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 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

Starting Pitcher

Kohei Arihara, Rangers: Maybe it was because he signed with Texas, or maybe it was just the nature of the chaotic offseason, but Arihara mostly flew under the radar when he crossed the Pacific, despite the fact that he was coming off a great season with the Nippon-Ham Fighters and was still only 28 years old. Well, he's getting people's attention now, posting a 3.07 ERA and 1.02 WHIP through his first three MLB starts against quality opposition like the Rays and Padres. Arihara's 7:1 K:BB through 14.2 innings is less impressive, and Statcast believes he's been lucky so far, but small sample sizes cut both ways and his mediocre 92 mph fastball is the only individual pitch he throws (out of seven!) that has graded out poorly. Even if his "true" level is somewhere between the results and the projections, he would still be a quality arm in most formats, even if only as a streamer in plus matchups. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: $11

Alex Cobb, Angels: Jason Collette got very excited this week about the possibility of Cobb returning to the form he displayed early in his career, and there's not much I can add to his thorough breakdown. A 4.63 ERA through two starts could cause some folks to pass over him when skimming free-agent lists, but the right-hander's 17:2 K:BB through 11.2 innings is outstanding and bodes very well for his ratios. This could be your last chance to get him at a bargain price. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team AL: Rostered

Josh Fleming, Rays: Called up when Chris Archer hit the IL, Fleming did his thing in his first start, allowing only one run in five innings with a 2:2 K:BB. The southpaw doesn't have tremendous strikeout upside, and it does say something that the Rays didn't think he was one of their best seven-ish options for the rotation/bulk relief spot to open the season, but all he's done to begin his big-league career is get outs. If he keeps producing, he'll stick around. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team AL: $9

Tommy Milone, Blue Jays: Someday, there will be enough pitching depth across the big leagues that Milone will finally be allowed to retire in peace. Until then, the southpaw will keep getting chances despite the fact that he hasn't had a palatable ERA since 2015. Heck, if that expansion buzz is true, he might still be finding work into his 40s ("Your Opening Day starter for the Raleigh Roebucks...") . Anyway, he has zero upside, but the Jays need innings with seven pitchers on the IL, and Milone does have a 3.27 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and surprising 12:2 K:BB through his first 8.1 innings. Just know that at some point he's probably going to get crushed. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Casey Mize, Tigers: The 23-year-old appears to have taken a big step forward in his second season, posting a 3.38 ERA and 1.25 WHIP through his first three starts and 16 innings. The Tigers are counting on Mize to be a rotation anchor for many years to come, so he'll get every chance to succeed, but his 13:4 K:BB still isn't quite what you'd like to see from a guy who was supposed to be one of the top pitching prospects in all of baseball. In re-draft, he still hasn't quite escaped being a streaming option, but at least he's flashing the upside to some day become an every-week arm. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team AL: Rostered

Ervin Santana, Royals: Called up to handle the back half of Saturday's doubleheader, Santana looked entirely credible over three innings. He's 38 years old and hasn't been remotely effective since 2017, and the Royals don't particularly need him in the rotation for more than spot starts right now, but in deep formats he could be worth a stash if he happens to see action against the Tigers or in another solid matchup. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Spencer Turnbull, Tigers: Detroit's de facto ace (ah, if only there were a synonym for ace that started with 'de'), Turnbull missed the beginning of the season while in the COVID-19 protocols after what was likely a positive test. That makes him a risky proposition when he does return until we see whether he's 100 percent, but recent reports from the alternate site have been good and if he jumps back into the rotation Tuesday, he lines up for a strong two-step with home starts against the Pirates and Royals. In a week that doesn't have a lot of appealing two-start options on the waiver wire, that puts him at the top of the list, and his 2020 performance was good enough to potentially give him value beyond that. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: $11

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

Danny Duffy, Royals (vs. TB, at DET)

Jose Quintana, Angels (vs. TEX, at HOU)

Matt Shoemaker, Twins (at OAK, vs. PIT)

Bruce Zimmermann, Orioles (at MIA, vs. OAK)

Relief Pitcher

Rafael Dolis, Blue Jays: Toronto's running out of closers. Julian Merryweather went down with an oblique strain, and before Jordan Romano could prove he was the next man up, his elbow started barking. That leaves Dolis to hold down the fort, and while he hasn't gotten a save yet, he did work the final inning in a win during Saturday's doubleheader after the Jays tacked on an insurance run in the top of the seventh to deny him a save chance. The right-hander has been fighting to find the plate in the early going but does have good stuff, so he could pick up a handful of saves before one of the other options gets healthy – and there's always the possibility neither Romano nor Merryweather are back any time soon, or ready for high-leverage work when they are. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team AL: $15

Kendall Graveman / Keynan Middleton, Mariners: Funny how quickly things can change. Last week I listed these guys as spec saves plays; now they have two saves apiece and Rafael Montero is working setup despite the fact that he really hasn't pitched all that badly. The fact that Graveman got the call in the first game of Thursday's twin bill and Middleton in the second is a pretty clear indicator of their respective positions in the hierarchy, but manager Scott Servais could easily keep mixing and matching rather than settling on one closer. If he does anoint someone though, it's likely to be Graveman and his 0.00 ERA and 6:2 K:BB through six innings. Graveman – 12-team Mixed: $7; 15-team Mixed: $15; 12-team AL: $25 / Middleton – 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: $7

Catcher

Anthony Bemboom, Angels: With Max Stassi on the shelf with a sprained thumb, Bemboom got the call to add depth behind the plate. He's only started once in four games since his promotion, and the Angels seem confident that Kurt Suzuki can handle a starter's workload for a short stint, putting a pretty firm ceiling on Bemboom's value. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Jason Castro, Astros: With Martin Maldonado one of the Houston players stuck in the COVID-19 protocols, Castro takes over as the team's starter in the short term. He's gone 2-for-12 while starting four straight games, but one of the hits left the yard, which is nice. If you're already in streaming catchers mode, Castro could provide some cheap short-term production. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $4

Garrett Stubbs, Astros: Stubbs will back up Castro until Maldonado is back, but the 27-year-old does have a bit of a prospect sheen and a .310/.382/.455 slash line on his resume from 2018 at Triple-A. The fact that he doesn't have an at-bat yet since getting called up isn't ideal, but he could be worth a deep-league stash in case something happens to Castro too. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Kurt Suzuki, Angels: The veteran backstop has been a reliable source of offense over the last four seasons, slashing an aggregate .272/.337/.475, so his slow start isn't particularly discouraging. Suzuki will get plenty of opportunities to find his swing while Stassi is out. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: $5

First Base

Taylor Jones, Astros: Houston's COVID-19 situation has created a lot of open roster spots, and Jones is among the warm bodies filling them. The 27-year-old had a big 2019 at Triple-A, and his lack of big-time prospect status is mainly due to him converting from pitcher late in his college career. He won't see much playing time at first base, but he's started two straight games at DH and could have short-term value until Yordan Alvarez is back. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Albert Pujols, Angels: The rash of injuries in the Angels' outfield has dragged Jared Walsh out to right field and left first base all to Pujols. The future Hall of Famer has started five straight games and gone 6-for-19, but all six hits were singles and he has zero RBI over that stretch. There isn't much upside left in his stick, but the playing time alone will give him some short-term value, and Pujols can still run into one on occasion. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: $7

Second Base

Alex De Goti, Astros: De Goti has only started one of four games since being added to the roster, but he went 2-for-4 with a couple runs scored and an RBI. The 26-year-old showed a bit of pop at Triple-A in 2019, but for now he's just a bench bat for the Astros. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Aledmys Diaz, Astros: The veteran utility player looks like he'll get regular action at second base until Jose Altuve is back. Diaz has a decent bat and the lineup around him is still solid, even if it's missing some key names, so he has some appeal in the short term. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: $7

Nicky Lopez, Royals: Kansas City is sticking with Lopez as the fill-in at shortstop until Adalberto Mondesi gets healthy. The 26-year-old is hitting .286 through 13 games, but it's an empty batting average and consistently hitting ninth in the order doesn't give him much of a ceiling. At best, he might swipe a few bases. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Rougned Odor, Yankees: The Yankees wasted no time installing Odor as their starting second baseman, apparently deciding they were better off with him at the keystone than Jay Bruce at first base. (Bruce apparently took the hint and announced his retirement Sunday morning). Odor hasn't exactly risen to the challenge, going 3-for-21, but he does have a homer and has only struck out twice, which is something like progress. The possibility of him regaining his 30-homer form while calling Yankee Stadium home is definitely enticing, but Odor probably only has a few weeks before Luke Voit is back and bumps DJ LeMahieu to 2B. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: $11

Luis Rengifo, Angels: Rengifo is up to provide some infield depth while Anthony Rendon is sidelined and will probably fill the short side of a platoon at third base alongside Jose Rojas. Neither player is particularly appealing in those roles, but Rengifo did post some intriguing steals numbers in the low minors, although his 5-for-11 career showing in the majors suggests he'll see a lot of red lights even when he does get on base. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Third Base

Brock Holt, Rangers: The veteran utility player is back after a brief stint on the IL and should reclaim the strong side of a third-base platoon. Holt can draw a walk and might hit at the top of the order occasionally, or even more than occasionally if Isiah Kiner-Falefa doesn't improve his .281 OBP, but there isn't much else to like about his profile. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Jose Rojas, Angels: The local hero has gotten steady playing time at third base and the outfield corners due to all the Angels' injuries, and he laced a double Wednesday for his first big-league hit. Rojas remains more feel-good story than fantasy asset though, and Anthony Rendon's eventual return will put him back on the bench. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Abraham Toro, Astros: Toro has started two of four games since being called up, going 1-for-7 with a walk. He's been a deep-league sleeper the last couple years but has yet to show he can handle big-league pitching, and Alex Bregman may not be stuck in the COVID-19 protocols for long. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Outfield

Willie Calhoun, Rangers: The 26-year-old saw his prospect dim further when he started the season on the IL with a groin strain, but Calhoun returned to action Saturday and went 2-for-4. His big half-season in 2019 wasn't that long ago, and with Khris Davis and Ronald Guzman both on the shelf he has little competition for DH at-bats. If Calhoun is available, he has the upside to deliver value in shallow leagues if he can find a rhythm at the plate. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team AL: $21

Ronnie Dawson, Astros: Of all the players Houston called up to cover their COVID-19 outbreak, Dawson has the most upside. A second-round pick in 2016, he's essentially a Kyle Tucker starter kit, offering power, speed and a solid batting eye with a shakier hit tool. He's got little experience above Double-A but he reached base twice and scored both times in his big-league debut Wednesday, although he hasn't gotten a start since. Consider him more of a keeper league or dynasty stash than a short-term option. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Adolis Garcia, Rangers: Garcia just missed the cut for the Opening Day roster, but he got called up when Guzman injured his knee and has started five straight games, collecting five hits in 21 at-bats including a triple and a game-winning homer in extra innings Thursday. The Rangers are also giving him a look in center field, a potential path to a long-term starting spot given the abysmal .249 OPS (yes, OPS) Leody Taveras has managed so far. Garcia's got his own contact issues with a 0:7 BB:K so far, but being a more productive hitter than Taveras is basically the lowest possible bar to clear, and his power-speed profile has definite upside. The window to get him cheap could close rapidly. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: $7

Josh Palacios, Blue Jays: The 25-year-old has been the Jays' top choice to fill in while George Springer and Teoscar Hernandez have been out, and Palacios has rewarded the team's faith with a 7-for-21 streak to begin his big-league career. All seven hits have been singles and he didn't show a lot of power in the minors, but Palacios is athletic and could swipe a base or two before heading back to the bench or alternate training site if he keeps reaching base consistently. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Scott Schebler, Angels: The former Red replaces Jon Jay on the Angels' bench, and that's probably where he'll stay. If Jared Walsh's defense in right field proves to be an issue, Schebler could get semi-regular playing time, but he's never come close to repeating that 30-homer season he pulled out of thin air in 2017. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

DJ Stewart, Orioles: Stewart is basically the QT Marshall of baseball, even beyond them kind of being lookalikes. He's a solid enough guy to have around, but his limitations get exposed quickly when you build lineups (or storylines) around him. The O's don't seem to have learned that lesson yet (to be fair, neither has AEW), and with Austin Hays on the shelf, Stewart has started seven of eight games since rejoining the roster and hit .292 with a homer. He's quite capable of keeping that up for another week or even two, but don't expect the 27-year-old to be anything more than a short-term plug-in for an open spot. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5