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: Minnesota's top pitching prospect will finally return to the majors Monday after getting sent down in mid-May. Berrios has certainly regained his swagger at Triple-A, posting a 2.71 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 91:27 K:BB in 86.1 innings over 13 starts since his demotion, and while his initial struggles in the bigs could make some bidders wary, the right-hander's ceiling is still extremely high. Of course he'll still be pitching for the Twins, so getting wins could be an issue, but assuming he's not as intimidated as he was in his first go-round in the majors Berrios should be a solid source of ratios and K's down the stretch. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team AL: $17

Jacob Faria, Rays: With almost the entire Tampa rotation seemingly on the trading block and the club having a history of dealing arms before they start to get expensive, it's time to look at stashing their next crop of youngsters. Faria dominated Double-A this season (93:36 K:BB in 83.1 innings) before a promotion to Triple-A, where the right-hander has been less successful but is still maintaining a K/9 north of 9.0. Faria's control and command are his weak spots right now, so if he does get called up don't expect immediate results in the majors, but in keeper leagues he's got real upside for 2017 and beyond. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

Lucas Harrell, Rangers: The Braves have been the baseball equivalent this year of one of those reality shows where a contractor comes in, guts a run-down old shack and turns it into a home worth buying. Harrell is the latest fixer-upper to get stripped and flipped, managing five solid starts with Atlanta before they found a buyer in the desperate Rangers. The 31-year-old righty has had some big league success before, notably with the Astros in 2012, and he can't help but be an upgrade on Nick Martinez in Texas' rotation. Don't expect a miracle, but as long as Harrell can provide five or six decent innings every fifth day the Rangers will consider it a win. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Adalberto Mejia, Twins: Acquired from the Giants for Eduardo Nunez, Mejia tore through Double-A this season before holding his own in seven starts at Triple-A. His strikeouts have returned this year, as he's posted a strong 101:27 K:BB in 105.2 innings between the two levels, and the 23-year-old lefty could be just about ready for the majors. With Berrios already getting the call, Mejia would probably be next in line if the team manages to find a taker for the likes of a Ricky Nolasco at the deadline. At this point he's just a spec play, but an intriguing one. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Daniel Norris, Tigers: After a couple of shaky rehab starts while he recovers from an oblique injury, Norris looked better Thursday for Double-A Erie, posting a 7:3 K:BB in 6.2 innings. One more solid outing and he could get activated from the DL, although Matt Boyd's (profiled last week) recent run of success does complicate the Tigers' rotation picture a little. Anibal Sanchez will get bumped aside when Jordan Zimmermann (neck) is healthy, but Norris will need to look like a better option than Boyd or Mike Pelfrey to rejoin the big league squad. Given Pelfrey's awful numbers this year you'd think he wouldn't be much of an obstacle, but Detroit has $16 million invested in him so they might dig in their heels. Norris still has upside as a keeper, but his 2016 production could end up being minimal. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: $7

Jake Odorizzi, Rays: After struggling for much of the year Odorizzi has suddenly found his groove, posting a 0.87 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 17:1 K:BB over his last three starts and 20.2 innings. Cue the trade rumors! His 5-5 record on the season could certainly get a jump-start with a deal to a contender and he'd be a huge upgrade for a team like the Rangers as their No. 3 starter, but Odorizzi's never going to be mistaken for an ace and his overall numbers may not improve much with a change of scenery. In shallower formats the hot streak makes him worth picking up, but don't get too invested. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: Owned

Carlos Rodon, White Sox: Out of action for nearly a month with a sprained wrist after slipping in the dugout, Rodon will rejoin the rotation Sunday. The left-hander hasn't been great this season, but he's shown improvement in his control and still strikes out nearly a batter an inning, which is the kind of progress you like to see from a 23-year-old with his filthy arsenal. Rodon's a better keeper stash than stretch run acquisition, but he could still surprise with some short-term productivity. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team AL: Owned

Jaime Schultz, Rays: The other Rays pitching prospect worth keeping an eye on, Schultz has even bigger control issues than Faria does but has been much tougher to hit at Triple-A, resulting in a solid 3.33 ERA and 1.31 WHIP on the year to go along with a 121:50 K:BB in 102.2 innings. The 25-year-old right-hander has good stuff, but until he learns to harness it better he remains more future projection than immediate help in fantasy terms. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

Luis Severino, Yankees: Called back up at the beginning of the week, Severino is being used out of the bullpen for now but with the Yankees having already gutted their bullpen in trades the rotation should be next, opening up a spot for Severino. He looked good in his only relief appearance so far (two no-hit innings Wednesday with three strikeouts and a walk) and his Triple-A numbers were good too following his demotion. There's still significant upside here despite that ugly 7.05 ERA in the big leagues next to his name. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team AL: $17

James Shields, White Sox: Could it be that Shields has finally started to turn things around? After a disastrous start to his White Sox tenure, the veteran righty has reeled off six straight quality starts, posting a 1.71 ERA and 1.05 WHIP over that stretch. Before you get too excited though, he's also got a 21:12 K:BB in 42 innings during that time frame, so he's been more lucky than dominant. In shallow leagues there's nothing wrong with riding the hot hand, but this one could burn you if you don't hop off at the first sign of trouble. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: $7

Tyler Skaggs, Angels: Skaggs' first start off the DL was just as sharp as his recent work at Triple-A, as he fired seven scoreless innings against the Royals on Tuesday with a 5:1 K:BB. Your chance to get the left-hander at a discount is probably gone, but that doesn't mean he isn't worth rostering even if you have to pay full retail. He's still only 24, and his skills might finally be catching up to his talent level. 12-team Mixed: $4; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team AL: $21

Relief Pitcher

Dellin Betances, Yankees: If anybody was the big winner at the trade deadline, it was Betances. In the space of about a week he went from the Yankees' seventh-inning man to their closer and should be poised to rack up some saves along with his elite K's and ratios. Those excellent numbers likely already had him rostered in many leagues, providing a windfall for anyone who had Betances shares, but in shallower formats where only saves matter for relievers he could still be available. If you need help in that category, he's almost certainly your best bet. 12-team Mixed: $21; 15-team Mixed: $45; 12-team AL: Owned

Brad Boxberger, Rays: Boxberger's finally off the DL, but All-Star Alex Colome seems to have the closer job locked up in Tampa now. Boxberger should be able to supply plenty of K's and holds down the stretch though and there's always the chance he wins back the ninth-inning role.12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Jhoulys Chacin, Angels: After losing his rotation spot, Chacin has become the regular long man for Tim Lincecum's starts and thrived, pitching four innings in each of his last three appearances with a 2.25 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 12:3 K:BB over that stretch. Chacin got moved to the bullpen for a reason and the Angels keep giving Lincecum votes of confidence, but the usage pattern suggests a switch is imminent if Timmy can't turn things around. If you are just looking for innings and the occasional win, Chacin can manage that much. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Edwin Diaz, Mariners: If you're looking for the next Betances, Diaz is your man. He's now firmly in place as Steve Cishek's setup man and his 17.5 K/9 in his first 23.2 big league innings is simply absurd. Cishek's signed through 2017 so if you pick Diaz up in a keeper league don't expect immediate returns when it comes to saves, but the strikeouts and ratios (and holds, if that matters in your league) are worth it alone. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: Owned

Kelvin Herrera / Joakim Soria, Royals: Wade Davis is back on the DL with what the Royals are hoping is a minor elbow issue, which means everyone moves up a rung on the bullpen depth chart. Herrera has the better stuff and the better numbers this year and should get the ninth-inning role while Davis is out but Soria does have 203 career saves including 24 last year, which probably carries some weight in Ned Yost's mind. There's also the chance Davis' injury is more serious than the team believes, so this could be more than just a two-week assignment for whoever does take over the closer role. Herrera: 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team AL: $17 / Soria: 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: $12

Andrew Miller, Indians: Well, this has been a roller coaster week for anyone with shares in Miller. First the Yankees trade Aroldis Chapman, making Miller their closer, then Miller himself gets dealt to the Indians where he'll have to contend with Cody Allen for save chances. Given the massive price Cleveland paid to get him (Clint Frazier alone would be an excellent haul for a reliever) it seems highly likely that he'll be their first choice in the ninth inning, but it's not a guarantee and the duo could end up splitting save opportunities based on matchups. Still, in shallow leagues where he's still available despite his elite ratios and K's, he makes an excellent target for anyone in need of help in saves. 12-team Mixed: $15; 15-team Mixed: $33; 12-team AL: Owned

Bryan Mitchell, Yankees: The hard-throwing righty is just about to begin a rehab assignment after missing most of the season with a toe injury and all of a sudden, the Yankees are in need of late-inning help. If he makes it back onto the mound this year his 96 mph fastball could play well in front of Betances. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Justin Wilson, Tigers: Francisco Rodriguez's brief absence from the team this week to deal with a personal matter gave Brad Ausmus a chance to show the world who's next in line for saves in Detroit, and it was Wilson who got the call Wednesday. He's still just a spec play for now, but Rodriguez is 34 years old and on his third team in four years so he's hardly the future of the Tigers' bullpen. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

First Base

Ji-Man Choi, Angels: Profiled a few weeks ago, Choi's outlook for playing time improved this week after Craig Gentry and Daniel Nava both got DFA'ed, leaving the likes of Gregorio Petit and Shane Robinson as Choi's main competition in left field. He's never really shown much in the minors to indicate he could be a viable big league starter, but at least he'll be getting steady at-bats. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Jefry Marte, Angels: With Choi almost as the starter in left field by default, more playing time at first base is now available for Marte. He's the marginally hotter hitter of the two, slashing .278/.263/.556 over the last two weeks, but he's only had 18 at-bats over that stretch and his plate discipline remains ragged. He's got some power upside though, popping 15 homers in 95 games last year for Triple-A Toledo, so the extra reps could give Marte some value. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Max Muncy, Athletics: Muncy was called back up to provide a bench bat for the A's. In theory he could work his way into a more significant role if and when the A's deal Josh Reddick and/or Danny Valencia, but in that case they have more promising bats than Muncy to give that playing time to. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Steve Pearce, Rays: Profiled last week and given a relatively aggressive bid based on the possibility of him winning the starting first base job away from Logan Morrison, Morrison's forearm injury made any battle moot. Pearce's name has also shown up in trade rumors, but if he stays put he should provide solid value with regular playing time and he continues what could end up being a career year. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team AL: $15

Tyler White, Astros: Injuries at the corner infield spots prompted the Astros to promote White again, but unlike his first stint in the majors he figures to be little more than a bench bat this time around. Alex Bregman should see regular at-bats over White, and Yulieski Gurriel could be a few weeks away from his big league debut as well. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Second Base

Nick Franklin, Rays: A roster squeeze rather than poor performance pushed Franklin back to Triple-A but he didn't sulk, slashing .333/.391/.429 in 21 at-bats since his demotion. Injuries to Morrison and Oswaldo Arcia allowed Franklin to return though, and he should continue providing solid offense and positional flexibility in deeper formats. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

Yoan Moncada, Red Sox: It's a long shot that Moncada makes an appearance in the majors this season but when teams start moving their top prospects to new positions in the minors, positions that match up with needs on the big club, it's worth noting. Moncada has started to work out at third base for Double-A Portland with some left field action also a possibility, spots where the Red Sox could certainly use a boost. He's been in a bit of a slump since his electrifying performance at the Futures Game, hitting just .184 (7-for-38) over his last 10 games, but maybe he just needs a new challenge. Moncada's long gone in keeper formats, but if you've got a spare roster spot in a redraft league he suddenly looks like he's worth stashing. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: $7

Carlos Sanchez, White Sox: Called back up when Brett Lawrie hit the DL, Sanchez has seen action in three straight games and gone a whopping 0-for-12. He's a better defensive option at second base than Tyler Saladino, but there's little offensive upside here. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Third Base

Trevor Plouffe, Twins: Plouffe should begin a rehab assignment Monday as he recovers from a rib injury and could be back in the Twins' lineup by next weekend. Miguel Sano hasn't exactly seized his opportunity at third base, so while Plouffe isn't the team's long-term answer at the hot corner he should get his job back once he's healthy. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: $7

Tyler Saladino, White Sox: With Lawrie on the DL, Saladino has seen a big increase in his playing time, collecting 19 at-bats over the last week and hitting a semi-respectable .263/.300/.368. His main fantasy value will come from the occasional steal, but in deep formats where playing time is precious he's worth adding until Lawrie returns. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Shortstop

Tim Beckham, Rays: Beckham's been getting scant playing time off the Rays' bench but he's been making his opportunities count, hitting .545/.565/.955 with two homers and six RBI in 22 at-bats over the last two weeks. Injuries are starting to pile up again around the diamond for Tampa and the trade deadline could create some more opportunities, so Beckham could find himself with a bigger role over the final two months. He won't keep hitting .545, but a bit of power and middle infield eligibility can be a useful combo. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Alex Bregman, Astros: I almost wrote Bregman up again in last week's column, cut him at the last minute, then saw the news that he was getting promoted. D'oh. He's had a cold start to his big league career, going 0-for-17, but he isn't striking out a ton and it's just a matter of time before he starts squaring up the ball the way he was in the minors. There's nothing left to be said about Bregman. He's an elite hitting prospect with a clear path to regular playing time at third base thanks to injuries to Luis Valbuena and Marwin Gonzalez. Go get him. 12-team Mixed: $6; 15-team Mixed: $15; 12-team AL: $33

Raul Mondesi, Royals: The 20-year-old prospect is getting a chance to stake a claim to the starting second base job for Kansas City and so far Mondesi hasn't disappointed, hitting .353 through his first five games with two RBI and a steal. He's capable of hitting for a good average and, like all good Royals' prospects, swipe some bags and he's even flashed some extra base power at Triple-A this year. It could be a few seasons before Mondesi really comes into his own, but in the short term think of him as a poor man's Trea Turner. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: $12

Jorge Polanco, Twins: Called up to take Nunez's spot on the roster, Polanco won't see anywhere near the same amount of playing time. At best he'll split starts at shortstop with Eduardo Escobar, but the Twins could eventually groom him to fill the same utility role Nunez did. Polanco's minor league numbers suggest he has a smidge of power and a bit of speed, but he isn;t likely to make a big impact in any category. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Outfield

Shin-Soo Choo, Rangers: The oft-injured Choo could return from his latest DL stint Thursday as the Rangers continue a long road trip that takes them to Houston and then Colorado, so now's as good a time as any to add him to your roster. His fantasy profile remains the same – good power, good on-base skills, lousy ability to stay in one piece. 12-team Mixed: $4; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team AL: Owned

Joey Gallo, Rangers: Finally called up again by the Rangers, Gallo hit one homer and struck out nine times in his first 15 at-bats for Texas, which is about what everyone should have expected. I freely admit to being more pessimistic than most when it comes to Gallo, but until he shows he can make even semi-regular contact in the majors his prodigious power will mostly be confined to batting practice exhibitions. Of course if it does ever click for him he'll be a fantasy monster, but right now even a Chris Carter-like career might be out of reach. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: $12

Guillermo Heredia, Mariners: Heredia's been taking full advantage of PCL ballparks this season, hitting .340/.385/.462 in 106 Triple-A at-bats, but the 25-year-old Cuban has yet to show much power or speed in the Mariners' system. His promotion Friday will likely be a short one, but he makes for an interesting stash in keeper leagues. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Hyun Soo Kim, Orioles: Kim picked up right where he left off when he got hurt, coming off the DL on Tuesday and collecting four hits and two walks in his first four games back. He won't give you much power and he doesn't steal bases, but his .407 OBP is no fluke and he's got some upside in runs and RBI hitting in the Orioles' lineup. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: $7

Shane Robinson, Angels: Robinson is the last fourth outfielder standing in Anaheim after this week's roster cuts, and with a first baseman now atop the depth chart in left field he could see more playing time than you'd expect going forward. He won't offer much more than the occasional stolen base, though. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Melvin Upton Jr., Blue Jays: As they did last year, the Jays decided to bulk up their offense at the trade deadline, adding Upton from the Padres for very little. With Jose Bautista healthy though, Upton appears set for a fourth outfielder role in Toronto which will severely limit his at-bats, even with the DH available most nights. A Kevin Pillar slump could open the door for Upton, but for now he appears to simply be insurance for the Jays rather than a key component of their stretch run roster. 12-team Mixed: Owned; 15-team Mixed: Owned; 12-team AL: $5