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.

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 skills and role on an A-E scale. Rafael Devers 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.

AL FAAB | NL FAAB

Starting Pitcher

Erasmo Ramirez, Mariners: It's a thin crop of free-agent SPs in the AL this week. Ramirez looked solid in his first two starts off the DL, allowing only one run in 10 innings to two legit offenses in the Dodgers and Astros. He doesn't have a big fantasy upside due to the lack of strikeouts, but the 28-year-old (he's only 28? Really?) should provide the M's with a workmanlike effort from the back of the rotation, which is a definite step up from what Felix Hernandez has been doing this year. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team AL: $9

Sean Reid-Foley, Blue Jays: Profiled last week, I'm scaling back Reid-Foley's suggested bids due to his struggles in his first two big-league starts. Getting strafed by the Yankees is one thing, but being unable to put away the Royals is quite another. SRF still makes for a reasonable dynasty or keeper stash, but he may not be of much help down the stretch in 2018, even though the Jays have nothing to lose by leaving him in the rotation and letting him take his lumps. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Adam Plutko, Cleveland: Trevor Bauer's injury opens up a rotation spot for Plutko, and he looked fairly sharp Saturday in a loss to the Orioles, although it was only the Orioles. The best-case scenario for the 26-year-old remains peak Josh Tomlin, but with the Cleveland offense backing him, Plutko should have some value down the stretch and he'll be a solid streaming option against the also-rans in the AL Central. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Jorge Lopez, Royals: Part of the haul for Mike Moustakas, Lopez got scalded Wednesday by the Jays in his first big-league start since 2015, but the Royals will stick with him, because why not? The 25-year-old still pops 94 mph with his fastball and has the arsenal of a mid-rotation arm, but until he refines his control and command, he's little more than a spec keeper stash. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Roenis Elias, Mariners: Elias will come off the DL and step into James Paxton's rotation spot Sunday. He hasn't thrown more than four innings in any outing this season, so don't expect a lot of length from Elias, but Paxton isn't certain to miss only one start so the 30-year-old could stick around for a bit. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Ryan Carpenter, Tigers: The southpaw picked up his first big-league win Saturday but allowed three homers while doing so, which tells you everything you need to know about Carpenter's volatility. His Triple-A numbers the last couple of years suggest he's got a little upside in strikeouts, but until he figures out a way to keep the ball in the park he'll be a severe ratio risk. Consider him a poor man's Mike Fiers. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Hector Velazquez, Red Sox: Velazquez will fill in for Chris Sale on Sunday, but even with the Red Sox offense supporting him, he's not much of a streaming option. Velazquez hasn't pitched more than three innings in a game since April, so the chances of him lasting long enough to get a win are slim. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Odrisamer Despaigne, Angels: The more things change for Despaigne, the more he stays Odrisamer. Now pitching for his fourth team in four years, he was predictably bad in his Angels debut Friday in Arlington. There's no upside here – he's a 31-year-old journeyman who can eat some innings for a team that doesn't have anyone with a future they'd prefer to give those innings to instead. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Glenn Sparkman, Royals: Sparkman made his first big-league start Thursday and wasn't great, but Kansas City will probably keep him in the rotation for the rest of the year just to see what he can do. Based on his minor-league numbers, the answer is probably, "Not much". 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Jacob Turner, Tigers: Ugh. Teams keep giving him chances because of his pedigree, and he keeps setting them on fire. Now back with the organization that drafted him in the first round in 2009, expect Turner to be a ratio-killer but to stick around anyway, because who else has Detroit got right now? 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Relief Pitcher

Ken Giles, Blue Jays: In case you're keeping score at home, so far it's Giles three saves, Roberto Osuna zero since they were swapped for each other. The Jays have decided to hand the former Astro their ninth-inning reins, figuring they had nothing to lose but more ballgames, and he's been the same erratic pitcher he was in Houston, converting three straight save chances but being scored upon in four of seven appearances with Toronto. You can't count on Giles to help your ratios, but he'll get some strikeouts and saves. If he got kicked to the curb sometime between his demotion by the 'Stros and the deal to the Jays, he's probably your best bet to stick in a closer role down the stretch. 12-team Mixed: $8; 15-team Mixed: $19; 12-team AL: $39

Trevor Hildenberger, Twins: Never say Twins manager Paul Molitor isn't willing to see something through to the bitter end. Hildenberger has been viewed as the team's "closer of the future" for a couple of years now (ever since Nick Burdi flamed out), so by gum, he's going to get a good long look in the role now that it's open, 4.58 ERA or no 4.58 ERA. Hildenberger could make it work – despite his lack of closer stuff, he does have a deceptive sidearm delivery that can make hitters look occasionally silly, and he's converted three straight save chances – but he isn't going to make Minnesota fans forget Joe Nathan. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team AL: Owned

Ty Buttrey, Angels: Buttrey was part of the package the Angels received for Ian Kinsler, and the former Red Sox prospect will get a look in a high-leverage role for the rest of the year. Given how tumultuous the closer situation has been this year for the Halos, it's not out of the question he sees some ninth-inning work over the final weeks, and he's one of my favorite stash targets in keeper leagues if you're hunting for 2019 saves. Buttrey's got an intimidating presence on the mound, and his numbers for Triple-A Pawtucket prior to the trade (2.25 ERA, 64:14 K:BB in 44 innings) backed up his scouting reports, which suggested he needed only to improve the command on his high-90s fastball and nasty, splitter-like changeup to become a reliable late-inning arm. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Ryan Brasier, Red Sox: Brasier is shaping up to be one of the year's most notable comeback stories. He made his big-league debut in 2013 with the Angels and hadn't been seen since, after injuries cost him basically all of 2014 and 2015. He got his career back on track in Japan last year, and now he's working the eighth inning in front of Craig Kimbrel for the playoff-bound Red Sox. He's earned that role, too. Brasier has combined a high-90s four-seam fastball with a power sinker and vicious slider to produce a 1.00 ERA and 18:5 K:BB in his first 17 innings with Boston, and he's already got five holds. He needs to be added in holds leagues immediately, but even in standard 5x5, he's got the high-K/low-ratio combo to be a useful fantasy arm. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Victor Alcantara, Tigers: While Joe Jimenez retains the "closer of the future" tag for the Tigers, he may be getting some competition in Alcantara. The 25-year-old has been lights out lately, posting a 0.61 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 12:2 K:BB in 14.2 innings since the All-Star break. He's being used in more of a key long-relief role than as a setup man – he's pitched more than one inning five times in his last 11 appearances, and he has only one hold – but if Detroit is thinking of employing more Houston-like bullpen usage, that's not a bad thing for the fantasy value of a guy like Alcantara, even if he doesn't wind up in the saves mix. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Catcher

Welington Castillo, White Sox: Castillo is set to be reinstated from his suspension Thursday, and Omar Narvaez is hitting .222 so far in August. There's no real reason to think Castillo won't immediately reclaim the starting gig, and over the last two seasons he's been good for about a homer every fifth game or so (six in 33 games prior to his suspension in 2018, 20 in 96 games last year for the O's). If he's starting, and maintaining that pace, that means you can expect about five long balls from the 31-year-old over the rest of the season – a very nice windfall from a usually barren roster spot in two-catcher leagues. 12-team Mixed: $6; 15-team Mixed: $15; 12-team AL: $35

Danny Jansen, Blue Jays: Jansen's come out of the gate firing, starting four of the last six games behind the plate while going 6-for-14 with a homer. The rookie's locking down the No. 1 catcher job for the Jays, both for the rest of the season and for the foreseeable future, and while his bat should cool down, the playing time alone makes him valuable at the weakest position in fantasy. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: $13

Rene Rivera, Angels: Rivera came off the DL on Wednesday and spanked the game-winning homer, which is a good way to try and make sure your name is on the lineup card a lot. So far, it's worked – the 35-year-old has started three of four games since his activation, although he'll probably split time in some fashion with Francisco Arcia down the stretch rather than being the clear starter. Rivera showed last year he's got a little power when he gets playing time, but that's about the extent of his fantasy appeal. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Blake Swihart, Red Sox: Swihart's back off the DL and back in the backup catcher job for Boston. He's started exactly one game since rejoining the roster Tuesday, so don't expect much playing time behind Sandy Leon – much less when Christian Vazquez gets healthy too. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Second Base

Robinson Cano, Mariners: Cano rejoined the Mariners' lineup Tuesday, and the current plan seems to be to use him as a super-utility player rather than handing him the second-base job back, a scenario designed to keep Dee Gordon sharp at the keystone in case Seattle makes the playoffs (which Cano won't be eligible for). That's good news for Cano's fantasy value if he can pick up some extra position flex, most likely at first base, but that will pale in comparison to how quickly he can shake off his rust at the plate. So far, the 35-year-old is doing exactly that -- while he's still looking for his first extra-base hit since his return, a 5-for-17 performance isn't too shabby. 12-team Mixed: $19; 15-team Mixed: $39; 12-team AL: $69

Logan Forsythe, Twins: There may still be people sleeping on how well Forsythe is hitting for the Twins – when I did my weekly sweep to prepare for this column, I noticed the 31-year-old was still sitting on the waiver wire in one of the Tout Wars 15-team mixed leagues. Dude's hitting .379 with eight RBI in 16 games with Minnesota. C'mon now. Forsythe is still looking for his first homer as a Twin, but four doubles suggests it's only a matter of time. If he's reclaiming his 2016 form, now's your last chance to get on board. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team AL: Owned

Gordon Beckham, Mariners: Beckham is back to give the M's some infield depth while Jean Segura is away on paternity leave, and he'll be kicked off the roster again soon enough. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Third Base

Taylor Ward, Angels: The good news is that Ward's breakout campaign has continued in the majors, as he's begun his big-league career by going 6-for-18 with a homer in five games. The bad news is that he's been doing it at third base, which means even in leagues where he has catcher eligibility due to the 63 games he played there last year, he won't keep it in 2019. It's still hard to get a read on the 24-year-old's ultimate upside – he probably won't be a consistent .300-plus hitter in the bigs, but the power and speed he's flashed this season (14 HR, 18 SB in 102 games between Double-A and Triple-A) could be somewhat legit – but the 2015 first-round pick has the look of a classic late bloomer due to the Angels' waffling on his position in the minors, and Ward turning into the next Josh Donaldson (a player who also didn't stick at catcher before moving to third base to concentrate on his hitting) wouldn't be the most shocking development ever, making him a very strong stash candidate in keeper and dynasty formats. The listed recommended bids assume he's 3B-only; if you're in a re-draft league where he does qualify at catcher, $3/$7/$15 might be more appropriate. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team AL: $9

Shortstop

Ronald Torreyes, Yankees: The 25-year-old is back up to provide some infield depth for the Yankees, but it would take an injury for him to have a meaningful role. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Outfield

Nomar Mazara, Rangers: Out since just before the All-Star break due to a thumb sprain, Mazara promptly homered in his first game back Thursday, so it seems safe to say the thumb is fine. While his big-league numbers so far may seem a little disappointing given the hype around him as a prospect, Mazara is still only 23 years old, and not everybody can be Juan Soto or Ronald Acuna. There's still superstar potential in Mazara's bat, so if he got cut loose, grab him. 12-team Mixed: $15; 15-team Mixed: $35; 12-team AL: Owned

Tommy Pham, Rays: Pham came off the DL on Thursday and hasn't quite made a huge splash, grabbing two hits in his first game with the Rays but going 0-for-6 since. He's still the biggest bat to enter the AL player pool at the trade deadline, even if his actual debut got delayed a little, and anyone with FAAB dollars left is probably going to use them here. Bid accordingly.12-team Mixed: Owned; 15-team Mixed: Owned; 12-team AL: $75

Greg Allen, Cleveland: Allen's latest promotion might be the one that finally sticks. Given consistent at-bats in center field, the 25-year-old is hitting .333 (10-for-30) over the last nine games with four steals in five attempts. Neither Leonys Martin now Tyler Naquin will be back any time soon, so the starting gig is Allen's as long as he's producing, and from a fantasy perspective those stolen bases are gold. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: $13

Billy McKinney, Blue Jays: Still only 23 years old, McKinney's prospect status is hanging by a thread as he tries to make his mark with his third organization. A .226/.299/.495 slash line in 56 games for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before the trade to the Jays highlights his downside, and he's never really tapped into the power projection he was given a few years ago. Toronto also has plenty of other options in corner outfield spots that might have futures with the club, so if he's not hitting, they'll have little reason to force McKinney into the lineup. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Mikie Mahtook, Tigers: This guy again. Mahtook's homered twice in five starts since his latest promotion, and he'll probably keep starting in left field while he's hitting, but the cutoff date for any Mahtook hot streak is the day you add him to your fantasy roster. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Craig Gentry, Orioles: Gentry came off the DL to fill Adam Jones' roster spot while the latter is on the bereavement list. The 34-year-old could steal a base or two while he's getting playing time, but that's about it, and he may not even keep a bench job once Jones returns if the club decides they'd rather take a look at younger players. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Drew Robinson / Carlos Tocci, Rangers: Delino Deshields is hurt again, so Robinson is back with the Rangers again. He'll probably split time in center field with Rule 5 pick Carlos Tocci, but neither one would have much fantasy appeal even if they were a full-time starter. both – 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1