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

Luis Gil, Yankees: As of me writing this Gil is still back in the minors, so he may not be available for bidding in a lot of formats, but given the holes in the Yankees' rotation the 23-year-old is not only expected to get called back up, he might even line up for a two-start week with home outings against the Angels and Twins. He's been fantastic in his first two big-league starts, tossing 11 scoreless innings with a 14:3 K:BB, but there's a healthy gap between those numbers and both his scouting reports and Triple-A performance, so regression could hit at any time. Still, if you need to make a move in the pitching categories this is the kind of guy you should be looking to roll the dice with, and it's not like Gil didn't have some prospect cachet prior to taking the Bronx by storm in his debut. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: $7

Carlos Hernandez, Royals: Hernandez remains criminally under-rostered given his raw stuff and recent performances against dangerous opponents (1.02 ERA and 0.85 WHIP over his last three starts, one of which was against the Yankees and the other two against the White Sox), but if you're not going to buy in for the long haul, would you consider adding him for a two-start week? The 24-year-old lines up to face Houston at home before a road tilt against the depleted Cubs, and latter at least seems like a plus matchup. If he can handle that South Side juggernaut, the talent-strapped North Siders should be a pushover, right? 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: Rostered

Drew Hutchison, Tigers: Here it is 2021, and I'm writing up a note on this guy. Will wonders never cease. Hutchison was an intriguing Blue Jays prospect a decade ago, but now he's a 30-year-old journeyman with a career 5.10 ERA who hasn't pitched in the majors since 2018. He was never able to find the plate consistently and that doesn't seem to have changed (40 walks in 84.1 innings for Toledo this season), but if Hutchison pitched reasonably well Sunday against Cleveland, he could stick around for a bit, and he does have some modest strikeout potential. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Griffin Jax, Twins: Jax is getting a long look in the rotation with Minnesota in rebuild mode, and he may be figuring some things out. In four starts since the All-Star break, the 26-year-old has a 2.66 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 18:5 K:BB through 20.1 innings, including a 10-K quality start against the White Sox in his last outing. Of course, he failed to fan anybody at all in the start before that against the Astros, but hey, baby steps. He's one of the many interesting arms lined up for a two-step this week, at home against Cleveland then on the road in Yankee Stadium, but he might be the most volatile of the options getting a full writeup here. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

Reynaldo Lopez, White Sox: Look, the White Sox got Carlos Rodon straightened out this season, so is it really inconceivable that they've unlocked something in Lopez too? The 27-year-old came to Chicago in the same deal that landed them Lucas Giolito (and Dane Dunning, who got flipped for Lance Lynn... all for one healthy season from Adam Eaton. The Nats did win a World Series in there, so it's hard to argue they got totally fleeced, but yikes), and while Giolito's the one that has emerged as a star, Lopez was viewed as nearly as good a prospect at the time. He was awful at Triple-A in the first half, but since being called up after the All-Star break he's been a revelation, and now he's back in the rotation. Lopez has yet to pitch more than three innings in an appearance this season, which makes him risky as a starter if he isn't going to be allowed to work five innings, but if all you're looking for is ratio ballast and strikeouts, he's got some value. He also lines up for a two-step -- versus Oakland at home, then in Tampa Bay. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

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

Tyler Anderson, Mariners (at TEX, at HOU)

Josh Fleming, Rays (vs. BAL, vs. CHW)

Matt Harvey, Orioles (at TB, vs. ATL)

Spencer Howard, Rangers (vs. SEA, at BOS)

Bailey Ober, Twins (vs. CLE, at NYY)

Jose Suarez, Angels (at NYY, at CLE)

Relief Pitcher

Joe Barlow, Rangers: I mentioned Barlow last week, but now it looks like he's officially part of the closer mix after collecting his first career save Friday. Spencer Patton has already flamed out and the Rangers don't have anyone else in their bullpen who looks the part, so it wouldn't be surprising at all if Barlow and his 95 mph fastball just seized the job outright. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: $7

Andrew Chafin, Athletics: Chafin was having a great season as a set-up man for the Cubs before getting flipped to the A's just before the trade deadline, but he's taken things to another level in Oakland, reeling off eight straight scoreless appearances to begin his stint in the AL and picking up a save and a win in his last two outings. Lou Trivino has a fairly firm grasp on the closer role, but Chafin appears to have supplanted Jake Diekman as the top lefty in the bullpen, and that could lead to a few more saves down the stretch. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Michael Fulmer, Tigers: Since coming off the IL in late July, Fulmer has delivered eight straight scoreless appearances with a 1.04 WHIP and 11:2 K:BB in 8.2 innings. He got his seventh save of the season Thursday, and while Gregory Soto (four saves in August) will probably continue to work as the main ninth-inning guy, Fulmer appears to be Detroit's top high-leverage option. That's a role that could lead to a few more saves down the stretch. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: Rostered

Richard Lovelady, Royals: Lovelady became the, umm... (starts counting on fingers, starts getting worried he'll run out and have to take off his socks) eighth Royal to collect a save this season last Sunday, which tells you everything you need to know about whether to spend significant resources trying to find a closer in this mess. For what it's worth, Lovelady does appear to be the top left-handed option in the Kansas City 'pen at the moment, which I guess gives the 26-year-old some kind of floor. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

A.J. Puk, Athletics: Called up Tuesday, Puk has settled into a relief role with three scoreless innings in three appearances. The possibility he might get another shot at the rotation next year gives him some keeper appeal, but at this point he's best viewed as a west coast version of Garrett Crochet -- a high-octane southpaw who may not hold up under a starter's workload, and whose team may want to keep him in a relief role as a result regardless of his apparent upside. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Catcher

Yohel Pozo, Rangers: The season began with Yermin Mercedes raking way above his pay grade, so it would be kind of fitting if Pozo does the same thing to close it out, as they're almost the same guy. Until this season, Pozo was viewed as a catcher in name only who didn't have the bat to make it as a DH, but a power spike at Triple-A this year may have changed that perception. The 24-year-old homered in his big-league debut Friday and has four hits in his first eight at-bats, and as long as he's raking, the Rangers will keep giving him playing time. I think his long-term potential is probably about the same as Mercedes', but at least he doesn't have Tony La Russa around to mess with his head, which if nothing else gives Pozo a better shot at sticking. If he actually qualifies at catcher in your league, so much the better, but he should see most or all of his action at DH. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

First Base

Mitch Moreland, Athletics: Moreland's had a rough first season in Oakland, but the veteran slugger might be gearing up for a big last six weeks. He's gone yard three times in the last three games and has a four-game extra-base hit streak going, and the A's don't have a clearly better option at DH even after their moves at the trade deadline. As long as he's contributing, Moreland will keep getting at-bats, and it shouldn't cost much to try and ride any hot streak he might produce. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: Rostered

Renato Nunez, Tigers: The 27-year-old got a brief look from the Tigers in April before getting DFA'ed, but the team's recent rash of injuries forced them to call him back up. To his credit, Nunez hadn't been sulking at Triple-A and instead slashed .291/.383/.585 with 20 homers in 74 games for Toledo, and homering in your first two contests back in the majors is a good way to convince your team to keep you around. Until the roster gets healthier, he should split 1B/DH at-bats with Miguel Cabrera. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Second Base

Yonny Hernandez, Rangers: Hernandez has been getting regular starts at second base since his promotion, but he's been feast or famine so far -- the 23-year-old has three multi-hit performances and three steals on three attempts in eight games, but four ohfers. He makes consistent contact though (2:1 BB:K), and the speed and ABs have value even if he offers zero power upside. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Tyler Wade, Yankees: Another light-hitting guy running wild at the moment is Wade, who has moved into a near-everyday role with Gleyber Torres and Gio Urshela both on the shelf. Wade has started four of the last five games and swiped at least one bag in each of those starts while collecting seven hits, including two doubles. The 26-year-old offers little power, but if you speed he should be able to give you a short-term jolt in that category. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Third Base

Yu Chang, Cleveland: The utility infielder was called back up this week, and he could get some regular playing time at first base with Bobby Bradley out. Chang has a bit power and homered in his first game back in the majors, but there isn't much else to recommend him. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Vimael Machin, Athletics: Machin will provide the A's with some infield depth while Elvis Andrus is on the paternity list. The 27-year-old has hit well at Triple-A Las Vegas, but what happens in Vegas offensively tends to stay in Vegas, so don't get too excited. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Emmanuel Rivera, Royals: To the consternation of fantasy GMs everywhere, the Royals decided they'd rather get a look at Rivera than Edward Olivares, sending down the latter yet again so they could hand third base to the former and boot Hunter Dozier to right field. Rivera hasn't done anything to warrant the opportunity since coming off the IL in August, slashing .200/.250/.233 through nine games, but the 25-year-old was having a semi-breakout at Triple-A prior to his initial promotion and subsequent wrist injury, so some patience may be in order. I mean for Kansas City -- there's no reason right now to have him on your fantasy roster other than as a deep-league keeper stash. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Shortstop

Andrew Velazquez, Yankees: Velazquez started three straight games after his promotion early last week and looked like he might have a shot at a regular role due to the injuries around the Yankees' infield, but since then he's been eclipsed by Wade. If Wade cools down, Velazquez could get another shot, but he does have a miserable .466 OPS in 126 career big-league plate appearances. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Outfield

Seth Brown, Athletics: Brown fizzled out in his last stint with Oakland, but a brief stay back in the minors seems to have woken his bat back up. He's started six straight games and gone deep three times, slashing .304/.320/.783 over that stretch with six RBI. With Ramon Laureano suspended and Josh Harrison banged up, there's a clear path to consistent playing time for Brown as long as he's hitting. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Jorge Mateo, Orioles: Given how scarce steals have become on the fantasy landscape, it's unusual when one player pops up who seems capable of making an impact in the category. This week there are three in the AL alone, with Mateo joining Hernandez and Wade (listed above) in that group. The 26-year-old seems to have a permanent green light from the O's (I mean, what have they got to lose?) and has swiped three bags in four attempts over eight games since coming over from the Padres. It wasn't that long ago Mateo was a legit prospect, and he even has a 19-homer season at Triple-A on his resume (granted, it came in Las Vegas) so you can't completely write him off as a one-dimensional speedster. Of the three thieves in this column, Mateo has the most theoretical upside and the least competition for playing time, so he should be the priority target. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: $7

Jake Meyers, Astros: Meyers is finally getting some kind of look from the Astros, starting three of the last five games and breaking out with a two-homer, five-RBI night Saturday. His minor-league numbers suggest he has more upside than Chas McCormick, but McCormick's slashing .333/.353/.515 over the last eight games and doesn't seem inclined to budge from center field just yet. That leaves Meyers still in limbo to some extent, and better viewed as a keeper option or upside stash on a deep bench. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Kyle Schwarber, Red Sox: Finally activated from the IL on Friday, Schwarber didn't make a huge impact in his Boston debut but walked twice and scored two runs, which certainly isn't nothing. The 26-year-old is there for his power, but he's an awkward fit on a roster with J.D. Martinez at DH most days and a home park that can crush the confidence of left fielders who don't have a lot of experience with the Green Monster. The Red Sox will try to shoehorn Schwarber in wherever they can, with first base also an apparent option even though he has all of one game of big-league experience there (and that back in 2017), and while he's extremely streaky, we all saw what the top of that peak can look like back in June. If you had to wait until now to bid on him, there's really no reason to hold back -- no one else with his upside and track record is going to be joining the AL player pool this year. 12-team Mixed: Rostered; 15-team Mixed: Rostered; 12-team AL: $75