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 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.

AL FAAB | NL FAAB

Starting Pitcher

Drew Pomeranz, Red Sox: Pomeranz returned from the DL and got roughed up a bit by the Manny Machado-less Orioles, which is a good news/bad news sort of scenario. On the one hand, ugh. On the other hand, it might suppress the bidding on him. Home runs have been his nemesis this season – prior to getting shut down with biceps tendinitis at the end of May, he'd served up seven in only 37 innings, and he added two more to his ledger in 4.2 innings Tuesday. If Pomeranz can find his form from 2016-17 again he could be extremely valuable down the stretch, but there's still some risk here.12-team Mixed: $7; 15-team Mixed: $15; 12-team AL: $35

Ervin Santana, Twins: The veteran righty finally made his season debut Wednesday and didn't look too bad, which is about all anyone could have asked of him. Given his track record over the last couple of years, he could be a useful arm down the stretch, but it's fair to ask for which team. Santana's in the final year of his contract, and the Twins made their playoff aspirations clear when they dealt Eduardo Escobar to Arizona and Ryan Pressly to Houston. He'll get his next turn Monday against Cleveland right on the eve of the deadline, but the fact that Adalberto Mejia hasn't been sent back down to the minors yet is a strong sign the front office is keeping its options open. Santana's fantasy value for the final two months would get a bump if he's pitching for a team more likely to get him wins, but a downgrade in home park from Target Field is also possible. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $13; 12-team AL: $29

Yonny Chirinos, Rays: The Rays called Chirinos back up at the beginning of the week and actually used him as a starting pitcher, as God intended, instead of some commie pinko "bullpen day" long reliever. The 24-year-old responded with a quality start against the Yankees, and he'll probably stick in that role for a while with Blake Snell on the shelf and Jake Faria struggling on his rehab assignment. Chirinos has had some homer issues at Triple-A, but his big-league numbers this year have been solid and he could provide useful ratio ballast down the stretch. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: $13

Ryan Borucki, Blue Jays: The J.A. Happ trade likely cements Borucki's spot in the Jays rotation for the rest of the season. The relatively unheralded southpaw hasn't posted the strikeout numbers he did in the low minors, which isn't a shock, but he's been able to hold his own so far in the Show. That may not last – his profile would have him walking a tightrope against big-league hitters even if he wasn't in the AL East and facing the Yankees and Red Sox on the regular – but at the very least he should provide consistent innings. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

Ariel Jurado, Rangers: Jurado rejoined the Rangers on Saturday and picked up his first big-league win, and against Justin Verlander and the Astros no less. It might be all downhill from here, kid. The 22-year-old had a miserable 5.2 K/9 at Double-A this year, and that's not likely to get better in the majors (although it could hardly get much worse). Texas has no better options for its rotation, so his spot should at least be safe, but there's no reason to expect the results to be pretty. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Roenis Elias, Mariners: The 29-year-old made an emergency spot start Tuesday when James Paxton was deemed not quite ready to return from the DL, and Elias didn't exactly impress. Paxton is expected back next week, pushing Elias to long relief, but there are enough question marks in the M's rotation – does Felix Hernandez look healthy to you? – that he could easily get another shot later in the year. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Relief Pitcher

Brad Hand, Cleveland: So last week, with Terry Francona insisting that Cody Allen was still his closer, I recommended a relatively modest bid for Hand in AL-only that probably didn't get the job done in most leagues. Since then, Hand's gotten a save and Allen's pitched in the seventh inning. My bad. Francona still hasn't said anything about a switch, and maybe this is just a motivational tactic for Allen, but given the disparity in their ratios this year it can't be ruled out that Hand just reaches out and seizes the job. If he got dumped in shallow mixed leagues because he wasn't going to get saves any more, it may be worth buying back in. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $13; 12-team AL: Owned

Wily Peralta, Royals: Being the Royals' closer is going to lead to some dry spells, which is why it's taken Peralta a month to accumulate just five saves, but it's clear at this point that he's the man in Kansas City. His control remains an issue (10:5 K:BB in 9.2 innings since his first save) but closers don't need to be perfect, they just need to not screw up, and that's a bar the journeyman starters has been able to clear so far. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team AL: $15

Brad Brach, Orioles: Zach Britton's now a Yankee, so Brach is back to closing for the O's unless he's the next guy out the door, in which case I'll be writing up Mychal Givens (or whoever's left) next week. Brach's lost a mile and a half off his fastball this season, and it shows in his ratios, but he's also been fairly unlucky given his .390 BABIP so some regression could be coming his way over the final two months. It would be just like the baseball gods to allow Brach to be "great" in a new uniform for eight weeks despite no change in his underlying skills. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: $11

Jace Fry, White Sox: If you remember back to last year's trade deadline, the White Sox somehow found a way to trade away what felt like a dozen "closers", so maybe don't get too attached to the idea that Fry will be the team's ninth-inning stalwart down the stretch. Even if he does remain in Chicago past the deadline, there's no guarantee he'll get the job – Juan Minaya is the guy with brief closing experience, after all – and then there's the whole lefty closer stigma. Still, Fry has the better skill set, and if you have to chase saves in the White Sox bullpen this week, he's the guy to target. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: $7

Juan Minaya, White Sox: Minaya has walked a batter an inning in the bigs this season, but he also had nine saves last year, which might count for something as he jockeys with Fry for the closer gig. A committee approach could end up developing if both relievers stick around, but that would likely favor Minaya if he doesn't completely spit the bit. Fry's the safer play though, if only for the sake of your ratios. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

Jalen Beeks, Rays: The prize the Rays received for Nathan Eovaldi, Beeks emerged from relative obscurity at Triple-A this season. The left-hander has put up some eye-popping K rates in the high minors the last two years given his fairly pedestrian raw stuff, and it remains to be seen whether his control-heavy profile can play in the majors, but he could get a long look down the stretch in one of Tampa's long reliever slots. Despite his lack of prospect pedigree and the sour faces he inspires in scouts, there may be a little more upside with Beeks than you think. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Eddie Butler, Rangers: Butler came over in the Cole Hamels deal and looks like he'll remain in a relief role for now, but given the ghastly nature of the Rangers pitching staff it wouldn't be a shock to see the 27-year-old get stretched out at some point. He showed some flashes in nine starts for the Cubs last year, and once upon a time he did have something of a prospect pedigree with the Rockies. The Rangers already have Mike Minor as their estwhile ace, so what's one more re-converted reliever in the rotation? 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Catcher

Austin Romine, Yankees: Gary Sanchez is hurt again, so Romine is starting again. The veteran backup's hot streak has long subsided – he's got a .256/.298/.465 slash line in July – but regular at-bats in even an underpowered Yankees lineup have value. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

Francisco Arcia, Angels: The 28-year-old put up respectable numbers at Triple-A Salt Lake this year, prompting his first big-league promotion when Martin Maldonado got dealt. Arcia then proceeded to hit two homers and drive in 10 runs in his first two games with the Angels, production that's going to have people losing their minds and blowing whatever FAAB budget they have left, but try not to be one of them. He had three homers and 26 RBI in 43 games in the PCL, and he's already tied his previous career high in homers on the year, set in Low-A back in 2012. Remember, Jose Briceno had a similarly splashy debut, and he's now slashing .271/.314/.417 – decent numbers to be sure, but he's not moving the needle even at catcher. Arcia's production is likely going to see a similar swoon, although if the Angels go with a strict platoon behind the plate, Arcia should see the larger share as the left-handed hitter. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Michael Perez, Rays: While he's no Arcia, Perez has also looked good since making his big-league debut, going 4-for-6 in two games. The 25-year-old had a decent line for Triple-A Reno in the D-backs system before getting dealt to the Rays and could have some batting-average upside if he were to find his way into a regular role, but Perez should head back to the minors once Wilson Ramos gets healthy. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Kyle Higashioka, Yankees: He'll again back up Romine while Sanchez is out. Other than the occasional homer, though, he doesn't bring much to the fantasy table. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

First Base

Joe Mauer, Twins: In shallower leagues, Mauer remains one of those guys who floats on and off rosters as injuries dictate. However, if you're in a position where you can make significant gains in batting average while having a relatively secure spot in HR/RBI, adding the veteran now could gain you some valuable points in the standings by the end of the year. Mauer's been in vintage form in July, slashing .319/.356/.415, and health could be the only obstacle between him and a solid finish to 2018. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team AL: Owned

Ji-Man Choi, Rays: Choi's been getting a surprising amount of playing time at DH in Tampa despite theoretically sitting behind C.J. Cron on the depth chart, and while this isn't likely to develop into a full-blown platoon, Choi's .265/.342/.412 slash line in 10 games with the Rays makes him useful in deeper formats. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Second Base

Lourdes Gurriel, Blue Jays: Apparently, all those times Yuli Gurriel insisted his younger brother was the more talented baseball player, he might have known what he was talking about. The 24-year-old Lourdes has been absolutely crushing the ball since the All-Star break, setting a new Jays record with 10 straight multi-hit performances heading into Sunday's action, and it's increasingly looking like he will be the team's shortstop of the future. His 2017 debut in American ball was a flop, but if you chalk that up to injuries and an adjustment period after leaving Cuba, his upside becomes a lot more apparent – he posted a fearsome .344/.407/.560 slash line as a 21-year-old in his final season in Cuba's top league. Also, think about this – once you include Lourdes Sr., a legend back home (die-hard international baseball fans might remember his clutch homer off Jim Abbott in the 1988 World Cup), the Jays' infield could at some point in the next year or two feature four second-generation players in Gurriel, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette and Cavan Biggio. How freaking cool would that be? In the meantime, though, Lourdes Jr. will have to hold down the fort on his own. He seems more than up to the task. 12-team Mixed: $8; 15-team Mixed: $19; 12-team AL: Owned

David Fletcher, Angels: Fletcher once again seems to have emerged as the Angels' preferred option at the hot corner, and his .394/.447/.485 slash line since the All-Star break probably has something to do with it. The 24-year-old has yet to show much power or speed in the majors, but he does have modest upside in both areas, and an extended run over the final two months should give us a better idea of his ultimate fantasy upside. Luis Valbuena shouldn't be much of an obstacle, and most of the big-name upgrades at third base available at the trade deadline have already found new homes, so Fletcher's job seems relatively safe as well. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: $7

Neil Walker, Yankees: The Yankees' injuries have pushed Walker into a regular role at DH, which seems like a thing the front office will address in the next few days, but until they do Walker's got some value, especially given his 11-for-21 performance since the All-Star break. His first season in the Junior Circuit has been mostly miserable, but a stretch of consistent at-bats would give the veteran a chance to turn thing around. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Brandon Drury, Blue Jays: Bad as Walker's campaign in the Bronx has been, Drury's had been even worse, but he'll now head to Toronto with a clean slate and hopefully better health. Of course, it's hard to see a regular role for him with the Jays given that they already have about 40 utility infielders on their 25-man roster, but fighting with Yangervis Solarte and Devon Travis for playing time is a lot better scenario than watching from the bench as the careers of Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar blossom, all things considered. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Brock Holt, Red Sox: Rafael Devers is hurt again and Brandon Phillips is banged up in the minors, so Holt is set for regular action at second base in Boston over the short term with Eduardo Nunez needed at third. Holt's limited upside is no secret, but ABs is ABs, and they're especially valuable ones in the BoSox lineup. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Tyler Wade, Yankees: Wade is back up for the Yankees and saw action in both ends of Saturday's doubleheader, which is a good sign that he'll see at least semi-regular playing time until the big guns gets healthy. Don't expect too much production, but he could swipe a base or two. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Third Base

Miguel Sano, Twins: The Escobar deal opened third base back up for Sano, but his first game back didn't suggest he learned much during his minor-league exile, as he went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. Even if a big bat comes over from the NL at the deadline, there might be no better power source entering the AL player pool before the end of the season, though, so if you need HR and RBI and don't much care what happens to your BA, you probably need to shoot the moon on the 25-year-old. His 53 homers in 2016-17 were no fluke. 12-team Mixed: $25; 15-team Mixed: $45; 12-team AL: $75

Outfield

Brett Phillips, Royals: The centerpiece of the Mike Moustakas deal for the Royals, Phillips got called up Sunday and should see regular playing time over the final two months, as talent-wise he's an upgrade on guys like Jorge Bonifacio or Paulo Orlando. Phillips has a good glove in center field and some power and speed, but he hasn't figured out how to hit lefties yet and batting average could be an issue. The upside makes him worth going after, but know what you're getting – Colby Rasmus' tenure in Toronto might offer a glimpse at Phillips' ceiling. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: $13

Brian Goodwin, Royals: Goodwin looked like he might get a shot at establishing himself as Kansas City's new center fielder, but then the club traded for Phillips and Goodwin strained his groin Saturday, which should give anyone who followed his career in Washington a strong shiver of deja vu. The 27-year-old is something of a late bloomer, but like Phillips he's flashed power and speed in the minors with some struggles in batting average. Phillips has more upside, and Goodwin might best profile as a fourth outfielder in the long run, but once he gets healthy the Royals have little to lose by giving them both all the playing time they can handle. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

Eric Young Jr., Angels: Young is back in the majors, and while he'll be stuck coming off the bench behind a fairly set Angels outfield, that may not matter for his fantasy value – he stole 12 bases in 47 games last year despite only averaging about 2.5 plate appearances a game. Even at 33 years old, he's still got wheels and good baserunning instincts, and if you need stolen bases in deep formats he's worth a look. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Melky Cabrera, Cleveland: The veteran is back in the starting lineup, effectively by default after Tyler Naquin got hurt. Cabrera has gone 8-for-22 since the All-Star break, but at this stage of his career he offers nothing from a fantasy perspective other than occasional batting average boosts, and it's unlikely the club will be content to ride it out with him as a fixture in an outfield corner. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Greg Allen, Cleveland: Allen continues to yo-yo between Triple-A and the majors, a situation that won't change until he proves he can hit in the majors. He's set to return Monday with Naquin joining Lonnie Chisenhall on the DL, and you have to think Cleveland's front office is going to be looking for outfield help at the deadline rather than rely on the likes of Allen, Cabrera and Brandon Guyer for any stretch of time. Still, if Allen gets ABs, he's a potential source of steals. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Shane Robinson, Yankees: With Aaron Judge sidelined for a few weeks, Robinson appears to be the next man up in the Yankees' outfield until they come up with a better idea – whether that's via trade, or Clint Frazier recovering from his concussion issues. Robinson did hit his first big-league homer since 2016 on Saturday, but he's highly unlikely to provide consistent production even if he does get playing time. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1