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

Shane Bieber, Cleveland: Biebs has been as advertised since getting his second shot in the major-league rotation, posting a 16:2 K:BB through 12.2 innings and just missing two straight quality starts by a single out. The young right-hander is going to pound the zone, which will sometimes lead to balls in play and then hits (.402 BABIP in the bigs so far), but that slight volatility is more than acceptable if he keeps his strikeout rate up, and he's got a World Series-caliber roster backing him both on defense and offense. Adam Plutko shouldn't be an obstacle to Bieber staying in the rotation when Cralos Carrasco gets healthy. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team AL: $15

Marcus Stroman, Blue Jays: The right-hander returned from the DL with five scoreless innings against the Angels on Saturday, which is a vast improvement on the results he was providing six weeks ago. Stroman's reputation has always seemed to exceed his stats, and he doesn't strike out enough guys to be a true difference-maker, but if he's healthy and gets in a groove he's still capable of reeling off a string of starts worth a home on any fantasy roster. If you need some pitching depth and have a spot to churn, look past the 6.80 ERA and 1.68 WHIP on the season and grab him now. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team AL: $9

Francisco Liriano. Tigers: Liriano also came off the DL to take the mound Saturday, having missed just under a month due to a hamstring strain, but he had less success than Stroman did in his return. The veteran lefty has decent ratios on the season with a 3.94 ERA and 1.25 WHIP, but they mask a distressing decline in his strikeouts. Liriano's K/9 fell below 8.0 last year for the first time since 2011, and in 2018 he's having trouble keeping it above 7.0 while seeing his average fastball velocity drop below 92 mph. Without those whiffs, there really isn't much appeal here in shallower formats, although anybody pitching in a division with the Royals and White Sox is going to be of some interest as a streaming option. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

Mike Minor, Rangers: The lefty finally seems to be getting the hang of this starting thing again, kicking off June with three straight quality starts after managing to deliver only two of them through his first 11 outings of the year. Minor's not throwing as hard as he did last year in the bullpen, so there's no reason to expect his strikeout rate to suddenly spike, and while that does cap his fantasy upside, it's possible the guy who was a solid mid-rotation asset in 2012-13 with the Braves could still be in there somewhere. He's currently residing in that gray zone of "gone in deep leagues because every worthwhile pitcher is gone, but not yet worth being on the radar in shallow leagues", but another good week or two will change that equation. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: Owned

Edwin Jackson, Athletics: Jackson will make history Monday by appearing with his 13th major-league team, tying Octavio Dotel's record, but the dude is only 34 so there's no reason to think he's going to stop there. I mean, he hasn't pitched for the Rangers yet, and they're trotting out Bartolo Colon and Yovani Gallardo right now. Jackson hasn't been exactly great at Triple-A in 2018 – 3.53 ERA, 63:30 K:BB through 71.1 innings – but for the moment the A's have run out of interchangeable younger righties to use, so the veteran gets a shot. The really wild thing about his call-up (no, not that wild thing) is that he's actually worth considering as a streaming option. Monday's start would come against a beatable Tigers squad, and if one of the 82,000 pitchers Oakland has on the DL isn't ready to be activated by the weekend, Jackson could end up with a two-start week. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Austin Bibens-Dirkx, Rangers: Speaking of the Rangers' dumpster fire of a rotation... ABD is back and gave Texas a quality start Wednesday without managing to strike out a batter, which says as much about the Royals lineup he was facing as it does about him. Bibens-Dirkx is already 33 years old and has a 5.1 K/9 in the majors, so unless your league has a Scrabble points category, you're better off looking elsewhere. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Relief Pitcher

Sergio Romo, Rays: The Rays do like to keep me on my toes. I profiled Romo a few weeks ago after the Alex Colome trade and offered a fairly aggressive recommendation, all things considered, then suggested a more modest bid last week when it looked like he would only be the occasional closer. Well, now he's racked up three saves since last Sunday and has Tampa's last four saves overall, and it's time to re-evaluate again. Romo's numbers on the season are bad, but he's only been scored upon once in 10 June appearances, so he'll probably keep getting the call until he stumbles. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team AL: Owned

Justin Anderson, Angels: Anderson still walks too many guys to be reliable – he's got a 13:10 K:BB through 10.1 innings in June – but Blake Parker's struggles have opened the door for the lefty to get back in the ninth-inning mix. The Angels' closing situation is going to remain volatile until someone actually starts pitching well, so don't blow your budget here, but if every save matters then Anderson is worth a look. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

Tim Hill / Brandon Maurer, Royals: I said everything that needs to be said about the Royals' bullpen situation on Twitter right after the Herrera trade:

I have an AL-only FAAB deadline tonight and just looked at the Royals bullpen to see who might replace Herrera as closer and it was a blighted Lovecraftian hellscape of double-digit ERAs and inverted K:BB ratios.

— Erik Siegrist (@AntonSirius) June 19, 2018

Nonetheless, somebody has to close for them on the rare occasions they have a late lead to protect, and Hill and Maurer seem to be the leading candidates. Hill's the lefty of the duo, but his 4.56 ERA and 9.1 K/9 on the season look downright electric next to the numbers some of his teammates have put up, and he did pick up a save Friday. Maurer has some ninth-inning experience from his Padres days, but he's been abysmal since coming to Kansas City and has been scored upon in five of his nine appearances in the majors this season. If the team were to call up Josh Staumont and try him as closer he might be worth a big bid, but I wouldn't trust the guys currently squatting in the Royals 'pen to save money with a coupon, much less save a game. Hill – 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3 / Maurer – 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Diego Castillo, Rays: If Romo does stumble, Castillo might well be the next man up as the Rays don't seem interested in giving Jose Alvarado – their best reliever so far this year, but a lefty – a shot at closing. Castillo's been lights out since his promotion, striking out multiple batters in six of his seven big-league appearances en route to a 0.93 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 12:3 K:BB through 9.2 innings. It's a small sample, but his equally impressive numbers at Triple-A Durham and his 96 mph fastball suggest it's no fluke. His current usage gives him value as a high-K long relief option who would fit right in on a staff built around pitchers like Chris Devenski and Josh Hader, but the potential for saves is there as well. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Juan Minaya, White Sox: Minaya clearly figured some things out at Triple-A. Since coming back up to the majors in mid-June, he's posted a 2.16 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 12:2 K:BB through 8.1 innings. Any White Sox reliever pitching well has a chance to get some saves, as Minaya discovered last season when he got nine of them. With trade winds blowing through big-league bullpens, guys like Joakim Soria and Nate Jones (when he gets healthy again) could be in other uniforms any day now, opening the door for Minaya to close until he himself gets dealt, as the circle of life in the Pale Hose 'pen continues to turn. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Catcher

Caleb Joseph, Orioles: Baltimore continues to shuffle around their catchers, because there's nothing a pitcher likes better than to throw to a new guy every time he goes to the mound, right? Joseph is the new starter, at least until Chance Sisco is back, and the veteran has hit the occasional homer when he's been given regular at-bats in the past. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Chris Herrmann, Mariners: Herrmann came off the DL at the beginning of the week but didn't make his first start until Saturday, getting on base four times. That could end up being the high point of his year, though. Unless Mike Zunino gets hurt, Herrmann's playing time will be minimal, and his career .626 OPS doesn't suggest he'll do much with the opportunities he does get. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

First Base

Lucas Duda, Royals: Duda came off the DL this weekend after missing nearly six weeks with a foot injury, but he didn't immediately reclaim the starting job at first base. Instead, he slotted in at DH while the Royals continue to give Hunter Dozier a long look. A healthy Duda should be able to do what he usually does, which is hit homers with a low batting average and a decent OBP, but the lineup around him isn't going to provide him with many RBI opportunities. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: $11

Second Base

Adalberto Mondesi, Royals: Called up last Sunday, Mondesi has started four of six games since then, and 3-4 starts a week seems like his likely workload for now. He's splitting time between both middle infield spots, and while a 3-for-15 performance at the plate isn't great, he has swiped two bases already on three attempts. The 22-year-old still has plenty of upside even if his prospect sheen has faded over the last couple of seasons, and as the season progresses and the Royals peddle away veterans, he should eventually work his way into a starting gig. Don't expect anything more than speed and maybe a decent batting average, but he has flashed some power (18 HR in 114 games at Triple-A Omaha over the last two years) as well. Mondesi's still a better keeper or dynasty stash than a short-term play, but he should have some value in the second half and he has the talent to surprise. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

Shortstop

Elvis Andrus, Rangers: Out for over two months with an elbow injury, Andrus returned to the lineup Monday and immediately slotted back in to his usual starting shortstop role. He's looked rusty at the plate, striking out six times in 21 at-bats against only two singles, and it's possible the power stroke he suddenly manifested in 2017 may not return any time soon. The 29-year-old should still provide value with his legs, though, even if his next stolen base will be his first of the season, and barring a big inter-league trade he's likely to be the best middle infield option entering the AL player pool for the rest of the year. 12-team Mixed: $12; 15-team Mixed: $25; 12-team AL: $45

Franklin Barreto, Athletics: All of a sudden, Barreto's started six of the last seven games for the A's, and while he's only hitting .240 (6-for-25), three of those hits have left the yard. His run as a starter could well end once Matt Chapman comes off the DL this week, but then again, Jed Lowrie's .709 OPS since the beginning of May isn't exactly an insurmountable obstacle, either. There's a window here for Barreto to stick around on the big-league roster and start seeing regular playing time if he keeps slugging, and that makes him a lot more interesting in shallower re-draft formats. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: $7

Daniel Robertson, Rays: Robertson came off the DL on Friday and rapped out doubles in each of his first two games back. Playing time might be harder to come by for the 24-year-old with Willy Adames locking down shortstop, but Robertson is still the top platoon option at second base for Joey Wendle, and he could spell Matt Duffy at third base as well. He's a nice, versatile option for deep leagues, but his offensive upside is limited. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Outfield

Mark Trumbo, Orioles: After coming off the DL back at the beginning of May, Trumbo had trouble finding his swing, launching only three homers in his first 36 games back in the lineup. He's found it now, though, going yard four times in his last six contests, and that surge should make him a priority pickup in shallower leagues if you need a power boost. Trumbo's track record as an elite home run hitter is well established, and his 47-HR campaign from 2016 didn't happen all that long ago. If he's available, he could move the needle for you in the power categories in the second half. 12-team Mixed: $12; 15-team Mixed: $25; 12-team AL: Owned

Avisail Garcia, White Sox: Avisail and Leury Garcia (no relation) both came off the DL on Friday, but Avisail remains the more valuable fantasy asset. Last year's breakout was the first time he'd ever even approached living up to those early-career Miggy comparisons, and while his numbers so far in 2018 aren't pretty, the sample size is small and he should get back into a groove eventually. How long "eventually" takes is the big question. There's four-category potential here for the 27-year-old, even if his track record of injuries and disappointments suggests he's a big risk. 12-team Mixed: $7; 15-team Mixed: $15; 12-team AL: $35

Kevin Kiermaier, Rays: Kiermaier's return date from the DL was Tuesday, and he's gone a whopping 1-for-16 since. Despite the rusty start, you know what you're going to get from the center fielder – decent power and speed numbers, a potentially useful batting average, and stellar defense that won't matter in the vast majority of fantasy leagues. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $13; 12-team AL: $29

Matt Joyce, Athletics: Joyce missed a few weeks with back trouble, coming off the DL along with the entire rest of the American League on Friday. He'll probably get lost in the shuffle given the bigger names also flooding the player pool, but don't overlook Joyce's utility on the strong side of a left-field platoon. If he stays healthy, the 33-year-old should put up similar power numbers to Duda, although maybe with a lower batting average. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team AL: $9

Kole Calhoun, Angels: After a couple of weeks on the DL due to a mild oblique strain, Calhoun has actually looked like his old self since rejoining the lineup Monday, hitting .294 (5-for-17) in five games with two homers. His atrocious start to the season will make a lot of GMs wary, but the 30-year-old could still easily fire up a big second half if he's healthy and was able to use the time off to recalibrate his swing. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: $7

Rajai Davis, Cleveland: Davis is usually the guy you pick up in shallow leagues for a quick boost in steals when you have no better options for a roster spot, because he doesn't get enough playing time to help you in any other category. That might be changing, however. Greg Allen and Bradley Zimmer are both back in the minors, with the latter also on the minor-league DL, and that leaves the thoroughly mediocre Tyler Naquin as Davis' only competition for reps in center field. The veteran speedster has started five of the last nine games, swiping four bags in the process but also scoring six runs, and even semi-regular at-bats in a potent Cleveland lineup would make him more than a one trick pony. He's still just a short-term add, but that short term might be measured in weeks this time instead of days. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: Owned

Colby Rasmus, Orioles: Out of commission since April 6, Rasmus returned to the lineup Thursday and immediately took over the starting right-field job for Baltimore, homering in his first game back. Among the "low batting average, some power" brigade this week, the 31-year-old lags decidedly behind guys like Duda and Joyce in likely value, but Rasmus is still going to get enough playing time to be useful in deeper leagues. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

Leury Garcia, White Sox: Leury is the lesser of the Pale Hose Garcias, and he's started only one of three games since coming off the DL, but when your competition for playing time is guys like Adam Engel and Charlie Tilson, it doesn't take much to get you into the starting nine on a regular basis. Garcia is the kind of hitter who can keep you afloat, making a bit of a contribution in all five categories (and maybe a little more than a bit this year in steals – he was 9-for-9 on the basepaths before getting hurt), but he probably won't move the needle in any of them. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Rosell Herrera, Royals: Herrera's getting a look as the starting right fielder while Jorge Soler is out, going 5-for-22 with a steal over the last six games. His minor-league profile marks him as a possible leadoff type – solid batting average, some walks, good speed – and while he has yet to prove himself in the majors, the Royals have little to lose by seeing what the 25-year-old can do. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Steve Pearce, Blue Jays: Stop me if you've heard this one before – Pearce came off the DL on Friday, having missed about six weeks with an oblique injury. He's a platoon bat for the Jays, but his role could be even more limited than it was earlier in the year as Teoscar Hernandez and Randal Grichuk slowly take over in the outfield corners, leaving just scraps of playing time left over for the Curtis Granderson/Pearce duo. It's too bad, too, as that platoon might have brought back fond memories for old-school fans of classic Jays platoons like Garth Iorg and Rance Mulliniks. No, I did not just get those names from a Star Wars random name generator. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Clint Frazier, Yankees: Frazier came back up Monday and stuck around with Brett Gardner not 100 percent, and the 23-year-old made a good impression, going 4-for-11 with a double and four runs scored. There's still no room at the inn for Frazier, and with Gardner apparently OK he could be back at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre by the time this article gets posted, but if he does stick around as the Yankees' fourth outfielder, his upside makes him an interesting stash just in case one of the team's starters gets hit with a more serious injury. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Nick Martini, Athletics: The 27-year-old got another, uhh, cup of coffee in the majors Saturday, but it's hard to imagine him getting any real playing time given how crowded the A's outfield is. Martini's posted decent numbers at Triple-A the last couple of years, but his offensive upside is pretty much limited to his hit tool, as he hasn't shown much power or speed. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Michael Hermosillo, Angels: Hermosillo is back up to give the Angels some depth in the outfield, but with Calhoun started to turn things around any path the rookie might have had to a starting job has gotten a lot thornier. Expect him to head back to Salt Lake once the club is sure Chris Young's hamstring is OK. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1