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

Jhoulys Chacin. Angels: Chacin is back in the rotation and, like much of the rest of the Angels' roster right now, seems to be putting his best foot forward in order to win a job in 2017. He was sharp against the Mariners on Wednesday, but his two-start week starting Monday puts him on the mound in Arlington and Houston, which is far from ideal. Still, this late in the season, every win or strikeout can count, especially if you don't have much to win or lose in ERA and WHIP. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Sean Manaea, Athletics: The young lefty returned from his back issue in style Wednesday, tossing five scoreless innings in Kansas City. Manaea's been outstanding over the last couple of months when healthy (2.74 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 60:13 K:BB in his last 66.2 innings) and if he got dropped a couple of weeks ago due to an uncertain return date, he could make an impact for you to close out the season. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team AL: $17

Daniel Norris, Tigers: Monday's 11-K gem over the Twins doesn't necessarily signal a complete turnaround for Norris – Minnesota's hitters are capable of making anyone look like Randy Johnson – but Norris has been better lately, posting quality starts in three of his last four outings and a 3.46 ERA with a 35:14 K:BB in 39 innings since the beginning of August. In shallower formats he could be worth a roster spot over the final couple of weeks if you're looking for strikeouts, and if he can keep delivering six-plus innings he'll have a better shot at adding a win or two as well. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: Owned

Dillon Overton, Athletics: Overton hasn't yet figured out how to get big league hitters out consistently, but with Nashville's season over in the PCL he got called back up anyway. His minor league numbers have been good enough to still make him a bit intriguing, but at this point he's really nothing more than a keeper stash. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Mike Pelfrey, Tigers: Pelfrey's back and there's gonna be trouble. Hey la, hey la, the gascan's back. The veteran righty got torched for four runs in 1.2 innings Thursday in his first appearance since the end of July, and if the Tigers are serious about making the postseason they won't give him another one. Still, if they get desperate he might get a start or two down the stretch, which means the potential for a win or two. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Cionel Perez, Astros: Perez is a pure keeper or dynasty stash in leagues with liberal pickup rules, as he won't sniff the majors in September or probably even 2017. The 20-year-old Cuban lefty got a hefty $5.15 million signing bonus this week, and scouting reports indicate he's got a fastball that can creep into the mid-90s, a decent slider that needs some tightening and a work-in-progress changeup. He's also on the smaller side at 5-foot-10, 160 pounds, so there's a real chance he ends up in a relief role, but if the secondary pitches come around Perez could develop into a mid-rotation guy. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

Jason Vargas, Royals: The veteran lefty made his return from Tommy John surgery Saturday, lasting three solid innings. The Royals haven't indicated how much work Vargas will get to close out the season so he's risky if you're looking for immediate value, but should be a decent if low-ceiling stash for 2017. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

Taijuan Walker, Mariners: Well now. After having a thoroughly disappointing season, Walker finally started listening to pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre about tweaking his mechanics, adding a higher leg kick in order to generate more torque in his hip rotation. The result was a dominating three-hit, zero-walk, 11-K shutout against the Angels on Tuesday. Walker's always had the talent, but if the adjustments have finally unlocked that talent he could be in line for a heck of a finish to 2016. 12-team Mixed: $4; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team AL: Owned

Relief Pitcher

Oliver Drake, Orioles: Drake continues to struggle with his control, but it's hard to ignore a guy who routinely posts huge strikeout numbers in the minors, including a 12.7 K/9 at Triple-A this season. He could be good for a handful of holds down the stretch, depending on how the O's choose to use him. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Chris Smith, Athletics: Oakland's ragtag rotation creates the possibility for value in their long relief corps, and Smith's emerged as the best of the bunch since coming up in early August, posting a 25:8 K:BB in 20 innings to go along with a 3.60 ERA and 1.05 WHIP. He should see plenty of work and rack up some bulk strikeouts over the last couple of weeks, while still supplying solid ratios. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

First Base

Jesus Aguilar, Indians: Aguilar's got some prospect cache after a 30 HR campaign at Triple-A, but it's tough to see him winning a regular role with the Indians any time soon, limiting his keeper appeal. He's a lottery ticket stash, nothing more. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Dan Vogelbach, Mariners: With Tacoma's season finally over, Vogelbach got called earlier in the week and promptly struck out five times in his first 10 big league at-bats. He's still an exciting power bat in the long term, especially since the Mariners are using him at first base and not DH which should expand his eligibility for 2017, but don't be surprised if his numbers for the next two weeks are fairly sketchy. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: $13

Second Base

Rob Refsnyder, Yankees: Refsnyder seems ticketed for a lot of at-bats over the final days of the season, the only question is where. He looked set to take over in right field after Aaron Judge got hurt, but now Starlin Castro has a balky hamstring too, so Refsnyder could slide back to second base. Either way, he should see plenty of playing time, and while he doesn't offer much power, speed or even batting average, he could supply some counting stats. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Ronald Torreyes, Yankees: Torreyes is another possibility at second base for the Yankees if Castro gets shut down. Torreyes arguably has a bit more upside than Refsnyder, but his playing time outlook is a lot dimmer. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Joe Wendle, Athletics: Wendle's been stinging the ball since he was called up and has worked his way into the leadoff spot for the A's, giving him plenty of upside down the stretch. That role makes him a good play if you need runs, plus he could chip in the occasional homer or steal too. He's even got some keeper potential, making him a nice buy if you're trying to balance staying in the money hunt with acquiring possible 2017 assets. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: $7

Third Base

Nick Castellanos, Tigers: Castellanos seems set to return from his hand injury next week, but his timetable is still a little unclear and whether his swing is affected is a concern as well. He was having a career year this season, but with so few games left on the schedule the last thing you want to do is waste them on someone who won't or can't contribute. He's a high-upside gamble, but don't downplay the gamble part of that equation. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: $11

Ryon Healy, Athletics: Healy struggled badly right after his promotion, seeing his batting average drop to a low of .222 on August 12, but since then he's found his groove, slashing .377/.420/.615 in 32 games with six homers, 17 RBI and 19 runs scored. That puts him firmly in the driver's seat for the starting third base job next year but also makes him a must-add down the stretch in 2016. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team AL: $15

Colin Moran, Astros: Called up after Alex Bregman got hurt, Moran isn't likely to see much playing time with Yulieski Gurriel ready to man third for the Astros, and his outlook for at-bats in 2017 is pretty bleak as well. He's got a little upside as a high-BA hitter, but isn't much more than a lottery ticket stash. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Renato Nunez, Athletics: Nunez struggled to make contact at Triple-A this year, hitting .228/.278/.412, but he did hit 23 homers and was still rewarded with a late promotion after Nashville's season ended. He's considered Oakland's third baseman of the future, but with Healy looking really good right now that future may not be particularly close. That creates a buying opportunity in shallower keeper formats, as Healy's far from a lock to hold the job next season. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: $7

Shortstop

Paul Janish, Orioles: He'll provide depth for the Orioles down the stretch, which might get him an at-bat or two, but if Janish sees anything more than that something's gone horribly wrong in Baltimore. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Outfield

Andrew Benintendi, Red Sox: The Red Sox have the outfield depth not to rush Benintendi back into action too quickly after his knee injury, which has resulted in him getting just six at-bats since Tuesday. His .324/.370/.500 line through his first 23 big league games is still very impressive, and with Boston clawing for a playoff spot they'll want his stick in the lineup on a regular basis as soon as they think he can handle it. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team AL: $25

Jaff Decker, Rays: Decker will supply some outfield depth for Tampa, but he's been fairlu futile at the plate in his brief major league trials so far in his career and that doesn't seem likely to change. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Mike Freeman, Mariners: Freeman had a solid season at Triple-A and could steal a base or two down the stretch if he gets on base (either on his own, or as a pinch runner), but at 28 years old there's no upside here. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Aaron Hicks, Yankees: The Yankees' spate of recent injuries could give Hicks some at-bats once he gets healthy himself, primarily in right field, but the team could also elect to give that playing time to younger options as they look to next year rather than focus on their fading playoff hopes. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Leonys Martin, Mariners: Martin has caught fire, hitting .391 over the last week, but his seven steals over the last month is where his real value lies. If you're looking for a boost in that category in a shallower league, make him a priority target. 12-team Mixed: $4; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team AL: Owned

Matt Olson, Athletics: Another Oakland prospect who didn't exactly shine in 2016, Olson struggled with contact and strikeouts at Triple-A while hitting just 17 homers in 131 games, not the kind of numbers you want to see from a slugger. He did draw plenty of walks though, and he could still figure heavily into the team's plans next year, whether in an outfield corner or at first base. Don't look for much production over the next couple of weeks, but he's an interesting keeper stash. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: $11

Mason Williams, Yankees: Williams, called back up after Judge got hurt, will also be in the mix for playing time in right field. At this point in his career it looks like he'll be a fourth outfielder at best in the majors, providing a solid glove but not contributing much at the plate, but the Yankees may want to give him a short stretch as a starter to be sure. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Designated Hitter

Billy Butler, Yankees: Picked up off the scrap heap after the A's cut him loose, Butler figures to see time at DH in the Bronx against lefties, which isn't going to provide him with a whole lot of value. He might chip in some RBI though, and maybe even a home run if you're lucky. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2