AL FAAB Factor: Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups

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 upside on an A-E scale, prioritizing skills and talent above role and playing time outlook. Wyatt Langford 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.

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 or on our Discord.

Starting Pitcher

Mason Barnett, Athletics: Attrition in the rotation forced the A's to call up Barnett for a start Saturday, and the 24-year-old righty coughed up five runs in four innings against Texas. He isn't the same level of prospect as Jack Perkins or Luis Morales, and while Barnett did fan 123 batters in 117.1 Triple-A innings this year, they came with 60 walks and a 5.83 ERA. His stint could be brief, although guys like Ken Waldichuk and Mitch Spence aren't exactly making strong cases for a promotion. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Kyle Bradish, Orioles: Activated on Tuesday for his 2025 debut, Bradish fanned 10 over six innings in a quality start, which isn't going to put a damper on bidding. Since his breakout 2023, the right-hander has a 2.82 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 9.7 K/9 in 214 innings, and those are reasonable expectations for his numbers in September. 12-team Mixed: $7; 15-team Mixed: $15; 12-team AL: $35

Taj Bradley, Twins: Bradley's Minnesota debut last Sunday against the White Sox was a seven-run disaster, but in his second start for the team Saturday he held the Padres to one run in five innings with a 6:3 K:BB, so Twins fans have already gotten the full breadth of the Taj Experience. The 24-tear-old righty still has plenty of potential, but until he begins to display some consistency, he's little more than a high-upside dart throw. He also might work in tandem with Mick Abel over the final month, limiting the fantasy ceiling of whichever of them takes the mound first in any particular game. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

Luis Garcia, Astros: After throwing six innings of one-run ball for Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday and getting stretched out to 75 pitches, Garcia is poised to make his first big-league appearance since May 2023 and get dropped into a two-start week, at home against the Angels and on the road against the banged-up Rangers. Even at his best, Garcia just solid rather than a difference-maker, but someone to stabilize the back of the rotation is exactly what Houston needs right now. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: $11

Jacob Latz, Rangers: With Nathan Eovaldi done for the year, Latz got plugged back into the rotation Wednesday and was able to last 4.1 innings and 66 pitches, posting a 5:1 K:BB while allowing two runs. The 29-year-old southpaw has been an effective swingman this season with a 3.13 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 61:29 K:BB in 63.1 innings, but he could head back to the bullpen when Tyler Mahle is cleared to come off the IL. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Parker Messick, Guardians: It's still not clear who, if anyone, will get bumped from the Cleveland rotation when John Means is ready for his 2025 debut, but Messick has done everything he can to prove he should stay in his current role. The rookie southpaw has allowed one run in 13.2 innings over his first two big-league starts with a 12:1 K:BB, which ain't too shabby. Messick's gotten 19 whiffs on the 39 changeups he's thrown so far – a ratio that would comfortably be keeping company with Tarik Skubal and Cristopher Sanchez's cambios if it holds up over a bigger sample – and if this season has taught us anything, it's that lefties with plus changeups are fantasy gold. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: $11

Luis Morales, Athletics: Morales continues to prove me wrong, or at least, big-league hitters haven't yet figured him out despite the fact that his mechanics give them a nice long look at what he's about to throw. Hey, if your stuff is good enough, you can get away with it. Over three starts since getting fully stretched out, the 22-year-old right-hander has a 1.00 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 18:4 K:BB in 18 innings, riding a four-seamer that averages 97.2 mph while mixing in three other pitches. I really don't have anything else to add – the numbers speak for themselves. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team AL: $21

Ian Seymour, Rays: Suddenly Seymour looks like the next big thing in the Rays rotation after fanning eight Guardians over five shutout innings in his big-league debut Monday. Stuff-wise, Messick has him beat, but both young lefties rely on their changeup to get outs, with Seymour also deploying a low-90s fastball, slider and occasional sweeper. Fun fact: the last time there was a player named Seymour in the majors prior to 2025 was 1913, when ole Cy Seymour wrapped up a 16-year career in Boston. This year, there are three Seymours in the majors – Ian, Bob and Carson – and somehow, none of them are related to each other. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team AL: $9

Payton Tolle, Red Sox: One of the year's biggest risers in the minors, the 2024 second-round pick began the season at High-A and blew through three levels on the back of a 3.04 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 133:23 in just 91.2 innings before making his major-league debut Friday and delivering more of the same against the Pirates, posting an 8:2 K:BB in 5.1 innings. Tolle looks more like an NFL linebacker from the '70s than an MLB pitcher in the 2020s, especially with that moustache, and he pitches like it too, coming right after batters with a 96.2 mph fastball and elite extension on a 6-6 frame. He didn't really need to show his whole arsenal against Pittsburgh, but he backs up that heater with a cutter, slider, kick-change and occasional curve. The Red Sox need a fifth starter with Walker Buehler kicked to the curb, and Tolle might provide the team with the kind of boost that can carry Boston into the postseason. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team AL: $21

Simeon Woods Richardson, Twins: I wasn't going to list SWR this week with Pablo Lopez almost back, but he gets the White Sox this week, so he deserves a mention even if only as a streaming option. Woods Richardson is too erratic to rely on for a long stretch and he's coming off a start in which he got taken deep three times in 3.2 innings by the Blue Jays, but he might sneak out a win and decent numbers before getting bumped back to the bullpen in September. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

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

Via RotoWire's Probable Pitchers grid

Shane Baz, Rays (vs. SEA, vs. CLE)
Slade Cecconi, Guardians (at BOS, at TB)
Aaron Civale, White Sox (at MIN, at DET)
Patrick Corbin, Rangers (at ARI, vs. HOU)
Davis Martin, White Sox (at MIN, at DET)

Relief Pitcher

Shawn Armstrong, Rangers: Armstrong has the last two saves for the Rangers, although you have to track back to Aug. 17 for them, and he should be viewed as the favorite to close for the team in September. The veteran righty hasn't allowed a run since July 26, posting a 0.52 ERA, 0.63 WHIP and 19:4 K:BB in 17.1 innings since the All-Star break, so even if he's splitting the ninth-inning work, his ratios should provide some value. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: $7

Trent Baker, Twins: It's been a while since this happened, but in Baker I'm writing up a player I had to add to our database first. Plucked from the Cardinals' system in the minor-league portion of this winter's Rule 5 draft, the 26-year-old righty began the year in the Double-A rotation before earning a promotion to Triple-A in June and struggling over his first 10 appearances at the level while bouncing between starting and relieving. So why is he on my radar? Since becoming a full-time reliever early this month, Baker has a 1.64 ERA and 10:3 K:BB in 11 innings, and his stuff is playing up significantly. In his most recent outing for St. Paul, his two-seam fastball topped out at 98.3 mph, while he mixed in a slider and changeup. That's better stuff than anybody currently in the Twins' bullpen, including nominal closer Justin Topa. Baker isn't on the 40-man roster and is far from a guarantee to get that extra September roster spot on the pitching side, but as saves dart throws go, you could do worse. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Kody Funderburk, Twins: Speaking of saves dart throws in the Twins 'pen go, Funderburk has earned a mention as well. The southpaw got his first save of the year Friday, and he hasn't allowed an earned run August, although his 11:7 K:BB in 11.2 innings and 1.63 WHIP are less encouraging. Funderburk is likely just a matchup option at best for ninth-inning work, but he could snag another save or two down the stretch. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Chayce McDermott, Orioles: The fact that this Sunday column falls the day before September roster expansion has forced me to guess at potential solutions to some of the more muddled AL bullpens. McDermott's the dart throw I like best, though, if you have to pick one. For one thing, he is on the 40-man roster. For another, he's a former starting prospect who has made a classic conversion to high-leverage relief, and through 9.1 innings in August for Triple-A Norfolk he's delivered a 0.96 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 12:3 K:BB. In his most recent appearance Thursday, his four-seamer topped out at 97 mph while he still mixed in a slider, cutter and changeup. Guys like Keegan Akin are stop-gaps at best in the ninth inning, while McDermott is a potential long-term solution. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Catcher

Dillon Dingler, Tigers: Dingler's heating back up to finish out his first season in a full-time role in the majors, and over 19 games since Aug. 8 he's slashing .313/.380/.484 with two homers, nine RBI and 11 runs. In shallow two-catcher leagues, there's simply no reason for him to be on waivers, and even in one-catcher mixed formats, he should probably be rostered. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: Rostered

Carter Jensen, Royals: I'm beginning to think the Royals aren't actually going to call Jensen up, but I guess we'll find out tomorrow. The kid's done everything he can to earn a promotion, slashing .343/.476/.746 through 20 games in August at Triple-A Omaha with six homers, 17 RBI and as many walks (17) as strikeouts (17). The 22-year-old is the heir apparent to Salvador Perez, and there's no reason not to start the transition in September. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $3

First Base

Jac Caglianone, Royals: Cags had another multi-hit day with a homer on his rehab assignment Saturday, and through 16 games with Triple-A Omaha he's slashing .385/.467/.692 with five doubles and five homers. He should have been activated from the IL already, but Kansas City clearly has some sort of cunning plan in mind for how to juggle their roster when September rolls around. Hits weren't falling in for Caglianone in his first look at big-league pitching, but that mostly seems like a whole lot of bad luck – his .153 BABIP in 161 plate appearances is countered by a max EV in the 91st percentile, a 42.2 percent hard-hit rate, and a triple-digit gap between his wOBA (.216) and his xwOBA (.332). A monster finish to the season once he's activated wouldn't be a big surprise, and his current MLB numbers should keep his price tag lower than it was when he first got called up. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team AL: $21

Tim Elko, White Sox: Called up when Miguel Vargas landed on the IL again, Elko has a 42.3 percent strikeout rate in the majors this year and won't see consistent playing time, but he might run into a homer or two. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Ryan Mountcastle, Orioles: With Samuel Basallo needed behind the plate, Mountcastle has a clearer path to playing time, but the veteran slugger was doing a good job of bashing his way into a full-time role anyway. Over his last 16 games, he's slashing .328/.362/.484 with four doubles and two homers, albeit with a 2:20 BB:K. His power numbers have been on a steady decline since 2021, but Mountcastle might still be capable of a hot stretch. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team AL: Rostered

Second Base

Zack Gelof, Athletics: Called up Monday, Gelof moved back into the starting spot at second base for the A's and did what he usually does, which is strike out a lot. The 25-year-old has gone 3-for-18 in five games with a double and a homer, but also a 0:11 BB:K. He was doing much better at Triple-A Las Vegas prior to his promotion, slashing .294/.376/.657 with 10 homers and seven steals in his last 25 games, but until Gelof solves his contact issues at the highest level, he'll be a very risky fantasy option despite his power/speed upside. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Michael Helman, Rangers: Helman's been the big winner so far with Evan Carter done for the year, seeing more than a short-side platoon role over the last week in center field while going 6-for-17 (.353) with two homers, four runs and six RBI. The 29-year-old's career numbers at Triple-A don't stand out, but he's got 43 homers and 59 steals in about 1,200 PAs, or two full seasons worth of playing time. He might contribute as a modest power-speed threat as long as he's getting semi-regular run for the Rangers. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Michael Massey, Royals: Massey has started four straight games against RHP since coming off the IL, three in left field and one at second base, and gone 6-for-16 (.375) with a couple doubles. He's essentially a younger version of Adam Frazier, and should win that battle for a job when Caglianone gets activated and creates a squeeze in the LF/DH picture. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Dylan Moore, Rangers: Texas' injury issues around the infield forces the team to turn to an old AL West foe in Moore, who got cut loose by the Mariners last week. The 33-year-old utility player could see consistent action off the bench and supply his usual low-BA power and speed. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Jorge Polanco, Mariners: Polanco's season has been a fairly ridiculous roller coaster of incredible hot streaks and brutal slumps, but right now, line go up. The 32-year-old is slashing .382/.417/.824 over his last 10 games with three doubles, four homers, seven runs and nine RBI, and lest you think he can't keep that up for long, remember that he had a 1.226 OPS through the end of April. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team AL: Rostered

Third Base

Josh Jung, Rangers: Jung's also hot again, ratting off three straight three-hit performance and batting a mere .517 (15-for-29) over a seven-game hit streak. The 27-year-old was slashing .149/.200/.255 through his first 16 games in August though, so it's very fair to wonder how long he can stay locked in. There isn't a lot of season left though, so he doesn't need to keep producing for long to be worth rostering. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: Rostered 

Shortstop

Jeremiah Jackson, Orioles: The 25-year-old has now hit safely in 10 straight games, slashing .326/.356/.558 with four doubles, two homers, six runs and 10 RBI and putting himself firmly on the shallow mixed radar. He's splitting his time between right field and third base, which means his playing time could be curtailed once Tyler O'Neill and Jordan Westburg are back, but Jackson's also hitting well enough that the O's will likely to try to find room for him, even if it's in a super-utility role. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team AL: Rostered

Outfield

Nolan Jones, Guardians: With Carlos Santana off the roster, C.J. Kayfus has been able to get regular playing time in the 1B/DH mix with Kyle Manzardo, opening up a starting spot in the outfield again for Jones. The 27-year-old has started four of the last five games, three in right field and one in center, and he's gone 5-for-14 with two solo homers and a steal. Jones is still a long way from his Coors Field-fueled 2023 breakout, but he's got power and speed, and the Guardians seem inclined to give him one last chance to prove himself. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Mike Yastrzemski, Royals: The 35-year-old has gotten hot for the Royals as they push for a wild-card spot. Over his last 14 games, Yastrzemski is slashing .356/.431/.800 with five doubles, five homers, eight RBI and 14 runs, and twice as many walks (six) and strikeouts (three). Kansas City needs all the offense it can get, so while he'll still sit against some lefties, Yastrzemski will get playing time as long as he's raking. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: Rostered

Designated Hitter

Niko Kavadas, Angels: Kavadas has started four of five games since Nolan Schanuel landed on the IL, and while he's done bupkis with that playing time, he's shown enough power in the minors to think he might run into a homer or two as long as he's getting that sort of run. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Joc Pederson, Rangers: In the Making Up For Lost Time Department, Pederson's hit safely in eight straight games while going 10-for-33 (.303) with three homers and nine RBI. The veteran slugger doesn't have enough time left on the calendar to salvage his season-long numbers, but that will just disguise his current form from rival GMs who don't dig deeper. If you need pop and can fit a Ut-only qualifier on your roster, Pederson should be a priority target. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: Rostered