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 $100 starting 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. Andrew Benintendi 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

Parker Bridwell, Angels: A number of pitchers close out the season with a two-start week and Bridwell is one of the more appealing ones, given that one of those starts comes against the White Sox. He's also on a bit of a roll, posting a 3.12 ERA over his last three outings. If you are specifically targeting wins, Bridwell is in a good position to get you at least one. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: $11

Matt Boyd, Tigers: The lefty is suddenly on fire, posting a 0.87 ERA, 0.73 WHIP and 16:4 K:BB in 20.2 innings over his last three starts. Boyd's final start comes on the road against a Twins team that may have their wild-card spot locked up by then, which isn't a bad spot either. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

Bartolo Colon, Twins: Big Sexy is big-time sucking as he winds down his career and hasn't won a game yet this month, but he gets two starts in the final week, so if you're loading up to maximize your chances at getting wins and don't care what happens to your ratios, Colon is worth a shot. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: $7

Daniel Mengden, Athletics: I wrote up Mengden last week, but now he takes a 16-inning scoreless streak into a two-start week to close out his 2017. The matchups aren't great – home to Seattle and at the Rangers, both of whom could in theory be fighting for their playoff lives in those games – but at this point, two starts is two starts. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: $11

Danny Salazar, Cleveland: Apparently Cleveland decided things were getting too easy for them, so they've moved the red-hot Mike Clevinger to the bullpen to prepare for the postseason and given his rotation spot back to Salazar, who isn't stretched out. He threw 54 pitches in Thursday's outing, but even at his peak he's not the most efficient worker so don't expect a win in his final start. What Salazar can give you is strikeouts, though. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Anibal Sanchez, Tigers: Speaking of strikeouts, Sanchez has an eye-popping 24 in his last three starts (16.2 innings). He closes things out with two road starts, in Kansas City and Minnesota, and while he's a ratio risk, those Ks could make the difference if you're in a tight fight in that category. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team AL: $9

Blake Snell, Rays: The young lefty is putting together a solid September, posting a 2.78 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 18:6 K:BB in 22.2 innings, and he'll get two more starts at the Yankees and home against the O's, neither of whom have much to play for at this point with the Yanks having locked up a wild-card spot while Baltimore, umm, hasn't. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: $11

Josh Tomlin, Cleveland: Tomlin's been his usual low-upside self in September, managing a 2.91 ERA and 1.15 WHIP despite a 5.8 K/9 in 21.2 innings. He pitches for Cleveland, though, which gives him win potential even if he hasn't completed six innings in a start since he returned from the DL, and his two-start week includes facing the White Sox at home in the season finale. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: $11

Relief Pitcher

Raul Alcantara, Athletics: With Jharel Cotton and Sean Manaea both nursing injuries, Alcantara got thrust back into the rotation and acquitted himself well, tossing 8.2 scoreless innings in two spot starts. There's no guarantee he gets another one, but in a pinch he could give you some solid innings. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Brad Brach, Orioles: Zach Britton's been shut down for the year due to his knee, so Brach will slide back in to the closer role over the last week. There's no guarantee Baltimore gives him any small leads to protect, of course, but if you're targeting saves he's your best bet. 12-team Mixed: $11; 15-team Mixed: $25; 12-team AL: Owned

Mike Minor, Royals: The closer du jour in Kansas City, Minor has converted the Royals' last two saves. It's the right call – he's got a 0.90 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 9.0 K/9 in September, so he could get you a couple more before the campaign is over. 12-team Mixed: $8; 15-team Mixed: $19; 12-team AL: Owned

Joe Musgrove, Astros: Ken Giles doesn't get used as a traditional closer, which sometimes leaves him unavailable for traditional closing opportunities. Musgrove has gotten the call in those spots lately, and he's collected two saves in the last week as a result. If you're looking for a long shot to get you a save over the final week, he's worth a look. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Tanner Scott, Orioles: Scott's purely of interest in dynasty and keeper leagues. The 23-year-old lefty can touch triple digits with his fastball and his slider became a weapon as well this season in the minors, and the O's have him marked as a future late-inning reliever. The organization has no issue with using a southpaw as their stopper, but Scott getting a shot as the big-league closer as soon as 2018 is a long shot. Should Britton's knee not get better over the winter, though, those odds could go up heading into next spring. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

First Base

Efren Navarro, Tigers: Miguel Cabrera's back issue and the fact that Detroit doesn't really have a DH has opened up a lot of at-bats for Navarro lately, and he responded with a two-homer game Saturday while going 8-for-19 (.421) in his last seven games. If you just need to plug in a bat who's getting playing time, Navarro could chip in some counting stats for you. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Third Base

Colin Moran, Astros: Activated off the DL on Tuesday, Moran hasn't seen the field since and likely won't get much playing time over the final week. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Andrew Romine, Tigers: Mikie Mahtook's season is over, which puts Romine back in the mix for consistent playing time in the outfield. There's also loose talk of him playing all nine positions in a game before the season ends, which might be of mild interest to fantasy GMs in leagues with one-game eligibility rules and daily transaction. Imagine having both Romine brothers at catcher in your active lineup! 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Giovanny Urshela, Cleveland: Urshela seems to have taken the starting third base job away from Yandy Diaz, and he's responded with a little 5-for-15 streak in the last four games. He doesn't offer much fantasy upside, but in the Cleveland offense any at-bats can provide value. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Shortstop

J.J. Hardy, Orioles: Tim Beckham tweaked his hamstring Saturday, which could put Hardy back in the starting lineup for a day, or two, or maybe the entire remaining schedule depending on how serious it is and how much the O's want to risk it. The veteran shortstop might sneak in a homer if he does play out the string on the season, but don't expect too much. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Daniel Robertson, Rays: Triple-A Durham's title run kept a number of Tampa reinforcements in the minors until Thursday, with Robertson the most prominent call-up. He's gone 4-for-6 with a double since his promotion, and Brad Miller's struggles have opened the door for Robertson to get semi-regular at-bats at second base over the final week. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Outfield

Carlos Gomez, Rangers: Gomez returned to the starting lineup Thursday and has four hits including a double and two walks in 12 plate appearances, which is pretty good. Assuming his ankle is 100 percent, and it looks like it is, he's the highest upside potential add available for the final week of the season. 12-team Mixed: $15; 15-team Mixed: $35; 12-team AL: Owned

Alex Gordon, Royals: At the very bitter end of the worst season of his career, and long after absolutely everyone has given up on him, Gordon has gotten hot. Of course he has. The veteran has a 1.040 OPS over his last 17 games with four homers, eight RBI and 14 runs, numbers which can help just about any fantasy roster. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team AL: $9

Austin Hays, Orioles: Baltimore's top position prospect is getting a look in the starting lineup to close out the year and has been impressive, hitting .314 (11-for-35) in his last 10 games, albeit with a 1:11 BB:K. He should be long gone in dynasty and keeper formats, but in re-draft leagues where you're looking for playing time and any production you can get, he's worth an add. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team AL: $17

Brock Holt, Red Sox: Dustin Pedroia's limping and Eduardo Nunez isn't back yet, which leaves Holt at Boston's starting second baseman on most nights as they worry more about getting healthy for the playoffs. Don't expect a lot of value, though, and when Nunez returns he'll need playing time to shake off the rust. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Austin Jackson, Cleveland: Jackson has forced his way into the starting lineup with a .351/.413/.491 line in September, although the path to regular playing time is a pretty clear one with Mcihael Brantley and Lonnie Chisenhall both still out. Jackson won't give you much power or speed, but he could pile up a few more runs and RBI over the final week. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: $11

Brandon Moss, Royals: Another Kansas City veteran who's wrapping up a lousy year with a big finish, Moss is slashing .317/.326/.659 over his last 12 games with four homers and 14 RBI. If you need one last power boost, he could be your best bet. 12-team Mixed: $4; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team AL: $19

Taylor Motter, Mariners: Jean Segura injured his finger Saturday, so Motter could be pressed into service at shortstop over the final week as Seattle tries desperately to climb back into the wild-card picture. If Segura's season ends up being over, Motter might pop a homer with regular at-bats. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1