AL FAAB Factor: Montero Returns

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 free-agent budget you should bid on them.

One size does not fit all, and we could never hope to encompass all league structures, so bids are based on:

• 12-team league (either AL or Mixed, we'll specify)
• 5x5 categories
• $100 FAAB budget

Starting Pitching

Chris Bassitt, A's – Recalled from Triple-A Nashville, Bassitt returned to the A's rotation in Cleveland on Saturday to take Jesse Hahn's roster spot and pitched 6.1 innings with two earned runs, one walk, and three strikeouts. Hahn, who had Tommy John surgery back in 2010, is on the DL with a forearm strain, so expect the team to go easy in bringing him along, which means we could see quite a bit of Bassitt after the break. Coming into Saturday, Bassitt had seven career starts in the majors with a 3.43 ERA (3.06 FIP), 25 strikeouts, and 13 walks over 39.1 innings. Mixed: $1; AL: $3.

Felix Doubront, Blue Jays – In his first start of the season, Doubront pitched 6.2 innings and allowed one earned run with one walk and six strikeouts against the White Sox in Chicago. He'll pitch again Sunday against the Royals, but after the break the team will have an interesting choice to make, as Aaron Sanchez, should be ready to return to the rotation. A reliever last season, Sanchez could go back to the bullpen and leave Doubront in the rotation as well. Last season as a starter, Doubront had a 4.84 ERA (5.11 FIP) with 43 strikeouts and 30 walks over 70.2 innings. Mixed: No; AL: $2.

Scott Feldman, Astros – Likely to join the Houston rotation after the break, Feldman (knee) pitched five innings and allowed one earned run with two walks and four strikeouts at Double-A Corpus Christi last week. Before the injury, he had a 4.80 ERA (4.18 FIP) with 37 strikeouts and 14 walks over 60 innings. Somewhat useful in AL-only leagues, Feldman figures to remain in the rotation, if/when the Astros trade for a starter. If you're wondering about Vincent Velasquez, who was optioned to Double-A last week, he should be back with the club following the break as well and was only sent down so the team could get some roster flexibility. The odd men out seem to be Dan Straily, who was inconsistent in his two starts, and Brett Oberholtzer, who has battled injuries and a lack of command this season, though both could be up in the second half to give the youngsters in the Astros rotation a breather or two. Mixed: No; AL: $2.

Kevin Gausman, Orioles – Gausman is pitching in the Triple-A Norfolk rotation, as he stays on schedule to rejoin the O's rotation after the break. In his most recent start in the majors, he was blasted for seven earned runs over 3.2 innings with one walk and four strikeouts in Minnesota. It's been an up-and-down season for Gausman, who was in the team's bullpen for much of the first half before finally joining the rotation, but not before dealing with shoulder tendinitis. Last season he had a 3.57 ERA (3.48 FIP) with 88 strikeouts and 38 walks over 113.1 innings as a starter. Mixed: $2; AL: $6.

Matt Harrison, Rangers – Harrison made his season debut last week and was torched for six earned runs over four innings with three walks and just one strikeout against the Diamondbacks. This shouldn't come as much of a surprise, as he had a 6.23 ERA between Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock in his rehab starts. He can't be trusted and is barely an AL option coming out of the break. Mixed: No; AL: $1.

Brian Johnson, Red Sox – Called up from Triple-A Pawtucket on Saturday, Johnson could pitch out of the bullpen initially, but he's expected to join the Red Sox rotation after the break with the club bracing to be without Clay Buchholz, who landed on the DL with an elbow injury. At Pawtucket, Johnson had a 2.73 ERA (3.27 FIP), 81 strikeouts, and 26 walks over 85.2 innings. He lacks the ceiling of an elite pitching prospect, but has the polish and command to succeed in the majors as a back-end starter. Pitching in the AL East, he might not have mixed-league value in shallow formats this season, however. Mixed: $2; AL: $6.

John Lamb, Royals – Through the injuries and replacements, only two starters for the Royals have an ERA under 4.00 this season (Edinson Volquez and Chris Young), which leads me to Lamb, who is looking to regain the form he showed before having Tommy John surgery in 2011. Last season he pitched 138.1 innings at Triple-A Omaha with a 3.97 ERA (4.76 FIP), but his command was weak and overall there wasn't much to write about. This season though, he has a 2.68 ERA (3.34 FIP) with 86 strikeouts and 27 walks over 84 innings with a 95 mph fastball and looks deserving of a promotion to the majors. There are no open spots in the rotation and a couple returning veterans ahead of him in the pecking order, but don't forget about Lamb if you're looking for pitchers that could debut in the second half and help owners. Mixed: No; AL: $1.

Kris Medlen, Royals – In his latest outing at Triple-A Omaha, Medlen had seven strikeouts and no walks over 5.2 innings, though he did give up three home runs. Still, this serves as progress for Medlen, who is coming back from his second Tommy John surgery and hasn't pitched in the majors since 2013, when he finished the season with a 3.11 ERA (3.48 FIP), 157 strikeouts, and 47 walks over 197 innings. After the break, he should be in the Royals rotation or in their bullpen. I wouldn't go near him until he starts to show he can avoid the long ball (eight in his five rehab starts) and reel in the wildness (four hit batters and a wild pitch). Mixed: No; AL: $1.

Matt Moore, Rays – Through two starts, Moore has an 8.00 ERA (5.53 FIP) with five strikeouts and four walks over nine innings. He'll make one more start before the break, but does not look much like the pitcher we saw before he had Tommy John surgery in 2014. Moore's two rehab starts at Triple-A Durham went fine with no real signs that he'd struggle this much, but then again, he had below-average command even when he was healthy. See how he fares against the Astros on Sunday before committing to him after the break. In 2013 he had a 3.29 ERA (4.10 FIP) with 143 strikeouts and 76 walks over 150.1 innings. Mixed: No; AL: $2.

Daniel Norris, Blue Jays – Norris allowed one earned run with no walks and eight strikeouts in his most recent start at Triple-A Buffalo. He now has a 3.62 ERA (3.22 FIP) there and looks ready for a promotion back to the majors. The team currently has Felix Doubront in the rotation filling in for Aaron Sanchez, who could be back soon too, so there's no clear spot for Norris, though Drew Hutchison is sporting a 6.35 ERA and 1.98 WHIP over the last month. Still an elite prospect, Norris should be stashed in AL formats, as he'll be back in the majors sooner rather than later if he can continue his recent surge. Mixed: No; AL: $2.

Ivan Nova, Yankees – Nova performed well in his first two starts back from Tommy John surgery, but has since been shaky with loose command. Overall he has a 3.42 ERA (4.59 FIP) with 12 strikeouts and seven walks over 23.2 innings. It's the lack of strikeouts that concern me, though in one start he did strike out seven batters. He's throwing just as hard as he was before the surgery, but hasn't been able to generate many swings and misses with his fastball. Until he can show more consistency, he's best left on the waiver wire in most formats. In 2013 he had a 3.10 ERA (3.62 FIP) with 116 strikeouts and 44 walks over 139.1 innings. Mixed: No; AL: $2.

Jake Odorizzi, Rays – Out for over a month with an oblique injury, Odorizzi returned to the Rays rotation on Saturday and pitched 5.2 shutout innings against the Astros with three walks and five strikeouts. The outing gives him a 2.30 ERA (2.94 FIP) on the season and should serve as a reminder that he needs to be picked up in any mixed leagues where he was dropped. Mixed: $12; AL: Owned.

Martin Perez, Rangers – Perez, who is working his way back from Tommy John surgery at Triple-A Round Rock, allowed two earned runs over six innings with no walks and six strikeouts in his most recent start. He has a 3.66 ERA over five starts between Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock, and has been ramping up his pitch count along the way. Before the injury, he had a 4.13 ERA (4.09 FIP) with 144 strikeouts and 71 walks over 213.2 innings in the majors. Expected to join the Rangers rotation after the break, he'll need to show better command than that to be of value in mixed leagues. Mixed: $1; AL: $3.

Luis Severino, Yankees – Through eight starts at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Severino has a 1.99 ERA (2.85 FIP) with 32 strikeouts and 14 walks over 45.1 innings. There's some question as to whether he'll end up a starter or reliever down the road, but for now the Yankees are continuing to develop him as a starter and for good reason, as he's their top pitching prospect. It's worth noting that CC Sabathia recently had his knee drained after a start in which he had just one strikeout. If Sabathia were to miss time after the break, Severino is a possible replacement. Mixed: No; AL: $2.

Drew Smyly, Rays – Opting for rest and rehab over surgery to repair a torn labrum, Smyly threw 51 pitches in his latest bullpen session, as he builds towards a rehab assignment. He's not expected back until sometime in August, so owners will need to remain patient with the lefty. For his career, he has a 3.49 ERA (3.86 FIP) with 235 strikeouts and 70 walks over 257.2 innings as a starter. Monitor his continued rehab if you plan on stashing him with hopes of using him later this season. Mixed: No; AL: $1.

Relief Pitching

Neftali Feliz, Tigers – Designated for assignment by the Rangers late last week, Feliz passed through waivers and signed with the Tigers. In his debut Saturday, his fastball was sitting at 99 mph, as he was spitting hot fire like the guitar guy from Mad Max. It could be just one outing, but he was not throwing anywhere near that hard with the Rangers, which makes you wonder what they were thinking when they let him go. Don't be surprised to see Feliz setting up for Joakim Soria in short order if he can maintain this sort of velocity going forward. Mixed: $1; AL: $3.

Fernando Rodney, Mariners – Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon recently stated he wants Rodney to regain the team's closer role and that was starting to make some sense when Rodney had a string of nine appearances with no earned runs, but in his last two outings he has given up solo home runs and is again starting to fall apart. The main issue here is inconsistency, as he has had stretches where he looks completely lost (8.18 May ERA) and others where he's pitched well (2.79 June ERA). Until he can start to limit the damage, he's a low-end bet to have value in leagues that value saves, as Carson Smith has a 1.78 ERA (2.15 FIP) and is the team's best option in high-leverage situations. Mixed: $2; AL: $5.

Fernando Rodriguez, A's – Should Tyler Clippard get traded, Rodriguez is my in-house pick to lead the A's in saves the rest of the way. He has 33 strikeouts and nine walks over 26 innings with no home runs given up and a 3.45 ERA (1.69 FIP). I considered Evan Scribner, but he has given up seven earned runs in his last three outings and is way too prone to the long ball. Edward Mujica is my second favorite, but gives up too many homers for my taste and hasn't shown the ability to miss bats as well as Rodriguez. He doesn't throw as hard either. Drew Pomeranz is interesting, but he's shown poor control with 11 walks in 16 innings as a reliever. That leaves Eric O'Flaherty, who has been awful against righties this season, and Fernando Abad, who has given up too many homers against lefties. When Sean Doolittle (shoulder) gets back on a mound, he'll enter the conversation, but for now I'm backing Rodriguez. Mixed: $1; AL: $3.

Joe Smith, Angels – Day-to-day with a groin injury, Huston Street will not pitch this weekend, allowing Smith to potentially pick up a couple of saves. After the break though, it's tough to envision Smith seeing many more such opportunities unless Street's injury worsens and/or he needs a stint on the DL. With a 2.72 ERA (2.26 FIP), Smith should be viewed as a short-term option for those speculating for saves. Mixed: $1; AL: $3.

Catcher

Alex Avila, Tigers – Activated off the DL last week, Avila initially saw some time at first base in the wake of Miguel Cabrera's calf injury, but has since gone back to being the team's everyday catcher. He has some power, as he showed last week with a home run, but struggles to hit for average. He needs to be owned in all AL and deep mixed leagues now that he's back full-time. Mixed: $1; AL: $3.

Hank Conger, Astros – Conger hit his fifth home run of the season last week and over the last month is hitting .297/.366/.514 in 41 plate appearances. The backup to Jason Castro, Conger doesn't get regular playing time, but has proven to not be a liability, which is sometimes all you need when looking for a second catcher in an AL-only format. Mixed: No; AL: $1.

Eric Fryer, Twins – Recalled from Triple-A Rochester last week, Fryer is set to serve as the Twins' backup catcher going forward. At Rochester, he hit .299/.385/.354 with one home run and one steal over 187 plate appearances. Unless you're desperate for a new backup catcher in an AL-only format, you can likely ignore Fryer. Mixed: No; AL: $1.

John Jaso, Rays – Jaso, who injured his wrist on Opening Day, was activated from the DL last week, and so far he's gone 8-for-15 with two doubles and a home run, showing the wrist injury hasn't affected his ability to hit for power. He also has three walks and just one strikeout, though the sample size is undoubtedly small. Still, he's a career .262/.361/.404 hitter capable of offering owners help in leagues that use batting average and on-base percentage. Maybe most importantly, he's not likely to be the Rays' everyday catcher, as he'll be their DH and occasional left fielder, meaning he'll have much more value than your average fantasy catcher. Mixed: $4; AL: $12.

First Base

Marc Krauss, Tigers – Claimed off waivers from the Rays last week, Krauss has started at first base the last three games in which the Tigers were facing a righty. A career .190/.265/.333 hitter against righties over 385 plate appearances, Krauss isn't likely to last long as Miguel Cabrera's replacement. He has limited power, no speed, and poor plate discipline. Don't bid more than the minimum. Mixed: $No; AL: $2.

Jesus Montero, Mariners – Montero was finally recalled from Triple-A Tacoma last week to help out at first base and DH. At Tacoma he hit .332/.370/.529 with 15 home runs and three stolen bases over 368 plate appearances, as he more than earned his promotion. Montero deserves extended playing time, but may not see it right away, as the team plans to use him only against lefties. No stranger to the majors, Montero needs to be owned in AL-only formats and especially those where he still qualifies at catcher. Mixed: $1; AL: $3.

Travis Shaw, Red Sox – Recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket last week, Shaw was brought up as Mike Napoli and his .194 batting average continue to slump. At Pawtucket he hit .250/.321/.363 with five home runs over 278 plate appearances and he went 3-for-4 in his MLB debut. If Napoli can start to show any signs of life, he'll like start to see regular at-bats again, but until then, expect Shaw to eat into his playing time. Shaw is 25 and not considered a prospect, so he's only worth a small bid in AL-only formats. Mixed: No; AL: $2.

Second Base

Micah Johnson, White Sox – It remains a mystery as to what the White Sox see in Carlos Sanchez, who is still the team's starting second baseman despite hitting .179 with no home runs or stolen bases over 167 plate appearances. Meanwhile, at Triple-A Charlotte Johnson is hitting .313/.372/.458 with five home runs and 17 stolen bases over 227 PA. He was actually up with the team earlier this season, but got sent down partially because of his defense. Even if his defense still needs some work, continuing to start Sanchez over him makes little sense when the White Sox need all the help they can get offensively. Mixed: $1; AL: $3.

Rob Refsnyder, Yankees – Called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this weekend, Refsnyder's arrival hopefully signals the end of the Stephen Drew era in New York. Drew is hitting .182 (though he does have 12 home runs), as the team has kept Refsnyder down to work on his defense. Offensively, Refsnyder should hit, as he batted .295/.388/.434 with 15 home runs and 14 stolen bases over 697 plate appearances at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre over the last two seasons. He should have value in AL and deep mixed formats. Mixed: $2; AL: $6.

Jonathan Schoop, Orioles – Brought off the DL last weekend after a knee injury that kept him out since the first week of the season, Schoop has come back doing what he does best: hitting for power. He has two home runs in the last week to give him five on the season in just 47 plate appearances. He's not likely to hit for average or steal bases, though that may change as he gains more experience, as he's only 23 years old. For now though, he provides nice pop and needs to be owned in most formats. Mixed: $3; AL: $9.

Shortstop

Jed Lowrie, Astros – Lowrie has started defensive drills and taking swings as he ramps up his rehab. He's been out since late May with a thumb injury and figures to return to the club as either a third baseman or a trade chip as the Astros look to upgrade the rotation for the stretch run. Before the injury, he hit .300/.432/.567 with four home runs and one stolen base over 74 plate appearances. He needs to be owned in all AL formats coming out of the break. Mixed: $2; AL: $6.

Ketel Marte, Mariners – Over his broken thumb injury, Marte was assigned to Double-A Jackson last week as the team looks to get him going again. Before the injury, he hit .343/.394/.434 with two home runs and 17 stolen bases over 221 plate appearances at Triple-A Tacoma, and he should return to Tacoma shortly. Once that happens, if he can start to show the hit tool that has made him one of the top prospects in the Mariners system, he'll be promoted to the majors in the second half. Until then, he's a nice player to stash in AL formats. Mixed: No; AL: $2.

Jose Ramirez, Indians – Recalled from Triple-A Columbus this weekend, Ramirez is up to take the roster spot of Mike Aviles, who is on the family emergency list. Up earlier this season as the full-time shortstop for the Tribe, Ramirez hit .180 with one home run and eight stolen bases over 170 plate appearances, playing his way down to the minors. Though Francisco Lindor, his replacement, has struggled as well, he's hitting .286 over the last week with a home run and shouldn't be in jeopardy of losing any playing time to Ramirez. Mixed: No; AL: $1.

Danny Santana, Twins – Santana has started five of the last six games for the Twins at shortstop, as it looks like the team is ready to give him a second chance at being a full-time starter. It didn't go well for him earlier this season, when he hit .218 with zero home runs and four stolen bases over 188 plate appearances before being demoted, and it's not going well for him since coming back up either, as he's hitting just .195 with no home runs and two stolen bases in 44 PA. Call it a sophomore slump or call it a regression in skills, but Santana is playing like someone who belongs back in the minors again. Don't bid more than the minimum. Mixed: $1; AL: $3.

Chris Taylor, Mariners – Promoted last week from Triple-A Tacoma, Taylor finds himself in a platoon with Brad Miller at shortstop. Considering Taylor is being limited to hitting against only lefties, this is not a productive situation for him or his owners. Last season he hit .287, but even then he showed no power and little speed. Expect Ketel Marte (see above) to come up and make the Taylor/Miller platoon a memory at some point in the second half. Mixed: No; AL: $2.

Third Base

Cole Figueroa, Yankees – Figueroa was brought up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last week, as Chase Headley deals with a calf injury that is not believed to be serious. At Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Figueroa hit .317/.372/.415 with three home runs and four stolen bases over 321 plate appearances. Unless Headley's calf takes a turn for the worse, don't expect Figueroa to have much value as a reserve. Mixed: No; AL: $1.

Joey Gallo, Rangers – Gallo hit a couple of doubles and a home run last week, as he continues to work on his plate approach at Triple-A Round Rock. The power is legit, but it remains to be seen if he'll make enough contact to not be a three-true-outcomes player at the major league level. As long as Adrian Beltre and Josh Hamilton stay healthy, expect Gallo to remain in the minors. Stash him in AL formats if you have the room. Mixed: $2; AL: $6.

Tyler Saladino, White Sox – Called up from Triple-A Charlotte last week, Saladino is a shortstop by glove but made his MLB debut at third base, as the White Sox look to improve upon the mess that is Conor Gillaspie and Gordon Beckham. At Charlotte, Saladino hit .255/.332/.372 with four home runs and 25 stolen bases over 231 plate appearances. The speed could play in AL formats if he's given a real shot at playing time, but for now, he'll just be a reserve. His shortstop experience is something to keep in mind, as the club may look to move Alexei Ramirez before the trade deadline later this month. Mixed: No; AL: $2.

Richie Shaffer, Rays – Shaffer hit two home runs Thursday to give him 14 at Triple-A Durham, where he has a .284/.364/.657 batting line over 154 plate appearances. He's just 24 and the power is enough that he's a likely candidate to be promoted after the All-Star break. While he's blocked at third base by Evan Longoria, first base may open up for him, as James Loney continues to show he can only hit for average. For now he needs to be owned in more AL formats where you can stash players for the second half. Mixed: $1; AL: $3.

Outfield

Dustin Ackley, Mariners – Entering Saturday, Ackley had started five of the last six games in the outfield, as he has started to warm up offensively, hitting .421 with a double, triple, and home run in the last week. For a player that has bounced around defensively and struggled offensively, the hot streak is a nice breath of fresh air and hopefully something for him to build on coming out of the break. Mixed: $1; AL: $3.

Coco Crisp, A's – Crisp hasn't played in a game since the middle of May, as he deals with a neck injury and kidney stones, which he has now reportedly passed. It's tough to count on anything from the often-injured Crisp, who is now 35, but don't forget about him altogether. Last season he hit .246/.336/.363 with nine home runs and 19 stolen bases over 536 plate appearances, so he still has a little fantasy value when he's healthy. Mixed: No; AL: $1.

Delino DeShields Jr., Rangers – Activated from the DL last Sunday, DeShields has been reinstated as the team's starting center fielder, pushing Leonys Martin to the bench. The Rule 5 pick has picked up right where he left off, with a double, triple, and stolen base last week. On the season, he's hitting .263/.355/.388 with 14 stolen bases over 186 plate appearances. Likely owned in all AL formats, he needs to be owned in all mixed formats as well, as he's a great source of runs hitting atop the Rangers' lineup. Mixed: $7; AL: Owned.

Jarrod Dyson, Royals – Alex Gordon's groin injury is a crippling one for the Royals, who rely on his bat as much as his glove in left field. Dyson is expected to replace him on most days and should be a hot waiver-wire commodity for those in need of speed, as he has three consecutive seasons of 30 or more stolen bases and 11 this season in just 118 plate appearances. He has zero power and the on-base skills are average at best, so keep that in mind, as Paulo Orlando will likely be in the mix for playing time as well. Mixed: $4; AL: $12.

Aaron Hicks, Twins – With two doubles and two home runs last week, Hicks has started to warm up, and he's seizing playing time while Byron Buxton (thumb) is out. A career .210 hitter, it's fair to be skeptical about Hicks, but at least he's starting to hold his own in his return from a forearm injury. He's hitting seventh in the lineup, which could be worse. Pick him up in AL formats if he's still hanging around your waiver wire. Mixed: $1; AL: $4.

Aaron Judge, Yankees – Promoted to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre three weeks ago, Judge is hitting .268/.365/.338 with one home run over 85 plate appearances. Considering the Yankees are relying on a Garrett Jones/Chris Young combo in right field and Carlos Beltran isn't aging well, Judge could be a candidate for a promotion after the break. The top prospect in the Yankees organization, he hit .284/.350/.516 with 12 home runs over 280 PA earlier this season at Double-A Trenton. Stash him in AL formats, especially those with keepers. Mixed: No; AL: $2.

Jake Marisnick, Astros – Activated from the DL last Sunday, Marisnick has started five of six games since being activated. He's got a real opportunity to see regular at-bats moving forward as the team deals with George Springer's wrist injury, but he's also got Colby Rasmus to contend with for playing time. On the season, Marisnick is hitting .241/.277/.377 with five home runs and 11 stolen bases over 216 plate appearances. If he can start to show more power after the break, he'll have value in mixed leagues. Mixed: $3; AL: Owned.

Paulo Orlando, Royals – Recalled from Triple-A Omaha last week, Orlando is in line to see a bump in playing time with Alex Gordon (groin) sidelined. He was up with the club through the end of May before being sent down to Omaha, where he had a .287/.309/.395 batting line with two home runs and six stolen bases over 137 plate appearances. Now back up, he has a .242 batting average, two home runs, and two stolen bases over 126 PA. Lacking power and speed, he's not likely to have much value in mixed leagues. Mixed: $2; AL: $6.

Jake Smolinski, A's – Recalled from Triple-A Nashville last week, Smolinski is expected to see at-bats against mostly lefties. At Nashville, he hit .432/.458/.727 with two home runs and two stolen bases over 48 plate appearances. Formerly with the Rangers, he's not likely to hold much value. Mixed: No; AL: $1.

Note: If you have anyone else you'd like me to discuss, just drop a line in the comments section.