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.

Tanner Houck will return to Boston's rotation Thursday against the Rays to replace Garrett Richards, while several other starters have impressed recently and are available in plenty of fantasy leagues. Closing roles have become more defined in the two weeks since the trade deadline, and several position players are also worth picking up given their recent surges at the plate.

Starting Pitcher

Tanner Houck, Red Sox: Houck will rejoin the Red Sox to start Thursday's game against the Rays, and it appears as though he'll remain in the rotation since Garrett Richards will move to the bullpen. The 25-year-old has made four appearances since the All-Star break, recording a 1.17 ERA and 0.91 WHIP in 15.1 innings. The right-hander has earned his rotation spot, and he has plenty of fantasy value for the final few weeks of the season. FAAB: $9

Austin Gomber, Rockies: Gomber had one of his worst starts of the year Aug. 1 against the Padres when he gave up four runs in one inning, but he's still been mostly effective since he returned from a forearm injury July 21. He's earned wins in three of his last four outings, posting a 4.26 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 19 innings. The southpaw has a strong 3.79 ERA in his first season as a full-time starter, and he hasn't been too impacted by playing his home games at Coors Field. FAAB: $8

Cal Quantrill, Cleveland: Quantrill sputtered into the All-Star break with a 7.58 ERA in 19 innings across his four starts leading up to the pause. However, he's shown great improvement, as he's lasted at least five innings in each of his six starts since, and he hasn't allowed more than two runs in any of those appearances. Although the right-hander has a record of just 2-0 during that time, he's recorded quality starts in five of the outings and has posted a 1.25 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in 36 innings. Quantrill's production to begin the second half of the season makes him a strong fantasy option. FAAB: $5

Vladimir Gutierrez, Reds: Gutierrez got off to a slow start after the All-Star break by allowing six runs in four innings against the Mets on July 19, but he's settled down in his three most recent starts. He's recorded quality starts in each of those outings and has been rewarded with wins on each occasion. The righty has held the opposition to two or fewer runs in five of his last six starts, and he's posted a 1.86 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in 19.1 innings in his last three appearances. FAAB: $5

Griffin Jax, Twins: Jax's fantasy value was limited earlier in the season while he worked as a long reliever, but he's started in each of his last four appearances and hasn't allowed more than three runs in any of those outings. The right-hander struck out a season-high 10 batters in six innings during his most recent appearance, and he's now recorded a 2.66 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 18:5 K:BB in 20.1 innings in his last four starts. Jax has earned more stability in the rotation and has made himself into a viable fantasy option. FAAB: $4

Relief Pitcher

Alex Colome, Twins: Colome made the column last week since he was in line to be Minnesota's closer by default, but he's been dominant recently and leads the majors with five saves in the last two weeks. The right-hander hasn't allowed a run in his last seven appearances dating to July 31, and he's converted on each of his five save chances during that time. Colome had recorded double-digit saves in each of the last five seasons, and he appears to be back on track following some shaky performances earlier in the year. FAAB: $9

Kyle Finnegan, Nationals: Finnegan is also included in the column for a second straight week since he appears to be gaining more job security as the Nationals' closer. The right-hander hasn't allowed an earned run since July 17, and he's picked up three saves and a win in his last five appearances. While Finnegan hit a slight bump in the road when he gave up four unearned runs against the Phillies on Aug. 5, he's been mostly effective and appears to have manager Dave Martinez's trust in the ninth inning. FAAB: $6

Mychal Givens, Reds: The Reds have had one of the most committee-based approaches to the ninth inning this year, in part due to injuries and inconsistent performances by their late relievers. Givens has made seven appearances since he was traded from the Rockies to the Reds in late July, and he's tossed seven scoreless innings. He had picked up saves in each of his two appearances leading to Wednesday, but he worked the 10th inning against Atlanta before the Reds eventually lost in 11 innings. The right-hander's ninth-inning usage isn't guaranteed given Cincinnati's approach to save situations this year, but he's pitched his way into some closing duties. FAAB: $2

Catcher

Travis d'Arnaud, Atlanta: D'Arnaud returned from the 60-day injured list Wednesday after he missed more than two months while recovering from thumb surgery. He went 1-for-4 with a walk and a strikeout and will take over as Atlanta's primary catcher. The 32-year-old was relatively productive during the first month of the season and batted .220/.253/.341 with two homers, 11 RBIs and five runs in 23 games, and he has some upside for the final month and a half of the 2021 campaign now that he's healthy. FAAB: $2

First Base

C.J. Cron, Rockies: Cron has gotten on base in each of his last seven appearances, and he's recorded multi-hit performances in four of those contests. During his on-base streak, he's gone 11-for-24 with four home runs, 17 RBIs and nine runs. The 31-year-old ranks third on the team with a .487 slugging rate during his first season in Colorado's thin air. His power has been on full display recently, and he's had little trouble with his counting stats. FAAB: $7

Brandon Belt, Giants: Belt was reinstated from the 10-day IL late last week following an absence of more than a month due to right knee inflammation. Although the 33-year-old went hitless in four at-bats Wednesday, he had recorded hits in each of his first five games after he returned, and he went 6-for-18 with four home runs, a double, seven RBIs and six runs during that time. Belt is on pace to set a career high in home runs this year, and he has 36 runs and 35 RBIs in 61 appearances in 2021. FAAB: $5

Second Base

Cesar Hernandez, White Sox: Hernandez's batting average has improved to .279 in 12 games since he was traded to the White Sox. He's been especially effective in his last seven games, as he's slashed .280/.379/.520 with two homers, seven runs and three RBIs during that time. Hernandez has maintained consistent playing time with the Pale Hose, and he should have plenty of chances to cross the plate while batting near the top of the team's talented lineup. FAAB: $3

Third Base

Jeimer Candelario, Tigers: Candelario is in the midst of an on-base streak that spans 14 games dating to July 27. During that time, he's hit .340 with a home run, a triple, seven doubles, 10 RBIs and nine runs. Six of those extra-base hits have come in his last seven appearances, and he now has 40 extra-base knocks in 2021. The 27-year-old's eight home runs and 41 RBIs in 106 games this season have been somewhat underwhelming, but he's remained in the heart of the order and has been more effective at driving in runs recently. FAAB: $4

Shortstop

Miguel Rojas, Marlins: Rojas has put up multi-hit games in four of his last nine appearances, and he's recorded four extra-base hits during that time. The 32-year-old has gone 11-for-34 with a home run, a triple, two doubles, eight runs, four RBIs and two stolen bases across those nine games. Rojas' ability to drive in runs has been limited since he's mainly served as the leadoff man since Jazz Chisholm was placed on the COVID-19 IL. However, he's provided a boost in average and on-base abilities while displaying modest power and speed recently. FAAB: $3

Outfield

Anthony Santander, Orioles: Santander is in the midst of an eight-game hitting streak, and he's recorded multiple hits in five of those games. During his streak, the outfielder has hit .469 with four homers, two doubles, seven RBIs and six runs. All four of those home runs have come in the last three games, and Santander has now gone yard 10 times in 72 games this season. The 26-year-old hit just .125 in the six games leading up to the All-Star break, but he's been much more effective since then and is riding a power surge during his hitting streak. FAAB: $5

Sam Hilliard, Rockies: Hilliard went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts Wednesday, but he's displayed increased power to begin the month with seven extra-base hits in eight games since Aug. 1. Since the start of August, he's hit .355 with four homers, three doubles, eight RBIs and six runs. The 27-year-old spent two and a half months in the minors earlier in the season, but he now has a career-high eight home runs in 42 games with the big-league club in 2021, and he's had consistent playing time since he rejoined the Rockies. FAAB: $4

Myles Straw, Cleveland: Straw has taken over as Cleveland's leadoff hitter recently, and he's responded with a six-game hitting streak. While the 26-year-old has driven in just two runs during that time, he's crossed the plate five times in the last four games. Straw hasn't displayed much power in 2021 with just three home runs in 110 games, but he's swiped 19 bases and will have more chances to get on base and score runs if he remains at the top of the order. FAAB: $3

Lewis Brinson, Marlins: Brinson has had multi-hit performances in four of his last five games, and he's produced plenty of runs across that span. During his recent hot stretch, the 27-year-old has gone 11-for-19 with three homers, three doubles, eight RBIs, six runs and three walks. Brinson  likely will lose playing time once Jesus Sanchez and Jon Berti return from the injured list, but he's a nice short-term option while he's swinging a hot bat. FAAB: $2