This article is part of our AL FAAB Factor series.
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 talent on an A-E scale. Luis Robert would have been an "A" grade player last year – that mark will be reserved for similarly high-impact prospects that could thrive in 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
| PLAYER | TEAM | POS | GRADE | 12-Team Mixed $ | 15-Team Mixed $ | AL-Only $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shane Baz | TB | SP | A | 35 | 55 | 75 |
| Alex Cobb | LA | SP | C | 1 | 4 | 9 |
| Kohei Arihara | TEX | SP | C | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Charlie Barnes | MIN | SP | D | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Jaime Barria | LA | SP | C | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Chris Ellis | BAL | SP | D | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Matt Manning | DET | SP | A | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Dietrich Enns | TB | RP | C | 1 | 4 | 9 |
| Michael |
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 talent on an A-E scale. Luis Robert would have been an "A" grade player last year – that mark will be reserved for similarly high-impact prospects that could thrive in 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
| PLAYER | TEAM | POS | GRADE | 12-Team Mixed $ | 15-Team Mixed $ | AL-Only $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shane Baz | TB | SP | A | 35 | 55 | 75 |
| Alex Cobb | LA | SP | C | 1 | 4 | 9 |
| Kohei Arihara | TEX | SP | C | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Charlie Barnes | MIN | SP | D | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Jaime Barria | LA | SP | C | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Chris Ellis | BAL | SP | D | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Matt Manning | DET | SP | A | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Dietrich Enns | TB | RP | C | 1 | 4 | 9 |
| Michael Fulmer | DET | RP | D | 5 | 11 | Rostered |
| Danny Jansen | TOR | C | C | No | 1 | 4 |
| Roberto Perez | CLE | C | C | No | No | 2 |
| Andy Ibanez | TEX | 2B | C | 3 | 7 | 15 |
| Pat Valaika | BAL | 2B | E | No | No | 1 |
| Brock Holt | TEX | 3B | D | No | No | 1 |
| Drew Maggi | MIN | 3B | E | No | No | 1 |
| Isaac Paredes | DET | 3B | B | No | No | 3 |
| Jose Rojas | LA | 3B | D | No | No | 2 |
| Romy Gonzalez | CHI | SS | B | No | 2 | 5 |
| Willie Calhoun | TEX | OF | B | No | 2 | 5 |
| Daz Cameron | DET | OF | C | No | No | 2 |
| Jake Fraley | SEA | OF | C | No | No | 3 |
| Brett Gardner | NY | OF | C | 1 | 3 | Rostered |
| Kyle Isbel | KC | OF | B | 3 | 7 | 15 |
| Jose Siri | HOU | OF | C | No | 3 | 7 |
Starting Pitcher
Shane Baz, Rays: With only a couple weeks left in September, it looks like we'll finally see an elite prospect get promoted. Baz is due to make his big-league debut Monday after tearing through the high minors this season (2.06 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 113:13 K:BB in 78.2 innings). The 22-year-old is basically auditioning for a postseason rotation spot, and he even lines up for a two-step this week with probable home starts against the Blue Jays and Marlins. If Baz's command gains this season are legit, he's got the upside to be an ace right out of the gate, so there's really no reason to hold back if you're scrambling for points in pitching categories. 12-team Mixed: $35; 15-team Mixed: $55; 12-team AL: $75
Alex Cobb, Angels: Out since late July, Cobb returned with five scoreless innings against the White Sox on Thursday. The veteran right-hander has been good this season when healthy, so he could give you some useful innings over the home stretch. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team AL: $9
Other two-start options, Mon-Sun (12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $1)
Kohei Arihara, Rangers (at NYY, at BAL)
Charlie Barnes, Twins (at CHC, vs. TOR)
Jaime Barria, Angels (vs. HOU, vs. SEA)
Chris Ellis, Orioles (at PHI, vs. TEX)
Matt Manning, Tigers (vs. CHW, vs. KC)
Relief Pitcher
Dietrich Enns, Rays: Enns has emerged as the top primary pitcher/bulk reliever option for Tampa in September, giving up only one run in 11 innings over three appearances with a 12:1 K:BB. The 30-year-old has bounced through the Yankees, Twins and Mariners systems before this run of success, but he has posted some strong numbers in the minors in past years (1.83 ERA, 1.13 WHIP in 2016-17, mostly in the high minors), so this may not be a total fluke. Given the ratios and his win potential, Enns could be a difference-maker. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team AL: $9
Michael Fulmer, Tigers: With Gregory Soto now down for the year, Fulmer should see whatever save chances Detroit can generate over the final weeks. The right-hander has been tagged with an earned run in only one of his last 12 appearances, and since returning from the IL in late July, Fulmer has a 1.80 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 27:7 K:BB through 25 innings, which are certainly closer-worthy numbers. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team AL: Rostered
Catcher
Danny Jansen, Blue Jays: It seems like every Jay has been crushing the ball in September, and Jansen has joined in on the fun with a .357/.419/.786 slash line, two homers and eight RBI through 31 plate appearances on the month. He's stuck in a three-way time share behind the plate though, which limits his value to deeper leagues even if he keeps raking. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4
Roberto Perez, Cleveland: Perez has split starts with Austin Hedges since coming off the IL early this week. He's had an awful year at the plate, but Perez could still slug a homer or two down the stretch. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2
Second Base
Andy Ibanez, Rangers: Ibanez came off the IL this weekend and picked right up where he'd left off, going 2-for-4 with a run. The 28-year-old slashed .310/.348/.517 with four homers, 10 RBI and 11 runs through 92 plate appearances in August before getting hurt, and Texas has every incentive to give him regular playing time as they try to figure out what pieces fit where in 2022. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team AL: $15
Pat Valaika, Orioles: The 29-year-old utility player has started five straight games since rejoining the big-league roster, largely because the O's don't have any better muddle infield options. (Yes, I saw the Freudian typo, but it was too perfect to fix). Valaika offers little but playing time, but he might pick up some counting stats. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1
Third Base
Brock Holt, Rangers: Most of what I just wrote about Valaika could apply to Holt, a 33-year-old utility guy who has started three of four games since his return, two at third base and one at DH. This is another "who else they got?" situation for Texas, so don't expect too much. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1
Drew Maggi, Twins: This week's heartwarming story of perseverance belongs to Maggi, a 32-year-old who was drafted in the 15th round in 2010 but who has yet to get an at-bat in the majors. Called up Saturday, he put up solid numbers at Triple-A St. Paul this season but likely won't be more than a pinch hitter unless something happens to Josh Donaldson, and what are the odds of that? 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1
Isaac Paredes, Tigers: The 22-year-old is back in the majors after slashing .317/.482/.651 over his last 18 games at Triple-A. Detroit would be better off moving Jeimer Candelario to first base or something to give Paredes regular playing time down the stretch, but heaven forbid Jonathan Schoop loses his spot, I guess. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3
Jose Rojas, Angels: Called back up this week, Rojas has started two of three games and gone 5-for-8 with a homer and three RBI. Both starts have come in right field, as the Angels are running very thin alongside Brandon Marsh to close out the campaign, so if Rojas keeps hitting, he should keep playing. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2
Shortstop
Romy Gonzalez, White Sox: After going 0-for-7 to begin his big-league career, Gonzalez has been ripping it up, slashing .381/.409/.524 in his last seven games. He still isn't quite playing every day but seems to be slipping into Leury Garcia's top utility role -- the 25-year-old has started three straight games and bounced between second base, third base and right field in those starts. As long as he's hitting, Gonzalez should keep getting ABs. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5
Outfield
Willie Calhoun, Rangers: Calhoun is now 26 years old and has never really clicked, but the Rangers haven't given up hope that he can be a key offensive piece. He's started four straight games since coming off the IL, going 4-for-13, and he does have enough upside to potentially move the needle over the final days if he gets into a groove. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5
Daz Cameron, Tigers: Called back up Sunday morning, Cameron takes Derek Hill's spot on the roster. He'll still athletic potential over polish, but he might get you a couple steals or homers down the stretch. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2
Jake Fraley, Mariners: Fraley is also 26 years old and has an even worse big-league track record than Calhoun, but it still looks like he'll handle the strong side of a platoon for the M's as they try to steal a wild-card spot. He has shown power and speed this season with good plate discipline, so it's hard to write him off, but assume he'll be a drain on your batting average if you pick him up. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3
Brett Gardner, Yankees: As the Yankees try to lock up a playoff spot, Gardner has been one of their unsung heroes in September, slashing .280/.357/.540 with three homers and 11 RBI in 15 games while playing nearly every day. The 38-year-old doesn't have much left in the tank, but maybe he can squeeze out another couple weeks of production. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: Rostered
Kyle Isbel, Royals: Isbel won a roster spot in spring training, struggled out of the gate, got demoted to Triple-A and stayed there until last Sunday after a solid campaign in the minors. The 24-year-old has gone 5-for-16 with a double and a homer in six games in his second big-league stint, and the Royals will probably give him a long look the rest of the way, giving him some intriguing power/speed upside. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team AL: $15
Jose Siri, Astros: It's not yet clear when Michael Brantley might be back in action, so there's still a window for Houston's younger outfielders to get more playing time. Jake Meyers is likely gone in your league and Chas McCormick isn't doing much at the plate with his chances, but over the last week Siri has gone 8-for-17 with two homers, two steals, five RBI and five runs in six games. That should earn him more ABs, particularly after the Astros lock up the AL West and start looking to rest veterans like, well, Brantley. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: $7
