AL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week

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.

This year, we're incorporating 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 role on an A-E scale. Andrew Benintendi would have been an "A" grade player last year -- that mark will be reserved for similar high-impact prospects stepping into 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.

Starting Pitcher

Kyle Gibson, Twins: Sent on a brief Triple-A vacation to scenic Rochester after Minnesota acquired Jaime Garcia, Gibson got his reprieve when Garcia was flipped to the Yankees and fell two outs shy of a quality start Saturday in his return to the rotation. The 29-year-old is barely hanging onto a big-league job by his fingernails, though, and his lack of strikeout stuff makes him a risky streaming play this week on the road against the Brewers. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Kendall Graveman, Athletics: Graveman came off the DL to get the start Thursday in San Francisco and probably wishes he hadn't, as the light-hitting Giants roughed him up for seven runs in just two innings. The outing tacked more than a full run onto his ERA, and while the right-hander isn't as good as the 2.25 ERA he posted in April, he's not as bad as he looked Thursday either. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

A.J. Griffin, Rangers: The right-hander looked good against the Twins in his first start off the DL, giving up just one run in six innings. Griffin's numbers in eight starts this year prior to getting hurt were no better than his weak numbers last year, but in deep AL-only leagues innings is innings, and Texas needs 'em. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Marco Gonzales, Mariners: Acquired from the Cards at the deadline in a trade for slugging outfield prospect Tyler O'Neill, Gonzales will make his M's debut in a doubleheader Sunday. His upside is limited – in a full season's worth of innings at Triple-A in his career he's got a 4.01 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 7.2 K/9, and his brief big-league trials so far haven't gone well – but the 25-year-old lefty could eventually develop into a serviceable starter for the back end of the rotation. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Nick Martinez, Rangers: The Rangers just can't seem to quit Martinez, who'll make another start Sunday despite his best efforts to pitch himself out of the rotation after being called up Tuesday. He'll probably hang around until Tyson Ross is ready to come off the DL, but considering Ross has given up 14 runs in seven innings over his last two rehab starts, that might not happen as quickly as you'd expect. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Jake Odorizzi, Rays: Odorizzi will return from the DL on Wednesday against the Red Sox after missing a couple of weeks with a sore back, but it's fair to wonder how long he's actually been hurting. In five outings before being shut down he had just one quality start and a 6.31 ERA, an ugly stretch that might have gotten him cut loose in shallow fantasy formats. The 27-year-old righty should put up much better numbers than that down the stretch, though, and if he's available could provide your staff will some stability. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $13; 12-team AL: Owned

Carlos Rodon, White Sox: The de facto ace of the White Sox staff has been pitching like it lately, delivering consecutive quality starts and racking up a massive 31:5 K:BB over his last 18.1 innings. He hasn't been facing dud offenses, either, as those Ks came against Boston, Cleveland and the Cubs. Of course he's 0-1 in those three starts because White Sox, so don't grab him if you need wins, but otherwise he should be a priority add in shallower formats where he's available. Rodon's talent has never been in question, and a big finish to 2017 is entirely possible. 12-team Mixed: $8; 15-team Mixed: $19; 12-team AL: Owned

Troy Scribner, Angels: Scribner made his first big-league start Friday and didn't exactly impress, walking four batters and giving up five runs (although only two earned) in four innings. His numbers at Triple-A Salt Lake over the last couple of years have been good, but he doesn't have huge upside as a junkballing righty and as more Angels starters join Tyler Skaggs in coming off the DL, Scribner's probably headed back to the bullpen or the minors. He could be worth a stash in deep dynasty leagues if you have a roster spot to churn, though. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Tyler Skaggs, Angels: Speaking of Skaggs, he returned from the DL on Saturday but only lasted four innings in his first start. The lefty's teased with some impressive strikeout stuff over the last couple of years, managing a 4.10 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 79:32 K:BB in 79 innings across 15 starts between DL stints, but he'll need to sharpen his control at some point if he's going to make the leap. He's got the upside of a James Paxton or Danny Duffy if it all comes together, though.12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

Drew VerHagen, Tigers: The pitching-poor Tigers are giving VerHagen another shot at the rotation despite some abysmal numbers at Triple-A this season, and to his credit he did give them five credible innings in Baltimore on Saturday. The right-hander's stuff is pedestrian, though, and his stay will likely last only until Michael Fulmer gets healthy. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Relief Pitcher

Matt Belisle / Trevor Hildenberger / Glen Perkins / Ryan Pressly / Taylor Rogers, Twins: After Brandon Kintzler got dealt to the Nats, the suggestion was made that Taylor would take over as closer. While the 26-year-old does have decent stuff and solid strikeout rates, there's couple of problems with that theory. One, Taylor is the best lefty in the Twins 'pen, so using him in a traditional ninth-inning role probably isn't the most effective way to deploy him. Two, he's been absolutely awful lately, getting scored upon in six (!) straight appearances and seeing his ERA rise nearly two full runs over that stretch. Until Minnesota actually has a save situation to hand to someone we won't know for sure which way manager Paul Molitor is leaning, but if Rogers isn't the guy, there are plenty of other options. Belisle hasn't given up a run since June and has veteran moxie, if no closing experience. Hildenberger can't break 90 mph with his fastball but closed in the minors and has a 19:3 K:BB in 17.1 innings since being called up. Pressly was once considered the closer of the future due to his big fastball, but the pitch is awfully straight and he doesn't have much else to go with it. And let's not forget about Perkins, the former closer who essentially hasn't pitched since 2015 due to shoulder trouble but began a rehab assignment in late July and has a 7:2 K:BB in 4.2 innings between Rookie ball and High-A. There's no reason to spend big on any of them, but if you need saves and have bench spots available, throwing a couple of darts at this bunch could pay off. Belisle – 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4 / Hildenberger – 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1 / Perkins – 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3 / Pressly – 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2 / Rogers – 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

Miguel Castro, Orioles: Castro is being bandied about as a rotation candidate after firing six scoreless innings in relief Thursday, and also because Chris Tillman has been pitching more like Chris Kill-Your-ERA-Man. (I'm here all week, folks. Don't forget to tip your server). The last time Castro had any real success as a starter was as a teenager in the low minors, but he's still only 22 years and has a big fastball, so who knows what could happen if they give him a look. As a deep keeper league stash, there are worse uses of a roster spot. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Shane Greene, Tigers: Officially given the ninth-inning job after the Justin Wilson trade, Greene's been sharp, converting three saves in three days to begin August. Bruce Rondon picked up a save Friday but only because Greene was unavailable, and there doesn't appear to be any competition or controversy here. Unless he falters badly, this is Greene's gig, making him a priority buy if you need saves as this might be your last chance to acquire some in any quantity. 12-team Mixed: $15; 15-team Mixed: $35; 12-team AL: $65

Joe Jimenez / Bruce Rondon, Tigers: If Greene does spit the bit, Detroit has two plausible options to replace him. Rondon seems to be next in line as closer given his save Friday, but he's been running hot and ice cold all year and a 10.43 ERA isn't exactly encouraging. Jimenez would be the other choice, and while the 22-year-old's numbers in Triple-A have been great and he might be the team's closer of the future, his big-league ERA is somehow even worse than Rondon's, albeit over just five innings. Both should be viewed as lottery tickets only given how Greene has performed so far, though. Jimenez – 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1 / Rondon – 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Emilio Pagan, Mariners: Pagan's been supplying some quality innings in a long relief role since the All-Star break, posting a 1.76 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 8.8 K/9 in 15.1 innings over seven appearances. He probably won't get you any saves, or even holds for that matter, but if you're just looking for staff filler in a deep league the 26-year-old cold do the trick. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Addison Reed, Red Sox: Reed comes over from the Mets to help provide a late-inning bridge to Craig Kimbrel, giving him some interesting value in holds leagues. Even in standard 5x5, his strikeouts and ratios should make him solid staff filler, but it would take a Kimbrel injury to get him into the saves mix. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Blake Treinen, Athletics: The A's are giving Treinen a look in at least a share of the closing job – really, what do they have to lose? – but his performance so far with Oakland has looked a lot like his performance in DC, as after recording his first Oakland save Monday he suffered his first Oakland blown save in his very next appearance. His power sinker draws Zach Britton comparisons, but until he learns to locate it better within the strike zone he's going to yo-yo between unhittable and unrosterable. Buyer beware, but if you're desperate for saves, you probably have to roll the dice. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $13; 12-team AL: $29

Catcher

Drew Butera, Royals: Sal Perez's injury opens the door for Butera to take over for a week or two as KC's starting catcher, but the second-generation backstop is 33 and has a .203/.257/.302 career slash line in the bigs, so don't get your hopes up for much production even with extra at-bats. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Juan Centeno, Astros: Called up due to Evan Gattis' concussion, Centeno will back up Brian McCann and offer a decent amount of contact (.323 batting average at Triple-A) but no power. As both catchers hit left-handed, this won't be a platoon, so Centeno's playing time could be limited unless Gattis ends up being out for a while. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Robinson Chirinos, Rangers: With Jonathan Lucroy now a Rockie, Chirinos takes over as the starting catcher for the Rangers, although with the club in rebuilding mode he's been splitting time almost equally with Brett Nicholas. Chirinos is a batting average risk and his June power surge is long gone – in fact, he hasn't homered since June 28 – but with additional ABs he could chip in some RBI and runs. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: Owned

Cameron Gallagher, Royals: The 24-year-old will caddy for Butera while Perez is sidelined in his first exposure to the Show. His minor-league numbers suggest a typical backup catcher profile, and despite a breakout .294 average at Triple-A this year he offers little power. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Dustin Garneau, Athletics: Bumped off the Rockies' 40-man roster by Lucroy, Garneau got scooped up by the A's, who needed some short-term help behind the plate. He's put on some good power displays in the minors in hitter's parks but wasn't able to produce much while taking his hacks in Coors Field, so it's hard to imagine him suddenly catching fire in the Oakland-Alameda County Mausoleum.... err, Coliseum. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Caleb Joseph, Orioles: A July hot streak has pushed Joseph into a full timeshare with Welington Castillo, and the 31-year-old is slashing .320/.358/.540 over his last 15 games with three homers and eight RBI. He probably still won't see enough at-bats to have value in shallow one-catcher leagues, but otherwise he could be a solid addition if you suddenly have a hole behind the plate after the trade deadline. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: $7

Raffy Lopez, Blue Jays: The 29-year-old busted out this season with Triple-A Buffalo, slashing .293/.368/.551 with 12 homers in 59 games, and Miguel Montero's groin strain afforded the Jays the opportunity to reward Lopez with his first promotion to the big leagues. He likely won't see much playing time behind Russell Martin, but at least there's the possibility of some upside if he does find his way into some at-bats. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

James McCann, Tigers: When Tigers GM Al Avila did his Daniel Plainview impression at the trade deadline, it opened up the full starting job at catcher to McCann. He'd effectively won it anyway, starting 11 of the last 13 games and putting together a .381/.409/.524 slash line over that stretch. He's still only 27, so while it would be easy to say he's already hit his ceiling, catchers take weird development paths and you never know if or when he might find another gear at the plate. If you don't believe me, ask the White Sox if they wish they's still had Tyler Flowers around to peddle at the deadline. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team AL: Owned

Kevan Smith, White Sox: It's Smith's turn to hold the hot hand at catcher for the White Sox. After coming out of the All-Star break ice cold (0-for-13), he's now 9-for-29 over his last 10 games, pushing Omar Narvaez to the bench more often than not. By the time to read this, of course, the hot streak could be over, but if you miss out on your top FAAB targets at the position, Smith's a comfortable fallback option. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Christian Vazquez, Red Sox: Full confession, I'm a huge Vazquez apologist. Even a couple of years ago when everyone was gaga over Blake Swihart and Vazquez couldn't stay healthy, I though his defense made him the better choice as the Red Sox catcher of the future, and if it weren't for that meddling Sandy Leon he probably would have the job already. Leon's had a sore knee over the last week, though, and in his absence Vazquez has made like Johnny Bench, raking to the tune of a .481/.500/.778 slash line with a homer, six RBI and seven runs in seven games. He won't keep it up, but then again Leon won't be 2016 Sandy Leon again either. Don't be shocked if Vazquez gets the majority of the playing time down the stretch and supplies a solid batting average with decent counting stats. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team AL: Owned

First Base

Mark Canha, Athletics: Canha's back in the majors as a bench bat after posting a .330/.369/.631 line at Triple-A since the beginning of July. There won't be much playing time for him initially, but neither Yonder Alonso nor Ryon Healy have exactly been iron men this year so he could work his way into a fantasy-relevant role. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

John Hicks, Tigers: Hicks is really a utility player who won't embarrass himself behind the plate, but he'll back up McCann at catcher for the time being and needs only two more games played at the position to gain eligibility in leagues that have a 10-game threshold. As a first baseman, his fantasy value is nearly nil given his limited playing time, but as a catcher his decent stick could play even if he doesn't see more than a start or two a week. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Tyler White, Astros: White's gone from bench afterthought to fan favorite with three homers in the last two games, and anyone who remembers his rampage through spring training in 2016 knows he can put up big numbers when he's locked in. White's route to playing time is precarious, though, even as he fills in for Marwin Gonzalez in the team's super-utility role, and once the likes of Gattis and George Springer get healthy the 26-year-old may not even stick around on the big-league roster. Consider him a short-term play only. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Second Base

Alen Hanson, White Sox: With Melky Cabrera back in Kansas City and most of their Garcias on the DL, the White Sox have had some loose at-bats in the corner outfield spots lying around. Hanson's kind of taken advantage, slashing .348/.333/.435 over his last nine games, but most of that production came in two games in late July. At 24 years old the former Pirates prospect still has some theoretical upside, but other than the occasional steal, don't expect too much. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Jason Kipnis, Cleveland: Out of action for nearly a month, Kipnis' poor first half and hamstring injury conspired to reduce his ownership in ESPN leagues to a criminally low 55.7 percent. If he can stay healthy, he still has the talent to provide five-category production down the stretch for a Cleveland team trying to lock up a playoff berth, so if you're in one of those lucky 44.3 percent of leagues don't hesitate to throw some big coin his way. With the trade deadline having come and gone and most of the top hitting prospects in the minors already called up, Kipnis could represent your best chance to secure an impact bat. 12-team Mixed: $11; 15-team Mixed: $25; 12-team AL: Owned

Chad Pinder, Athletics: While Pinder won't get another shot at a starting job in Oakland, he could see semi-regular playing time in his new utility role and has gone 5-for-13 since coming off the DL. He won't help you much in batting average, but the 25-year-old could chip in some homers from a middle infield spot. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Third Base

J.D. Davis, Astros: A bit of an under-the-radar prospect in the Astros system. Davis was the 75th overall pick in 2014 and has steadily marched up the ladder by hitting for good power and decent batting averages despite a scary strikeout rate. With Alex Bregman needed at shortstop while Carlos Correa is sidelined, Houston swapped out A.J. Reed for Davis this weekend and the 24-year-old did about what you'd expect in his big-league debut Saturday, picking up a hit and striking out three times in four at-bats. His stay in the majors could be brief, so consider him more as a dynasty stash than key piece for your stretch run. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Nicky Delmonico, White Sox: His name may sound like somebody who opened for Bobby Vinton in the early 60s, but Delmonico is actually the next stage in the White Sox's attempt to put together a roster made up entirely of utility players. The 25-year-old has put together a couple of solid seasons in the high minors, and while he was exclusively a third baseman in Triple-A this year he's been playing corner outfield since being called up by Chicago. A .368/.429/.579 slash line won't last, but he could hit for a decent average and contribute the occasional homer. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Shortstop

Daniel Robertson, Rays: Robertson rejoins the Rays reserves after being out since late June, but with Brad Miller now back in action and Adeiny Hechavarria in town, there won't be much playing time at the middle infield spots available for Robertson, and chances are he won't do much with the rare at-bats he does get. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Outfield

Byron Buxton, Twins: Buxton was just starting to heat up a bit when he injured his groin right after the All-Star break, and a 3-for-15 stint in five games since coming off the DL isn't encouraging, although he has stolen two bases. The 23-year-old's contact issues are old news at this point, and even in keeper leagues it might be time to start viewing him as a cheap source of modest steals rather than a future building block. Still, his 1.011 OPS last September is still fresh enough that it's hard to give up on his upside entirely. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

Joey Rickard, Orioles: With Mark Trumbo on the shelf. Rickard has suddenly found himself in the starting lineup every day for the past week. Unfortunately, he's gone only 4-for-28 over that stretch with just a single, lonely RBI to his name, but the 26-year-old has produced plus batting averages and some steals in the high minors when he's been comfortable and playing consistently, so he could heat up once he shakes off the bench rust. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Ryan Rua, Rangers: Called back up Monday, Rua hasn't seen any playing time at all this week, which tells you where he is on the depth chart in Texas. It'd probably take an injury or two to get him enough at-bats to have even a smidge of fantasy value. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1