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

Chris Flexen, Mariners: Tossing back-to-back quality starts with a 10:2 K:BB over 13 innings against quality offenses in the Astros and Red Sox is the kind of thing that's going to land you on the fantasy radar. Flexen was a total wild card coming into the season after his stint in the KBO, but the right-hander does seem to have figured some things out. He doesn't have premium stuff or strikeout upside, so he's more roster filler/streaming option than a foundation piece for your staff in shallow formats, but that's still a profile with some value. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: $11

Deivi Garcia, Yankees: Garcia is expected to get called up for a start Monday, but the uncertainty on his role after that makes him a tricky player to bid on this week. There's little doubt about his upside – in the top three levels of the minors in 2019, he posted a 165:54 K:BB through 111.1 innings despite not turning 20 until mid-May that year, and he held his own in his big-league debut last season – so if Garcia sticks in the rotation, he could make a big impact. Even as a two-start streamer next week he stands out as the best available option, with games at Baltimore and home against the Tigers. The problem is, there's no guarantee he gets two starts. The Yankees haven't announced that anyone else has lost their rotation spot to make room for him, which means they could be shifting to a six-man, or Monday's outing could be simply a spot start to buy everyone else extra rest. It would be easy to break the bank on Garcia given his ceiling, but unless you are in dire need of an impact arm and are willing to gamble, it's probably best to view him only as a priority streamer for now. If he pays off with more value than that, all the better. 12-team Mixed: $8; 15-team Mixed: $13; 12-team AL: $21

Cole Irvin, Athletics: A couple weeks ago, I wrote Irvin off and was wondering who might replace him in the Oakland rotation. Since then, the southpaw's won two straight starts with a 0.79 ERA and 12:1 K:BB in 11.1 innings to buy himself some job security. Granted, those starts was against the O's and Tigers, but that's still some good pitch slingin'. Mike Fiers appears just about ready to come off the IL, so Irvin could be one bad outing from getting bumped to long relief, but given the roll the A's are on they don't have much incentive to rock the boat on the roster either. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

Zac Lowther, Orioles: While there are prospects with far bigger pedigrees in this week's column, don't sleep on Lowther as a stash option in keeper or dynasty formats. The 24-year-old is basically a crafty lefty starter kit, and while he doesn't have a true plus pitch in his arsenal, his deceptive delivery and 80-grade makeup make him a lot more than the sum of his parts. The O's only have four starters on the roster right now but Dean Kremer will probably be called back up this week to fill the fifth spot, which would seem to leave a long relief role for Lowther as he gets his feet wet in the majors. On the other hand, Jorge Lopez has an 8.15 ERA, and Matt Harvey hasn't been much better. Baltimore could easily pull the plug on either veteran as a starter to give Lowther a look instead. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Luis Patino, Rays: Speaking of prospects with higher pedigrees, Patino is expected to make his Rays debut Sunday as the opener in front of Josh Fleming. The 21-year-old brings serious heat and has two other useful pitches, but Tampa's usual organizational patience could keep him in a limited role for a while to manage his innings. He still has massive upside, and the centerpiece of the Blake Snell trade could push his way into a rotation or bulk reliever spot quickly if he hits the ground running. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team AL: $15

Spencer Turnbull, Tigers: Let's try this again. Last week I highlighted Turnbull as an intriguing two-start option, but then Detroit delayed his activation and he didn't make a start until Wednesday. It's hard to argue with the wisdom of that decision after the right-hander looked great and got the win against the Pirates though. Turnbull's now on schedule for a two-step this week, and while the matchups aren't quite as favorable (vs. KC, then on the road against a Yankees offense that is showing signs of life), he still figures to have value beyond merely being a streamer. 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)

Mike Foltynewicz, Rangers (vs. LAA, vs. BOS)

Matt Harvey, Orioles (vs. NYY, at OAK)

Rich Hill, Rays (vs. OAK, vs. HOU)

Jordan Lyles, Rangers (vs. LAA, vs. BOS)

Garrett Richards, Red Sox (at NYM, at TEX)

Ross Stripling, Blue Jays (vs. WAS, vs. ATL)

Jose Urena, Tigers (at CHW, at NYY)

Michael Wacha, Rays (vs. OAK, vs. HOU)

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

Relief Pitcher

Anthony Castro, Blue Jays: Few people paid attention when the Jays snagged Castro on waivers this offseason from the Tigers, but the coaching staff clearly saw something in the 26-year-old it felt could be unlocked. The right-hander has been a key part of Toronto's injury-thinned bullpen to begin the season, and he has yet to allow a run through six innings with a 7:0 K:BB, and he was rewarded for his efforts with his first career save Wednesday, a one-out job that, before you dismiss it as a gift, required him to retire J.D. Martinez. Jordan Romano is now off the IL but looked shaky in his first appearance back, and Rafael Dolis hasn't exactly been reliable, so Castro could see more high-leverage work going forward as Charlie Montoyo pieces things together. That may not mean more saves, but if he keeps locating his mid-90s fastball and sharp slider, he should have value in any role. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Jake Diekman, Athletics: Apparently, Lou Trivino isn't going to be handling closing duties by himself after all. Diekman has recorded two saves this week while the right-hander has none, although in both cases Trivino either wasn't available or worked a critical high-leverage spot to set up Diekman's save chance. The southpaw still appears to be the A's second option with the game on the line, but even in a committee arrangement, he could still finish the year with double-digit saves, and there's always the chance Trivino falters or gets hurt. 12-team Mixed: $11; 15-team Mixed: $21; 12-team AL: Rostered

Kent Emanuel / Luis Garcia, Astros: Emanuel's outstanding big-league debut Saturday cae at Jake Odorizzi's expense, as the right-hander got only one out before leaving the game due to tightness in his forearm. That's an ominous injury, but as yet Odorizzi hasn't been diagnosed with anything more serious. He still seems likely to miss at least one start, and these two guys are his most likely replacements, either in the short or long term. Emanuel is a soft-tossing lefty who looked very efficient and aggressive Saturday, although in a 16-2 rout, he had little reason not to attack the zone. Garcia has better stuff and survived a trip to Coors Field in his last outing, coming one out shy of a quality start. I think Garcia's the better option to stash until the situation with Odorizzi becomes clearer, in large part because Emanuel is a prime candidate to be cycled back to the alternate site for a fresh arm given the huge workload he shouldered Saturday. Emanuel – 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2 / Garcia – 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team AL: $9

Andrew Kittredge, Rays: Welp, here we go. Kittredge got the save Saturday, after Jeffrey Springs got the save last Sunday, and those brief, halcyon days of Diego Castillo being the automatic choice in the ninth inning for manager Kevin Cash may be over. Kittredge has also been vulturing up a storm in the early going though, collecting three wins in his first seven appearances, and he might be the best option in the Tampa bullpen for consistent value regardless of exactly how he gets used. Trying to time the market on any Rays reliever is usually a fool's errand, but if you have to, Kittredge might be your safest choice. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Jonathan Loaisiga, Yankees: A lot of folks may have looked at Saturday's box score with some alarm, as Loaisiga got the save during a game in which neither Aroldis Chapman nor Chad Green saw action. There's no reason for those with Chapman shares to worry though, as the flame-throwing lefty has pitched Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and was getting a rest. (Green pitched each of those games as well, for what it's worth). Loaisiga being the next man up is noteworthy though, and he's pitched more than well enough this season to move up in the pecking order, posting a 1.35 ERA and 13:1 K:BB through 13.1 innings over nine appearances. The 26-year-old has one hold in addition to his save, and both have come in his last two outings, signalling his move into a high-leverage role. He may not get many more save chances, but he could begin to rack up holds once the Yankees get past their current malaise, and he should settle in as a high-K relief option who provides value when you don't like any of your fringe SPs. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Jordan Romano, Blue Jays: Romano's return from the injured list wasn't smooth, as he walked two batters while recording only one out Saturday to take the loss against Tampa. The 28-year-old flashed his upside last year but has a very brief track record of success, so he might carry more risk than was generally assumed coming into 2021. Still, he'll be a key part of the high-leverage mix for Toronto unless he pitches his way out of it, and he still looks like the team's best option for saves once he begins finding the plate again. 12-team Mixed: $7; 15-team Mixed: $15; 12-team AL: $25 

Josh Staumont, Royals: The Royals' bullpen remains a mess, and five different relievers have recorded saves already for the team. Staumont joined the club Saturday, and of that bunch he's always been the one with True Closer Stuff, pumping triple-digit heat in the general vicinity of the plate ever since the team gave up on the idea he might work out as a starter. He's shown a smidge more control this season, getting his walk rate under 10 percent (barely) while issuing zero free passes in five of his first nine appearances, and that might be enough of an improvement to take him to the next level. Staumont also has the best ratios of any of the five options to begin the year (hmm, now that I think about it, I should have worked out a Five Deadly Venoms metaphor here, although I guess I'd have to add in a sixth reliever since Staumont would have to be Yang... ah well, too late now), and if anyone is going to seize the closer job outright, it'll probably be him. More likely the Royals just keep mixing and matching with a giant, frustrating committee though. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team AL: $15

Garrett Whitlock, Red Sox: The Rule 5 pick has had a fantastic start to the season, and Whitlock has yet to give up a run through 11.1 innings with a 14:1 K:BB. (As a side note, it probably shouldn't be surprising that this year's crop of Rule 5 picks seems to have uncovered more gems than usual, given all the development that happened in the shadows in 2020.) The 24-year-old was a starter in the minors, so it's certainly possible he gets stretched out later in the year if Boston needs rotation help, but the team likely won't want to push him too hard given that he seems like a real find with long-term value. He has two holds though, so even if he stays in the bullpen, he could work his way into consistent high-leverage usage. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Catcher

Kyle Higashioka, Yankees: Gary Sanchez is still hitting poorly (.204/.316/.347 through Saturday) and still making gaffes behind the plate, and that's resulted in more playing time for Higashioka. The The 31-year-old has started three of the last six games and five of the last 11, and while he's only hitting .235 over that stretch, three homers in 17 at-bats has produced a 1.174 OPS. He's shown pop in the minors, including 20 home runs in 70 games at Triple-A in 2019, and if Sanchez isn't going to provide any more offense than Higashioka, the Yankees might as well go with the better pitch framer and defender. There's a real chance this turns into a timeshare, and while Sanchez will always be one hot streak away from reclaiming the starting gig, Higashioka looks like he'll be more than just a DFS option on the days he starts. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Martin Maldonado, Astros: The veteran backstop came off the IL earlier this week and immediately moved back into the No. 1 role, starting four straight games before getting a breather Saturday. Maldonado is a typical low-BA, decent pop catcher, but the playing time has value in deeper formats. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: $7

Francisco Mejia, Rays: The 25-year-old perennial prospect might be figuring things out. Mejia seems to have moved ahead of Mike Zunino on the depth chart, and while he's still a work in progress behind the plate, a .286/.316/.457 slash line through 39 plate appearances is impressive relative to his peers. He'd started three of the last five games and five of nine coming into Sunday, and consistent playing time gives him a lot more upside than other catching options. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: $11

First Base

Mike Ford, Yankees: Ford was next up on the big-league roster after Jay Bruce retired but he didn't exactly hit the ground running, going 1-for-11 in three starts this week. The Yankees have plenty of options at 1B and DH, especially as they give Rougned Odor a long look at second base, so if Ford's not hitting, he likely won't see much action. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Ryan O'Hearn, Royals: Called up Friday, O'Hearn made an immediate impact by homering in his season debut. The 27-year-old has power, going yard 29 times in his first 192 big-league games, but his .213/.306/.419 slash line is a lot less appealing. The Royals appear willing to live with Jorge Soler's glove in right field in order to give O'Hearn regular work at DH, so he could be an asset on the strong side of a platoon, especially if you're not worried about the batting average risk. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Shortstop

Freddy Galvis, Orioles: Middle infield has become deep in recent years and is getting deeper (tips cap in Jazz Chisholm's direction), so there tends to be less need for stable veterans to plug roster holes than there was even a few seasons ago. If you do have such a need though, Galvis might be your best option at the moment. The 31-year-old is slashing .393/.414/.786 over the last eight games with two homers, three RBI and six runs, and he has absolutely no competition for playing time in Baltimore. He won't stay hot much longer, but if you only need help for a week or so, might as well see if you can catch the tail end of this heater. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

Nick Gordon, Twins: It seems like forever ago that Gordon was a top prospect. He was a first-round pick in 2014 but is only now making his big-league debut after a sluggish ascent up the ladder that saw him repeat both Double-A and Triple-A. Gordon's .298/.342/.459 slash line with four homers and 14 steals in 70 games at Triple-A Rochester in 2019 was encouraging though, and the 25-year-old could stick on the Twins' bench if he gets a chance to make a good impression. That hasn't happened yet, as he was called up Friday but hasn't seen any action since. View him as more of a deep dynasty stash if someone else gave up on him a while ago. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Outfield

Sam Haggerty, Mariners: The 26-year-old is starting to muscle Taylor Trammell out of the starting picture in the Seattle outfield, collecting five hits, two steals and a homer over the last three games. Trammell's 41.2 percent strikeout rate played a big part in handing Haggerty that opportunity, and despite the organization's attempts to downplay expectations, Jarred Kelenic's debut should be coming soon, but until they start the top prospects's service clock, Haggerty could be a decent source of cheap speed. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Billy Hamilton, White Sox: Speaking on cheap speed, Hamilton's back! The veteran came off the IL on Friday, while he's only been used as a defensive replacement for Andrew Vaughn so far, he doesn't need many plate appearances to steal bases. Just don't expect him to contribute anything else. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Alex Kirilloff, Twins: Minnesota finally listened to the messages the team was getting from the baseball gods and promoted Kirilloff (presumably for good) when Miguel Sano got injured, after multiple other injuries and a COVID-19 outbreak weren't enough of a hint. The 23-year-old is 0-for-10 with three strikeouts to begin his regular-season career, which isn't ideal, but he'll get every opportunity to seize the job in left field and not let it go. His combination of solid hit tool and plus power gives Kirilloff significant four-category upside once things click for him, and his path to playing time is clear. There will be other big-time hitting prospects getting the call during the 2021 campaign, but the 23-year-old is the first out of the gate. 12-team Mixed: $25; 15-team Mixed: $35; 12-team AL: $55

Brent Rooker, Twins: Rooker started three straight games after coming off the IL this week, but his 1-for-10 showing with five strikeouts quickly sent him to the bench. The 26-year-old isn't in the same league as Kirilloff as a prospect, but with Max Kepler sidelined, Rooker should platoon with Jake Cave in right field, giving him some mild short-term appeal if you need outfield depth (and in 12-team AL-only this year, almost everyone needs OF depth). 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1