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 free-agent budget you should bid on them.

This year, we're incorporating sortable grids into the FAAB articles, so users can see at a glance how certain players stack up against others and how much they should command in a variety of formats.

These grids include a very basic "player grade" column. This serves as a reflection of a player's skills and role on an A-E scale. Carlos Correa would have been an "A" grade player last year -- that mark will be reserved for similar high-impact prospects stepping into an everyday role.

Not seeing a certain player? Check to see if they were mentioned in last week's article. If there is a player not discussed in either article that you would like to know about, feel free to ask about the player in the comments.

Mike Clevinger, Indians - Don't overlook Clevinger because of the mediocre stat line from his major league debut (four earned runs in 5.1 innings) -- he pitched better than the line would indicate, making only a handful of true mistake pitches and fanning five. The 25-year-old posted a 3.03 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 36:17 K:BB in seven starts for Triple-A Columbus to open the year, allowing two home runs in 35.2 innings. A fourth-round pick in 2011, he consistently dials the fastball up to 93 mph and complements it with a slider and changeup, with the latter proving a valuable weapon against lefties in the minors. Clevinger could be bounced upon Carlos Carrasco's eventual return from the DL, but he lines up for a two-step right away this week, and if he pitches well enough, he may push Trevor Bauer back to the bullpen. 12-team mixed: $2; 15-team mixed; $5; AL-only: $14

Blake Snell, Rays - The control issues that plagued Snell earlier in the year have seemingly been corrected, with the lefty issuing a total of four free passes in his last three starts for Triple-A Durham (25:4 K:BB in 16.1 innings). His FIP is down to 2.84. While there is not an opening for him in the Rays' rotation currently, there should be one in less than a month's time, after his Super Two date passes. Impatient owners may have cut bait, and if he's available in your league, now is the time to pounce. 12-team mixed: $4; 15-team mixed; $8; AL-only: $18

CC Sabathia, Yankees - In his return from the DL on Friday, Sabathia tossed six innings of three-hit, one-run ball in Oakland en route to the win, striking out eight while walking only one batter. The days of All-Star-type results probably aren't coming back, but Sabathia hasn't been hit especially hard in any of his last four starts (hard-hit rate under 20 percent in each of those outings), and the peripherals are improving. He relied primarily on his sinker and well-located sliders and changeups as complements Friday, a formula which could help Sabathia maintain an above-average level of performance. Sabathia still comes with enough downside on a start-to-start basis to where most in 12-team mixed leagues will want to pass, but he has some appeal as a streamer in 15-team mixers. 12-team mixed: $1; 15-team mixed; $3; AL-only: $7

Ivan Nova, Yankees - The 26-year-old was a model of efficiency in Thursday's start, completing six innings on just 62 pitches before turning it over to the shutdown trio at the back end of the Yankees' bullpen. Nova's rarely missing bats, but he's been razor sharp with his control, and he's been able to maintain a 66 percent groundball rate as a starter this season. Luis Severino was slated to play catch this weekend, but it's uncertain when he'll be ready, or if he'll even have a rotation spot waiting for him. In the meantime, Nova should continue to be a viable AL-only option, and he's on the radar as a streamer in deeper mixed leagues despite the lack of strikeout upside. 12-team mixed: $0; 15-team mixed; $2; AL-only: $6

Joe Kelly, Red Sox - Kelly baffled the Indians in his first start back from the DL, allowing one hit over 6.2 scoreless innings to improve to 2-0 on the year. The control gains he showed during his rehab assignment didn't exactly carry over, as Kelly walked three in the outing, but Kelly made up for the free passes by missing bats and keeping the ball on the ground. With Eduardo Rodriguez (knee) not yet performing at the level the Red Sox had hoped for, Kelly should have a chance to build on this success, but he figures to have a relatively short leash in a starting role. 12-team mixed: $0; 15-team mixed; $2; AL-only: $6

Tim Lincecum, Angels - Lincecum's showcase and subsequent return to the professional ranks have made for a nice story, and it sounds like the team is confident he will need less than a month in the minors to prepare for a spot in the major league rotation. However, for fantasy purposes, it's probably best to take a wait-and-see approach. The results in his final two years with San Francisco left a lot to be desired, with his walk rate ballooning to a career-high 11.4 percent last season. New teammate Huston Street thinks a Scott Kazmir-like turnaround could be in the cards for Lincecum, but that's not high on the list of possible outcomes. 12-team mixed: No; 15-team mixed; $0; AL-only: $3

Garrett Richards, Angels - Seeing 2017 as lost no matter if he were to undergo Tommy John surgery now or months down the road, Richards decided to hold off on the procedure and try stem-cell treatment in hopes of pitching again this season. He will be shut down for 6-8 weeks before attempting to ramp up his throwing, but reconstructive elbow surgery remains a very real possibility. A return late in the year is not impossible, but it's not worth betting on either. 12-team mixed: No; 15-team mixed; No; AL-only: $0

Relief Pitcher

Sam Dyson, Rangers - Bouncing back from an uncharacteristically shaky outing Friday, Dyson tossed a perfect frame on seven pitches Saturday for his fourth save of the season. He's given up just one run in his last eight appearances and appears set for an extended audition in the ninth-inning role for the Rangers, replacing Shawn Tolleson. A popular closer-in-waiting coming into the year given the elite combination of strikeout ability and groundball rate, Dyson has seen his strikeout rate drop precipitously this season, as he hasn't been able to get as many swings outside of the strike zone. However, Dyson is still throwing in the mid-90s and getting a ton of groundballs, and now that he has the opportunity to close, he should be owned in all leagues. 12-team mixed: $18; 15-team mixed; $37; AL-only: $75

Jake Diekman, Rangers - Dyson has the closer job, but Diekman is now one injury away, and he could vulture some saves in the short term when Dyson is unavailable. Diekman has dominant stuff -- with two more strikeouts Saturday, he now has a 23:4 K:BB in 16.1 innings -- and is equally effective against both lefties and righties. The 29-year-old should already be owned in AL-only leagues, and with Tolleson now lower in the bullpen hierarchy, there's a fairly strong case for Diekman in mixed leagues. 12-team mixed: $1; 15-team mixed; $3; AL-only: $8

Fernando Salas, Angels - After Salas preserved Matt Shoemaker's 1-0 lead into the ninth inning Saturday, Joe Smith proceeded to blow the save and take the loss to Baltimore, giving up a three-run home run to Matt Wieters. It was only Smith's second blown save, but Saturday marked the third time he's given up multiple runs in nine May appearances. Salas stole a few saves recently and could be in line for more opportunities in the immediate future, but Huston Street's progress from an oblique injury puts a damper on Salas' fantasy outlook. 12-team mixed: $0; 15-team mixed; $2; AL-only: $6

Catcher

Jason Castro, Astros - The 28-year-old has been one of the hottest-hitting catchers in baseball this month, going 15-for-50 (.300 average) with four doubles and three home runs so far in May. He's still striking out far too often, but Castro is walking at a high clip, and he's hitting the ball harder when he does make contact. It's probably worth riding him as a starter while he's hot in 15-team, two-catcher leagues, but don't bank on this run continuing for much longer. 12-team mixed: $1; 15-team mixed; $3; AL-only: $7

Blake Swihart, Red Sox - Summoned to Boston to help out in left field with Brock Holt landing on the 7-day concussion DL, Swihart has gone 0-for-6 with a walk, a run scored and an RBI in his first two games back. The switch-hitter is expected to continue seeing the starts against right-handers until Holt returns, but the bat remains a work in progress. He fared reasonably well as a 23-year-old in 84 games with the big club last year, and the plate discipline seems to be improving, but he hasn't been able to barrel the ball consistently at either level this year. 12-team mixed: No; 15-team mixed; $0; AL-only: $4

Matt McBride, A's - McBride has been playing fairly regularly since Josh Phegley hit the shelf, logging 16 at-bats over the past week. However, he's done little of note offensively (4-for-16 with one double), and at 30 years old, it's hard to imagine he'll suddenly put it together against major league pitching. His line in parts of seven seasons at the Triple-A level looks nice (.312/.347/.521), but he's spent most of that time in the Pacific Coast League, so take those numbers with a large grain of salt. 12-team mixed: No; 15-team mixed; No; AL-only: $1

First Base

Yonder Alonso, A's - While he's still sitting with a sub-.600 OPS for the season, Alonso is batting .296/.356/.389 so far in the month of May. Alonso's a .270 career hitter who hit above .280 last year, and with heavy shielding from left-handed pitching, he should be able to boost his average into useful territory. The power is negligible, though, and that hurts his case for consideration at the first base position. 12-team mixed: $0; 15-team mixed; $2; AL-only: $7

Max Muncy, A's - Muncy made his 2016 major league debut Saturday, going 2-for-3 with a pair of singles. He had multiple hits in just three of his 45 games with Oakland a year ago. The 25-year-old was hitting .279/.399/.459 with six homers with Triple-A Nashville before receiving the call, and Muncy flashed 20-homer power at the lower levels, but there's just not a clear path to regular at-bats. 12-team mixed: No; 15-team mixed; No; AL-only: $1

Second Base

Devon Travis, Blue Jays - Through seven rehab games, Travis has nine hits and two strikeouts. He recorded three hits, including a double, in his first game with Triple-A Buffalo, but the 25-year-old's gone 1-for-9 in two games since. While Jimmy Paredes is off to a nice start with his new team, most still expect Travis to take the starting job at second base once he's back up to full speed. Travis showed surprising all-fields power in 62 games with Toronto last year, but he may need to make some adjustments as opposing pitchers begin figuring out his tendencies. 12-team mixed: $2; 15-team mixed; $6; AL-only: $15

Tony Kemp, Astros - The plate skills and speed should carry Kemp against major league pitching, but the question is; how long will he be up? Kemp was hitting .298/.400/.405 with four steals and a 21:22 BB:K with Triple-A Fresno before getting the call, a year after posting a 56:65 BB:K in 541 plate appearances between Double-A and Triple-A. Once Carlos Gomez returns from the DL, Kemp could head back for additional seasoning, but he should be a useful source of batting average and stolen bases so long as he's playing regularly. 12-team mixed: $1; 15-team mixed; $4; AL-only: $11

Rob Refsnyder, Yankees - His window to play for New York may close in less than a week -- the team will need to clear a spot for Alex Rodriguez on Thursday -- but his track record at the Triple-A level and second-base eligibility make Refsnyder interesting in deeper leagues. 12-team mixed: No; 15-team mixed; No; AL-only: $3

Jurickson Profar, Rangers - The Rangers are preparing Profar to take over at second base when Rougned Odor inevitably serves his suspension for his role in last week's brawl with the Blue Jays. Profar is now up to five home runs, 26 RBI and four steals with Triple-A Round Rock, with 15 walks against 23 strikeouts in 38 games. He should be a useful fill-in for the week Odor's gone, and his stint in Texas may prove an audition for a trade. His best chance at a full-time role lies elsewhere. 12-team mixed: $1; 15-team mixed; $4; AL-only: $9

Shortstop

Taylor Motter, Rays - Motter quietly put together a fine season at Triple-A Durham in 2015, slashing .292/.366/.471 with 14 homers and 26 stolen bases. He struggled out of the gate with Durham this year, but Motter got the call to provide middle-infield depth when Logan Forsythe (shoulder) hit the DL, and it seems likely he will continue to play regularly against left-handed pitching. He's better left for AL-only leagues, but those in deeper mixers hurting for middle-infield help may want to consider Motter for a backup bid. 12-team mixed: $0; 15-team mixed; $2; AL-only: $6

Tyler Saladino, White Sox - The 26-year-old has been playing a little more of late, and he's making the most of his opportunities, collecting multiple hits in four of his last seven starts. He flashed a little speed last year, but Saladino has been caught on both of his stolen base attempts so far this year, and even with his recent run of success at the plate, he's not particularly close to separating from veteran Jimmy Rollins. His eligibility at third base helps his case in deep leagues slightly. 12-team mixed: No; 15-team mixed; No; AL-only: $4

Tim Anderson, White Sox - After a dismal start with Triple-A Charlotte, Anderson now has his batting line up to .304/.328/.399 through 38 games, and he's 10-for-13 in stolen base attempts. The White Sox seem content to ride the aforementioned Jimmy Rollins/Tyler Saladino combo for now, but Anderson should be up by mid-to-late summer, and he should be a prolific source of speed right off the bat. 12-team mixed: $0; 15-team mixed; $3; AL-only: $9

Third Base

Colin Moran, Astros - There has been little to see from Moran so far, and he does not have the power you typically look for from a corner bat, but he appears poised to played often against right-handed pitching. The 23-year-old has hit sixth in the order in his two starts for the big club. He could eventually be swapped out for uber prospect Alex Bregman, but Moran has hit at a high clip at every stop in the minors and is worth considering in a variety of formats. 12-team mixed: $1; 15-team mixed; $4; AL-only: $10

Outfield

Cameron Maybin, Tigers - Five starts; four multi-hit games for Maybin since his return from the disabled list. He now has a home run -- he hit his first of the year as part of a 3-for-5 effort Saturday -- to go along with four stolen bases. There's no reason Maybin should still be available in AL-only leagues, but in mixed leagues where he's available, Maybin should be a hot commodity this weekend. It's not out of the question that he could go 10/20 the rest of the way. 12-team mixed: $11; 15-team mixed; $23; AL-only: $47

Jake Smolinski, A's - With Josh Reddick (thumb) placed on the DL, Smolinski was recalled to bolster the team's outfield depth. He figures to play regularly against lefties, and Smolinski has shown decent pop the past couple of years, but it will be tough to profit in mixed leagues unless your leagues allows for daily lineup changes. 12-team mixed: No; 15-team mixed; $0; AL-only: $5

Byron Buxton, Twins - After being sidelined for a week due to back spasms, Buxton returned to action with Triple-A Rochester on Saturday, going 2-for-5 with a walk, two stolen bases and two runs scored. His approach could still use some work, but Buxton has responded well to his demotion, and the Twins could always opt for a full-on youth movement if they continue their losing ways. Many frustrated owners in mixed leagues cut bait, creating an opportunity for those with a free bench spot to capitalize. 12-team mixed: $2; 15-team mixed; $6; AL-only: $17

Max Kepler, Twins - Kepler nearly hit for the cycle Thursday, going 3-for-5 with nine total bases -- it was his sixth multi-hit game of May. He has more walks than strikeouts, and his six triples lead the International League (no other player has more than three). His stint earlier this year with the Twins was disappointing, but Kepler will return eventually, and thus he's still worth stashing in AL-only leagues. 12-team mixed: No; 15-team mixed; $1; AL-only: $6

Robbie Grossman, Twins - Eddie Rosario's demotion paved the way for Grossman's return to the major leagues, and the 26-year-old has hit the ground running since joining the Twins. He is 4-for-7 with a double, a homer and three RBI in his first two games. Perhaps Grossman will hold onto a role in left field for a while, but he is a .244/.329/.349 career hitter at the major league level and will likely prove a placeholder for some of the team's younger, more promising outfielders. 12-team mixed: No; 15-team mixed; No; AL-only: $3

Mikie Mahtook, Rays - Kevin Kiermaier has been diagnosed with two fractures in his left hand and is facing an extended absence. Mahtook was brought up to replace Kiermaier and could see time at all three outfield positions. As a 25-year-old last year, Mahtook hit nine homers in 41 games with Tampa Bay, and added four stolen bases. He had just one double-digit homer season on the farm (12 home runs in 2014), but Mahtook can do enough in three categories to be a viable fifth outfielder in AL-only leagues. 12-team mixed: $1; 15-team mixed; $3; AL-only: $9

Rafael Ortega, Angels - Ortega is back with the Angels with Daniel Nava back on the DL, and he's hitting at a respectable .288 clip through 18 games. He's also chipped in three steals in five attempts, but Ortega will be stuck in the bottom third of the order this time around (instead of batting second), so the runs will be much harder to come by. 12-team mixed: No; 15-team mixed; $0; AL-only: $4