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

Mike Burrows, Astros: Burrows looks set to rejoin the rotation this week after posting a 2.03 ERA and 15:5 K:BB in 13.1 innings over three rehab appearances for Triple-A Sugar Land. The right-hander will drop right into a two-start week as well, facing the ChiSox and D-backs at home, but the fact that he didn't complete five innings in any of those rehab outings gives him added risk if you're hunting for wins or quality starts. Burrows 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: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: $11

Cal Quantrill, Rangers: With both Nathan Eovaldi and Jack Leiter struggling to get back into action – Leiter's already set join the bullpen, if he's even able to pitch again for Texas this season – Quantrill's spot in the rotation suddenly looks a lot more secure. The journeyman righty has been pitching well enough to keep his job anyway, reeling off three straight quality starts and producing a 1.45 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 29:4 K:BB over 31 innings in August. His track record doesn't suggest he'll keep up that pace for long, but with only one month left on the calendar, he doesn't need to. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: Rostered

Elmer Rodriguez, Yankees: The 23-year-old right-hander is set to make one more start in the majors this week to buy some extra rest for the Yankees' usual starters, and it's a juicy one on the road against the Angels, who sit dead last in the majors in wOBA against RHP. Rodriguez looked solid in his last outing Wednesday, posting a 6:2 K:BB in a quality start against Houston, and he's got a bit of extra appeal in keeper formats -- New York's rotation looks pretty set for 2027, but Rodriguez could end up being one trade or injury away from a spot. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Two-start options, Mon-Sun

Via RotoWire's Probable Pitchers grid

Spencer Arrighetti, Blue Jays (at CLE, at KC)
Randy Dobnak, Royals (vs. MIA, vs. TOR)
J.T. Ginn, Athletics (at TEX, at SEA)
Jackson Jobe, Tigers (at MIN, at CLE)
Gage Jump, Athletics (at TEX, at SEA)
Anthony Kay, White Sox (at HOU, vs. MIN)
Peter Lambert, Astros (vs. CHW, vs. ARI)
Ian Seymour, Rays (vs. NYM, at TEX)

Relief Pitcher

Elvis Alvarado, Athletics: The Sacramento Exiles haven't had a stable closer situation all year. Why start now? Alvarado has picked up three of the team's last four saves though, and the fourth went to Hogan Harris when Alvarado was unavailable after working the prior two days. The right-hander doesn't quite have elite stuff by modern standards, but a high-90s fastball and an above-average slider are a good starting point, and the difference for him in 2026 has been a splitter he's deployed against lefties that's generating a 47.1 percent whiff rate. If he can develop that into a true out pitch against all batters, his profile suddenly looks a whole lot better. Alvarado's only been tagged for earned runs once in 14 August appearances, posting a 1.50 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB in 12 innings with a win and three holds, in addition to those three saves. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: $11

Bryan Hudson, White Sox: Speaking of frustrating closer situations, just when it looked like Grant Taylor would finally be allowed to run with the gig, Hudson steps in and snags Chicago's last two saves Friday and Saturday. Taylor pitched 2.2 innings earlier in Friday's game, so he likely wasn't available for either, but that usage alone isn't a great sign he's going to be reserved exclusively for ninth-inning leads. Meanwhile, Hudson did see that sort of usage, and Saturday's appearance came against a clutch of right-handed hitters, so the southpaw isn't simply being deployed to get a platoon advantage. Hudson's 4.35 ERA in August hides a 1.06 WHIP and 9:0 K:BB over 10.1 innings, and manager Will Venable could be comfortable using Taylor as a highest-leverage fireman, with Hudson the first guy up if Taylor doesn't end up working the ninth. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: $7

Others:

Luis Medina, Athletics 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1
Manuel Rodriguez, Rays 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1
Garrett Whitlock, Red Sox 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Catcher

Logan O'Hoppe, Rangers: Added to the big-league roster last weekend, O'Hoppe has been used as a short-side platoon option at catcher and DH by Texas. That's not a role with shallow league value, but neither Danny Jansen nor Elias Diaz are exactly superstars, or iron men for that matter, ahead of him on the depth. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

First Base

Justin Foscue, Rangers: Foscue and Cody Freeman have been jockeying for playing time at the keystone while Ezequiel Duran is needed at third base to cover for Josh Jung again, and neither has gained an advantage. Since Freeman was called up Aug. 14, he's slashing .286/.390/.429 in 43 PA, while Foscue has a .281/.361/.563 line in 36 PAs. Foscue's got the edge in power but is better in a short-side platoon role, so he's unlikely to fully seize a starting job. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Nick Sogard, Red Sox: Sogard's been on a roll, slashing .313/.400/.604 over his last 12 games with five doubles, three homers, seven RBI and 10 runs. There's about to be a playing-time squeeze in Boston with Trevor Story and Roman Anthony coming off the IL, but Sogard's got the hot hand and should be prioritized at second base over the likes of Andruw Monasterio. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: Rostered

Second Base

Cody Freeman, Rangers: Freeman and Justin Foscue have been jockeying for playing time at the keystone while Ezequiel Duran is needed at third base to cover for Josh Jung again, and neither has gained an advantage. Since Freeman was called up Aug. 14, he's slashing .286/.390/.429 in 43 PA, while Foscue has a .281/.361/.563 line in 36 PAs. Freeman's got more defensive versatility and patience at the plate, but those qualities could keep him stuck in a utility role, and neither guy has been great against RHP. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Hao-Yu Lee, Tigers: The 23-year-old has emerged as Detroit's top option at third base, producing a .278/.381/.389 slash line over his last 12 games with a homer, a steal, five RBI and six runs. Colt Keith remains a threat at the hot corner, and if Javier Baez isn't needed so much in the outfield at some point he'll start pushing Kevin McGonigle back to third base on occasion as well, but at least in the short term, Lee's the bee's knees. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Third Base

Blaze Alexander, Orioles: Activated from the IL on Friday after missing about six weeks with a fractured hand, Alexander will get a chance to reclaim the starting job at third base from the inconsistent duo of Coby Mayo and Christian Encarnacion-Strand. Alexander had been red hot when he went down, slashing .348/.411/.500 over his last 20 games before the IL stint, but it's always risky to assume someone returning from a hand or wrist issue will simply pick up where they left off. The 27-year-old infielder did hit leadoff and go 1-for-5 his first game back, with three of his five batted balls having exit velocities above 95 mph, so that's at least encouraging. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team AL: $9

Max Muncy, Athletics: Muncy the Younger has been the top option for the A's at DH of late with Carlos Cortes needed in left field against RHP, and over his last 10 games he's delivered a .273/.368/.485 slash line with a couple homers. Muncy's also struck out at just a 23.7 percent pace during that stretch, a huge improvement on his 32.6 percent rate for the season in the majors. If he can keep making more consistent contact, he should be able to keep a regular spot in the lineup. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

Josh Rojas, Royals: The veteran infielder is getting a look as a strong-side platoon player at third base while Maikel Garcia is back on the shelf, and over the last three games he's racked up four hits including a double and a homer. Rojas is purely a short-term fantasy play, but the Royals face nothing but right-handed pitching this week so he should get plenty of at-bats. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Others:

Patrick Wisdom, Mariners 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Shortstop

J.P. Crawford, Mariners: Crawford basically tagged in for Brendan Donovan on the active roster, coming off the IL just after the former Cardinal landed back on it due to a concussion. Colt Emerson is done for the year, so the starting shortstop job should belong to Crawford once again in what's likely to be his Seattle swan song, as he's set to hit free agency this winter. The 31-year-old is more floor than ceiling and has gone just 2-for-13 since returning from a one-month absence due to wrist trouble, but he's shown in the past he's capable of going on a heater for a couple weeks. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

Trevor Story, Red Sox: Out since mid-May after undergoing surgery for a sports hernia, Story rejoined the Boston roster Sunday. He didn't exactly look all the way back on his rehab assignment, going 6-for-35 (.171) at Triple-A Worcester without a homer or a steal, but he'll get to shake off the rest of his rust in the majors. The 33-year-old had a .206/.244/.303 when he was shut down, and I'm not sure you should expect a whole lot better than that from him in September, but Story's name value will still inflate the bidding on him. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team AL: $15

Outfield

Roman Anthony, Red Sox: Speaking of Red Sox who will draw big bids... Anthony was expected to be a breakout star this season, but instead he limped to a .675 OPS with just one homer in 30 games before tearing a tendon in his finger in early May. The 22-year-old took forever to recover – something to keep in mind for the future, the next time he gets hurt – but unlike Story, Anthony showed some life on his rehab stint, going 7-for-25 (.280) with two doubles and two home runs in eight games between Double-A Portland and Worcester. With the AL's top prospect pool basically drained of likely September promotions, Anthony should be the guy you throw your remaining budget at if you're looking for a potential impact hitter. His .292/.396/.463 line in his big-league debut last year was no fluke. 12-team Mixed: $15; 15-team Mixed: $25; 12-team AL: $45

Colton Cowser, Orioles: This has been a lost season for Cowser, on the heels of a disappointing 2025, so his future in Baltimore is very much in question. The 26-year-old could be putting together a big finish, though, hitting safely in six straight games and slashing .347/.377/.714 since Aug. 7 with three doubles, five homers, eight runs and eight RBI over 53 PAs as the strong side of a center-field platoon. He's flashed getting hot before, only to quickly cool down, but he could be playing for his baseball life down the stretch. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: Rostered

Walker Jenkins, Twins: Figures. Last week I didn't write Jenkins up, assuming that if the Twins weren't going to call him up when Austin Martin got hurt, they weren't going to do it at all. (Instead they brought up Alex Jackson as a third catcher, and he hasn't even gotten into a game since then. Brilliant.) With Byron Buxton's hip bothering him again though, Minnesota changed their minds (?) and brought their top prospect up Friday instead to cover center field. Jenkins destroyed Triple-A pitching in August, slashing .411/.488/.795 in 18 games with eight homers and seven steals, and he's looked fairly comfortable at the plate in his first two MLB games. I'm hesitant to recommend bids at Anthony's level here, just because the Twins aren't exactly behaving in a predictable way with Jenkins and could do something silly like limit his playing time once Buxton's back, but in theory he's got as much upside as the Boston youngster, and he should get all the at-bats he can handle. 12-team Mixed: $11; 15-team Mixed: $21; 12-team AL: $35

Nathan Lukes, Blue Jays: Lukes has found some pop of late, homering four times in his last eight games after hitting just six in his first 93 contests this season. The 32-year-old has never been a slugger at any level, but the Blue Jays have a track record as an organization of unlocking power in hitters. It could just be Lukes' turn to take advantage. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: Rostered

Tristan Peters, White Sox: Nobody's whiplashed between blistering hot and ice cold this season quite like Peters. The tap is cranked all the way into scalding right now though, and over his last 15 games the 26-year-old former Savannah Banana has a .388/.455/.837 slash line with four doubles, six homers, 11 runs and 12 RBI. The White Sox will keep him in the lineup as long as he's crushing the ball. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: Rostered

Tyler Tolbert, Royals: It's the time of year in AL-only and extremely deep mixed leagues when you can start to get ruthless with your roster, and make decisions based on how many points you can gain/lose in specific categories and ignore who you "should" have active based on how big a star they are. Tolbert's the exact kind of guy to stash on your bench and plug in when you have plenty of gain in steals, and not much to lose elsewhere. The 28-year-old speedster has gone 6-for-6 on SB attempts in August while seeing just 46 plate appearances, posting a .256/.370/.333 slash line with two RBI and nine runs. He's got little power and doesn't see enough playing time to help in other counting stats, but those steals could be gold in September in the right circumstances. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Others:

Matthew Lugo, Royals 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1
Nelson Velazquez, Astros 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1