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.

The grid below allows readers to see at a glance how certain players stack up against others and what kind of bids they should command in a variety of formats. The grid, which is 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, which are already factored into the recommended bid. Nick Kurtz 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

Kade Anderson, Mariners: Finally promoted after laying waste to Double-A for four months, Anderson looked great for four innings against the Cubs before he faded a bit late. The 22-year-old southpaw fell one out short of a quality start in his debut, but he did serve up two homers in his final frame and almost got tagged for a third earlier in the game, only to watch Randy Arozarena pull it back over the fence. The Cubs were a tough initial assignment for Anderson, though, as they sit first in the majors in wOBA, wRC+ and SLG against lefties. The fact that he has any success at all against them is a strong sign that his combination of three potentially plus secondary pitches, a 93-94 mph fastball that plays up due to the extension and deception in his delivery, and sharp control and command will work just fine at the top level. Bryan Woo's nursing a shoulder issue and Bryce Miller has a 6.47 ERA since the All-Star break, so there's no reason to think Anderson will get bumped from the rotation unless he really struggles. He doesn't even have a workload concern – Anderson tossed 119 innings in 2025 for LSU, and is at just 99 innings as a pro in 2026. 12-team Mixed: $15; 15-team Mixed: $25; 12-team AL: $45

Spencer Arrighetti, Blue Jays: Activated from the IL for a bulk relief appearance Friday, Arrighetti didn't look great in his Jays debut but still showed some strikeout upside with four Ks in 3.1 frames. The right-hander is pitching through a nerve issue in his foot, so there's little reason to think he'll improve on his 4.73 ERA and 1.35 WHIP through 91.1 innings this season, but if he can get the problem addressed in the offseason he should have a rotation spot locked up in 2027 for Toronto. As such, Arrighetti's better viewed as a keeper target in deeper formats than an option to bolster your staff down the stretch in redrafts leagues. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Mike Burrows, Astros: Burrows appears to be on the cusp of coming off the IL after firing nine scoreless innings over two rehab appearances for Triple-A Sugar Land, giving up just four hits with an 8:3 K:BB. The right-hander had a rough start to his first season in Houston before being shut down with an elbow issue in early July, but the guy who posted a 3.90 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 99:34 K:BB over his first 99.1 career MLB innings with Pittsburgh is still in there somewhere. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $3

Ryan Johnson, Angels: Suddenly, the Halos have a glut of starting pitching. Johnson has been stingy in August, posting a 1.69 ERA and 1.08 WHIP over four outings and 21.1 innings despite a 13:11 K:BB, and the 24-year-old has done enough this month to stick around the rest of the way. The problem is, Yusei Kikuchi is about to come off the IL, and nobody is pitching poorly in the rotation right now. A six-man unit might be the answer here until someone pitches their way to the bullpen, and that might even be Kikuchi given how awful he's looked on his rehab assignment. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Yusei Kikuchi, Angels: The veteran lefty will come off the IL on Sunday to face the Rangers, but Kikuchi isn't exactly returning to the majors with much momentum. Over four rehab outings, two at Single-A and two at Triple-A, he served up five homers in 12.2 innings with a ghastly 15.63 ERA and 2.37 WHIP, with his 24:8 K:BB being the only remotely encouraging sign. Kikuchi hasn't pitched in the majors since late April, getting shut down due to shoulder inflammation, but it certainly doesn't look like he's fully healthy yet. With the Angels' current rotation pitching well right now, he may not have much leeway to prove he can handle a regular turn. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Grayson Rodriguez, Angels: I can't remember the last time I features three SPs from the same team in the same week, but here we are. Rodriguez is quietly putting together a solid August, lasting seven innings in two of four starts with a 3.27 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 25:9 K:BB over 22 innings. The 26-year-old righty was once seen as a potential future ace before injuries derailed his career, and he didn't pitch at all in 2025, so it's understandable that it might take him a while to feel comfortable again on the mound. He could be surprisingly valuable down the stretch. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: Rostered

Andrew Sears, Tigers: The 23-year-old southpaw isn't a top prospect, but he's dominated in the high minors after a belated start to 2026 due to bone spurs in his elbow, posting a 2.01 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 49:15 K:BB through 44.2 innings between Double-A and Triple-A. He'll make his big-league debut Sunday in a bulk relief role, and Drew Anderson is hardly locked into a rotation spot, so a big showing from Sears could earn him a longer look. He's mostly a sinker/slider guy who also mixes in a four-seamer and a changeup, but it's his frantic pace on the mound that really stands out – he's constantly in attack mode, and seems intent on making the pitch clock obsolete. (In case you had the same thought I did... the Tigers do not play the Yankees again this year. Darn.) 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Others:

Ethan Pecko, Astros 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Two-start options, Mon-Sun

Via RotoWire's Probable Pitchers grid

Chris Bassitt, Orioles (at STL, at ATH)
George Klassen, Angels (vs. CLE, vs. PHI)
Max Scherzer, Blue Jays (vs. KC, vs. SEA)
Jeffrey Springs, Athletics (vs. MIN, vs. BAL)
Jose Urquidy, White Sox (vs. TEX, at MIN)

Relief Pitcher

Felix Bautista, Orioles: Baltimore's refrained from establishing a set closer since Ryan Helsley went down in late June, and the former Cardinal remains in throwing program limbo with no clear timeline for when he might return. Meanwhile, Bautista will begin a rehab stint Sunday, and while he's been out all year due to shoulder surgery, it looks like he'll be back before Helsley. If the big righty is close to his old form, he should slide back into ninth-inning duties pretty quickly. The O's are beginning his assignment at Double-A, so they could be planning on a quick ramp-up before activating him – understandable for a team that sits just one game back of the final wild-card spot in the AL heading into Sunday. If saves are a priority for you, stashing Bautista now makes some sense. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $3

Nate Pearson, Royals: Pearson picked up another save Friday, his third of the season and second in August with the Royals, and the veteran righty might be the top ninth-inning option in their 'pen at the moment. Carlos Estevez is creeping closer to a new rehab assignment, but his last one ended after just two-thirds of an inning in early May, so expecting him back in 2026 might be asking a lot, especially with Kansas City having little to play for. Both pitchers have a year of team contract left, but Pearson's the more likely guy to be on the 2027 roster – he's got a year of arbitration left and made just $1.35 million this year, while Estevez has a $13 million club option that there would seem to be little chance of getting picked up. If KC is auditioning potential 2027 closers, the team would be better off seeing if Pearson can handle the role. That said, they let Craig Kimbrel get a save Saturday, so maybe 2027 is less of a priority that just getting through 2026. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Others:

Paul Blackburn, Yankees 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1
Tim Herrin, Guardians 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1
Ryan Watson, Angels 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Catcher

Mickey Gasper, Red Sox: Called up last Sunday to take Masataka Yoshida's roster spot, Gasper has started five straight games at DH and gone yard in three of them, going 5-for-15 with eight RBI since his promotion. The 30-year-old switch hitter doesn't have a big reputation as a power hitter, but since the start of 2025 he's launched 24 homers in 184 games between Triple-A and the majors. Roman Anthony is finally healthy and looking good to begin a rehab assignment, so Gasper's window for fantasy value could close quickly, but having catcher eligibility gives him a much lower bar to clear to stay relevant. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

Danny Jansen, Rangers: Out since early June due to a forearm strain, Jansen was activated from the IL on Tuesday and immediately slotted in as Texas' starting catcher ahead of Elias Diaz. Jansen's gone 0-for-9 since his return with five strikeouts, but even when healthy the 31-year-old is just a low-BA power source, and he'll need time to shake off the rust. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Eduardo Valencia, Tigers: Kevin McGonigle remains the AL Rookie of the Year favorite, and Max Clark's been holding his own since his promotion, but Valencia shouldn't be overlooked among Detroit's rookie hitters. In his first 22 big-league games, the 26-year-old catcher has a stunning .344/.365/.738 slash line with six homers and 17 RBI, and that production is earning him some starts at DH in addition to his work spelling Dillon Dingler behind the plate. Colt Keith remains Valencia's biggest obstacle to full-time at-bats, but even without them he's slugged his way onto the fantasy radar in shallow formats. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: Rostered

Others:

Christian Vazquez, Astros 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Second Base

Michael Massey, Royals: The streaky Massey is hot again, popping for a .333/.348/.556 slash line in August with three homers, seven RBI and 10 runs in 18 games. The 28-year-old has stayed mostly healthy this season and has compiled a career-best .751 OPS in 2026 as the hot streaks have outweighed the cold ones, but it's still a little much to expect him to keep up that pace the rest of the way. Grab Massey to plug a hole in the short term, and if he manages to keep raking into September, so much the better. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: Rostered

Christian Moore, Angels: Called back up Saturday in the wake of a couple injuries, Moore may have a clear path to establishing himself as the Angels' regular second baseman if Vaughn Grissom gets used as the primary first baseman while Nolan Schanuel is on the shelf. It feels a bit like Moore's been around forever, but he was only drafted in 2024 (eighth overall, one spot ahead of Konnor Griffin) before getting the rush treatment through the minors the Halos used to specialize in. The 23-year-old hasn't exactly been tearing it up in Triple-A, especially considering where he played his home games, but he had an .871 OPS in August with a 14:14 BB:K in 13 games, which certainly isn't terrible. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $3

Others:

Raynel Delgado, Astros 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1
Michael Stefanic, Athletics 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Third Base

Others:

Darell Hernaiz, Athletics 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1
Amed Rosario, Yankees 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Shortstop

Donovan Walton, Athletics: With Jacob Wilson and Joshua Kuroda-Grauer both on the IL, it's Walton who has re-claimed the starting job at shortstop, ahead of younger guys like the other Max Muncy and Darell Hernaiz, which seems about A's. I have a hard time imagining that's for his glove, either – Statcast has Walton at a minus-6 OAA on the year. The 32-year-old is batting .296 (8-for-27) with a homer and a steal over his last 10 games though, and that might be enough to keep him in the starting nine. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Others:

Alika Williams, Athletics 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Outfield

Gustavo Campero, Angels: With Wade Meckler sidelined, Campero got called up Saturday and started in left field. The 28-year-old switch hitter has gotten little more than cups of coffee in the majors the prior two years, but he put together a .356/.406/.655 slash line at Triple-A Salt Lake this season with seven homers and 23 RBI in 22 games. The batting average will probably get left behind in the PCL desert, but Gustavo could supply some power and speed. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Jonny DeLuca, Rays: DeLuca's started the last two games against right-handed pitching with Victor Mesa on the shelf due to a hamstring issue, and he's got the skills to take advantage of more consistent playing time. The 28-year-old's career numbers against RHP (.252/.293/.403) aren't much different than his numbers against LHP (.241/.295/.357), and he's swiped 37 bags in 48 attempts over 233 MLB games. Mesa doesn't have a timeline for his return and wasn't doing much at the plate anyway, so this could be DeLuca's golden opportunity to escape a short-side platoon for good. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: Rostered