MLB FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week

This FAAB article is in addition to the AL and NL FAAB articles that run Sunday. Bids are based on a $100 FAAB budget. Throughout the season, this column will have two goals:

1. Identify FAAB targets for fantasy managers in leagues with Thursday FAAB.

2. Offer a preview of FAAB targets ahead of Sunday's columns.

While some leagues had their final waiver cycles Sunday, some leagues with Thursday FAAB have one more chance to add free agents ahead of the final series of the regular season. Several pitchers line up to make their final starts of the year this weekend, while there are still a handful of closers available in plenty of leagues. This includes Camilo Doval, who has seen more ninth-inning work for the Giants recently while Jake McGee has dealt with an oblique injury. Plenty of position players have also put together strong performances at the plate recently and offer fantasy value heading into the final weekend of the regular season. This week's FAAB suggestions are intended to provide an idea of the player's ranking compared to other players on the list, and fantasy managers should spend the remainder of their FAAB in the final waiver cycle of the year.

Starting Pitcher

Kris Bubic, Royals: Bubic has been dominant since the start of September and hasn't given up more than two earned runs in any of his last five appearances. The southpaw has been rewarded with wins in each of his last two starts and has lasted at least 6.1 innings in each of those outings. He has a favorable matchup during the Royals' weekend series at home against the Twins as he attempts to close out the season on a high note. FAAB: $15

Eli Morgan, Cleveland: Morgan was roughed up by the Brewers on Sept. 10 when he gave up eight runs (seven earned) in 4.1 innings, but he's turned things around since then with back-to-back wins against the Yankees and White Sox. Across those two appearances, the right-hander has posted a 0.75 ERA and 0.67 WHIP in 12 innings. He lines up to make his final start of the season with a favorable matchup on the road against Texas on Friday. FAAB: $9

Tyler Anderson, Mariners: Anderson had a rough outing against the Angels on Saturday when he gave up nine runs in two innings, but he pitched again Tuesday on short rest and gave up just one run across four innings. The southpaw will start on normal rest in Sunday's season finale, where he'll get a rematch against the Halos in Seattle. Anderson has limited the opposition to one run in three of his last four outings and will attempt to find more success against the Angels on Sunday. FAAB: $6

Jhonathan Diaz, Angels: Diaz made his second major-league appearance Saturday against the Mariners and picked up the win by allowing just one run in seven innings. He served as a long reliever last weekend while filling in for Jaime Barria, who dealt with a shoulder injury, but he could start in the team's weekend series in Seattle. Diaz's start hasn't been confirmed, but he'll attempt to remain hot against the Mariners if he ultimately fills in for Barria, who has been ruled out for the season. FAAB: $4

Relief Pitcher

Camilo Doval, Giants: The Giants remain in a battle for the NL West heading into the final weekend of the season, and Doval appears to have taken over closing duties for now. Jake McGee has been sidelined with an oblique injury, while Tyler Rogers has recorded a 9.00 ERA in seven innings across his last seven appearances. Doval has tossed 12.1 scoreless innings with four wins and a 16:3 K:BB across his last 13 appearances. The right-hander has also been rewarded with save opportunities in each of his last two appearances. Although Doval's recent saves have been his first of the year, he appears to have manager Gabe Kapler's trust in the ninth inning heading into the Giants' final series of the regular season. FAAB: $11

Joe Barlow, Rangers: Barlow has been firmly established as the Rangers' closer late in the season, and the Rangers have a series against Cleveland this weekend. The right-hander has converted all seven of his save chances across his last nine outings, including three saves in the last week. Across his last nine appearances, Barlow has recorded a 1.17 ERA and 0.65 WHIP in 7.2 innings. He has a favorable matchup this weekend against another team that has been eliminated from postseason contention and has seen plenty of high-leverage work recently. FAAB: $9

Cole Sulser, Orioles: The Orioles have a matchup against the Blue Jays this weekend, who are still battling for a playoff spot heading into the final series of the year. As a result, Baltimore might not have any save opportunities, but Sulser has been the favorite for ninth-inning work recently. The right-hander has tossed 10 scoreless frames across his last eight appearances and has allowed just four hits and two walks while striking out six during that time. He converted both of his save chances while earning three holds across those eight appearances and is a strong option if the Orioles have any save chances this weekend. FAAB: $7

Catcher

Luis Torrens, Mariners: Torrens has been quite productive at the plate this year, and his results have carried over into the final week of the season as the Mariners compete for a postseason berth. The 25-year-old has recorded hits in five of his last seven appearances, including multi-hit efforts in three of those contests. During that time, Torrens hit .375 with a home run, a double, six RBI and two runs. Although he hasn't been especially adept at crossing the plate, he's flashed some power while driving in runs and providing good ratios. FAAB: $5

First Base

Colin Moran, Pirates: Moran has just 10 home runs in 2021, but two of those have come within the last week. Across his last seven games, the 28-year-old recorded a .480 on-base percentage with two homers, five runs and five RBI. He's maintained a consistent spot in the lineup while batting cleanup and has had a slight uptick in run production recently. Moran has also drawn plenty of walks recently and is a solid option for the final weekend of the season in leagues that use on-base percentage. FAAB: $3

Second Base

Alcides Escobar, Nationals: Escobar hasn't displayed much power this season with just three home runs across 72 games, but he's swung a hot bat recently and is in the midst of a 15-game on-base streak. During that time, the 34-year-old has slashed .348/.387/.478 with a homer, six doubles, 10 runs, nine RBI and a stolen base. Escobar's results haven't jumped off the page this season, but he's been more effective at producing counting stats while keeping his ratios strong recently. FAAB: $6

Kyle Farmer, Reds: Farmer has been slightly more inconsistent recently but has recorded five multi-hit performances across the last 12 games. During that time, the 31-year-old has slashed .326/.367/.543 with two home runs, four doubles, eight runs and eight RBI. His production has been quite reliant on extra-base hits, but he's still worth fantasy consideration heading into the final series of 2021. FAAB: $2

Third Base

Yandy Diaz, Rays: Diaz exited Tuesday's game with left rib discomfort and was held out of Wednesday's contest, but he reportedly felt better and hopes to return for Friday's series opener against the Yankees. Assuming he returns to action for the Rays' weekend series, he's swung a hot bat recently and could provide a boost to fantasy teams late in the regular season. Across his last six appearances, the 30-year-old has gone 8-for-21 with two home runs, a double, nine RBI and four runs. His health is worth monitoring, but he's a strong fantasy option if he returns to the field. FAAB: $8

Matt Duffy, Cubs: Duffy has recorded hits in each of the last nine games, and he's had multiple hits in four of those appearances. During that time, the infielder slashed .371/.421/.514 with five doubles, five runs, three RBI and a stolen base. The 30-year-old's counting stats have left something to be desired, but he's had a strong batting average and on-base percentage recently. Duffy should see regular playing time to close out the season while Nico Hoerner and Patrick Wisdom are sidelined. FAAB: $3

Shortstop

J.P. Crawford, Mariners: Crawford has been on a tear at the plate recently and has six multi-hit efforts across the last 10 games. The 26-year-old has slashed .378/.404/.578 with a home run, six doubles, eight runs and four RBI during that time. His ability to drive in runs has been limited while batting in the leadoff spot for most of the season, but he's displayed modest power and has been effective at crossing the plate. Crawford faces a favorable opponent in the Angels this weekend as the Mariners battle for a postseason spot. FAAB: $5

Outfield

Harrison Bader, Cardinals: Bader played a key role in the Cardinals' recent win streak with home runs in three consecutive games to close out the team's series against the Cubs. He snapped a seven-game hitting streak in Wednesday's loss, but he's still slashed .484/.500/.903 with three home runs, four doubles, 11 runs, six RBI and two stolen bases across the last seven contests. The 27-year-old has had an everyday role for the Cardinals and has plenty of fantasy value if he maintains his playing time this weekend. FAAB: $10 

Brandon Marsh, Angels: Marsh was out of the lineup Wednesday after he went 0-for-4 in Tuesday's matchup, but he still had a relatively productive week. Across the last nine games, the 23-year-old has recorded a .359 on-base percentage with two doubles, seven runs, two RBI and a stolen base. Although Marsh hasn't driven in many runs while hitting at the top of the order, he has a relatively high on-base percentage and has been effective at crossing the plate. FAAB: $3