AL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week

Welcome to the first regular-season FAAB cycle in 10 months. It sure feels good to have real, live MLB games to analyze. I'll be your replacement Erik to guide you through this week's list of potential pickups.

FAAB seems sure to be quite a battle this season. On the one hand, there are only 58 games left, meaning we should all have the same sense of urgency we'd have if we were in striking distance of the league leader in late July. On the other hand, tiny samples are just as irrelevant as ever from a predictive perspective, meaning we should be as stoic in the face of surprising early performances as we'd normally be in late March. Ultimately, the players who strike the correct balance between urgency and patience will be those who are the most successful this season.

As a reminder, 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 skills and role on an A-E scale. As always, if there's a player you're interested in who isn't listed here, feel free to ask about them in the comments.

STARTING PITCHER

Daniel Mengden, Athletics: Mengden's 4.68 ERA and 17.3 percent strikeout rate in 290.1 career big-league innings make him a rather uninspiring option, but he's worth a look in deeper leagues as long as he has a rotation spot. He'll have one early in the year, at least until A.J. Puk returns from his shoulder injury or Jesus Luzardo builds up to a starting workload out of the bullpen. Mengden has a rather boring profile, but he'll at least get to pitch in a pitcher-friendly home park for a team that should help him earn a fair number of wins. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Nate Pearson, Blue Jays: Pearson was mentioned in this column last week, but he deserves a spot again with reports picking up that he is indeed set to make his big-league debut quite soon. It appears that the Blue Jays intend to call him up July 29, as soon as they've successfully stolen a year of free agency from the promising young righty. The 23-year-old has made just three Triple-A starts, but he appears to be big-league ready already, as pitchers can move quite quickly. In 25 starts across the three highest levels of the minors last season, Pearson cruised to a 2.30 ERA on the back of a 30.7 percent strikeout rate and a 7.0 percent walk rate, holding opponents to a .176 batting average. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $10; 12-team AL: $20

Zach Plesac, Cleveland: Anyone with a rotation spot is worth a look in deeper leagues, especially if they play for a team that plays a third of its games against the Royals and Tigers. Those reasons, rather than his 3.81 ERA from his 21-start debut, are why Plesac deserves consideration. It took a .255 BABIP to get him to that mark, as he struggled to put hitters away, striking out a modest 18.5 percent of opposing batters. His 4.94 FIP, 5.06 xFIP and 5.13 SIERA all hint toward major regression, but Plesac should still at least have deep-league viability. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

A.J. Puk, Athletics: Puk is likely owned in deeper formats and in those that drafted early, but he could be available in leagues that drafted after news emerged Monday that his shoulder injuries had returned. Any lost time in this shortened season is quite significant, but there seems to be a legitimate chance that he won't be out all that long. He already resumed playing catch as soon as Friday after receiving a cortisone shot, which is certainly a positive sign. If your bench is big enough to stash him, it's worth consideration, as he struck out 33.9 percent of batters in 183 minor-league innings and struck out 13 batters in his 11.1-inning big-league debut last year. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team AL: $15

Carlos Rodon, White Sox: Rodon was one of those players helped by the delayed season, as it bought him time to return from Tommy John surgery, a procedure he underwent in May  2019. He'll head straight into the White Sox rotation rather than building up innings in the bullpen, beating out Gio Gonzalez for the fifth starter role. His 5.19 ERA from his seven pre-injury starts last year certainly wasn't good, though it came with a promising 3.62 FIP as he strikeout rate spiked  to a career-high 29.1 percent. Toss in the bonus that comes with playing for a team that gets to play a third of its games against the Royals and Tigers this season and the lefty looks like a very interesting flyer for deeper formats. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Patrick Sandoval, Angels: Sandoval's availability for Opening Day wasn't clear, as he missed the early part of camp after testing positive for COVID-19. He made the Opening Day roster, however, and is listed as the Angels' sixth starter. (The team will be using a six-man rotation this season.) The young lefty's 5.03 ERA in nine starts and one relief appearance as a rookie last season was hardly impressive, but his 24.9 percent strikeout rate did hint at some promise. He struck out batters at a 26.7-percent clip over the course of his minor-league career. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Brady Singer, Royals: Singer made the jump to the big leagues after spending just a single season in the minors and was inserted as the Royals' No. 2 starter. He certainly looked major-league ready Saturday, as he struck out seven Cleveland batters while allowing just two runs on three hits over five innings. Singer doesn't come with a ton of upside, as his 2.85 ERA in 26 starts at the High-A and Double-A levels last season came with a modest 22.5 percent strikeout rate, and his prospect profile is driven more by solid command than overpowering stuff. Still, anyone competent with a starting role in a pitcher-friendly home park is worth a look, and Singer should clear that modest bar. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: $17

RELIEF PITCHER

Oliver Drake, Rays: Speaking of unanticipated saves, it was Drake, not Nick Anderson, Jose Alvarado, Diego Castillo (who's away on paternity leave) or even Chaz Roe who recorded the final three outs Saturday for the Rays' first save of the season. Anderson pitched the top of the eighth in a tie game, while Drake pitched the bottom of the ninth with a three-run lead, a far lower-leverage situation. Drake is quite unlikely to be the Rays' closer this season even despite Saturday's result, as the Rays scoff at such outdated and rigid setups, but it's clear that he's at least in the mix for saves. With a strong 32.0 percent strikeout rate last season to go with a 3.21 ERA, Drake won't be a total zero in deep leagues even if he fails to record another save. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Greg Holland, Royals: In a move that didn't line up with his old-school reputation, new Royals manager Mike Matheny announced in March that he wasn't committing to naming a traditional closer, a blow to Ian Kennedy, who saved 30 games last season. Sure enough, he used Kennedy for six outs in the sixth and seventh innings in his season debut Saturday, which meant it was Holland who got the call to record his 207th career save in the 10th inning. Holland isn't nearly the pitcher he once was, as he hasn't recorded an ERA less than 4.50 since 2017, and there's no guarantee he gets the team's next save opportunity, but any time a "proven closer" gets a team's first save of the season, it's worth taking notice. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Mychal Givens, Orioles: The Orioles haven't named a dedicated closer and might not win enough games for the role to have much relevance this season, but Givens nevertheless seems like the guy to own at the moment. Hunter Harvey was the guy with the preseason hype after manager Brandon Hyde named him as a potential closer back in March, but he's unsurprisingly injured yet again, this time with elbow soreness. Givens should get the high-leverage opportunities against righties, with Richard Bleier filling in against lefties. His 4.57 ERA last year wasn't particularly good, but he did record 11 saves while posting a 33.1 percent strikeout rate. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Ryan Pressly, Astros: Pressly is expected to be the Astros' temporary closer while Roberto Osuna continues to build up in a lower-leverage role, though he's an interesting option even if not picking up saves. He's been the rare non-closing reliever to have some fantasy value the last two seasons, posting a strikeout rate above 34 percent in each of the last two years. His 2.32 ERA last season was well-supported by his 2.66 FIP and 2.21 xFIP, numbers that beat Osuna's 2.63 ERA, 3.21 FIP and 3.60 xFIP across the board. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team AL: $8

CATCHER

Austin Allen, Athletics: Sean Murphy was drafted quite highly this offseason despite having just 20 big-league games under his belt, though he and Allen split the first two starts behind the plate. It's far too early to conclude that Allen will make half the starts in Oakland this season, but he's probably worth a look in AL-only leagues. He did next to nothing in his 34-game debut for the Padres last season, hitting .215/.282/.277, but he's at least a moderately interesting prospect. His profile is mostly held back by poor defense, though that won't affect fantasy owners as long as it's not bad enough to prevent him from getting opportunities. He makes decent contact and has big raw power, hitting .330/.379/.663 with 21 homers in 67 games for Triple-A El Paso last season. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Austin Nola, Mariners: If you need a starting catcher, Nola is your guy. He'll fill that role for a fair portion of the shortened season, as expected starter Tom Murphy is on the injured list with a fractured foot. Unfortunately, Nola won't have catcher ability in most formats, as he caught just once in his 79-game debut last year, but he should earn it quite soon. His .269/.342/.454 slash line over that stretch was quite solid for a player who didn't make his debut until age 29, and he should be usable at catcher even if he regresses a fair amount. While those who are desperate at the position likely won't be able to use him there right away, those with the ability to stash him for a brief period should be set to profit. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

FIRST BASE

Evan White, Mariners: White had played only four Triple-A games prior to this season, but the Mariners clearly love him, as they signed him to a big-league extension  in November and inserted him as the No. 2 hitter for both of the season's first two games. His numbers in 92 games for Double-A Arkansas last year were solid but hardly point to immediate big-league success, as he hit .293/.350/.488 with 18 homers. Scouts love his defense more than anything else, but that should keep him in the lineup on a regular basis as his bat develops. If you're desperate at first base and need a guy with consistent playing time, White offers that, with at least the outside chance of becoming something more. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1 

SECOND BASE

Leury Garcia, White Sox: Garcia has been primarily an outfielder throughout his eight-year big-league career, but he'll be the White Sox's second baseman to start the campaign and could earn eligibility there quite soon unless Nick Madrigal is promoted the moment the White Sox successfully deny him a year of free agency (which certainly can't be ruled out). Garcia has impressed at the plate in the early going, hitting 3-for-8 with a pair of homers. That's more than can be expected from him, as he's yet to post an above-average batting line or hit double-digit homers in a season, but if you're looking for a player with a temporary everyday role on a lineup, which should be fairly good this season, Garcia fits that bill. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Jose Peraza, Red Sox: Peraza's role heading into this season was uncertain, but he's started in both of the Red Sox's first two games, batting as high as fifth in Saturday's game. He was in the lineup against lefty Tommy Milone in the opener and against righty Alex Cobb in the second game. While he might not be a true everyday player, that's undoubtedly a positive sign at this early juncture. Peraza will need a dramatic rebound in his performance in addition to playing time if he's to be a truly interesting fantasy asset, as he hit just .239/.285/.346 with a mere seven steals last season, but he's a lifetime .275 hitter who's crossed the 20-steal threshold three times, so there's at least some upside here. 12-team Mixed: $1 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: $7

Chad Pinder, Athletics: Preseason reports suggested that it would be Tony Kemp and Franklin Barreto platooning at second base in Oakland this season. Instead, it's been Pinder in the lineup both games, starting against lefty Andrew Heaney on Opening Day and righty Dylan Bundy on Saturday. He didn't do much in either game, going a combined 1-for-5 with a walk, but role matters more than production at this early point in the season. Pinder's career 98 wRC+ certainly won't turn heads, but he's hit a respectable 42 homers in 1,076 plate appearances, making him an interesting deep-league option if he truly has a full-time role.12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

THIRD BASE

Abraham Toro, Astros: Toro hit just .218/.303/.385 in his 25-game debut last season, but he's been pressed into service already this year, filling in for Aledmys Diaz on Friday after Diaz was forced to exit with a groin strain. With Diaz and Yordan Alvarez (undisclosed) on the injured list, starts are available at designated hitter, at least against lefties, with Kyle Tucker likely to fill the role against righties. Toro is a toolsy player, with good speed and the potential for above-average contact and power. His .324/.411/.527 slash line in the upper minors last season indicates his promise, and anyone who plays regularly for a lineup as good as the Astros' is worth a look, though Toro may still be one more injury away from consistent playing time. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

SHORTSTOP

Jose Iglesias, Orioles: Iglesias appears to be an everyday player with a key lineup position for a team with a very hitter-friendly home park. That's more or less the extent of the reasons to be interested in him, as he has a long track record as a very underwhelming hitter. The main reason he's playing every day is his defense, and the main reason he's batting third is because the Orioles lack established alternatives — it's not as if Chris Davis would be an upgrade. Iglesias isn't a total zero in batting average at least, as he's as lifetime .273 hitter who hit .288 last year, but any value he accumulates in his counting stats will be a reflection of his playing time rather than his offensive talent. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

OUTFIELD

Franchy Cordero, Royals: Cordero didn't start either of the first two games of the season for the Royals, but he was presumably acquired for a reason when he was picked up in a trade with the Padres in mid-July. The 25-year-old is a toolsy player who's yet to fully put things together, as his .239/.305/.429 slash line through 274 career plate appearances is good for a slightly below average 97 wRC+. He'll have to trim his 38.7 percent strikeout rate if he's to become an everyday player, but he has big raw power and big speed, hitting 10 homers and stealing seven bases in his limited action, making him worth a look if he can find his way to a handful of at-bats. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Daniel Johnson, Cleveland: Johnson was added to Cleveland's roster after Tyler Naquin hit the injured list with a fractured toe and started in right field Saturday for his big-league debut. Exactly how he'll fit into a crowded outfield picture remains to be seen, but he has at least modest upside. in 84 games for Triple-A Columbus last season, he hit a strong .306/.371/.496. While it took a .370 BABIP to get him to that mark, he does possess the speed necessary to run a high BABIP, though that translated to just six steals in 13 attempts at the highest level of the minors. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Kyle Lewis, Mariners: Lewis generated some preseason buzz after some strong displays (particularly in the power department) during summer camp. He's made good on the hype, homering against Justin Verlander and Lance McCullers in the first two games of the season. The 2016 first-round pick was generally unconvincing for much of his minor-league career but hit an impressive six homers in 18 games in his debut last September. That came with a 38.7 percent strikeout rate, and he's already struck out in four of his eight plate appearances this season, but there appears to be at least something here. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: $11

Yoshi Tsutsugo, Rays: Tsutsugo could have generated more hype this offseason had he joined a team other than the Rays, who are famous for mixing and matching, especially at the corner positions. It's possible Tsutsugo's role was collectively underestimated, however, as he hit third even with lefty Hyun-Jin Ryu on the mound in Friday's opener and hit cleanup against righty Matt Shoemaker in the second game. He has just one hit in eight at-bats, though that hit was a two-run homer off Ryu. Tsutsugo posted an OPS of .899 or better while averaging 35 homers over his last four seasons in Japan, so there's plenty of reason to be interested in him this season. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team AL: $15