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

Matt Boyd, Tigers: Called back up after eight terrific outings for Triple-A Toledo, Boyd gave Detroit a quality start Tuesday and will be back on the mound Sunday. His stay in the majors may not last much longer than that, as Daniel Norris is close to returning from the DL, but on the other hand the Tigers could send a veteran starter or two packing at the trade deadline, making room for both younger left-handers. Boyd has yet to really click in the big leagues, but he's only 26 and still has a bit of upside. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

Marco Gonzales, Mariners: Acquired from the Cardinals in exchange for slugging outfield prospect Tyler O'Neill, Gonzales could be one more Yovani Gallardo blowup away from getting called up from Triple-A. The 25-year-old lefty doesn't have great strikeout stuff, but he was pitching well for Memphis before being sent west and fits somewhere between Ariel Miranda and James Paxton in terms of upside. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Jake Junis, Royals: The junkballing righty will get another crack at the majors after continuing to dominate Triple-A hitters. The scouting reports suggest Junis is a swing man at best in the Show, but it's easy to look at those minor-league strikeout rates and gamble on his perceived upside despite his poor numbers the last time he was with Kansas City. Don't get sucked in. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Reynaldo Lopez, White Sox: Part of the offseason deal with the Nats that also brought Lucas Giolito to the White Sox, Lopez has been locked in lately for Triple-A Charlotte, reeling off five straight quality starts and posting a 1.74 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 39:6 K:BB in 31 innings over that stretch. With Yoan Moncada already in the big leagues, it's only a matter of time until the team starts bringing up their top pitching prospects to join him, and Lopez seems to have little left to prove at Triple-A. The 23-year-old has a big-time fastball and solid offspeed offerings, and he could quickly become the club's next young ace. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: $11

Collin McHugh, Astros: McHugh returned to action Saturday after missing almost the first four months of the season with elbow trouble and was predictably shaky. The 30-year-old has seen his performance steadily decline since bursting onto the scene in 2014, but Houston will give him a chance to regain his old form before turning back to a younger arm – assuming, of course, that they don't just trade for an established one at the deadline. McHugh's perceived name brand and the strength of the team he'll have around him might push his bidding higher than it should, but don't lose sight of last year's 4.34 ERA and 1.41 WHIP. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team AL: $9

Alex Meyer, Angels: The 27-year-old was dominant in his first start Wednesday after the All-Star break, completely stifling the Nats (the team that drafted him) over seven innings. His control still comes and goes but Meyer has now man-handled two very dangerous offenses in his last three big-league starts, and he could be turning a corner as he learns to trust his changeup a little more as a complement to his 95.7 mph fastball. There's plenty of upside worth speculating on here. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: Owned

Eduardo Rodriguez, Red Sox: Rodriguez looked like his old self in his return to the rotation Monday, in that he struck out eight but still gave up three runs in 5.2 innings. The left-hander has always had great raw stuff, but his inability to stay healthy or turn that stuff into consistent production has frustrated plenty of fantasy GMs over the last few years. He's still only 24, though, and with the Boston offense backing him he could go on a tear through the second half. 12-team Mixed: $4; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team AL: Owned

Danny Salazar, Cleveland: Salazar was brilliant Saturday in his first big-league start since early June, allowing one measly hit and fanning eight in seven innings. When he's healthy and in sync, the right-hander can dominate any lineup, and it looks like Cleveland's patience with his recovery has paid dividends. If he was cut loose due to his early-season struggles and subsequent DL stint, don't hesitate to bid big here. Yes, he can be inconsistent, but there's also no guarantee a pitcher with more value enters the AL free-agent pool at the trade deadline. 12-team Mixed: $15; 15-team Mixed: $35; 12-team AL: $75

Tyler Skaggs, Angels: The 26-year-old lefty has had a slow recovery from an oblique strain, but he's finally begun a rehab stint and posted an 8:0 K:BB in seven innings over his first two appearances. The Angels are somehow still in the wild card hunt, sitting 3.5 games back of a spot, so if Skaggs rejoins the rotation in early August and pitches like he did in his last few April starts before getting hurt (1.42 ERA, 19:4 K:BB in 19 innings) he could provide a nice boost to their postseason chances. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team AL: $9

Chris Smith, Athletics: The 36-year-old journeyman gave the A's seven good innings Tuesday and will make another start Monday against the Jays while the club waits for Jharel Cotton (finger) to get fit. Smith has delivered two quality starts in his two July outings so far, but this isn't some kind of Rich Hill miracle rebirth here. His fastball sits in the mid 80s, and he's been succeeding on smoke and mirrors. Still, he is succeeding, and it's not like Toronto is the same offensive juggernaut they've been the last couple of seasons, so he's worth considering as a streaming option. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Cesar Valdez, Blue Jays: Aaron Sanchez's latest bout of blisters opens up a rotation spot in Toronto that will be filled this time around by Valdez. The 32-year-old righty doesn't have great stuff and has never found much success in the majors, but he did look good in relief of Sanchez on Wednesday, so why not. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Relief Pitcher

Alex Claudio, Rangers: While everyone anxiously waits for Keone Kela to take on the closing mantle in Texas, Claudio just quietly goes about his business getting saves. He's got four now, and while a soft-tossing lefty isn't your stereotypical ninth-inning arm, it's hard to ignore the fact that Jeff Banister keeps trotting him out there. He's probably just a short-term option for saves, but yaneverknow. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: $7

Tyler Clippard, White Sox: Clippard hasn't pitched well this season – in fact, his numbers have been degrading for a few years now – but he's got closing experience and, well, that's about it. The 32-year-old has yet to get a save chance since coming over from the Yankees in the Todd Frazier deal, but even on a rebuilding team like the White Sox he should still see a handful of opportunities down the stretch. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $13; 12-team AL: $27

Shane Greene, Tigers: If Justin Wilson gets traded at the deadline, Detroit has a few options to replace him in the ninth inning. At various times in the last couple of years both Bruce Rondon and Joe Jimenez have been tabbed as the club's "closer of the future", but Greene has been the best setup arm for the team in 2017. Like seemingly every right-hander with a big fastball in the Tigers' 'pen, Greene's control isn't the best, but he hasn't allowed a run in July and has nine Ks in 8.1 innings on the month. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Luke Gregerson, Astros: Gregerson lucked into a save Tuesday when Houston tacked on some insurance runs in the top of the ninth, but it's nice to see the right-hander getting high-leverage work again. He's got a 1.53 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 24:6 K:BB in 17.2 innings since the beginning of June, and while he might not get another save in 2017, he should keep racking up holds and strong ratios. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Keone Kela, Rangers: Kela returned to action Saturday, working the eighth inning in front of Claudio without any trouble. He's had a strong rebound season that includes a 43:14 K:BB in 31.1 innings, and the right-hander should still be considered the nominal favorite to assume closer duties once he's proven he's fully recovered from his shoulder injury. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: $13

David Phelps, Mariners: Flipped to Seattle for a bushel of B-grade prospects, Phelps should immediately slot in as Edwin Diaz's top setup man. The 30-year-old right-hander hasn't been quite as sharp in 2017 as he was last year, but he figures to be a solid source of holds and strikeouts over the final two months with at least decent ratios, and he remains a somewhat intriguing stash option in keeper leagues as the M's could elect to try him in the rotation next season. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Bruce Rondon, Tigers: Rondon's numbers are still marred by a couple of rough appearances in April, but since being called up in late June the power righty's posted a 2.79 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB in 9.2 innings. If the Tigers find themselves with a vacancy at closer after the trade deadline, Rondon could well get a look. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Anthony Swarzak, White Sox: As someone who had Tommy Kahnle stashed in two leagues, let's just say I was less than thrilled with the details of the recent Yankees/White Sox trade. If there's a rule when it comes to spec closer plays, though, it's not to become too attached to any of them, so it's time to move on. If Clippard can't get the job done, Swarzak seems like the next man up given his strong numbers on the year. Plus, it's not like the team has many other options. Nate Jones isn't walking through that door. Zack Burdi isn't walking through that door. Carson Fulmer... OK, Fulmer might walk through the door, but the White Sox still haven't given up on him as a starter yet. If it ain't Clippard, it pretty much has to be Swarzak. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Second Base

Yoan Moncada, White Sox: With Frazier now in pinstripes, the White Sox finally brought Moncada up from Triple-A where he had a solid .824 OPS with 12 homers and 17 steals in 80 games, and a less-solid 28.3 percent strikeout rate. The consensus top fantasy prospect in baseball is just 1-for-9 since his promotion, but remarkably enough he's drawn two walks and has yet to strike out, which is about as encouraging a 1-for-9 as a young player like Moncada can have. He's 22 years old and has legit five-category upside from a middle infield position. If that's the kind of asset that can help your fantasy roster, there's little reason not to bid big on him. 12-team Mixed: $21; 15-team Mixed: $45; 12-team AL: $85

Cliff Pennington, Angels: The Angels are giving Nick Franklin yet another chance, bless their hearts, but it's not going to happen. When it doesn't, someone will have to play second base for them, and right now that someone would be Pennington. The veteran utility player doesn't offer much fantasy upside – he hasn't hit double-digit steals since 2012, and never provided much power – but semi-regular at-bats in an offense with Mike Trout in it has to be worth something. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Third Base

Colin Moran, Astros: I was all set to give Moran a nice write-up today, as it looked like he would get a lot of playing time while Carlos Correa was on the shelf and had found his power stroke this season at Triple-A, but then he fouled a ball off his face Saturday night and potentially fractured his orbital bone. Moran now looks set to join Correa on the DL, putting a severe damper on his value in re-draft leagues, but there's still some stash possibilities here in dynasty formats given his .306/.373/.543 line for Triple-A Fresno. The 24-year-old will probably need a trade to find a starting gig in 2018, but a lot can happen over the offseason. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Ruben Tejada, Orioles: J.J. Hardy's still a couple of weeks away from rejoining the lineup, and Tejada is giving the O's no reason to rush him back. The former Met is hitting .340 in July, and while he doesn't offer any power or speed he has scored 11 runs in 15 games this month, making his batting average not quite empty. With dual eligibility at 3B and SS in most formats, he's got some value as a two-category producer. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Ronald Torreyes, Yankees: Starlin Castro's back on the DL after aggravating his hamstring, which puts Torreyes back at second base. He's been a solid bench option for the Yankees this year, but he won't give fantasy rosters much more than a decent batting average. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Shortstop

Tyler Wade, Yankees: Called up to take Castro's spot on the roster, Wade's had a good season at Triple-A and has some wheels, but the Yankees seem content with what Torreyes can give them in the starting lineup, which will limit Wade's opportunities for playing time. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Outfield

Jim Adduci, Tigers: Adduci takes J.D. Martinez's spot on the Detroit roster, but he won't take the slugger's spot in the starting lineup. Neither Alex Presley nor Mikie Mahtook are exactly stars, though, so if either one falters Adduci could get some extra reps. For now, however, he's purely a depth option. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Abraham Almonte, Cleveland: The team made it quite clear this week that Tyler Naquin is not a part of their plans, which would seem to leave Almonte as the starting left fielder until Lonnie Chisenhall gets healthy. The 28-year-old has a bit of speed and a smidge of power, but his main value will come simply via consistent at-bats. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

Nick Franklin, Angels: The Angels' new starting second baseman has made his usual first impression on his new club, going 2-for-20. Franklin's still only 26 and has a career .267/.353/.430 slash line with 38 homers and 35 steals in about two seasons worth of games at Triple-A, so it's not like he's a total lost cause, but he also has a .214/.286/.359 line in over 900 big-league plate appearances. There's little reason at this point to expect the former level of performance rather than the latter. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Zack Granite, Twins: Granite's gotten a chance to play every day with Byron Buxton sidelined and has started to find his footing in the majors, going 7-for-19 (.368) over the last five games with a couple of steals. Buxton should be back early next week, but Granite's recent hot streak could earn him extra at-bats, either in a corner outfield spot or even at DH, where Robbie Grossman has gone cold again. If you need speed, he could make an impact in that category down the stretch. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

Brock Holt, Red Sox: Holt came off the DL last Sunday and immediately took over regular third-base duties for the BoSox, going a feeble 4-for-23 over the past week. The fact that the Yankees grabbed Todd Frazier makes the pickings pretty slim at third base on the trade market, so there's a reasonable chance Holt hangs onto the starting gig for the rest of the year. As he's shown in his career, though, he wears down quickly with regular at-bats, and he doesn't offer much fantasy value beyond a good batting average and a spot in a potent lineup. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: $7

Mikie Mahtook, Tigers: With J.D. Martinez gone, Mahtook has settled in as the Tigers' starting center fielder and caught fire at the plate, hitting .407 (11-for-27) since the All-Star break with two homers, five RBI and five runs in eight games. Unless the organization does something crazy like calling Christian Stewart up from Double-A, the job looks like it will be his as long as he's contributing, which gives Mahtook potentially decent fantasy value. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team AL: $9

Matt Olson, Athletics: Oakland does love getting maximum value out of option years on its players. Olson's back up after spending a couple of weeks in Nashville, but his classic Three True Outcomes profile hasn't changed. Barring a trade, though, there's no obvious starting spot for the 23-year-old. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Alex Presley, Tigers: Like Mahtook, Presley is now a default starting option in the Detroit outfield as their right fielder. Also like Mahtook, he's taking advantage of his opportunity, hitting .414 (12-for-29) since the break, albeit with just a lonely RBI in nine games. Unlike Mahtook, the 31-year-old doesn't have much in the way of upside and his fantasy value could evaporate in a hurry. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Ben Revere, Angels: ShockinglyCameron Maybin is hurt again, which puts Revere back in the starting lineup. It feels like he's been around forever, but Revere is only 29 and still in his prime, so his production in the four games since Maybin hurt his knee (.286, two steals, three runs) seems entirely sustainable. Maybin could be back in early August, but it rarely hurts to bet the over on the length of one of his DL stints, so Revere should have solid short-term value. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

Shane Robinson, Angels: Robinson will replace Revere on the Angels' bench while Maybin's out, and he has a similar skill set, hitting a fairly empty .338 for Triple-A Salt Lake this year with 12 steals in 66 games. Barring another injury, don't expect Robinson to see much playing time over the next few weeks. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1