation as they push for a playoff berth. His talent is undeniable and the Twins are wasting what bullets he has letting him face inferior opponents right now. He is not on the 40-man roster, but at this point that matters little in comparison to what he offers. Grab him now if you still can. Mixed: $3; AL: $10.

Aaron Brooks, A's – Brooks returned to the A's rotation Saturday and pitched six innings with two earned runs, four strikeouts and one walk against the Diamondbacks on the road. It was his fourth start of the season and marked improvement from his last start, when he was torched for eight runs and couldn't get out of the second inning. His other two starts were gems, so maybe that terrible start was just an outlier. He figures to stick in the rotation with Kendall Graveman (oblique) not returning anytime soon and Jesse Hahn (forearm) doubtful to make it back this season. At Triple-A Omaha before he was traded, he had a 3.71 ERA (3.19 FIP) with 92 strikeouts and 21 walks over 106.2 innings. This week he gets the Mariners at home. Mixed: $2; AL: $6.

Tyler Duffey, Twins – After being bombed in his major league debut, Duffey has settled in and had three pretty good outings with a 1.89 ERA (3.22 FIP), 19 strikeouts, and nine walks over 19 innings. The control comes and goes, so he's tough to trust and he's far too hittable at times, but so far he is close to striking out a batter per inning. This week he gets the White Sox at home and the Astros on the road. Mixed: $2; AL: $6.

Roenis Elias, Mariners – Elias made his first start since the beginning of July last week and pitched 6.2 innings with nine hits, three earned runs, no walks, and three strikeouts. It could have been worse, as a rusty Elias was replacing Vidal Nuno in the rotation. Elias could stay there, depending upon how the team wants to use Nuno, who has become something of a swing man. On the season, Elias has a 4.20 ERA (4.46 FIP) with 67 strikeouts and 26 walks over 85.2 innings. This week he gets the Astros on the road. Mixed: $1; AL: $3.

Joe Kelly, Red Sox – After a first half to forget, Kelly has had a solid August with a 2.68 ERA (3.63 FIP), 28 strikeouts, and 11 walks over 37 innings. He's pitched into the eighth inning in his last two starts, which is a significant improvement over earlier in the season. I'm still not so sure I trust him, but this week he gets the Phillies, so he's worth starting and seeing if he can keep this hot streak going into September. Mixed: $3; AL: Owned.

Lance McCullers, Astros – McCullers stepped back into the Astros rotation this past week and didn't miss a beat with seven innings of two-run ball that included eight strikeouts and no walks, though he did have three wild pitches. He lowered his ERA to 3.12 (2.89 FIP) with 87 strikeouts and 28 walks over 83.2 innings on the season and figures to hang around in the team's six-man rotation. This week he gets the Twins at home. Pick him back up in deeper formats. Mixed: $3; AL: $9.

Randy Wolf, Tigers – After two turns in the Tigers rotation, Wolf has a 2.57 ERA (2.20 FIP) with 10 strikeouts and two walks over 14 innings. It's tough to ask for much more from the veteran, as the rotation is in shambles due to injuries. His success shouldn't come as a total shock, as he had a 2.58 ERA (3.00 FIP) with 106 strikeouts and 40 walks over 139.2 innings at Triple-A Buffalo before the Tigers picked him up. This week he gets the Royals on the road, which stands to be a nice test to see exactly where he stands in his comeback of sorts. Mixed: $2; AL: $6.

Relief Pitcher

Kevin Jepsen, Twins – Glen Perkins (back) has been eased into pitching again and had two scoreless outings under him last week as he works towards higher-leverage situations and closing games out again. Jepsen, meanwhile, picked up his fourth save in his last six outings and hasn't been scored upon in almost a month, though he did look shaky Friday night as he loaded the bases up, only to get out of it. If Jepsen is available, he might bring you one or two more saves down the stretch, but Perkins is preferable if you're looking for saves. Mixed: $1; AL: $3.

Jean Machi, Red Sox – Junichi Tazawa is dealing with a sore hip and groin and has allowed five earned runs over his last three outings. He should be able to pitch again Sunday, but he might not be the closer anymore, as Machi has nailed down saves in two of his last three outings. Machi's 5.21 ERA (4.50 FIP) is not great by any means, and this is a bullpen in need of relief itself, but saves are saves. Mixed: $3; AL: $9.

Drew Pomeranz, A's – Pomeranz picked up his third save of the season Saturday, and he improved his ERA as a reliever to 1.99 (1.95 FIP) with 38 strikeouts and 13 walks over 31.2 innings. Considering Edward Mujica has gone sideways this month and Pomeranz has been so steady, it wouldn't be surprising if the A's continued to turn to Pomeranz to close games out. Sean Doolittle was thought to be on the fast track to getting the closer role back, but his command has been poor with three walks in just two outings against no strikeouts. It looks like it might take him a longer to round into form than previously thought, leaving Pomeranz in good position to get saves until then. All that said, the A's are a bad team and have three saves in August. Mixed: $3; AL: $9.

Tom Wilhelmsen, Mariners – Carson Smith blew two saves in three outings and looked pretty shaky while doing it and that's about all it took for the hapless Mariners to switch to Wilhelmsen to steady the closing role. Since then, Wilhelmsen has a save in each of his last four outings, though it hasn't always been pretty. His numbers on the season suggest he's not to be trusted with a 47:24 K:BB and 3.67 ERA (3.55 FIP) over 49 innings. That said, he has experience closing for this club with 53 saves over 2012 and 2013. Pick him up if he's available and every last save matters to you. Mixed: $4; AL: $12.

Catcher

Hank Conger and Max Stassi, Astros – Conger is set to see the lion's share of playing time behind the plate now that Jason Castro (quad) is on the DL. On the season he's hitting .218 with eight home runs over 172 plate appearances, though he has cooled considerably this month, hitting just .115 with two home runs. He's walking more often than ever, which is encouraging on an Astros team that swings freely. Stassi was brought up from Triple-A Fresno on Saturday to back him up and isn't really valuable in any format. At Fresno this season, he hit .211 with 13 home runs over 328 PA. Conger Mixed: $1; AL: $3. Stassi Mixed: No; AL: $1.

Josmil Pinto, Twins – Pinto, who is again in Triple-A Rochester after working his way back from a two-month layoff because of a concussion, could soon be joining the Twins. He's hitting a modest .224 with seven home runs over 228 plate appearances in Rochester, he's shown a selective eye at the plate before with some power. It wouldn't be a shock to see Pinto get some playing time with an eye towards 2016 as Kurt Suzuki plays himself further out of the team's plans. Mixed: No; AL: $1.

Rene Rivera and J.P. Arencibia, Rays – Curt Casali hit the DL on Wednesday with a hamstring injury, which leaves Rivera as the team's new starting backstop. He's hitting .185 with five home runs this season over 295 plate appearances, which is barely helpful in AL-only formats. As for Arencibia, he's up from Triple-A Durham, where he did what he always does, hit home runs and strike out often (22 home runs with a .227 average and 125 strikeouts over 405 PA to be exact). He's no stranger to the majors, so he might get a little more playing time than most backups, but at 29 years old, it's doubtful he's learned any new tricks in the minors. Both Mixed: No; AL: $2.

Jesus Sucre and John Hicks, Mariners – With Mike Zunino back at Triple-A Tacoma, Sucre is now the team's starting catcher, which is a scary thought, considering he has almost no power and has shown no ability to hit for average or get on base. This season he's hitting .091 with one home run over 73 plate appearances, if you needed proof. Hicks was brought up from Tacoma, where he hit .245 with six home runs over 320 PA. He could see more playing time than Sucre, depending upon who produces. Either way, neither are worthy options of your FAAB budget at this point in the season. Both Mixed: No; AL: $2.

First Base

Mark Canha, A's – Likely owned in most AL formats by now, Canha has hit well enough to be considered in mixed leagues. He'll keep the starting first base job the rest of the way with Ike Davis (hip) out for the season. As an added boost to his value, he's been hitting second in the lineup most days since he entered the lineup again. On the season, he's hitting .254 with 10 home runs over 338 plate appearances. You could do worse looking for a corner infielder. Mixed: $3; AL: $9.

Chris Johnson, Indians – Johnson (hand), currently on a rehab assignment at Double-A Akron, will rejoin the Indians when rosters expand in a few days. Overall he's hitting .259 with two home runs over 183 plate appearances in what has been a quiet 2015 season for him offensively. He'll be a bench bat when he returns, though Giovanny Urshela hasn't done much at the plate this month, so Johnson could steal some playing time from him down the stretch at third base. Mixed: No; AL: $2.

Travis Shaw, Red Sox – Shaw has cooled over the last week, but still managed to hit a home run as he puts the finishing touches on what has been a productive month with a .325 average and seven home runs over 87 plate appearances. He needs to be owned in more mixed leagues, as he's the team's best option at first base in AL parks, though the organization is apparently committed to moving Hanley Ramirez to first base next season, so the veteran may see at-bats there down the stretch. Mixed: $3; AL: $9.

Second Base

Grant Green, Angels – Johnny Giavotella landed on the DL last week with an illness and in his absence Green is set to continue to fill in. He's hitting .194 with no extra-base hits over 37 plate appearances, but he's shown a solid ability to hit for average in the minors with a .306 batting average over 414 PA at Triple-A Salt Lake earlier this season. Don't expect much power or speed, as that's not part of Green's skill set. Rather he's a modest Band-Aid on the situation and one not likely to help fantasy owners much, as he's also hitting ninth in the lineup. Mixed: $1; AL: $3.

Micah Johnson, White Sox – Back at Triple-A Charlotte this week after dealing with a hamstring injury, Johnson could provide a handful of stolen bases down the stretch once rosters expand. He's hitting .325 with seven home runs and 27 stolen bases over 313 plate appearances with Charlotte. On the major league level, Carlos Sanchez's bat has started to awaken, but he lacks upside and is really just on the roster for his defense, so Johnson may get a shot to show what he can do. Mixed: No; AL: $1.

Rob Refsnyder, Yankees – Refsnyder is likely to be brought up when rosters expand, though his role will be that of a bench bat. He's had a slow August with just a .218 average, two home runs, and two stolen bases over 102 plate appearances after a solid first half that saw him get promoted for a little while. Starter Stephen Drew is back to being in a slump, so it wouldn't be a shock to see Refsnyder chip away at his playing time as the Yankees battle for a playoff berth. Mixed: No; AL: $1.

Josh Rutledge, Red Sox – Brock Holt had been dealing with some oblique soreness that took him out of the lineup for a bit, but he didn't need a DL stint. In his absence, Rutledge has filled in nicely, hitting .423 over the last two weeks. Holt is healthy enough to play once again and has been seeing time at second and third base some as he is the glue that holds the lineup together. Rutledge however, has likely earned himself some more playing time while Dustin Pedroia (hamstring) remains out for another two weeks. Never one to hit for power or show much speed, Rutledge can hit for some average, but he's buried in the lineup at the ninth spot, so don't expect many counting stats. Mixed: $1; AL: $3.

Shortstop

Eduardo Escobar, Twins – Escobar hit three home runs last week with a trio of doubles too, as he's really started to shine over the last few weeks. On the month, he's hitting .293 with four home runs over 84 plate appearances and has solidified himself as the team's everyday shortstop after battling with Eduardo Nunez and Danny Santana for playing time. If he's still available in your deep mixed league, he's worth a bid, as the hits haven't slowed yet. Mixed: $3; AL: $9.

Ryan Flaherty and Paul Janish, Orioles – J.J. Hardy (groin) landed on the DL last week and Flaherty has gotten most of the at-bats in his absence. A career .219 hitter with some power and no speed who hits ninth in the lineup, there's not much upside here. Janish, who was called up from Triple-A Norfolk, where he hit .235 with two stolen bases over 344 plate appearances, has even less upside offensively, though he's slick defensively. I wish I could speak more highly about my former college classmate, but Janish just doesn't have the skill set to help owners. Both Mixed: No; AL: $2.

Third Base

David Freese, Angels – Freese (finger) should rejoin the Halos when rosters expand, as he's on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Salt Lake right now. He hit a home run last week with a few singles sprinkled in, so his finger must be feeling fine. He's hitting .240 average with 11 home runs over 353 plate appearances. Kaleb Cowart has been playing in his place, but has just a .138 average and two extra-base hits over 33 PA to show for it, so he'll be going to the bench and Freese will be reclaiming his starting role. Mixed: $2; AL: $6.

Joey Gallo, Rangers – Gallo could come up when rosters expand, as his power is of the highest order and the Rangers are battling to make the playoffs. However, he's shown no signs of improving his eye at the plate and you could even argue he's regressed at Triple-A Round Rock, as he's striking out more this month. Josh Hamilton (knee) is due back from the DL this week, so there's really no spot for Gallo other than on the bench, so he might stay in the minors as he still has much work do to. Mixed: $3; AL: Owned.

Richie Shaffer, Rays – Shaffer has not homered this week, but he's hit three doubles and has continued to show his mastery of Triple-A at Durham. He's very likely to come up when rosters expand and really should be the team's everyday first baseman right now despite James Loney hitting for average again this month. Considering that Loney has one home run in each month this season, minus June, when he was injured, and that Shaffer has 21 home runs between Durham and the majors, it's a mystery as to why he was ever sent down in the first place. Mixed: $1; AL: $3.

Outfield

Jackie Bradley, Red Sox – Another home run and stolen base for Bradley this week, and he's hitting .320 with seven doubles, three triples, five home runs, and two stolen bases over 87 plate appearances this month. I've been harsh on him in the past here, so it's only right that I highlight his successes as well and right now he's trending in the direction of mixed-league value with his solid hitting. I didn't think he had this in him, as he hit .281 at Triple-A Pawtucket but struggled to hit over .200 in the majors previously. Ride the wave, as Bradley pushes for an expanded role in 2016. Mixed: $5; AL: Owned.

Joey Butler and Daniel Nava, Rays – Butler was recalled last week after Desmond Jennings landed back on the DL with a knee injury. He was sent to Triple-A Durham after he faded badly in July and into August in the majors. A righty, he is in a platoon with Nava and on the short end of things, so don't expect many at-bats for him going forward. As for Nava, the Jennings injury means we'll see much more of him, a career .284 hitter against RHP. He doesn't have much power or speed, so his value only goes so far, but at least he's hitting second in the lineup, which should help in the runs category. Butler Mixed: No; AL: $2. Nava Mixed: $1; AL: $3.

Rusney Castillo, Red Sox – Castillo went 3-for-4 with a double and home run Monday, as he closes out what has been a productive month for him since being recalled. He's hitting .361 in August with three home runs and two stolen bases over 77 plate appearances. I'm expecting more speed than power, but the home runs are certainly welcomed. He needs to cut down on the strikeouts and make more contact, but he's barely had over 200 PA in the majors, so he deserves some leniency. Locked into an everyday role, he needs to be owned in more mixed leagues as he looks to keep the momentum going to finish the season out. Mixed: $5; AL: Owned.

Terrance Gore, Royals – At Double-A Northwest Arkansas, Gore has been readying himself for a September call-up, as he'll be a valuable pinch runner down the stretch and into the playoffs, just like last season. He has 38 stolen bases in 40 attempts, so he knows how to pick his spots. If every last steal matters to you, he could be a source of cheap speed in deeper formats. Mixed: No; AL: $2.

Steve Pearce, Orioles – Activated from the DL last week after dealing with an oblique injury, Pearce is getting everyday playing time in left field in the wake of Henry Urrutia's demotion to the minors. He's hit two home runs since coming back and would need a strong September to help owners forget about his drop in production after a career year in 2014 that included 21 home runs and a .293 batting average. Pick him back up in deeper formats to see how long he can keep it going. Mixed: $1; AL: $3.

Dalton Pompey, Blue Jays – Hitting .333 with seven stolen bases this month at Triple-A Buffalo, Pompey figures to rejoin the Blue Jays in September as a pinch runner at minimum. His speed is needed, as the team doesn't have much of it on the roster. Don't expect him to start every day with Ben Revere on the team, but even still, he should steal a handful of bases down the stretch as the team pushes for the playoffs. Mixed: No; AL: $2.

Preston Tucker, Astros – Tucker should be back with the Astros in September after hitting .250 with 12 home runs over 288 plate appearances earlier this season. He'd still be with the club right now, but outfield has become crowded with Carlos Gomez now on the team and that figures to only get worse when George Springer (wrist) comes back. That said, Tucker is a lefty and the Astros could use him at DH, as Evan Gattis and Chris Carter are righties. Mixed: $1; AL: $3.

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