AL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week

This is our weekly look at American League free agents. We have two goals for this article:
 

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. Shohei Ohtani would have been an "A" grade player last year – that mark will be reserved for similarly 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

Nathan Eovaldi, Red Sox: Aaaand now we're back to square one. Over the last month or so, Eovaldi has gone from injured starting pitcher to projected bullpen savior to just another guy who can't reliably get outs in the late innings to emergency starting pitcher due to other arms getting injured. Cue the Elton John, although this version might suit the mood of Sawx fans a little better as they wait for Chris Sale news. There's no reason to think Eovaldi will suddenly discover how to turn his big fastball into outs on a consistent basis, but once he's stretched out he'll at least have more fantasy value at the back of the rotation than he would as a middle reliever. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Sean Manaea, Athletics: Manaea is on the brink of making his 2019 debut after posting an 18:3 K:BB in 11.2 innings over his last two rehab starts at Triple-A, but A's manager Bob Melvin is now suggesting there may not be room in his rotation for the southpaw. Oh, for sure, dude. You wouldn't want to disrupt the momentum of someone like Homer Bailey (6.40 ERA in six starts for Oakland). The A's are in the thick of the wild-card hunt and only 6.5 games back of the Astros in the AL West so you'd think they'd want to give themselves their best chance of winning games. Manaea's basically an off-brand James Paxton, lacking the Yankees' strikeout upside but retaining his inability to handle 30 starts in a season, but that's still a guy who can help your ratios down the stretch if he returns at 100 percent from last year's shoulder surgery. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: $13

Joe Palumbo, Rangers: Palumbo, the Rangers' top pitching prospect, will get called back up for Tuesday's doubleheader and should stick in the rotation for the rest of the year, lining him up for a solid two-start period right out of the gate (vs. LAA, at CHW). The lefty has mid-rotation upside thanks to his mid-90s fastball, decent offspeed pitches and potentially plus command, and while he's had a rough introduction to the majors so far, he's been on a roll for Triple-A Nashville in August (1.98 ERA, 0.66 WHIP, 19:4 K:BB in 13.2 innings). 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Dillon Peters, Angels: The 26-year-old southpaw has reeled off three straight quality starts to begin August, posting a 3.66 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 19:2 K:BB through 19.2 innings. Peters is a fairly typical junkballing lefty, so there's not a lot of upside here, but the Angels have no better options for their rotation and at this point, catching lightning in a bottle for your pitching staff could carry you right through to the end of the season. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

Trevor Richards, Rays: After a few solid but shortish outings for Triple-A Durham, the Rays are bringing Richards up to handle a primary/bulk reliever role behind an opener. Richards' changeup remains double-plus, but NL hitters learned to lay off it this year and force him to turn to his other, far more mediocre offerings, so it'll be interesting to see whether Tampa can introduce a new wrinkle or two into his arsenal so the right-hander can avoid a similar fate in the unforgiving AL East. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

CC Sabathia, Yankees: It might seem weird, but Yankees do occasionally come off the IL as well as get added to it in droves. Sabathia's been out since late July due to a sore knee, an issue that's been bothering him for a long while now, but he'll rejoin the rotation Sunday hoping to rediscover the form that saw him deliver four straight quality starts sandwiched around the All-Star break (3.24 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 27:7 K:BB in 25 innings). The 39-year-old can still be effective, but he's already got a Hall of Fame resume, having hit 250 wins and 3,000 strikeouts earlier this season, so this stretch run could easily be CC's swan song. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

Ryan Yarbrough, Rays: Yarbrough's active 15-inning scoreless streak did come against a couple of lineups that might struggle to maintain a .500 record in the International League, but the lefty's been mostly excellent since the All-Star break, posting a 1.51 ERA, 0.62 WHIP and mind-boggling 41:2 K:BB through 41.2 innings to begin the second half. He struggles to break 90 mph with his fastball and is riding the ragged upper edge of his performance range, but Yarbrough's forced his way into roster consideration in even the shallowest of fantasy leagues. 12-team Mixed: $4; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team AL: Owned
 

Other two-start options, Mon-Sun (12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $1)

Kolby Allard, Rangers (vs. LAA, at CHW)

Jalen Beeks, Rays (vs. SEA, at BAL)

Ross Detwiler, White Sox (at MIN, vs. TEX)

Edwin Jackson, Tigers (at HOU, at MIN)

Jorge Lopez, Royals (at BAL, at CLE)

Brendan McKay, Rays (vs. SEA, at BAL)

John Means, Orioles (vs. KC, vs. TB)

Ivan Nova, White Sox (at MIN, vs. TEX)

Sean Reid-Foley, Blue Jays (at LAD, at SEA)

Aaron Sanchez, Astros (vs. DET, vs. LAA)

Spencer Turnbull, Tigers (at HOU, at MIN)

Relief Pitcher

Jose Alvarado, Rays: Alvarado finally rejoined the Tampa bullpen Tuesday... and hasn't pitched since, which isn't exactly a great sign for someone who'd pitched his way out of closer consideration even before he strained his oblique. The lefty has the raw stuff to work a high-leverage role and his issues can't be disconnected from whatever family issue kept him away from the team in June, so the switch could flick back to dominant at any time, but until he does Alvarado's little more than a saves lottery ticket for the stretch run. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Hunter Harvey, Orioles: The rarely healthy pitching prospect finally got converted to relief this season and made his big-league debut Saturday after a blistering start to August in the Triple-A Norfolk bullpen (0.00 ERA, 11:0 K:BB in six innings). The O's closer situation has been a carousel on the verge of spinning off its axis all season, so the door is wide open for the 24-year-old to seize the ninth-inning role if he keeps it up. He's a better keeper or dynasty stash, but Harvey could also find his way into some fantasy value in 2019. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Joe Jimenez, Tigers: Jimenez has quieted doubters since taking over as Detroit's closer, collecting three saves in three chances with a win in five August appearances, but he's actually been on a roll longer than that. Over his last 12 games, the right-hander has a 1.59 ERA, 0.62 WHIP and 14:2 K:BB in 11.1 innings, exactly the kind of numbers you want to see from a ninth-inning option. The Tigers' offense isn't going to score a lot, so any wins they do get over the final six weeks are likely to be close ones, potentially creating plenty more save chances for Jimenez. 12-team Mixed: $7; 15-team Mixed: $15; 12-team AL: Owned

Matt Magill, Mariners: Magill got the save for Seattle on Saturday while Anthony Bass worked the seventh, so this bullpen situation seems far from settled. Like Bass, Magill's a journeyman who's seen a recent velocity and strikeout rate bump, so one's just as plausible a closer as the other, really. Manager Scott Servais could end up auditioning multiple pitchers in the role, just as he's done most of the year, so don't invest too heavily in anybody here. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Brad Peacock, Astros: Out since late June, the right-hander is set to come off the IL on Sunday and while he was being groomed for a bullpen role during his rehab stint, Gerrit Cole's hamstring strain could toss a wrench into those plans. If Cole is able to take his turn early next week, Peacock's destined for a setup role at best, but if Cole aggravates the injury, the door could be open for the 31-year-old to resume starting duties in the short term – and it's not like Aaron Sanchez has a lock on his spot. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Sergio Romo, Twins: Romo, and not Taylor Rogers, has picked up the last two saves for the Twins, and Minnesota's closer picture could be trending towards something a little more committee-like than was expected. There were extenuating circumstances in each – Rogers needed a break the first time, and the opposition's lineup was righty-heavy in the ninth for the second save opportunity – but the fact that manager Rocco Baldelli was willing to use Romo in that fashion still tells us plenty. Even if Rogers remains the top closing option, the 36-year-old righty could still pull down a half-dozen or so save chances down the stretch. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5
 

Catcher

Anthony Bemboom, Angels: The former Ray has resurfaced in Anaheim with Kevan Smith back on the IL, but Bemboom's stay on the big-league roster is likely to be short and unmemorable. He'll probably be back in September, though. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Reese McGuire, Blue Jays: The 24-year-old finds himself in a timeshare with Danny Jansen, as the Jays give their younger talent as much playing time as possible down the stretch. McGuire doesn't have Jansen's ceiling as a hitter, but he's got a good defensive rep, a first-round pedigree (14th overall by the Pirates in 2013) and three homers in 25 August plate appearances. At catcher, you cold do far, far worse. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Josh Phegley, Athletics: Out since late July due to a thumb injury, Phegley rejoined the A's this weekend and promptly banged out two hits in his first game action Saturday. He could be stuck on the short side of a platoon with Chris Herrmann, but it's not like Herrmann's .560 OPS is demanding the lion's share of playing time behind the plate. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3
 

First Base

Jesus Aguilar, Rays: Aguilar has proven to be more than a short-side platoon option at first base since joining Tampa Bay, hitting .351 (13-for-37) in 14 games. He only has one extra-base hit, though, and the club will have a number of other players fighting for playing time either coming off the IL over the next two weeks (Brandon Lowe, Joey Wendle) or getting called back up in September (Nate Lowe). Aguilar could be a useful short-term bat in shallower formats, but it's tough to see him maintaining value unless he absolutely explodes and forces the Rays to keep his bat in the lineup somewhere. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: Owned

Rowdy Tellez, Blue Jays: The 24-year-old rejoined the Toronto roster Tuesday after tearing up the International League over 26 games (seven homers, 1.138 OPS), and while the initial indication was that he would see more playing time than Justin Smoak down the stretch, the reality is that Tellez has started two of five games since his promotion (Smoak's started four of them). There should be room for both between first base and DH, but manager Charlie Montoyo seems to prefer using the latter spot to give other players half-days off – although if Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s knee injury proves to be serious, Montoyo might not have that luxury. Tellez has impressive power potential, but he'll need to prove he can make more consistent contact to deserve a spot on most fantasy rosters. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5
 

Second Base

Brock Holt, Red Sox: With Michael Chavis on the shelf, Holt is back in as Boston's primary second baseman, with Chris Owings as his only real competition for action at the keystone. The duo seem likely to platoon, but Holt would have the playing-time advantage in that case as a left-handed hitter. He's slashing .263/.417/.632 through 24 plate appearances in August, but it's highly unlikely the 31-year-old will keep up that OBP or SLG in a bigger sample. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Corban Joseph, Athletics: Before you look at Joseph's .371/.421/.585 slash line at Triple-A Las Vegas this year and blow your entire remaining FAAB budget on him, consider that a) what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, and that includes inflated offensive numbers, b) Joseph's a 30-year-old journeyman, not a fresh-faced prospect. In fact, he's probably old enough to have been teased with 'Corban Joseph Mooltipass' jokes in the schoolyard. The A's are giving him a chance to show he's this year's Max Muncy, but if he isn't, Jorge Mateo will be along in September (or whenever his ankle heals up) to bump Joseph to the bench. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Tyler Wade, Yankees: Wade is back up to provide some infield depth for the Yankees, which means there's a good chance he'll either unexpectedly hit a dozen homers before the season is over, or get hurt. Or both. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1
 

Shortstop

Ronny Rodriguez, Tigers: Rodriguez was called up last Sunday to round out the bench after JaCoby Jones landed on the IL. The 27-year-old could see an uptick in playing time if the Tigers figure out they have no reason to waste playing time on Jordy Mercer, but the organization has already announced they're going to promote Willi Castro at some point too, and developing Castro will probably be a bigger priority. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1
 

Outfield

Keon Broxton, Mariners: It's been a bad week for one-dimensional speedsters. Kansas City kicked Billy Hamilton to the curb, and Seattle has benched Mallex Smith due to his inability to run in a straight line to catch a fly ball. That opens up more playing time for Broxton, but his .453 OPS in 13 games as a Mariner is terrible, and the club has outfield reinforcements coming in Mitch Haniger and Braden Bishop, not to mention any potential September callups. Broxton, at best, might run into a steal or homer in the short term, but don't pick him up if batting average is at all a concern for you. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Randal Grichuk, Blue Jays: Toronto isn't a good ballclub right now, but they're at least an interesting one given all the kids with famous last names starting around the infield. The team's recent power surge has been fueled more by the team's collection of fungible corner/fourth outfielders, though, and Grichuk's been Exhibit A, slashing .310/.355/.724 in August with six homers in 15 games. Can he keep it up in the long run? Nope. Does he need to keep it up to be useful when there's only about 40 games left on the schedule? Nope. Grab him for a short-term homer boost if that's your primary means of gaining ground in the standings. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: Owned

Teoscar Hernandez, Blue Jays: If Grichuk is Exhibit A, Hernandez is Exhibit B, for 'bashing'. The 26-year-old is hitting .304 (7-for-23) over his last eight games with six of those hits (four homers, two doubles) going for extra bases. Like his teammate, Hernandez isn't a long-term play but just a guy to ride while he's hot, but in mid-August there really isn't much of a long term left to worry about. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: Owned

Billy McKinney, Blue Jays: McKinney is not Exhibit C. He was called up Monday after the Jays decided they didn't want to pay the rest of Freddy Galvis' 2019 salary and only started twice in six games. He did homer in one of them, though. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Chris Owings, Red Sox: Dumped by the Royals earlier in the year after some outrageously bad contact issues (37.9 percent strikeout rate), Owings was called up by the Red Sox to provide some depth at second base and has whiffed in five of his first eight at-bats for Boston, so, yeah. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Brett Phillips, Royals: With Hamilton gone, Phillips gets another chance in Kansas City. The 25-year-old didn't exactly capitalize on the inflated offensive environment in the PCL, slashing .240/.378/.505 through 105 games for Omaha, but he did slug 18 homers and swipe 22 bases. If there's such a thing as a bargain bin Lewis Brinson, Phillips is probably it. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

DJ Stewart, Orioles: Stewart rejoins the O's outfield after recovering from a concussion, and he'll probably get a long look in the starting lineup for the rest of the season. The 25-year-old hasn't done anything yet in a limited big-league sample, but his .291/.396/.548 slash line through 63 games for Norfolk with 12 homers does suggest some upside. If and when Austin Hays comes up, he's probably more of a threat to Stevie Wilkerson's spot. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4