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.

We've incorporated 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. Rafael Devers 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

Andrew Heaney, Angels: The back half of the Angels rotation may be among the most frustrating to try and figure out in shallower formats. Their six-man rotation basically makes it impossible for any of them to have two-starts weeks, and their sketchy injury histories and skimpy recent resumes make them seem risky even if you do decide one good matchup is enough for the current period. That said, Heaney is pitching well enough right now to deserve a spot, even if it's just on your bench. He hasn't allowed more than two earned runs in any of his last five trips to the mound, posting a 1.45 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and 33:11 K:BB in 31 innings over that stretch. Of course, the left-hander's already thrown more big-league innings in 2018 than he had in the last two seasons combined, but maybe the babying will keep him healthy this time. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team AL: Owned

Trevor Cahill, Athletics: Cahill returned from a brief DL stint Wednesday and didn't get smeared against the Green Monster by the Boston offense, so that counts for something. The veteran is mainly a streaming or matchup option – his two best starts this season have come against the White Sox and Orioles; his two worst against the Astros and Red Sox – but as long as he can stay healthy (knocks on wood), he should provide some useful innings. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: Owned

Anthony Banda, Rays: The Rays' trolling of baseball traditionalists is hilarious to watch. Technically, with Ryan Yarbrough getting consistent work and Banda now in the majors, they have a set five-man rotation for the first time all year, but why be normal when you can give Sergio Romo one-inning "starts" two days in a row? Banda earned his promotion with a 44:16 K:BB in 36 Triple-A innings, and while that strikeout upside wasn't on display Tuesday against the Royals, he should get further chances to ring up batters with his mid-90s fastball, potentially plus changeup and useful curveball. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team AL: $9

Sam Gaviglio, Blue Jays: An impressive showing in long relief May 11 earned Gaviglio a start Saturday, and it's fair to say at this point that he's leapfrogged Joe Biagini as the Jays' sixth starter, a role that should keep him in the rotation at least through the end of the month with Marcus Stroman and Jaime Garcia on the shelf. Gaviglio shut down a hot Oakland offense for 5.1 innings in his first big-league start on the season, and the right-hander now boasts a 0.93 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 12:2 K:BB in 9.2 innings for Toronto. He's not that good, as he relies on control and deception to get by with a fastball that rarely breaks 90 mph, but his slider and changeup can induce weak contact and he could provide some useful innings. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

David Hess, Orioles: Hess gave the O's a quality start last weekend in his big-league debut against the Rays, but he'll have a tougher task Sunday against the Red Sox. Baltimore has little to lose by keeping him around, though, at least until Chris Tillman is healthy, and another solid outing this weekend should cement him as their preferred spot-start option over the summer. Hess sits in the low 90s with his fastball and has an array of average off-speed pitches, so the profile doesn't suggest a high ceiling, but it's easy to see him eventually getting a real audition in the rotation once the O's pack it in for the year and trade away some veterans. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Ariel Jurado, Rangers: Jurado is what passes for a pitching prospect in the Rangers' system these days. The organization has always been better at developing bats than arms, but the 22-year-old doesn't have anything close to the upside you'd want in a "top prospect", posting an 18:8 K:BB through 35 Double-A innings to kick off 2018 after a 95:37 mark in 157 innings last year. In fact, he'd been stalled at Double-A since 2016 without showing much improvement, but the club really didn't have much to lose by jumping him all the way to the majors. Expect lots of talk from Jeff Banister about his grit and how they like the way Jurado fights through adversity while he'll getting smacked around by big-league offenses. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Adam Plutko, Cleveland: Plutko will make a spot start in Wrigley Field on Wednesday if you like to live dangerously. The 26-year-old right-hander did look good in his first spot start of the season against the Jays on May 3, but his arsenal is about what you'd expect for a guy on the fringe – low 90s fastball, three useful off-speed pitches, gets by on command rather than dominance. He has been pitching very well in his third stint at Triple-A Columbus, though, posting a 2.25 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 35:9 K:BB through seven starts and 44 innings, and Cleveland could use a new Josh Tomlin since the one seems to be busted. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Dylan Covey, White Sox: Almost everything I just said about Plutko could apply to Covey, even down to the age. His fastball has a little more hop and his command isn't quite as sharp, but they have the same kind of back-end rotation or long relief profile in the majors. The big difference is the organization they pitch in. Covey will start Wednesday against the O's and maybe has more short-term appeal, as a decent showing should move him ahead of Hector Santiago in the pecking order, but eventually he should get bumped aside to make room for Carlos Rodon and Michael Kopech. If you're looking for AL-only depth for the long run to stash, I'd actually prefer Plutko. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Relief Pitcher

Bruce Rondon, White Sox: Rondon's save last weekend got folks excited, but sincce then he's only made on appearance and Nate Jones has gotten both of Chicago's closing opportunities. Sigh. Rondon's still the No. 2 with Joakim Soria clearly on the outs, though, and while the White Sox don't get many leads to protect, Rondon's big-time fastball will still be in the mix. At this point he's probably a better stash against the day the front office does their usual roster trade purge and sends Jones to a contender, rather than a pitcher to can help you much immediately. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team AL: $9

Jace Fry, White Sox: Fry has quietly been the most effective reliever in the White Sox bullpen since being called up in early May, posting a 10:2 K:BB over 7.1 innings without allowing a run. He doesn't have an overpowering fastball and is a better fit as a LOOGY in the long run, but he's also only been relieving since 2017 after he made a return from Tommy John surgery. A third-round pick in 2014, Fry has some pedigree, and given the mess that is the White Sox relief situation, he should work his way into a key role quickly if he keeps getting outs. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Catcher

Evan Gattis, Astros: In shallow one-catcher leagues, Gattis might have been kicked to the curb after a poor start (.200/.281/.300 with one homer through the end of April) and manager A.J. Hinch's threat in early May to reduce his workload even further. Well, if the threat was intended to motivate El Oso Blanco, it worked. Gattis has slugged three homers over the last week, and his .278/.333/.833 line over that stretch is much more appealing. 12-team Mixed: $9; 15-team Mixed: $21; 12-team AL: Owned

Chance Sisco, Orioles: Caleb Joseph's surprise demotion makes it clear that the starting job in Baltimore is now Sisco's. Memories of his .320 batting average at Double-A a couple of years ago, but last season's .267/.340/.395 is probably a better reflection of what the 23-year-old could do with regular playing time at this stage of his career. Still, he'll be the one getting that playing time, and the counting stats that come with it. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $13; 12-team AL: Owned

Mitch Garver, Twins: Over the last couple of weeks, Jason Castro has gone from "banged up a bit" to "needs some time off" to "gone for the year due to knee surgery", with Garver's ROS value rising every time. Twins manager Paul Molitor have been giving Bobby Wilson the extra at-bats instead over the weekend, but at some point Wilson's inability to hit should more than offset his better defense and pitch-framing. Garver needs only to get hot at the plate to prove it. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team AL: Owned

Bobby Wilson, Twins: Wilson has started four of the last six games for the Twins, getting hits in three of them. He's also 35 years old with a career .587 OPS in the majors over 331 games. Do you even want in on your roster if he's getting two-thirds of the starts for the rest of the season? Unless pitch framing is a category in your league, you might be better off letting someone one "win" the bidding on Minnesota's new "starter". 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Andrew Susac, Orioles: The replacement for Joseph on the 25-man roster, Susac could wind up on the short side of a platoon with Sisco, which isn't a bad place to be given his career splits – .313/.400/.530 against LHP, .190/.242/.328 against RHP. He was hitting well at Triple-A, and in deep leagues where you've gone cheap at catcher, grabbing Susac in the hopes that he sees most of his action against the former could provide a nice return. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Josh Phegley, Athletics: Phegley was only added to the roster for the weekend series in Toronto because Bruce Maxwell can't cross the border, and will almost certainly head back to Triple-A once the A's are back on American soil. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Second Base

Niko Goodrum, Tigers: Goodrum has been putting the "super" in super-utility player lately. With all the Tigers' injuries, he's played every offensive position except catcher and center field already this season, and the extra playing seems to have perked up his bat – he's got an eight-game hitting streak going, racking up a .400/.419/.800 (!) slash line over that stretch with three homers, seven RBI, seven runs and a steal. It won't last, but if you're looking for short-term help it doesn't need to, and in the long run Goodrum could settle in as the starting second baseman over Dixon Machado and his .556 OPS. Grab him now before that happens, and leave your competition checking the waiver wire and asking themselves, "Why is the Goodrum gone?"12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: $7

Gordon Beckham, Mariners: Robinson Cano's troubles have left a big hole at the keystone for the M's, but after briefly considering giving that job to Beckham they came to their senses and moved Dee Gordon in from center field instead. Beckham is still back in the majors, but on the bench where he belongs despite the .300/.412/.500 line he's put up through 25 games at Triple-A. His .239/.303/.369 performance in nearly 1,000 big-league games carries a little more weight. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Rob Refsnyder, Rays: The Rays keep suggesting Refsnyder will get more playing time due to some injury or other ahead of him on the depth chart, so I have to keep adding him to my write-up list, but more playing time keeps not happening. He did get 10 at-bats this week, so I guess that's progress, but there's still no reason to consider him as anything more than bench depth in deeeeep AL-only. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Ramon Torres, Royals: Called up when Cheslor Cuthbert hit the DL, Torres doesn't offer much more than a bit of steals upside even if he did find his way into a starting role – and if a spot did open up, the Royals would just call up Adalberto Mondesi to replace him instead. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Third Base

Christian Arroyo, Rays: Arroyo was promoted over Willy Adames when Matt Duffy got banged up, and while it's always tough to figure out what the organization is thinking when it comes to prospects, in this case I'm pretty sure it means Arroyo's service-time clock was already ticking and Adames' wasn't. At any rate, Arroyo banged out four hits in his first eight at-bats after getting the call, but he was hitting only .200/.235/.308 at Triple-A and will probably get sent back down when Duffy is healthy. He still has a bit of intrigue as a stash in deep AL-only formats, though, and could easily get lost in the drawerful of Swiss Army knives on Tampa's bench later in the year. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Hanser Alberto, Rangers: Alberto has been yo-yoing between Triple-A and the Rangers' bench since 2015, and there won't be anything different about this stint in the majors for him. At best, he might hit for a decent batting average if he got a real shot in the bigs. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Shortstop

Jose Iglesias, Tigers: While Goodrum has been raking all over the Tigers' lineup, Iglesias has been doing the same at shortstop, hitting .341/.412/.523 over the last two weeks with two homers, three steals, eight RBI and seven runs. The stolen bases are especially intriguing. He already has as many steals this year (seven) as he did in either 2017 or 2016, so while the batting average will probably fade away, Ron Gardenhire is apparently giving him plenty of green lights. Iglesias' career high is only 11 SB, but he could blow past that by the All-Star break. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team AL: $9

Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Rangers: Kiner-Falela will get another chance to fill in at third base for Adrian Beltre, since Joey Gallodoesn't want the job. IKF doesn't offer much in the way of fantasy upside, but he'll get consistent at-bats and hasn't been doing too badly in the counting stats department this year, collecting two homers, two steals, 12 RBI and 15 runs in 33 games. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

Daniel Robertson, Rays: Robertson's been streaky this year, but he's heating up again with semi-consistent playing time, banging out six hits including two homers in the last four games. He still profiles best as Joey Wendle's platoon partner at second base, but Robertson has been providing added value in OBP leagues thanks to a sky-high 20 percent walk rate. The Rays are very adept at finding roles for players that they can excel in, and they seem to have found one for Robertson. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Richard Urena, Blue Jays: Urena's playing time has jumped over the last week given the turmoil in the Jays' infield, but that spike has only gotten him 15 at-bats. Despite his small-sample .313 batting average, he still profiles as a glove-first bench option. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Jose Rondon, White Sox: Rondon was called back up when Nicky Delmonico hit the DL, but the 24-year-old doesn't have much fantasy upside or a plausible path to consistent at-bats anywhere on the diamond. About the only things working in his favor is that the White Sox don't have better infield options in the high minors. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Outfield

Leonys Martin, Tigers: Martin returned from the disabled list Friday and resumed his spot in center field for Detroit. The 30-year-old has maybe missed his window to put it all together in the majors, but he's been hitting well so far in 2018 with a .276/.336/.478 slash line and five homers in 34 games, even if his 1-for-4 performance on the basepaths is frustrating fantasy GMs who thought he might contribute in steals. The Tigers are middle of the pack in SB attempts this year, but if Martin can find more success when he does run, he should get more chances, and that 20/20 season he's always teased might still be within reach. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team AL: Owned

Guillermo Heredia, Mariners: Heredia will get a chance to fill center field on a full-time basis with Gordon needed at second base while Cano is suspended and/or hurt. He's never really gotten a chance at a starting role for any length of time, so there's no telling how the 27-year-old will respond – he could thrive, or he could wear down. His .304/.452/.482 slash line through 30 games is encouraging, though, and Heredia had no difficulties in the minors after coming over from Cuba in 2016. At the very least, his defense will keep him in the lineup even if his bat slows down. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: $13

Clint Frazier, Yankees: Called up Tuesday, Frazier has seen limited action this week but should settle in as the Yankees' fourth outfielder for the rest of the season now that he's healthy. The 23-year-old was destroying Triple-A pitching (.362/.423/.702 in 12 games) prior to his promotion, and if he does get a chance to start his upside remains impressive, as it would have to be to be the centerpiece of a trade for Andrew Miller. For the moment, though, he's just an upside stash rather than a player who could help right away. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Hunter Dozier, Royals: His prospect status long behind him, Dozier got a somewhat surprising promotion to replace Lucas Duda at first base despite only putting together a .254/.385/.339 slash line in 35 games for Triple-A Omaha this year – his third stint at the level. The 26-year-old has gone 3-for-17 with the Royals, which seems about right, and will probably head right back down once Duda gets healthy. Don't be fooled by those dim memories of his place among Kansas City's top 10 prospects back in the day. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Jake Cave, Twins: Big-league debuts rarely go as well as Cave's did Saturday. Starting in center field to give Byron Buxton a breather, Cave stole a base, looked good defensively, and homered pretty much the moment his dad got to his seat after having some trouble with a connecting flight to Minnesota. The Twins' starting outfield is young, athletic and set, so there's no clear path to regular playing time for another young, athletic player, but if Buxton keeps breaking down, Cave could be worth a longer look in shallower formats. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Tony Kemp, Astros: The Astros don't care that you want to see J.D. Davis in the majors, y'all. They just don't. Kemp gets Jake Marisnick's roster spot instead and should be little more than a utility option, but with nobody in the outfield expect George Springer forcing the issue, Kemp could sneak into some playing time and steal a handful of bases before Houston realizes he's not really the answer for them. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Michael Hermosillo, Angels: Hermosillo got called up Friday and in his big-league debut hit a double while striking out three times, which is a good reflection of his skill set. He doesn't have a ton of upside, but he did hit 11 homers in 65 games at Triple-A (granted, it was Salt Lake) while whiffing 73 times. If Kole Calhoun doesn't turn things around, Hermosillo becoming his platoon partner is a possibility, but in all likelihood his stay in the bigs will be brief. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Dwight Smith, Blue Jays: Smith is back for another stint in the majors as part of the Jays' ever-changing bench. He could also be back at Triple-A Buffalo by the time you read this. Smith has a pure fourth outfielder profile, offering a smidge of power and speed with a good-enough hit tool, but the organization has better options for that roster spot in the long run. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1