This article is part of our AL FAAB Factor series.
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 talent on an A-E scale.
Luis Robert would have been an "A" grade player last year – that mark will be reserved for similarly high-impact prospects who could thrive in 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.
| Player | Team | POS | Grade | 12-team mixed $ | 15-team mixed $ | AL-Only $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jean Carlos Mejia | CLE | SP | D | No | No | $1 |
| Zac Lowther | BAL | SP | E | No | No | $1 |
| Tyler Alexander | DET | SP | C | No | No | $3 |
| Jackson Kowar | KC | SP | B | $1 | $3 | $5 |
| Josh Sborz | TEX | RP | D | No | $1 | $2 |
| Joely Rodriguez | TEX | RP | C | $1 | $3 | $5 |
| Gregory Soto | DET | RP | C | No | $1 | $2 |
| Pete Fairbanks | TB | RP | A | No | $1 | Rostered |
| Riley Adams | TOR | C | B |
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 talent on an A-E scale.
Luis Robert would have been an "A" grade player last year – that mark will be reserved for similarly high-impact prospects who could thrive in 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.
| Player | Team | POS | Grade | 12-team mixed $ | 15-team mixed $ | AL-Only $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jean Carlos Mejia | CLE | SP | D | No | No | $1 |
| Zac Lowther | BAL | SP | E | No | No | $1 |
| Tyler Alexander | DET | SP | C | No | No | $3 |
| Jackson Kowar | KC | SP | B | $1 | $3 | $5 |
| Josh Sborz | TEX | RP | D | No | $1 | $2 |
| Joely Rodriguez | TEX | RP | C | $1 | $3 | $5 |
| Gregory Soto | DET | RP | C | No | $1 | $2 |
| Pete Fairbanks | TB | RP | A | No | $1 | Rostered |
| Riley Adams | TOR | C | B | No | $2 | $4 |
| Rene Rivera | CLE | C | D | No | No | $1 |
| Jake Bauers | SEA | 1B | C | No | No | $2 |
| Bobby Bradley | CLE | 1B | B | No | $2 | $5 |
| Shed Long | SEA | 2B | C | No | No | $1 |
| Isaac Paredes | DET | 3B | B | No | $1 | $4 |
| Christian Arroyo | BOS | 3B | B | No | $4 | Rostered |
| Jose Iglesias | LAA | SS | B | $1 | $3 | Rostered |
| Adam Engel | CHW | OF | B | $1 | $2 | $6 |
| Brian Goodwin | CHW | OF | D | No | No | $1 |
| Daz Cameron | DET | OF | C | No | $2 | $5 |
| Jake Fraley | SEA | OF | C | $1 | $4 | Rostered |
Starting Pitcher
Jean Carlos Mejia, CLE
Mejia is worth at least a mention in this space as he lines up for a potential two-start week. The matchups are also quite favorable, as he should take on Baltimore and Pittsburgh. Mejia is far from a sure thing, however. First, he has yet to complete more than three innings in any outing, meaning even in a two-start week his volume will likely remain limited. There's also plenty of risk from a performance perspective, as he allowed four earned runs across just 0.2 innings in his last start. 12-team mixed: No; 15-team mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1
Zac Lowther, BAL
Lowther pitched with Triple-A Norfolk on Friday, which would leave him in line for a Wednesday start if the Orioles elect to bring him back into the rotation in the absence of John Means (shoulder). Lowther has struggled both in Norfolk and Baltimore early this season, and his time in the rotation is likely to be limited. A potential start at Cleveland could be worth a stream in the deepest of leagues. 12-team mixed: No; 15-team mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1
Tyler Alexander, DET
Alexander has started bullpen games in his last two outings, and he never completed more than 2.2 innings. However, he stretched out a bit more in his latest start and has interestingly struck out 26 batters across 26.1 innings this season. He's projected to draw a matchup at the Angels in the upcoming week. 12-team mixed: No; 15-team mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3
Jackson Kowar, KC
Depending on specific league format, this may be fantasy managers first opportunity to try to acquire Kowar. There's no denying his performance has been dreadful through his first two starts in the big leagues, as he's managed to complete only two total innings while surrendering eight earned runs. There's a strong possibility he's not in the majors for his next turn through the rotation. On the other hand, if the Royals allow him to pitch through his problems, his FAAB/waiver demand can't get much lower, so it's a low-risk time to buy the dip on Kowar's performance. Assuming Kowar remains in the rotation, he's projected to draw a start against the Red Sox in the upcoming week, meaning he is unstartable and strictly a stash – presenting even more risk to bidding a significant amount on him. 12-team mixed: $1; 15-team mixed: $3; 12-team AL: $5
Bullpen
Josh Sborz, TEX
Ian Kennedy is eligible to return from the injured list as early as Wednesday, though it's unclear if he will be activated when first eligible. He's been shaky in three of his last five outings – all while Kennedy has been sidelined – so the team may not have the utmost confidence in using him in high-leverage situations. He threw in the eighth inning of Saturday's game with the Rangers leading 8-1. He's a desperation play only in leagues where saves are extremely scarce. 12-team mixed: No; 15-team mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $3
Joely Rodriguez, TEX
All the same caveats apply for Rodriguez as stated above for Sborz. Not much can be read into a 12-1 game, which was the score by the time Rodriguez recorded the final three outs of Saturday's win over the Dodgers. Like Sborz, he too has been far from trustworthy with his performance, as he's surrendered 12 earned runs across his last 6.2 frames. 12-team mixed: $1; 15-team mixed: $3; 12-team AL: $5
Gregory Soto, DET
The Tigers bullpen was one of the worst to try to mine saves from early in the season. Michael Fulmer seemingly emerged as the primary closer but then hit the injured list to re-open saves speculation in Detroit. Jose Cisnero appeared to be next in line, though he took the loss Friday. That could be enough to give Soto the next save chance. Be careful when bidding heavily on any Tigers' bullpen piece, as Fulmer could be back early in the week, and it's difficult to predict where saves will come from if even Fulmer remains sidelined. 12-team mixed: No; 15-team mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $2
Pete Fairbanks, TB
Diego Castillo and J.P. Feyereisen appear in line to combine to record the majority of saves for the Rays. However, Fairbanks has turned in nine consecutive scoreless outings spanning 8.1 innings. In that time, he's struck out 12. He also earned a save Friday. Even if he remains largely shut out of the saves picture, however, he should provide strong ratios and strikeouts, as he regularly throws three innings per week. 12 team-mixed: No; 15-team mixed: $1; 12-team AL: Rostered
Catcher
Riley Adams, TOR
Adams hasn't had much success since making his big-league debut, but he's gotten playing time nevertheless. With Danny Jansen (hamstring) on the injured list, it should continue in the short-term. It's impossible to take anything away from 10 plate appearances, but Adams has barreled two balls with a max exit velocity of 110.1 mph. 12-team mixed: No; 15-team mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $4
Rene Rivera, CLE
Cleveland is beat up behind the plate, particularly after Austin Hedges got hit in the helmet by an errant pitch on Friday night. Assuming Hedges can get back to game action quickly, Rivera will be in a reserve role, but he could steal a few plate appearances early on this week. 12-team mixed: No; 15-team mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1
First Base
Jake Bauers, SEA
Bauers wasn't worth rostering while with Cleveland thanks to a .544 OPS. Even so, it's worth at least noting the change of scenery. Bauers should continue to get playing time so long as Evan White (hip) is sidelined, though White has started a rehab assignment. 12-team mixed: No; 15-team mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2
Bobby Bradley, CLE
Bradley should be the beneficiary of Bauers' departure, but he hasn't earned full-time playing time yet. He's made the case to earn more consistent at-bats by collecting four extra-base hits in his first 15 plate appearances. They haven't been cheap knocks either, as three of his 12 batted balls have been barreled, and he's posted a max-exit velocity of 114.2 mph. 12-team mixed: No; 15-team mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5
Second base
Shed Long, SEA
Long was activated from the injured on Monday and made his season-debut Tuesday. Dylan Moore's activation from the injured list will make it difficult for Long to earn regular playing time, though he has two hits, two runs and one extra-base hit in his first 12 plate appearances. 12-team mixed: No; 15-team mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1
Third Base
Isaac Paredes, DET
It was presumed that Paredes was recalled on Tuesday to fill in for Jeimer Candelario at third base while he was out for personal reasons. However, a wrinkle was introduced when Paredes drew two starts at shortstop on Friday and Saturday. Manager A.J. Hinch told the media he wanted to get a look at Paredes at the position, as he had drawn strong reviews defensively while in the minors. As for his actual performance, Paredes hasn't had much success aside from a home run, though he should be able to maintain a decent average thanks to a fairly strong contact profile. 12-team mixed: No; 15-team mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4
Christian Arroyo, BOS
Arroyo has earned consistent playing time at second base in the past two weeks. He's swung a hot bat since June 2, slashing .286/.394/.643. While that certainly isn't a reasonable projection going forward, Arroyo's playing time would only become safer if Xander Bogaerts (knee) misses more time than expected. 12-team mixed: No; 15-team mixed: $4; 12-team AL: Rostered
Shortstop
Jose Iglesias, LAA
Iglesias was activated from the injured list June 5, and he remains the Angels' primary option at shortstop. Expectations are well-established for Iglesias at this point in his career, though he's chipped in two steals and is hitting .274 across 199 plate appearances. 12-team mixed: $1; 15-team mixed: $3; 12-team AL: Rostered
Outfield
Adam Engel, CHW
Engel had the fortunate timing of being activated from the injured list on the same day Billy Hamilton (oblique) was removed from the playing time equation. He had a strong season debut, slugging two home runs and swiping a base across five games. However, Engel's playing time is threatened by the team's addition of Brian Goodwin. 12-team mixed: $1; 15-team mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $6
Brian Goodwin, CHW
Goodwin's contract was selected on Thursday, and he drove in five during his first start Saturday. He'll likely compete with Engel for playing time. Without a carrying skill in his hitting profile, the lack of certain playing time dampens the intrigue for Goodwin. 12-team mixed: No; 15-team mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1
Daz Cameron, DET
Cameron is another young Tiger recently recalled by the team who should have the chance to earn consistent playing time with Derek Hill (shoulder) sidelined. Cameron was disappointing in his big-league debut in 2020, but he has shown an increased ability to make contact in an admittedly extremely small sample size. There's an intriguing power-speed combination if Cameron can earn playing time and make enough contact, as he already has one home run and one stolen base since being recalled. 12-team mixed: No; 15-team mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5
Jake Fraley, SEA
Since returning from the injured list May 31, Fraley has homered twice and stolen three bases. He's also walked more than he has struck out and gotten on base at a .475 clip. That level of play won't continue, but, like Cameron, Fraley has a power-speed combo that could make him valuable even in deep mixed-league formats. 12-team mixed: $1; 15-team mixed: $4; 12-team AL: Rostered
