This article is part of our AL FAAB Factor series.
Normally on Sundays, I'd be writing and posting the AL FAAB article, highlighting and analyzing players who are worth picking up (or occasionally, trying to talk you out of throwing too much of your budget at a player likely to draw high bids). However, with the MLB season held in suspended animation like a bug in amber, there are no FAAB or waiver periods to worry about. At least I hope not – there's probably a couple of leagues out there that drafted early and might be plowing ahead anyway, but spending any portion of your budget right now would just be silly, when things as fundamental as the number of games that will be played and the size of big-league rosters are still up in the air.
That doesn't mean, however, that there aren't players and roster situations worth discussing in the meantime. Each week until the season is finally ready to begin, we'll take a look at players gaining or losing value, to prepare you for that eventual first FAAB period.
Starting Pitcher
Griffin Canning, Angels: The right-hander continues to progress well from the forearm trouble he experienced back in February, and Canning has been able to work back up to around 55 pitches during live batting practice sessions against actual hitters. He had an up-and-down introduction to the majors in 2019 and the issues he's had with his arm the last two years are a red flag, but his strikeout potential is legit. The upside
Normally on Sundays, I'd be writing and posting the AL FAAB article, highlighting and analyzing players who are worth picking up (or occasionally, trying to talk you out of throwing too much of your budget at a player likely to draw high bids). However, with the MLB season held in suspended animation like a bug in amber, there are no FAAB or waiver periods to worry about. At least I hope not – there's probably a couple of leagues out there that drafted early and might be plowing ahead anyway, but spending any portion of your budget right now would just be silly, when things as fundamental as the number of games that will be played and the size of big-league rosters are still up in the air.
That doesn't mean, however, that there aren't players and roster situations worth discussing in the meantime. Each week until the season is finally ready to begin, we'll take a look at players gaining or losing value, to prepare you for that eventual first FAAB period.
Starting Pitcher
Griffin Canning, Angels: The right-hander continues to progress well from the forearm trouble he experienced back in February, and Canning has been able to work back up to around 55 pitches during live batting practice sessions against actual hitters. He had an up-and-down introduction to the majors in 2019 and the issues he's had with his arm the last two years are a red flag, but his strikeout potential is legit. The upside makes him worth a flier if he's available, but Canning's the kind of pitcher you don't want to get too attached to, as regular IL stints are probably part of the package
Carlos Carrasco, Cleveland: While there's still no guarantee a season will be played in 2020, Carrasco is likely to be at the forefront of any issues regarding player health and safety given his leukemia diagnosis last year. Players with known health concerns, such as the Rockies' David Dahl, expressed a willingness to play with COVID risks a while ago, but that was before the owners started nickel-and-diming themselves off a cliff. Will someone like Carrasco, who's also recovering from March elbow imflammation, really want to take that chance during a schedule so short it's almost meaningless or for a tiny fraction of his contractual salary, or will he simply stay home and try to get back to 100 percent for 2021? Even if you think the chances of that happening are small, they do exist, and the risk of getting zeros from Carrasco and players like him needs to be factored into their acquisition cost.
Brendan McKay, Rays: McKay is another player who was sent down to the minors on paper before spring training was put on pause, but who should wind up on the taxi squad or as part of an expanded roster. A rough debut has sent his prospect stock tumbling, but McKay still dominated the high minors last year and the 24-year-old southpaw may not need to make many adjustments. Tampa's pitching depth remains excellent, so he won't be handed a rotation spot, but McKay still arguably offers more upside than the other candidates for spots at the back of the rotation.
Relief Pitcher
Luke Farrell / Taylor Hearn / Jonathan Hernandez, Rangers: A trio of guys you're probably never heard of are likely candidates to provide pitching depth for Texas, whether on the taxi squad or regular roster. Farrell barely pitched in 2019 due to a concussion but looked good in his limited action and had a strong spring, and he could work his way into a setup role. Hearn dealt with elbow issues last year but seemed healthy in camp and could give the Rangers a long relief/swing starter option. Hernandez is the closest thing to a prospect of the trio, and his conversion to relief last season resulted in an average fastball velocity of 97 mph, but also 13 walks in 16.2 big-league innings. If his control takes a step forward, he could emerge as a high-leverage option.
Second Base
Tyler Wade, Yankees: The 25-year-old has done little at the plate over the last three seasons in his limited action for the Yankees, but Wade is also the likely backup shortstop to Gleyber Torres, which makes him all but a lock for a spot on an expanded roster. Wade does offer some steals – he went 7-for-7 in the majors over 43 games in 2019, and is 9-for-10 in his 109-game career – so in deeper AL-only formats, those SBs and his potential position flex in a utility role have value.
Shortstop
Austin Martin, Blue Jays: Due to the nature of both this year and this draft class, the top picks were dominated by college talent, and a few of them could wind up on big-league taxi squads to get some experience in the locker room and some big-league coaching, rather than beginning their careers playing simulated games at spring training complexes. Depending on the rules of your keeper or dynasty league, that might make them eligible to be picked up during the season as free agents rather than having to wait until your next amateur draft to get them. Martin seems the most likely to get such an assignment, although he's still highly unlikely to see game action for the Jays in 2020. The team has suggested they want to get to know him and his skill set better before deciding on his regular defensive assignment, and the coaching staff won't be able to do that if he isn't with the team. Prospects like the Tigers' Spencer Torkelson and the Marlins' Max Meyer could also fit the bill of players close enough to the majors talent-wise that they get a taxi squad assignment. 'Rules lawyer' sometimes gets thrown around as an insult, but this chaotic season could be the perfect time to comb through your league's constitution to see if you can pick up some elite talent through an unexpected channel.
