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.

Given the nature of the 2020 season and the abbreviated "summer camp", trying to figure out which players are going to win certain job battles or emerge in significant roles prior to Opening Day is even more of an adventure than usual. As a result, bids should be viewed as suggestions rather than hard recommendations, and the specifics of your own league and roster situation should take precedence. If there is a player or situation that was not discussed in the article that you would like to know about, feel free to ask about them in the comments.

AL FAAB | NL FAAB

Starting Pitcher

Matt Andriese / Felix Pena, Angels: The Angels initially planned to use a six-man rotation this season, but with Julio Teheran and Patrick Sandoval way behind schedule and Andrew Heaney now dealing with a sore back, the team's pitching depth will be sorely tested. As it stands, both Andriese and Pena figure to open the year in the rotation, with one more spot potentially up for grabs beyond that for someone like Jaime Barria. Andriese had a decent season for Tampa back in 2016, but he's pretty much just a guy who can chew up some innings. Pena offers a little more upside thanks to a solid strikeout rate, but he doesn't really have plus stuff. Both guys are better suited for the long relief role they'll probably slide into once the rest of the staff is up to speed. Andriese – 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1 / Pena - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Chris Bassitt, Athletics: With Jesus Luzardo not ready to handle a starter's workload, Bassitt will move into the rotation for at least a couple turns. This actually isn't great news for his fantasy value – he arguably had a better chance of collecting wins as the main long reliever behind Oakland's young staff – but it does make his innings more predictable. Bassitt doesn't have tremendous upside, but he can deliver solid ratios and decent bulk strikeout numbers in this role. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Griffin Canning, Angels: On the other hand, Canning is an Angels pitcher worth chasing. The 24-year-old was impressive at times as a rookie last season, but elbow soreness during spring training likely scared away a lot of fantasy GMs even in deep leagues and left him on the waiver wire. He's looked fine in summer camp though, and while his four-pitch arsenal pegs him as more of a mid-rotation guy than a future ace, so long as he's healthy he'll have plenty of value, especially with an offense on the rise at his back. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team AL: $15

Michael Fulmer, Tigers: The 27-year-old hasn't pitched since 2018 thanks to Tommy John surgery, but Fulmer used the extra time off to get nearly all the way back to full fitness. The question is what he'll be able to bring to the table. His 3.06 ERA as a rookie in 2016 seems like ancient history now, and even at his best, Fulmer was just a mid-rotation guy who generated weak contact and posted solid ratios without big strikeout numbers. Given the shape of the Tigers' roster, that's not a profile that's going to lead to a lot of wins even if he rediscovers his old form. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

Kendall Graveman, Mariners: This almost feels refreshing – a pitcher who's on this list not because COVID-19 has opened up a job for him, or because he was on the shelf in the spring but is feeling better now, but because he's actually pitching better. In Graveman's case, the groundball specialist has added a four-seam fastball to his repertoire that's been hitting 97 mph in camp, giving him an option to work up in the zone rather than firing everything in around a batter's knees. It's certainly reasonable to look at his resume and dismiss his chances of making any kind of impact, but we already know his power sinker can produce grounders. If Graveman starts fanning a few more batters as well, the 29-year-old might suddenly be worth something. In most leagues he's just a lottery ticket for now, but keep an eye on him. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Rich Hill, Twins: The veteran southpaw underwent elbow surgery last October and wasn't expected to be ready until close to the All-Star break on the original 2020 calendar, but, well, here we are. Hill looks ready to go after tossing 60 pitches in a scrimmage this weekend, and his double-plus curve can still make hitters look foolish for however long he's in one piece this time around. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: $11

Josh James, Astros: James didn't have a rotation job locked down yet back in the spring and then got a late start to summer camp due to the birth of his daughter, but he clearly stayed in good shape as he fired up 64 pitches Thursday in his first scrimmage appearance. With Jose Urquidy unavailable, James' spot now appears secure. The right-hander has a big-time fastball and good off-speed offerings, leading to massive strikeout rates, but his command and control continue to lag behind. How quickly that aspect of his game develops will determine whether he ever teases becoming a bona fide ace, but the upside is there. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: $11

Brian Johnson / Chris Mazza / Jeffrey Springs, Red Sox: With Eduardo Rodriguez finally reporting to camp this weekend, the Boston rotation situation is looking a little better, but this is still a club that will be using Nathan Eovaldi as its Opening Day starter. With Collin McHugh not yet ready for duty, the back-end rotation jobs are wide open, and all three of these guys could see significant workloads in the early going. Johnson's the most well-known name, but while the southpaw has had flashes in the majors before, he profiles best as a swingman. Mazza is a Mets castoff who might provide some adequate innings. Springs is marginally the most interesting of the trio. Picked up from the Rangers over the winter, the lefty has consistently posted big strikeout numbers in the minors, but that's been about the only consistent thing in his profile, and those results were due more to deception than plus raw stuff. Regardless of who gets starts the first turn or two through the rotation, consider them all just roster filler for now. Johnson / Mazza / Springs -- 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Joe Palumbo, Rangers: Arguably Texas' top pitching prospect, Palumbo looks set to begin the season in the big-league bullpen as an insurance policy on the No. 5 spot in the rotation. The lefty has a good fastball and good strikeout numbers in the minors, but he'll need to sharpen his command in the Show to really break through. Working in long relief, in a home park that should be much friendlier than the Rangers' old one, could give him an opportunity to do just that. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Nate Pearson, Blue Jays: At present, there's no reason to think the Jays front office is going to actually put its best five pitchers in the rotation to begin the season, instead leaving Pearson out for a week or so to buy an extra year of team control down the road. Ryan Borucki and Anthony Kay are therefore the most likely options to "win" the No. 5 job. Pearson is clearly ready though, as anyone who saw him tear through the Pirates' lineup back in the spring could tell, and as soon as service clock considerations are out of the way he'll be in the majors and potentially even emerging as the team's ace by the end of the season. If your league's jury-rigged rules for 2020 allow you to bid on players even if they aren't officially on the 30-man or 40-man rosters, stashing Pearson now makes a lot of sense, before his huge fastball is the talk of the baseball world. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: $7

Trevor Richards, Rays: With Yonny Chirinos and Brendan McKay both on track to be left off the Opening Day roster, Richards could wind up as the Rays' No. 5 starter for a turn or two through the rotation. The former Marlin has one of the league's best changeups but not much else to complement it, and while he's capable of good performances, he's better off not having to turn a lineup over more than twice at the most. That kind of thing is Tampa's specialty, though, so it wouldn't be a big surprise if Richards thrived this season under a tightly managed workload. Whether that would allow him to record many wins is another question, but at least he'd be providing solid ratios and strikeout rates – much like he did last year following his cross-state trade. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

Clarke Schmidt, Yankees: Another excellent pitching prospect poised for their big-league debut is Schmidt, but the 24-year-old righty might actually begin the season in the rotation for the Yankees. While he doesn't have Pearson's dominating arsenal, Schmidt's stuff is still very good and he has a lot more polish already that his fellow AL East prospect. With Masahiro Tanaka sidelined due to a concussion, the door is open for Schmidt to grab a spot in the bigs and never look back. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team AL: $15

Brady Singer, Royals: While Singer can't match the two guys above him in terms of arsenal or ceiling, he's been very impressive in summer camp for the Royals and appears to be headed for a rotation job of his own. A first-round pick in 2018, the 23-year-old made 16 starts at Double-A last year but hasn't looked overmatched against big-league hitters, and it's not like Kansas City is flush with better options. Singer won't produce the kind of strikeout numbers Pearson or Schmidt can, but he has the talent to deliver a rookie season not unlike another player listed above in this column – Michael Fulmer. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

Framber Valdez, Astros: While Valdez hasn't officially locked down the No. 5 starter spot yet, it seems unlikely that the unheralded Brandon Bielak will beat him out for the job. Valdez struggled in the majors in 2019 after an impressive 2018 debut, but his Triple-A numbers last year were still outstanding, and he has the stuff to succeed if he can find the strike zone more often. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: $7 

Relief Pitcher

Bryan Abreu / Chris Devenski, Astros: The back of the Houston bullpen could be a mess to start the season. Roberto Osuna has yet to throw off a mound in summer camp, Ryan Pressly is dealing with a blister, Brad Peacock has a sore shoulder and Joe Smith isn't even with the team at all. Even a dark horse candidate for high-leverage work like Rogelio Armenteros is on the shelf. That could leave Abreu and Devenski filling very key roles in the early going. It was originally thought Abreu might be in the rotation mix, but his lack of a third offering to complement his otherworldly breaking pitch makes him a better fit in the bullpen. Devenski's numbers have been on the decline since 2017, but he still posts respectable strikeout numbers. Abreu is the better option in the long term, but both guys could fall into some holds or even saves in the first week or so of the season. Abreu – 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4 / Devenski – 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Austin Adams / Sam Delaplane / Joey Gerber, Mariners: Speaking on bullpens that are a mess, hoo boy, Seattle. The closer options to open the year were expected to be Yoshihisa Hirano and Matt Magill, but now Hirano might miss Opening Day due to a positive COVID-19 test, and neither guy was all that special to begin with. If at some point the M's ninth-inning job becomes vacant, all three of these guys could make a case for the assignment. Adams and his vicious slider have already proven he can rack up strikeouts by the bushel, but he's coming back from ACL surgery. Delaplane and Gerber are both top relief prospects, if you believe in such a thing. The latter is a classic big power righty with a fastball/slider combo and closing experience dating back to college, and Gerber had seemingly won a bullpen job already back in the spring despite not having pitched above Double-A yet. Delaplane was in that same Double-A bullpen in 2019, but his numbers last year were even better than Gerber's, and his solider grades out as a potential plus-plus pitch. It's the makings of a dominant back-end for the Seattle bullpen down the road, but right now there isn't much in the way of established arms. My gut says Gerber is the most likely to emerge as closer this season, but I may also be biased in favor of all the "Gerber, Baby!" headlines that would result. Adams / Delaplane / Gerber – 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Jalen Beeks, Rays: With Tyler Glasnow back in camp the Rays rotation is a little more stable than it looked last week, but Yonny Chirinos and Brendan McKay are still absent from camp. That potentially pushes Trevor Richards into the rotation and opens up a more prominent long relief role for Beeks. The 27-year-old southpaw has looked sharp in summer camp, and Tampa's track record for turning guys like this into big fantasy assets shouldn't be overlooked. The team does seem to be moving away from the opener/bulk reliever tactic it pioneered, but in the early going, they may have to fall back on it to Beeks' benefit. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Richard Bleier / Mychal Givens, Orioles: Hunter Harvey is supposed to be Baltimore's closer this year, but the coaching staff is playing coy with handing him the job outright. Maybe they want to see if he can stay healthy for a couple months at a stretch first. If for some reason Harvey is indeed merely part of a committee, Givens and Bleier could find themselves getting very occasional save chances. Givens has 20 saves over the last two seasons but also 12 blown saves, while Bleier would only get used against lefty-heavy lineups. In any case, it's not like the O's are going to have a lot of leads to protect, but you might luck into a save or two from these guys. Bleier / Givens – 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Zack Britton, Yankees: Aroldis Chapman's positive COVID-19 test could leave the Yankees looking for a ninth-inning stopgap to begin the season, and Britton is the most likely candidate. The former O's closer isn't the dominant pitcher he was a few years ago, but he still put together a sub-2.00 ERA last year. In a season during which every save could be precious, Britton could be worth going after hard in case Chapman's return gets delayed. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: $11

Rafael Dolis / Jordan Romano, Blue Jays: Ken Giles is locked in as Toronto's closer, but he's also the club's best trade chip. If the front office decides not to chase a playoff spot this year, he's almost certain to be dealt. In that scenario, Dolis and Romano are probably the most likely candidates to inherit ninth-inning duties. Dolis is making his return to MLB from a successful stint in Japan during which he racked up 96 saves over four seasons with Hanshin. The 32-year-old hasn't pitched in the majors since 2013, but he could surprise. Romano got moved to the bullpen full-time last season in the minors and saw his strikeout rate erupt, although the rest of his numbers didn't follow suit. The right-hander draws raves from the coaching staff for his stuff, however, and if he sharpens his control just a little he could take a huge step forward. Dolis – 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2 / Romano – 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Jonathan Hernandez, Rangers: While Jose Leclerc is far from a sure thing as the Rangers' closer, at least he'll be on the Opening Day roster. The team's setup crew has been gutted by both COVID-19 issues and now Rafael Montero's sore forearm, which is going to leave some high-leverage innings to fill. Cody Allen is the most experienced arm who could step up, but Hernandez is the most intriguing given his triple-digit fastball. Of course, the 24-year-old also walked 13 batters in 16.2 innings last year in his first crack at the majors, but if he takes a step forward with his control, his results could improve exponentially. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Matt Magill, Mariners: As noted above, Hirano may not be available for the start of the season, leaving Magill as sort of the temp closer by default. He has neither closer-worthy stuff nor much of a track record, but opportunity is the most important thing when it comes to collecting saves, and he did go 5-for-7 on save chances over the last six weeks of 2019. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: $11

Ryan Pressly, Astros: Pressly's blister issue isn't a serious one, so if Roberto Osuna isn't ready for Opening Day, Pressly is still the most likely candidate for ninth-inning duty in the Astros' bullpen. The veteran righty was flat out dominant in a setup role last season, and there's no reason to think he can't repeat that level of performance pitching in the ninth instead of the eighth. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: $7

Catcher

Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Rangers: IKF has done enough this spring and in summer camp to put himself in contention for the starting third base job, a nice gig from a fantasy perspective for a catcher-eligible player. The question with Kiner-Falefa is whether his bat is good enough for that to matter. He make contact with very little authority last season, and while not having to concentrate on defensive duties behind the plate could allow him to blossom as a hitter, another OPS in the .600s somewhere seems the more likely outcome, an output that isn't tolerable for a catcher or a third baseman. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Jeff Mathis / Jose Trevino, Rangers: While Kiner-Falefa is busy at the hot corner, Robinson Chirinos is nursing an ankle injury that could keep him out of action to begin the year. That would leave catching duties in the hands of Mathis and Trevino. The former is an outstanding pitch framer and defender who has a proven track record on contributing absolutely nothing as a hitter, so the latter is the one you should be rooting for to get more playing time in Chirinos' absence. Trevino hasn't done much at the plate himself since A-ball, but better the unknown quantity than the known zero. Mathis – 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1 / Trevino – 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

First Base

Ryan McBroom, Royals: The Royals' plan to go with dueling Ryans at first base hit a snag when Ryan O'Hearn landed on the COVID-19 IL. That does give McBroom a chance to prove he deserves the full-time gig, however. The 28-year-old wasn't able to show off his power in his first taste of the majors last season, but he did make consistent contact and his 26 homers in 117 Triple-A games isn't too shabby, even given the happy fun ball the PCL was using. Players with McBroom's late-blooming profile as a right-handed slugger have had success in recent years (Luke Voit and C.J. Cron come to mind), so there is some upside here. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

Second Base

Franklin Barreto / Tony Kemp / Chad Pinder, Athletics: Oakland's decision to send Jorge Mateo packing was supposed to clear up the situation at the keystone, but instead it's just as crowded as ever. Barreto has looked good in summer camp and is still the player the A's would like to see claim the starting job, but he's had three chances already to do that and flopped each time. Amazing that he's the only piece the club has left from the Josh Donaldson deal all those years ago. If Barreto doesn't step up, Kemp is the steady but unexciting fallback who could be effective on the strong side of a platoon. Pinder is the guy who was on the outside looking in at second base before the Mateo trade, but now the utility player could be in the mix once again. A Kemp-Pinder platoon wouldn't be the worst thing in the world from a production standpoint if Barreto falters. Rule 5 pick Vimael Machin is also nearly a lock for the roster, but how much playing time he'll actually get isn't clear. Barreto – 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team AL: $9 / Kemp – 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5 / Pinder – 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Aledmys Diaz, Astros: Diaz was in danger of being lost in the shuffle on the Houston bench this season with Myles Straw and Abraham Toro both looking for playing time, but both younger players could now miss Opening Day due to COVID-19 concerns. With Yordan Alvarez also sidelined, Diaz could suddenly be looking at a lot of at-bats out of the gate as the team tries to ease its starters into the grind. The 29-year-old has shown in the past he can be productive, so if you have a hole to plug in the short term, don't overlook him. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Thairo Estrada / Tyler Wade, Yankees: DJ LeMahieu is probably going to miss Opening Day, so the Yankees will have to figure something out at second base. If either Gio Urshela or Miguel Andujar could handle a middle infield spot defensively... ah well. Wade appears to be the top choice to fill in, and the 25-year-old could swipe a bag or two with regular playing time. Don't rule out summer camp surprise Thairo Estrada, though. Estrada hasn't shown much to date offensively in his career, but he offers more power potential than Wade, and we all know how that can work out for a Yankee. Estrada – 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1 / Wade – 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Joe Panik, Blue Jays: The Jays' decision to move Vladimir Guerrero to first base is probably a relief for the pitching staff, but it also bumps Travis Shaw to third base. Shaw is far from a lock to hold onto the job though, given the awful 2019 he had, and if he continues to flail away at the plate there aren't a lot of immediate alternatives on the roster, especially with Brandon Drury potentially unavailable. Panik was brought in to fill the role Eric Sogard held last year, and while he would be stretched defensively at the hot corner – a position he's never played as a pro – the former Giant might be able to make it work in a pinch. Santiago Espinal could also be a factor at that point, and there's always the chance the team decides to give Austin Martin a look, but Panik's experience would be a plus on a young roster. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Outfield

Jake Cave / LaMonte Wade, Twins: If you had "before Opening Day" in the When Will Byron Buxton Get Hurt Again pool, come collect your winnings. The center fielder seems to have escaped anything serious (this time), but if his sprained foot keeps him out for the start of the season, the resulting outfield shuffle would create more playing time for Cave and Wade. Cave has had some big moments at the plate the last couple years, but Wade is the better defender and baserunner, and he's shown some patience in the minors. As both guys hit left-handed a platoon is off the table, but they could both have roles given their complementary skill sets. Cave – 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2 / Wade – 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Scott Heineman, Rangers: If you had "before Opening Day" in the When Will Willie Calhoun Get Hurt Again pool too... man, are you cynical. Calhoun's got a strained hip flexor though, and while that does temporarily solve the problem of where to play Nick Solak, it does leave the team a little thin on outfield depth. Heineman is the most likely beneficiary. The 27-year-old put up a massive slash line for Triple-A Nashville last year, and while he'd be limited to platoon duties against tough lefties barring a further rash of injuries, he could thrive in that role. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Manuel Margot, Rays: It wasn't entirely clear what the Rays planned to do with Margot when they acquired him over the winter, but with Austin Meadows now likely to miss Opening Day and Jose Martinez potentially not fully up to speed for the start of the year, Margot could be a lot more than just insurance against the next Kevin Kiermaier injury (there's a ticket that hasn't paid off yet, Mr. Cynic.) With regular playing time, Margot can steal some bases and chip in the occasional homer, but he's not likely to be an asset in batting average. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: $7

Cedric Mullins / Stevie Wilkerson / Mason Williams, Orioles: The O's could be running out a patchwork outfield to begin the season, even moreso than they were expected to. Anthony Santander and Dwight Smith could both be on the shelf at the start of the year, and while that does give Austin Hays and especially DJ Stewart more job security, it still leaves one spot uncovered. Of the available candidates, Mullins has the most upside, although it's a marginal edge. Mullins has flopped in his two prior auditions in the majors, but he offers solid defense and some stolen-base potential with regular playing time. Wilkerson had a brief flicker of production last year before he proved to be overmatched at the plate, and his best fit is probably as a utility player off the bench. Williams was once a fairly highly regarded Yankees prospect who turned out like so many fairly highly regarded Yankees prospects before him. Now on his third organization, the 28-year-old posted good numbers at Triple-A last year and could finally be ready to handle semi-consistent at-bats in the majors. Mullins – 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2 / Wilkerson – 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1 / Williams – 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Bradley Zimmer, Cleveland: Whether the team realizes it or not, a healthy Zimmer could be exactly what it needs in the outfield. Oscar Mercado is fine and all, but neither Franmil Reyes nor Domingo Santana are anything more than a DH, and the Tyler Naquin / Jordan Luplow platoon the club keeps running out in left field is the definition of replacement level. Luplow may not even be healthy for Opening Day, and Delino DeShields could be on the shelf as well, although Greg Allen can do most of the things DeShields would have done. If Zimmer can finally emerge as the plus defender with power and speed (and a lot of strikeouts) he was projected to be a few years ago before injuries derailed his development, though, it would not only make the other pieces fit better, it would provide a boost to the pitching staff that remains the foundation of the club's success. Zimmer has been bashing the ball pretty well in summer camp, and Cleveland would have little to lose by handing him a starting gig and seeing what he can do. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3