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

Jason Alexander, Astros: Just the way they planned it, Houston's playoff hopes may be resting on the arm of a 32-year-old journeyman the team picked up off the scrap heap in May after he was waived by the A's. Alexander is coming off seven shutout innings in Toronto in his last start, and since the beginning of August he's delivered a stunning 2.20 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 35:9 K:BB in 41 innings. The 'Stros have worked their usual magic on his pitch selection, and while he still doesn't have anything close to premium stuff, Alexander has gotten more grounders and weak contact by leaning on his changeup as much as his two-seamer. He lines up for two starts this week, and not just any two starts – he faces the Rangers (two games back in the AL West) and the Mariners (tied with the Astros atop the division) at home. This would be a really, really bad time for him to realize he's been Wile E. Coyote this whole time, and not the Roadrunner. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: $7

Kyle Bradish, Orioles: I recommended big bids on Bradish a couple weeks ago once he finally came off the IL, but roster rates out in the wild suggest not enough of y'all listened. Over three starts he's got a 2.65 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 21:4 K:BB in 17 innings, and now he gets a two-step on the road against the ChiSox, and at home with a chance to play spoiler against the Yankees. Let's try this again. If you have FAAB remaining and need pitching help, and he's available, just throw it all at Bradish. 12-team Mixed: $11; 15-team Mixed: $21; 12-team AL: Rostered

Connelly Early, Red Sox: I'm used to players have two first names, but someone with two last names? Now that's fun. Early was something of a desperation promotion last week by the BoSox, but after striking out 11 in five shutout innings against the A's in his debut, the 23-year-old lefty might be just what they need to make the postseason. Early had a breakout campaign in the high minors, posting a 2.60 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 132:40 K:BB over 100.1 innings between Double-A and Triple-A, and his five-pitch repertoire is headlined by a mid-90s fastball that plays up due to plus extension, and a filthy changeup. He also gets two starts this week – a rematch with the A's back in Fenway, and a road tilt against the Rays – and with Boston one of five or so teams still in the mix for the three AL wild-card spots, the team needs Early to be more than a mirage. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: $11

Tyler Mahle, Rangers: It's not clear yet how Texas plans to use him, but Mahle's set to come off the IL this week. The right-hander looked sharp in his most recent rehab start, fanning six over four scoreless, one-hit innings for Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, but that usage suggests he won't be able to take on a full starter's workload quite yet. If he gets used a a bulk reliever or piggybacks someone like Patrick Corbin or Jacob Latz though, he'd still have solid win potential. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

John Means, Guardians: I have even less idea what Cleveland has planned for Means. He hasn't pitched since Sept. 7, when he got roughed up with Triple-A Columbus, and the team's already running a six-man rotation of younger arms with more upside. The Guardians do have a doubleheader coming up in Minnesota on Saturday, so maybe he gets a spot start there, but none of Parker Messick, Slade Cecconi or Joey Cantillo are pitching poorly enough right now to get replaced, and Means hasn't done anything on his rehab to suggest he'd be an upgrade. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

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

Via RotoWire's Probable Pitchers grid

Sean Burke, White Sox (vs. BAL, vs. SD)
Caden Dana, Angels (at MIL, at COL)
Ian Seymour, Rays (vs. TOR, vs. BOS)
Jeffrey Springs, Athletics (at BOS, at PIT)
Michael Wacha, Royals (vs. SEA, vs. TOR)
Simeon Woods Richardson, Twins (vs. NYY, vs. CLE)

Relief Pitcher

Shawn Armstrong, Rangers: Armstrong has quietly solidified the back of the Texas bullpen since the All-Star break. He's posted a 1.09 ERA, 0.69 WHIP and 26:5 K:BB through his last 24.2 innings, and since taking over as closer about a month ago, he's converted six straight save chances. The Rangers are playing well lately despite their missing bats and remain hot on the heels of the Astros and M's for either the AL West title or a wild-card spot, so there could be plenty more save chances available for the veteran righty over the final couple weeks. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team AL: Rostered 

Kyle Harrison, Red Sox: Part of the haul from the Giants in the Rafael Devers deal, Harrison is the third young southpaw the Red Sox are turning to in their hour of need. Unlike Payton Tolle or Connelly Early though, Harrison seems ticketed for long relief, working just four innings total over his last two appearances for Triple-A Worcester. Control remains his biggest issue – since the All-Star break, Harrison's got a 2.67 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 33.2 innings for Worcester, but also 19 walks and a 1.43 WHIP. He's better viewed as a keeper stash than someone likely to help you close things out in 2025. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Sean Newcomb, Athletics: The A's last four saves have gone to Newcomb and Hogan Harris with two each, but you have to go all the way back to Aug. 16 to find them all. Newcomb's the better option in general, and since the All-Star break he has a 1.00 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 27:6 K:BB in 27 innings. Just don't expect him to see a lot of save chances given the boom-or-bust nature of the team's offense – five of the Sacramento Exiles' last seven wins have been by at least six runs. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Jose Urquidy, Tigers: Detroit avoided a city-wide heart attack epidemic when imaging on Tarik Skubal's side didn't reveal anything worrisome, but the rotation is still in rough shape with Keider Montero being pressed into duty Sunday despite not having worked more than 4.1 innings in an appearances since early July, and Charlie Morton struggling badly of late. That might create a window for a long reliever to steal a win or two though, and Urquidy was looking good in that role at Triple-A Toledo prior to coming off the IL on Friday, tossing eight scoreless frames over his last three rehab appearances with a 7:2 K:BB. The 30-year-old righty hasn't pitched in the majors since 2023 due to Tommy John surgery in June 2024, but he gave the Astros some very respectable innings prior to 2023. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Trey Yesavage, Blue Jays: After teasing the possibility for weeks, the Jays will cap off one of the most relentless marches up an organizational ladder in recent memory with the announcement that Yesavage will join the big-league bullpen for the last couple weeks of the season. The 2024 first-round pick began the season in Single-A, and after impressing over seven starts he then got bumped up to High-A. Then Double-A. Then Triple-A. At every spot he had a brief adjustment period before dominating, and the pattern was no different in Buffalo – over his last (final?) four Triple-A appearances Yesavage sported a 1.64 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB in 11 innings as he began adapting to a relief role. Given that need for an adjustment period, Toronto's plan for him would seem to be focused more on getting him ready for the playoffs than on worrying about how he performs in September, so I wouldn't count on him for useful fantasy numbers right away. The 22-year-old righty could be a big part of the team's 2026 rotation plans though, and that makes him a priority stash in all keeper formats. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: $5

Catcher

Sebastian Rivero, Angels: Logan O'Hoppe and Travis d'Arnaud both landed on the concussion IL in rapid succession, pushing Rivero into an unexpected starting role over the last week or so. The 26-year-old did about as well as you'd expect, batting .235 (4-for-17) over six games with two doubles and two RBI. O'Hoppe could be back early this week, but if you're in a bind trying to find a viable catcher, Rivero at least offers the promise of some playing time. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Second Base

Jonathan India, Royals: India's first season in Kansas City has mostly been a struggle, but since coming off the IL on Tuesday he's looked rejuvenated, going 5-for-14 (.357) in four games with two doubles. He's also got a 0:7 BB:K in that time though, and the Royals essentially have three interchangeable parts in India, Michael Massey and Adam Frazier fighting for 2B/LF at-bats as the team tries to stay afloat in the AL wild-card race. India's playing time is only secure as long as he's doing something at the plate, and his track record on that front in 2025 isn't encouraging. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Christian Moore, Angels: Moore was called back up Saturday and plugged right into the starting lineup at the keystone, going 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout. The 22-year-old was batting only .175 (7-for-40) in September at Triple-A Salt Lake with a 32.6 percent strikeout rate, so there's little reason to think he's suddenly figured something out at the plate. As a deep-league keeper stash though, he might pay off in 2026. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Richie Palacios, Rays: The 28-year-old has filled something of a super-utility role in September – his last four starts have come at LF, 2B, DH and 1B – and while he's only batting .190 (4-for-21) on the month, he's got a homer, a steal, a 3:3 BB:K and a small-sample hard-hit rate that suggests a hot streak could be coming. As dart throws go, you could do worse. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Leo Rivas, Mariners: Cole Young's .512 OPS since the beginning of August has forced Seattle to look elsewhere for help at second base, and they've landed on Rivas as the compromise option between Young's all-glove, no-bat skill set and Jorge Polanco's inverse all-bat, no-glove approach. Over 19 plate appearances in September, Rivas is batting .250 (4-for-16) with a double and two homers, although the speed he's displayed in the minors (24-for-27 on SB attempts in only 66 Triple-A games this year) hasn't shown up yet. Polanco is the top choice at the keystone right now, but Rivas is getting enough playing time to hold some deep-league value. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1 

Third Base

Kody Clemens, Twins: The Little Rocket has slugged his way into being the Twins' best strong-side platoon option at first base again, and through 10 games in September he's batting .286 (10-for-35) with five homers and 10 RBI. Minnesota does face a couple southpaws this week, but their schedule next week lines up to feature nothing but right-handers on the mound against them, so Clemens could be poised for a big finish to the year. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

Josh Smith, Rangers: Speaking of strong-side platoon options, Smith has been handling shortstop against RHP while Corey Seager's been sidelined, but even when Seager gets back, he should be in the lineup somewhere in a utility role against them. Over his last 12 games, Smith's slashing .314/.467/.371 with three steals, 10 walks and seven runs, and the Rangers are on track to face basically nothing but righties the rest of the way (the next southpaw they see might not come until a series against the Guardians on the final weekend.) Especially if you need a leadoff type hitter rather than a power source, Smith might move the needle for you. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: Rostered 

Miguel Vargas, White Sox: Vargas has started four straight games at third base since returning from the IL, but he's gone just 1-for-13 with four Ks. Curtis Mead was hitting just well enough (11-for-40 in September with five doubles) while Vargas was out to be a viable option if Chicago decides to ride the hot (well, warmer anyway) hand, but the organization seems to want to give the former Dodgers prospect every chance to prove they made the right call taking him back as the headliner in the three-way Michael Kopech/Erick Fedde deal last summer. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Shortstop

Jose Caballero, Yankees: Anthony Volpe's shoulder woes have pushed Caballero into a starting role in the Bronx, and he's hit safely in four straight games while swiping three bases. The steals are likely to be his only reliable fantasy contribution, but if you've got points you can gain in that category, he should be a priority target. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team AL: Rostered

Chase Meidroth, White Sox: Meidroth carries a nine-game hitting streak into Sunday, a stretch in which he's batting .484 (15-for-31) with minimal production otherwise (one homer, zero steals, four runs and five RBI). The 24-year-old infielder is generally more useful in OBP formats, but when there's only two weeks left on the schedule, that kind of surge can't be ignored if you need to make a late move to find some batting average. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: Rostered

Outfield

Zach Cole, Astros: Called up ahead of Friday's game, Cole become just the fifth Astro in history to homer in his first big-league at-bat. He's started two straight games in left field, and with Jose Altuve dealing with a foot injury, Cole might get a long look in front of the Crawford Boxes against RHP. His power at least seems legit – over 97 games this year between Double-A and Triple-A, the 25-year-old launched 19 homers with a .279/.377/.539 slash line, although his 35.1 percent strikeout rate suggests he'll be a liability in batting average while he adjust to MLB pitching. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: $7

Carlos Cortes, Athletics: It's the smallest of samples, but Cortes has homered three times in two games this weekend while Tyler Soderstrom has been nursing a groin issue. All four of his big-league long balls have come since Sept. 6, and he could be bashing his way into a bigger role in the corner outfield rotation for the A's. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Nate Eaton, Red Sox: Eaton's another bench guy making it tough for his manager to take him out of the lineup. Over 11 games in September, the 28-year-old is batting .407 (11-for-27) with two doubles, a homer, a steal, two RBI and seven runs while mainly playing right field. Wilyer Abreu could return from the IL early this week, but Eaton's played every position but catcher and first base this season between Triple-A and the majors, giving Alex Cora options if he wants to see how long Eaton can stay hot. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Joey Loperfido, Blue Jays: Called back up Tuesday, Loperfido has seen minimal playing time so far, even with Addison Barger needed at third base consistently while Ernie Clement helps cover shortstop in Bo Bichette's absence. Loperfido had started to cool down when he was demoted in mid-August, so even if he does begin to see regular starts for Toronto, he almost certainly won't match his current .886 OPS in the majors. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Parker Meadows, Tigers: It's been a rough year overall for the 25-year-old center fielder, but Meadows has looked good since rejoining the 26-man roster in September, going 9-for-25 (.360) with two homers, six runs and six RBI in seven games. His defense will keep him in the lineup, but Meadows' upside is also significantly than most of the other outfielders in this week's column. If that's where you need help, he's worth emptying the tank for. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team AL: $21

Tyler O'Neill, Orioles: O'Neill's the only other player at the position who can compete with Meadows' ceiling, assuming he manages to stay in one piece for the next two weeks. The oft-injured slugger has eight homers in 45 games this season after launching 31 in only 113 games last year, and if his wrist is actually 100 percent, a late power surge isn't out of the question. Since coming off the IL on Friday though, O'Neill's gone 1-for-7 with three strikeouts. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: $11

Austin Martin, Twins: Martin's emerged as Minnesota's primary left fielder of late while mostly hitting second in the order, thanks to a hot streak that's seen him slash .380/.516/.480 over his last 17 games. Despite those numbers and prime lineup spot though, he has zero homers or RBI during that span, instead supplying 12 runs and three steals. The batting average might not be sustainable, but he offers the potential to make an impact in the leadoff categories if that's where you have the most ground to gain. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team AL: $9