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 role on an A-E scale. Shohei Ohtani would have been an "A" grade player last year – that mark will be reserved for similarly 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
| PLAYER | TEAM | POS | GRADE | 12-Team Mixed $ | 15-Team Mixed $ | AL-Only $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dylan Bundy | BAL | SP | C | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Nathan Eovaldi | BOS | SP | C | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Jorge Lopez | KC | SP | D | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Reynaldo Lopez | CHI | SP | C | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Jesus Luzardo | OAK | SP | A | No / 3 | 1 / 7 | 4 / 15 |
| John Means | BAL | SP | C | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Jordan Montgomery | NY | SP | C | No | No / |
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. Shohei Ohtani would have been an "A" grade player last year – that mark will be reserved for similarly 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
| PLAYER | TEAM | POS | GRADE | 12-Team Mixed $ | 15-Team Mixed $ | AL-Only $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dylan Bundy | BAL | SP | C | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Nathan Eovaldi | BOS | SP | C | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Jorge Lopez | KC | SP | D | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Reynaldo Lopez | CHI | SP | C | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Jesus Luzardo | OAK | SP | A | No / 3 | 1 / 7 | 4 / 15 |
| John Means | BAL | SP | C | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Jordan Montgomery | NY | SP | C | No | No / 2 | 1 / 5 |
| Zach Plesac | CLE | SP | C | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Glenn Sparkman | KC | SP | D | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Jose Suarez | LA | SP | D | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Jose Urquidy | HOU | SP | C | No | 1 | 4 |
| Dellin Betances | NY | RP | D | No | No | 3 |
| James Karinchak | CLE | RP | D | No | No | 3 |
| Nick Wittgren | CLE | RP | E | No | No | 3 |
| Grayson Greiner | DET | C | D | No | No | 3 |
| Kyle Higashioka | NY | C | D | No | 1 | 4 |
| Austin Romine | NY | C | D | No | 2 | 5 |
| Jose Trevino | TEX | C | E | No | No | 2 |
| Thairo Estrada | NY | 2B | E | No | No | 1 |
| Lourdes Gurriel | TOR | 2B | B | 5 | 11 | 21 |
| Jack Mayfield | HOU | 2B | E | No | No | 1 |
| Nick Solak | TEX | 2B | B | 5 | 11 | Owned |
| Ronald Torreyes | MIN | 2B | E | No | No | 1 |
| Breyvic Valera | NY | 2B | E | No | No | 1 |
| Donnie Walton | SEA | 2B | D | No | No | 2 |
| Joey Wendle | TB | 2B | C | 3 | 7 | Owned |
| Dylan Moore | SEA | SS | D | No | 2 | 5 |
| Johnny Davis | TB | OF | E | No | No | 1 |
| Michael Hermosillo | LA | OF | D | No | No | 3 |
| Ryan LaMarre | MIN | OF | E | No | No | 1 |
| Kyle Lewis | SEA | OF | C | 1 / No | 3 / No | 7 / 3 |
| Christin Stewart | DET | OF | C | 1 | 4 | 9 |
| Taylor Ward | LA | OF | D | No | No | 2 |
| Bradley Zimmer | CLE | OF | C | No | No | 3 |
Starting Pitcher
Jesus Luzardo, Athletics: Luzardo finally got the call earlier this week and made his big-league debut Wednesday, tossing three strong innings in relief. Oakland's No. 1 prospect is a must-add in keeper formats of course, but he's now got a window for some real 2019 value if Mike Fiers gets shut down. The A's were already running a six-man rotation, so they don't need to replace Fiers, but they're also fighting for their playoff lives and the young southpaw could give them their best chance of securing a wild-card spot. Redraft – 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4 / Keeper – 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team AL: $15
Jordan Montgomery, Yankees: It's going to be a common refrain in this week's column, but Montgomery's value lies more in being a keeper or dynasty stash than in what he can do for you this year. The 26-year-old lefty will make his season debut Sunday after a long recovery from shoulder woes, and he'll likely be on a restricted pitch count. The Yankees will have a lot of potential openings in their 2020 rotation, though, and while Montgomery has mid-rotation upside at best, a good showing over the final weeks could give him a leg up on winning one of those spots. Redraft – 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1 / Keeper – 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5
Jose Urquidy, Astros: Urquidy announced his presence with authority, as Nuke LaLoosh might have said, with 10 strikeouts in five innings against the A's on Wednesday. The Astros are watching his innings like a hawk, but he should still make one more start for them down the stretch, either against the battered Angels or the phoning-it-in M's. If you need every K you can get, he's worth a look. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4
Other two-start options, Mon-Sun (12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $1)
Dylan Bundy, Orioles (vs. TOR, vs. SEA)
Nathan Eovaldi, Red Sox (vs. SF, at TB)
Jorge Lopez, Royals (at OAK, at MIN)
Reynaldo Lopez, White Sox (at MIN, at DET)
John Means, Orioles (at DET, vs. SEA)
Zach Plesac, Cleveland (vs. DET, vs. PHI)
Glenn Sparkman, Royals (at OAK, at MIN)
Jose Suarez, Angels (at NYY, at HOU)
Relief Pitcher
Dellin Betances, Yankees: The flamethrowing righty hasn't pitched all year, but Betances will come off the IL on Sunday and get a couple of weeks to tune up before the playoffs. He could be rusty, but he could also give you a boost in ratios and K's if he regains his form quickly. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3
James Karinchak, Cleveland: Karinchak's numbers in the minors the last two years have been absurd – 1.29 ERA, 81:36 K:BB in 48.2 innings in 2018, then a 2.67 ERA and 74:17 K:BB in 30.1 innings in 2019 before his September promotion. He's got some deception in his delivery and a high 90s fastball, and he's struck out three of the first four big-league batters who have faced him, which I guess is pretty good. With Brad Hand currently sidelined with a tired arm, Cleveland may well elect to give the 23-year-old a look in the ninth inning as they try to claw their way into the postseason. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3
Nick Wittgren, Cleveland: If Cleveland doesn't decide to hand any closing duties to a raw rookie, Wittgren is the other plausible option, although a ninth-inning committee that also features guys like Adam Cimber, Oliver Perez (the bullpen's only other lefty besides Hand) and whoever else is feeling good that night is maybe the most likely solution as Terry Francona plays matchups. Wittgren did notch a save Sept. 4, his fourth of the year, but Cimber got the most recent save for Cleveland on Wednesday, a one-out special when Wittgren got the first out of the frame before exiting. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3
Catcher
Grayson Greiner, Tigers: Jake Rogers' struggles have forced Detroit to give Greiner more action than they'd probably like, and the 26-year-old has responded by hitting .345 in 29 September ABs. It's an empty batting average that could evaporate at any time, but at catcher, any production has value. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3
Kyle Higashioka, Yankees: Gary Sanchez's latest injury opens up plenty of playing time, and Higashioka should split starts with Austin Romine while Sanchez is sidelined. Higashioka has some pop – he slugged 20 HR at Triple-A this year – and any exposure to the Yankees' lineup could pay dividends in runs and RBI. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4
Austin Romine, Yankees: Romine may not have Higashioka's theoretical upside, but he's hit a career-high .287 this year and will probably get a couple more starts than his fellow catcher while Sanchez is out. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5
Jose Trevino, Rangers: With Jeff Mathis banged up, Trevino could be the starter behind the plate for Texas down the stretch, but the 26-year-old was pushing for more playing time anyway with a .333/.351/.485 slash line in September. The last time he showed anything at the plate over the long haul was in A-ball, but you never know with catchers. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2
Second Base
Thairo Estrada, Yankees: Ye olde September depth player. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1
Lourdes Gurriel, Blue Jays: Out since early August, Gurriel came off the IL on Saturday and promptly went 2-for-3 with a double. The 25-year-old is extremely streaky, but as he showed earlier this year he can carry lineups for a couple of weeks when he's locked in, and a couple more weeks is all you need him for. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team AL: $21
Jack Mayfield, Astros: September depth player. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1
Nick Solak, Rangers: The 24-year-old's audition for 2020 has been going swimmingly. Solak is slashing .341/.453/.614 in September with three homers and 11 RBI in 12 games, and there's no reason for Texas not to continue playing him regularly down the stretch. One note of caution for GMs in keeper leagues – he's played more games at DH so far than either second base or third base, which could limit his position eligibility severely to begin next season. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team AL: Owned
Ronald Torreyes, Twins: September depth player. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1
Breyvic Valera, Yankees: September depth player. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1
Donnie Walton, Mariners: After a bit of a breakout campaign at Double-A, Walton got a late promotion and filled in at shortstop while J.P. Crawford was nursing a hamstring strain. Now that Crawford is healthy, though, Walton could just be a September depth player the rest of the way. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2
Joey Wendle, Rays: Wendle's been on a tear in September and playing nearly every day, slashing .366/.395/.463 through 12 games with three steals, four RBI and 11 runs. It's all hands on deck for the Rays as they push for the playoffs, so as long as Wendle is raking, he'll find a starting job somewhere on the diamond, and the steals in particular could be gold for fantasy GMs down the stretch. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team AL: Owned
Shortstop
Dylan Moore, Mariners: Speaking of steals, Moore has four of them this month, although his .258 batting average and somewhat erratic playing time make him a less appealing fantasy option in shallow formats. If you're loading up on speed, though, the 27-year-old could get you a couple more SBs on the cheap. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5
Outfield
Johnny Davis, Rays: Speaking of cheap speed... Davis is basically Tampa's version of Terrance Gore. His only big-league hit so far is a triple, and while he doesn't yet have a steal, he won't need to be in the starting lineup to showcase his wheels if he keeps getting deployed as a late-game defensive replacement or pinch runner. Davis is a desperation SB play, but the potential is there for him to make an impact in the category. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1
Michael Hermosillo, Angels: Mike Trout's limping and Justin Upton and Shohei Ohtani are done for the year, so there's suddenly a lot of outfield/DH playing time up for grabs on the Angels. Hermosillo has started only two games since being called up Sept. 6, and Brian Goodwin will probably start in left field most of the time, but the team may want to spare a few ABs for the 24-year-old Hermosillo as well. He's probably a fourth outfielder in the long run, but he has flashed a little power and speed at Triple-A the last couple of seasons with 27 homers and 16 steals in 130 games. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3
Ryan LaMarre, Twins: LaMarre played 43 games for the Twins last year as part of a journeyman career that's seen him suit up for five different big-league teams since 2015, but with injuries hammering their outfield, they went out and picked him back up from the Atlanta organization for cash considerations. He's still an SDPO, though. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1
Kyle Lewis, Mariners: With Jake Fraley done for the year, Seattle decided they had room for another prospect and called Lewis up from Double-A, where he had a decent but not spectacular .740 OPS. The 24-year-old then promptly hit homers in his first three MLB games. He was a first-round pick in 2014 so he could simply be a proverbial late bloomer, but given his strikeout rates, he could also be figured out by legit big-league pitchers pretty quickly. The upside is enticing, though, and he only needs to stay hot for two more weeks in redraft. His keeper/dynasty value is still fairly sketchy, but it's certainly higher than it was two weeks ago. Redraft – 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: $7 / Keeper – 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3
Christin Stewart, Tigers: Stewart's been on a heater, slashing .324/.350/.622 with three homers over the last 11 games, and he remains a part of Detroit's future on offense, even if just as a low-BA slugger in the bottom half of the team's order. With the season in its twilight, you shouldn't need a personal shopper to tell you that's a bat worth picking up, unless your league has a runaway leader. Something something panic room. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team AL: $9
Taylor Ward, Angels: Like Hermosillo, Ward should get extra playing time over the final two weeks due to all the Angels' injuries. The 25-year-old has flunked out as a catcher and couldn't hack it defensively at third base, so the next stop on the defensive spectrum for Ward in a corner outfield spot. It does say something about how the club views his offensive potential that they haven't given up on him entirely, but this is not a future Josh Donaldson just waiting for his chance to break out. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2
Bradley Zimmer, Cleveland: It took a season-ending injury to Tyler Naquin, but Bradley finally gets another shot in Cleveland. The 26-year-old has been out since July 2018 due to shoulder surgery, and his bat was a question mark even before he got hurt. His speed (three steals in 13 rehab games this year) and defense could earn him some late-inning work for a team fighting for a playoff spot, but it's not clear if he'll get a chance to start. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3
