AL FAAB Factor: Here Comes Your Man

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 free-agent budget you should bid on them.

One size does not fit all, and we could never hope to encompass all league structures, so bids are based on:

• 12-team league (either AL or Mixed, we'll specify)
• 5x5 categories
• $100 FAAB budget

Starting Pitcher

Erik Johnson, White Sox – Johnson will start Sunday against the Royals, as he makes his season debut with the Pale Hose. He had been in Triple-A Charlotte, where he had a 2.37 ERA (2.61 FIP) with 136 strikeouts and 41 walks over 132.2 innings. He has pitched in the majors before to varied success, so it shouldn't take him long to settle in. It could just be one spot start or the start of a six-man rotation for the White Sox, so keep an eye on how Johnson does in his debut before bidding on him. Mixed: $2; AL: $6.

Matt Moore, Rays – Moore rejoined the Rays rotation and pitched 4.2 innings with two earned runs, two walks, and three strikeouts against the Yankees on Saturday. On the season he has a 8.04 ERA (5.40 FIP) with 20 strikeouts and 15 walks over 31.1 innings. There's more risk than reward here. Mixed: $1; AL: $3.

Edgar Olmos, Mariners – Olmos made two starts in the M's rotation last week and over 6.1 innings he gave up seven earned runs to the White Sox and A's. He figures to stay in the rotation but lacks upside, as his control is poor and he has only started two games in the minors this season as well; he's a reliever the team is attempting to stretch into a starting role. This week he gets the Rangers at home. Mixed: No; AL: $1.

Marcus Stroman, Blue Jays – Coming back from a torn ACL, Stroman pitched 4.2 scoreless innings in a rehab start at Low-A Lansing last week. This week he'll start at Triple-A Buffalo before potentially returning to the majors by the weekend. Last season he was a dominant force with a 3.65 ERA (2.91 FIP), 111 strikeouts, and 28 walks over 130.2 innings. If you're in a keeper league and he's available, you really want to go after him. Mixed: $3; AL: $10.

Nick Tropeano, Angels – Tropeano will get a spot start this week against the Dodgers. In three starts this season, he has a 5.51 ERA (2.28 FIP) with 12 strikeouts and three walks over 16.1 innings. His numbers at Triple-A Salt Lake aren't much better with a 4.81 ERA (3.68 FIP), 96 strikeouts and 36 walks over 88 innings. Mixed: No; AL: $1.

Mike Wright, Orioles – Wright (calf) came off the DL and rejoined the O's rotation on Saturday, pitching four innings with three earned runs, one walk, and four strikeouts against the Blue Jays. He was on a limited pitch count, so he wasn't allowed to work deep into the game. On the season he has a 5.19 ERA (5.22 FIP) with 23 strikeouts and 12 walks over 34.2 innings. This week he gets the Royals at home. Mixed: No; AL: $2.

Relief Pitcher

Sean Doolittle, A's – Doolittle was rusty in his first two appearances, giving up three earned runs over 1.2 innings with three walks and no strikeouts. However, in his next two appearances he didn't allow a hit and had four strikeouts with no walks, looking like his old self again. At this point it's likely he'll start to be a threat for saves, as the team has used Drew Pomeranz in late-game situations recently. In 2014, Doolittle had a 2.73 ERA (1.78 FIP) with 89 strikeouts and eight walks over 67.2 innings. Mixed: $5; AL: $15.

Jean Machi, Red Sox – Machi is the Red Sox closer for now, but that could always change, as he has three saves in his last five appearances but has also given up six earned runs over that span as well. Robbie Ross got the save Friday when he got one batter out, a lefty, in what was a case of the Red Sox playing the matchups. With a 5.77 ERA (4.84 FIP) on the season, Machi is not to be trusted. Mixed: $3; AL: $9.

Catcher

J.P. Arencibia, Rays – Arencibia hit two home runs last week, as he came up swinging a hot bat, going 8-for-21 so far. He's up from Triple-A Durham, where he hit .227/.259/.443 and hit 22 home runs with 125 strikeouts and just 15 walks over 405 plate appearances. A free swinger, Arencibia certainly has power, but his plate discipline is poor to the point that it's difficult to own him for long stretches. For now though, he's worth adding in deeper formats while he's making loud contact. Mixed: $2; AL: $6.

Robinson Chirinos, Rangers – Chirinos (shoulder) is currently on a rehab assignment as he readies himself to return to the Rangers, who already have three catchers on the roster right now. He hit .226 with nine home runs over 258 plate appearances before the injury and figures to see semi-regular time behind the plate when activated. If you're desperate for a catcher, you could do worse and at least there's the potential for some power. Mixed: No; AL: $2.

First Base

Greg Bird, Yankees – Bird hit two home runs last week, as he's really started to warm up offensively. It's good timing for the Yankees, as the news that Mark Teixeira (shin) was put on the DL leaves Bird with more secured playing time moving forward. This season between Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Bird hit .277 with 12 home runs over 362 plate appearances, so his current production is not a fluke. Likely owned in most AL-formats by now, he's worth a look in mixed leagues while Teixeira remains out. Mixed: $5; AL: Owned.

Chris Johnson, Indians – Activated off the DL this week after dealing with a finger injury, Johnson rejoins an Indians team where he'll see time at first and third base. Current third baseman Giovanny Urshela has hit .212 with zero extra-base hits over the last two weeks, so it wouldn't be surprising to see Johnson start to eat away at his at-bats this month. On the season, Johnson is hitting .249 with two home runs over 190 plate appearances. Mixed: No; AL: $2.

Logan Morrison, Mariners – After batting .200 with two home runs over 78 plate appearances, Jesus Montero was shipped back to Triple-A Tacoma, where he'll likely finish the season. That leaves time open for Morrison to get more at-bats, and he's making a push for more time on his own, as he hit two pinch-hit home runs last week. Mark Trumbo has settled into seeing more time at first base, but he'll still play right field and DH, allowing Morrison to slot into the lineup. On the season Morrison is hitting .228 with 15 home runs over 445 PA. Mixed: $1; AL: $3.

Kennys Vargas, Twins – Vargas was recalled from Triple-A Rochester last week, but it's difficult to see him getting enough playing time to be relevant to fantasy owners. He hit .279 with six home runs over 151 plate appearance at Rochester and has shown some decent pop before, but it's tough to trust him when he's barely in the lineup. Mixed: No; AL: $2.

Second Base

Taylor Featherston, Angels – A sickly Johnny Giavotella on the DL and a struggling Grant Green has given way to Featherston seeing time starting at second base for the Angels. He hasn't done much this season to get owners excited with a .132 average, one home run, and three stolen bases over 118 plate appearances. Avoid this situation if possible, especially when Giavotella is healthy again. Mixed: $1; AL: $3.

Jurickson Profar, Rangers – We learned recently that Profar (shoulder) may be activated from the DL at some point before the season is over. He'd likely be a pinch runner and/or only get minimal playing time, but it's a bit of positive news for a player we've not seen in the majors since 2013. A prospect with upside before he was injured, Profar hit .231 with seven home runs and two stolen bases over 341 plate appearances between 2012 and 2013. Mixed: No; AL: $1.

Rob Refsnyder, Yankees – Brought back up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Refsnyder could get a few at-bats down the stretch over Stephen Drew, who has been hot at the plate recently. It's poor timing for Refsnyder, who was up earlier this season and did little with his quick cameo. At Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, he hit .271 with nine home runs and 21 stolen bases over 522 plate appearances. Mixed: No; AL: $1.

Shortstop

Brad Miller, Mariners – Now that Austin Jackson is with the Cubs, Miller will settle into a starting gig in center for the M's. He's been stringing together a few hits, but hasn't show much power or speed during the last month to suggest he's going to turn a corner and start helping owners across the board. On the season, he's hitting .253 with nine home runs and 12 stolen bases over 432 plate appearances. He should continue to start in center field the remainder of the season. Mixed: $1; AL: $3.

Andrew Romine and Dixon Machado, Tigers – Jose Iglesias has a fractured right middle finger, which leaves Romine as the likely starter for the next two weeks and possibly the remainder of the season. On the season he's hitting .236 with two home runs and seven stolen bases over 273 plate appearances. He'll share some time with Machado, who was brought up this month from Triple-A Toledo, where he hit .261 with four home runs and 15 stolen bases over 567 PA. The two combined leave much to be desired offensively and should likely be left for just AL-only formats. Both Mixed: No; AL: $2.

Third Base

David Freese, Angels – Activated off the DL, Freese (finger) has returned to the starting lineup for the Halos, going 4-for-11 with a double. On the season, he's hitting .244 with 11 home runs over 364 plate appearances, which isn't special, but much needed for the Angels. Missing over a month with the injury, he needs to be picked back up in any AL formats where he was dropped. Mixed: $2; AL: $6.

Joey Gallo, Rangers – Recalled from Triple-A Round Rock, Gallo has started two games in left field over Will Venable and figures to continue to see time there and at DH and third base. The power is off the charts, but he has serious issues making contact, which leaves his value stunted in mixed leagues. He struggled at Double-A Frisco last season, but came back this season and mastered the level. This season he struggled in the majors and Triple-A, but maybe he just needs more time to adjust before he succeeds once again. For now, he's worth owning in all formats, but expect him to strike out frequently. Mixed: $3; AL: Owned.

Richie Shaffer, Rays – Called up from Triple-A Durham, Shaffer rejoins the Rays as they look to get the prospect some at-bats at both corner-infield spots and DH down the stretch. Between Double-A Montgomery and Triple-A Durham, he hit .267 with 26 home runs over 457 plate appearances, as he's got enough power that he should really be starting everyday over the punchless James Loney. Unless consistent playing time opens up though, he's likely a fringe AL only option. Mixed: $1; AL: $3.

Outfield

Allen Craig, Red Sox – Brought up with roster expansion, Craig is an interesting name - but not much more - as the former Cardinal has seen his stock tumble greatly since the end of the 2013 season. This season at Triple-A Pawtucket he hit .274 with four home runs over 399 plate appearances. He could see some time at first base and in the outfield, but isn't much of a threat offensively. Mixed: No; AL: $1.

Jonny Gomes, Royals – Traded from the Braves, Gomes is set to serve as mostly a pinch hitter and part-time outfielder for his new club. On the season he's hitting .223 with seven home runs over 240 plate appearances, so there's really not much to build on here for fantasy owners. Mixed: No; AL: $1.

Terrance Gore, Royals – Brought up from Double-A Northwest Arkansas, Gore could be a source of cheap speed down the stretch, as he stole 39 bases in 41 attempts in the minors this season. He's going to be asked to pinch run mostly, so don't expect production day-to-day, but if you're in a league where every last steal matters, he's worth considering. Mixed: No; AL: $2.

Aaron Hicks, Twins – Activated off the DL, Hicks will share playing time with others in the Twins outfield, as he's the team's fourth option right now. He was really starting to heat up before he suffered a hamstring injury, as he hit .268 with eight home runs and nine stolen bases over 275 plate appearances. He's worth starting in all AL formats, even with fringy playing time. Mixed: $1; AL: $4.

Dalton Pompey, Blue Jays – Back up from the minors. Pompey will mostly be used as a pinch runner the rest of the way, giving him value only to those owners looking for cheap speed. Between Double-A New Hampshire and Triple-A Buffalo, he hit .307 with seven home runs and 23 stolen bases over 443 plate appearances. The team already has Ben Revere as their main speed threat, so Pompey will be used sparingly. Mixed: No; AL: $2.

Preston Tucker, Astros – Back with the Astros following roster expansion, Tucker has seen some playing time in left field with Colby Rasmus. He was up with the team earlier this season and has hit .250 with 12 home runs over 296 plate appearances, so he knows what he's doing, but there just aren't as many at-bats to go around since Carlos Gomez joined the team. He's worth owning in AL-only formats, but that's likely where his value stops unless he was to see everyday at-bats because of an injury. Mixed: $1; AL: $3.

Note: If you have anyone else you'd like me to discuss, just drop a line in the comments section.