AL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week

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.

This year, we're incorporating grids into the FAAB articles, so users can easily see at a glance how certain players stack up against others and how much they should command in a variety of formats.

The grids, which are sortable by column (click on the header), include a very basic "player grade" column. This serves as a reflection of a player's skills and role on an A-E scale. Carlos Correa would have been an "A" grade player last year -- that mark will be reserved for similar high-impact prospects stepping into an everyday role.

As always, if there is a player that was not discussed in the article that you would like to know about, feel free to ask about the player in the comments.

Starting Pitcher

Jose Berrios, Twins: Tommy Milone was called back up last week to fill the fifth starter spot but struggled again Friday, while Kyle Gibson's ERA is now above 6.00. Berrios has been a bit inconsistent since being sent back down but still has a 3.86 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 39:12 K:BB over 39.2 innings in his last six Triple-A starts. With the Twins begrudgingly beginning to admit they're playing for draft position and not the postseason, it's only a matter of time before Berrios is brought back up. Once he puts his growing pains behind him he has the stuff to be the team's ace, so grab and stash him now if you can, but after his rough introduction to the majors it's fair to ask how long those growing pains might last. 12-team Mixed: $4; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team AL: $21

Chi Chi Gonzalez, Rangers: With the Rangers' rotation being held together by chewing gum at the moment, Gonzalez will get called up for at least a spot start Monday and possibly to stick around for a while if he pitches well. That's a long shot though. His Triple-A numbers have been bad this year and while he wasn't terrible in the majors in 2015, his pedestrian arsenal makes him very hittable especially considering his home park. Consider him staff filler until he proves otherwise. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

A.J. Griffin, Rangers: Griffin returned to the Rangers' rotation last night after missing nearly two months with more shoulder issues and actually had a decent, if short, outing against the mighty Red Sox. The junk-balling righty deservedly has a "Fragile" label attached to him, having missing all of 2014 and nearly all of 2015 with arm trouble, but he's got a great team supporting him so while he's on the mound he can be useful. He's also, surprisingly, not a total liability in strikeouts despite his high-80s fastball, and his K/9 rate this year is right in line with his pre-injury work for the A's. Just note that with his history he's probably here for a good time, not a long time. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: $12

Rich Hill, Athletics: Hill is close to returning from a month-long absence due to a groin strain, and Monday's rehab start could be his last before he rejoins the A's injury-ravaged rotation. The 36-year-old lefty's performance this year is just as amazing as his comeback last year was, so if he was cut loose you'll want to pounce. 12-team Mixed: $6; 15-team Mixed: $15; 12-team AL: $33

Drew Hutchison, Blue Jays: Officially, Hutchison is not on the immediate horizon for a promotion. Unofficially, Marcus Stroman is getting hit hard, Marco Estrada had a bad back and Aaron Sanchez is on an innings limit this season. At some point Hutchison will get the call, and his numbers for Triple-A Buffalo this year (2.99 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 92:29 K:BB in 81.1 innings) suggest he's more than ready. He's been even better lately, racking up a 2.67 ERA and 40:8 K:BB in 30.1 frames while winning four of his last five starts, and with the Jays' offense returning to its 2015 form those wins should keep coming in the majors. Stash him now and enjoy the rewards later. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $12; 12-team AL: $25

Wade LeBlanc, Mariners: Plucked from the Blue Jays' Triple-A club, LeBlanc returned to the majors Friday and baffled the Cardinals over six scoreless innings. Hooray, he's the new Rich Hill, right? Not so fast. Unlike Hill, LeBlanc was never been a big strikeout pitcher before and his 3:1 K:BB on Friday says nothing's changed on that front, although to be fair his numbers for Buffalo this season were outstanding (1.71 ERA and 85:21 K:BB in 89.2 innings). He also may not be around for long, as Wade Miley is set to return next week and you can't have two crafty lefties named Wade in the same rotation. It's a rule or something. Despite that great outing, consider LeBlanc just a cheap depth add for now given his likely limited upside, at least until his role going forward becomes clearer. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Zach Lee, Mariners: The Dodgers gave up on their 2010 first round pick earlier this week and flipped him to the Mariners, and he'll join their Triple-A affiliate for now. His numbers for Triple-A Oklahoma City weren't anything special and Lee might be best suited for the bullpen in the majors, but given all the injuries to the Seattle rotation he could get pressed into duty at some point. Given his draft pedigree you can't rule out a change of scenery unlocking some of his potential, but for now he's just a lottery ticket. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Sean Manaea, Athletics: Manaea is set to come off the DL and make the start Wednesday after needing only the minimum 15 days to recover from a strained muscle in his forearm. The lefty's been mostly terrible in the majors this year, but he still has a lot of upside if he can stay healthy. That disparity between his potential and current performance makes him a good target for rebuilding teams in keeper leagues, though. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

Kris Medlen, Royals: Medlen threw 69 pitches and 4.2 innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Omaha on Saturday, allowing just an unearned run with a 5:1 K:BB, and he could return to the majors next week if the Royals don't feel he needs to be stretched out any further. I was more pessimistic on Medlen than most coming into the season due to the fact that nobody has ever come back from a second Tommy John surgery to be a successful major league starter, and nothing that's happened this year (both in terms of his health and performance) has changed my opinion on that. Break glass only in case of emergency. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Wade Miley, Mariners: Yet another starter expected to come off the DL next week, Miley is also yet another low-upside arm to plug into your staff if you need innings. The lefty has a good home park though, which makes him a possible streaming option. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

Daniel Norris, Tigers: As expected last week, Norris got called up and it looks like he'll be given a real chance to lock down a rotation spot for the Tigers. His first start Thursday was a mixed bag of good (5:0 K:BB in five innings) and bad (three solo homers allowed), but his recent Triple-A performances and strikeout potential still make him very appealing. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team AL: $15

Dillon Overton, Athletics: Overton got called up to make a spot start Saturday and wasn't bad, but with Hill and Manaea both close to returning from the DL his stay in the majors could be a short one. Overton's fastball velocity never returned after Tommy John surgery a few years back, which moves the window on his upside to that of your typical crafty lefty, and without a firm rotation spot there's no need to rush out and grab him despite his solid Triple-A numbers. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Eduardo Rodriguez, Red Sox: The results aren't there yet, but everything coming out of the Red Sox's camp suggests Rodriguez will break out any second now. In his most recent start he shed his knee brace, returned to his old mechanics and started popping 95 mph with his fastball again. Of course the lefty hasn't regained his slider yet and, oh yeah, there's that whole pitch-tipping thing to get straightened out, but baby steps I guess. His lousy 2016 numbers do present an opportunity to buy low on him if the Red Sox are right, though, if you can stomach the risk or have a roster spot to churn. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: Owned

Anibal Sanchez, Tigers: After a stint in the bullpen the Tigers returned Sanchez to the rotation Saturday and he promptly went back to being bad, coughing up four runs in five innings. The veteran righty only has to pitch better than Mike Pelfrey to keep the job, which you'd think would be a low bar to clear, but apparently not for Sanchez. Still, innings is innings. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Relief Pitcher

Zach Duke, White Sox: Duke's been on fire lately, reeling off eight straight appearances without allowing an earned run while piling up a 9:2 K:BB, two wins, a save and two holds in six innings over that stretch. David Robertson has been shaky in the closer spot and while Duke likely wouldn't inherit full ninth-inning duties if Robertson gets deposed, he could pick up some situational saves against tough lefties. If you need an extra bullpen arm or are scrounging for saves in deep leagues, that makes him worth rostering. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Jason Grilli, Blue Jays: Grilli's pitched better since joining the Blue Jays, posting a 3.12 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 14:4 K:BB in 8.2 innings with a save and four holds, which likely makes him next in line when Roberto Osuna is unavailable. That's important because Toronto's being more cautious with Osuna's workload this year, which should leave more save opportunities available in the second half for whoever is backing him up. Grilli could still revert back to his ugly form the last couple of seasons in Atlanta, of course, but if he gives you five saves the rest of the year it's worth the risk. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $6

Joe Smith, Angels: Smith is set to begin his rehab stint Sunday as he recovers from a strained hamstring, which puts him on track to rejoin the Angels' bullpen next week barring a setback. Huston Street doesn't appear to have much left in the tank as closer, which makes Smith his likely successor should the team make a change. At worst Smith should be a solid source of holds and ratios, although over the last couple of years he hasn't been as crisp as he was during his 2011-2014 run. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Drew Storen, Blue Jays: Storen was supposed to be Osuna's eighth-inning man this season, but a poor start saw him bounced to low-leverage roles. He's been pitching much better lately though, posting a 2.03 ERA and 13:2 K:BB in 13.1 innings over the last month. If he regains manager John Gibbons' trust, Storen could bump Grilli aside and start getting those extra save chances when Osuna is being rested and his previous closing pedigree suggests he's the better fit for the job anyway. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Catcher

Jett Bandy, Angels: Bandy just keeps hitting and has begun earning more playing time as a result, starting four straight games this week and picking up six hits and a homer while doing it. Over the last month he's hitting .333, albeit in just 36 at-bats, but if he's forcing his way into a time share with Carlos Perez he's worth rostering in leagues where catching depth is at a premium. His minor league track record does say he'll have trouble maintaining a good batting average, but he does have a couple of double-digit HR seasons in the high minors on his resume. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

Caleb Joseph, Orioles: Joseph is just about ready to come off the DL from a groin strain and resume his duties behind Matt Wieters. He is what he is, a low-BA backup with a bit of pop, but in the high-powered Orioles' offense any at-bats can be productive ones. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Kurt Suzuki, Twins: In shallower leagues it often pays to ride the hot hand among the hoi polloi at catcher rather than paying up for a big-name option. If that's the strategy you're using Suzuki should be next man up for you behind the plate, as over the last two weeks he's hitting a mere .410 with three homers and 13 RBI. It won't last, but when he cools down someone else will be heating up. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: Owned

First Base

A.J. Reed, Astros: Profiled last week, Reed made his major league debut Saturday and didn't collect a hit, but he did draw two walks, score two runs and pick up an RBI. He also didn't strike out, which was the biggest flaw in his game at Triple-A. His power potential in a potent offense, not his batting eye, is what makes him worth chasing though. 12-team Mixed: $7; 15-team Mixed: $15; 12-team AL: $35

Mark Teixeira, Yankees: Also profiled last week, Teixeira came off the DL on Saturday and went 0-for-3 with a strikeout, which is pretty much the kind of season he's been having. He's 36, has trouble staying healthy and it's entirely possible his 2015 performance was a dead cat bounce, but he still might get you double-digit homers in the second half even if he continues to struggle. 12-team Mixed: $4; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team AL: $21

Second Base

Arismendy Alcantara, Athletics: Picked up from the Cubs earlier in the month, Alcantara was called up Tuesday and has received exactly one start since. He's got a bit of power and his 26-for-26 performance on the base paths at Triple-A this season is astounding, but strikeouts make him a big batting average risk if he starts getting regular at-bats. He's a better buy in keeper leagues than re-draft formats, but the steals potential still makes him a worthy gamble. It might take a Jed Lowrie trade or injury to get Alcantara into the starting nine, though. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: $11

Nick Franklin, Rays: Called up Tuesday, Franklin is just keeping a roster spot warm for whichever of the Rays' injured outfielders comes off the DL first. The promise he showed in the Mariners' system is all but gone, although he could eke out double digits in homers and steals as a regular. That doesn't appear likely to happen any time soon though. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Johnny Giavotella, Angels: This week's shallow league middle infield option is Giavotella, who's been raking over the last two weeks with a .357/.351/.643 line plus four homers and a steal. (No, that OBP isn't a typo.) He swiped 20 bases in the minors as recently as 2014, and at 28 years old he could be developing a bit of a power stroke, but for the most part he'll be a guy who gets some counting stats without hurting your batting average while he's on his hot streak and then gets dropped when he cools off. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: Owned

Third Base

Cheslor Cuthbert, Royals: Cuthbert is settling in nicely as the Royals' everyday third baseman with Mike Moustakas gone for the year. Over the last two weeks, Cuthbert's hitting .320/.382/.580 with four homers, 10 RBI and eight runs scored. His 13 home runs between Triple-A and the majors is already a career high, and if he keeps popping them at this rate he could take a run at his first 20 HR big league season. Given the 23-year-old's so-far untapped upside, it's worth finding out how long he can keep it up. 12-team Mixed: $; 15-team Mixed: $; 12-team AL: Owned

Brock Holt, Red Sox: Nearly recovered from his concussion, Holt seems set to rejoin the Red Sox's lineup in left field rather than third base when he returns, putting his multi-position eligibility at risk for 2017. He was also struggling to strong together some hits earlier in the year, with his .270 BABIP a far cry from the .352s he rang up in 2014 and 2015. Regular at-bats in Boston's lineup all but guarantees him at least some value though, and the potential for a big second half is there. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team AL: $15

Outfield

Oswaldo Arcia, Rays: Desperate for healthy outfielders, the Rays picked up Arcia on the cheap after the Twins has designated him for assignment. His 20 HR season in 2014 seems like it happened a lot longer ago, but Arcia has just never been able to adjust back once major league pitchers got a book on him. Once Brandon Guyer and Steven Souza come off the DL, Arcia could find himself back on the waiver wire again. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Bryce Brentz, Red Sox: Brentz looks set to handle starting left field duties this week until Brock Holt comes off the DL. He's got minimal upside, but getting at-bats in Boston's high-octane offense could allow him to pick up some counting stats. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Alex Gordon, Royals: Profiled last week, Gordon rejoins a Royals lineup that could really use the 2011-2014 version of him. If he's fully healthy again there's no reason to think he can't regain that form, but his poor start to 2016 and the fact that he's 32 years old do create some concern that he might have simply been a late bloomer and early wilter. The possible production is worth chasing though. 12-team Mixed: $4; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team AL: $21

Brandon Guyer, Rays: Guyer began a rehab assignment Saturday and should rejoin the Rays' outfield sometime this week. The 30-year-old was on his way to a career year when he tweaked his hamstring and he should get plenty of playing time given all the other injuries in Tampa's outfield, but eventually he'll probably settle back into a platoon role once the roster is at full strength. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: $7

Max Kepler, Twins: The 23-year-old is starting to get comfortable in the majors, hitting .275/.333/.490 with two home runs, 10 runs and 10 RBI over the last two weeks. His first big league blast was a memorable one too, a 10th-inning walk-off shot against the Red Sox. Kepler's got five category upside (although so far in the pro career that hasn't really turned into actual production) and he's probably long gone in keeper formats, but in single season leagues he's starting to attract some attention as well. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team AL: Owned

Junior Lake, Blue Jays: The Jays swapped reserve outfielders this week, sending down Darrell Cecilliani and calling up Lake. Although it might seem like he's been around forever he's still only 26, so it's not time to change his name to Senior just yet, but there still isn't much upside or a chance at playing time here. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Shawn O'Malley, Mariners: With Nori Aoki getting sent down, O'Malley remains as the only reserve outfielder on the Mariners' roster. There's some potential for playing time in that role as Aoki had 31 at-bats over the last couple of weeks, but O'Malley's minor league numbers suggest he won't do much more than chip in a decent batting average and steal the occasional base. Then again, that's all Aoki was good for anyway. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Josh Reddick, Athletics: Reddick's expected to return from his thumb injury Monday, and not a moment too soon for the Oakland offense, or for that matter the front office if they are looking to deal him. He was having a great season when he got hurt, but given the nature of the injury there's no guarantee he picks up where he left off immediately. He's an impact bat though, and if he got cut loose in a league with short benches you need to grab him if you can. 12-team Mixed: $7; 15-team Mixed: $17; 12-team AL: $39

Miguel Sano, Twins: The young Twins slugger was on pace for his first 30 HR season when he strained his hamstring at the beginning of June, but Sano is finally expected back early this week after finishing up a rehab assignment over the weekend. Strikeouts and batting average remain an issue for him, but there's no reason to think he won't sending souvenirs into the bleachers once he's back in the heart of the lineup. 12-team Mixed: $7; 15-team Mixed: $17; 12-team AL: $39