FAABwire Week 5

Welcome to the fifth FAABwire series for the 2012 season. This article will cover the top pickups of the week and how much FAAB (Free agent acquisition budget) you should spend. The FAABwire series is mostly catered to 12- and 15-team mixed league formats. Each week we will mostly focus on players that are owned in fewer than 34 percent of CBS leagues. Note that we will list the ownership percentage from the beginning of the week. FAAB bids are of course very specific to individual leagues, so we will give you ballpark bids of what it should take to acquire each player based on a one thousand dollar budget. Throughout the week, feel free to tweet players at me that I can discuss is the column. @MarkusPotter

Brian Fuentes, RP, Oakland A's (Owned: 23%) (FAAB: $200)

Fuentes was named the new A's closer. He has 201 saves in his career, but they can be ugly. Bid, throw him in your lineup and close your eyes!

Dale Thayer, RP, San Diego Padres (Owned 0%) (FAAB: $90)

Last week's FAAB money went to Cashner and Gregerson, so it was a surprise when manager Bud Black turned to Dale Thayer. The 31 year-old is now 3 for 3 in saves and was a successful closer in AAA, posting 21 saves with a 2.66 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP.

Casey Janssen, RP, Toronto Blue Jays (Owned: 1%) (FAAB: $80)

To continue the 2012 mantra, another closer down, and another closer up! This time it's the 30 year-old righty who posted a 2.26 ERA and a 1.096 WHIP for the Jays last year. He is only keeping the seat warm for Santos, who could begin a rehab assignment in two weeks. If you're in the hunt for saves, invest in the solid skill set that could get saves for a month or more.

Jon Rauch, RP, New York Mets (Owned:10%) (FAAB: $100)

Manager Terry Collins' support of Francisco is slipping and slipping fast due to his 6.59 ERA and 1.75 WHIP. After another implosion today from Francisco, Rauch should quickly inherit closing duties for the Mets.

Andy Pettitte, SP, New York Yankees (Owned: 40%) (FAAB $125)

When Pettitte retired in 2010 he still had demonstrated a solid skill set. Cashman and the Yankees were still begging him to pitch in 2011. The 39 year-old does not have lights out stuff, but there is no reason why he cannot fall in line with his career ERA of 3.88. Oh and by the way he plays for the Yankees, so run support and wins are likely to follow.

Phiipe Paulino, SP, Kansas City Royals (Owned 15%) (FAAB: $1)

If he hasn't been picked up already after dominating the Yankees, you can probably pick him up for next to nothing at this point. The 28 year-old strikes out nearly a batter per inning and has the upside to post close to a 3.50 ERA. As many owners have completely written off the flame flowing righty, those with patience could be rewarded down the stretch.

Christian Friedrich, SP, Colorado Rockies (Owned: 2%) (FAAB: $40)

The 27 year lefty from the Colorado system was rising up prospect lists before his disastrous 2011 season. Now looking for a revival, he has taken Triple-A by a storm posting a 27:4 K:BB in 30 innings. With Chacin walking the state of Colorado and Guthrie hitting the DL, the opportunity has arrived for Friedrich. We should remain skeptical with young unproven arms, but if you need help in your 15-team league this is an arm worth watching.

Jesus Flores, C, Washington Nationals (1% owned) (FAAB: $175)

With Ramos to have season ending surgery, Flores looks to be the starting backstop for the Nats. Injuries have marred the 27 year-old's short career, but when healthy, he has double-digit home run pop. His .250 career batting average is also decent, so he becomes a nice buy in two catcher leagues.

Roger Bernadina, OF, Washington Nationals (Owned: 2%) (FAAB: $25)

Bernadina is as streaky as they come, but has a solid power/speed combo that can be extremely desirable when scouring the waiver wire. The 27 year-old is at the top of the depth charts for the Nats and could claim the starting job if he gets off to a hot start. If given 600 at bats, double-digit home runs, 30 stolen bases with a .250 batting are within bounds

Bobby Abreu (Owned 10%) (FAAB: $65)

Abreu could get most of the left-field starts with Juan Rivera going down with a hamstring injury. His power has plummeted in past years, but given 600 at bats, double digit homeruns and 20 stolen bases is still within reach. If you are a Jayson Werth owner looking for help, this could be a suitable solution.

Brian Dozer, SS, Minnesota Twins (Owned: 7%) (FAAB: $50)

The Twins have brought up their number 10 prospect, Brian Dozer, who will play shortstop every day. Last year at double-A he hit .311 with 7 HR and 11 SB in 311 at bats. The 24-ƒyear-old hasn't received much hype yet, but the upside in 600 at bats is 10 home runs, 40 stolen bases with a .280 batting average. While most are looking at an AL only player, there is 15-team upside here.