FAABwire week 7

Welcome to FAABwire week seven. 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 twelve and fifteen team mixed league formats. Each week I will mostly focus on players that are owned in under thirty-four percent of CBS leagues. FAAB bids are of course very specific to individual leagues, so I 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

Matt Adams, 1B, St Louis Cardinals (Owned: 29%) (FAAB: $300)

The "first baseman of the future" has arrived and will be given every opportunity to play first base on a daily basis for the Cardinals. This is a massive man listed at 230 pounds (some speculate 260) with huge power upside, who also knows how to make contact and hit. In Double-A last year, he hit 32 home runs, drove in 101 runs, with a batting average of .300. By year's end, the 23-year-old could be in the Rookie of the Year discussion. The Berkman injury happened late last weekend, so it is possible that Adams went under the radar, and did not get picked up last Sunday. If you are in a weekly league, make an aggressive bid for the slugger's services.

Sean Rodriguez 2B/3B/SS, Tampa Bay Rays (Owned 37%) (FAAB: $150)

After a severe struggle to begin the 2012 season, Rodriguez has turned up the heat in May hitting over .300 with four homers. Do not expect a high batting average by years end, but there is a real power/speed upside, not to mention the position flexibility of shortstop, second, and third base. The 27-year-old is worth a look in all formats.

Ernesto Frieri RP, Angels (Owned 29%) (FAAB: $275)

It appears that we have a new closer in Los Angeles. Frieri has the swing and miss stuff to last and should be owned in all formats. Although he has not been tabbed officially as the closer, in the post game he said he was thrilled to be given the role, which he was never able to obtain in San Diego. We thank Frieri for this breaking news, which management has yet to issue.

Tyler Clippard RP, Nationals (Owned 18%) (FAAB: $225)

It was reported Saturday, that "Tyler Clippard and Sean Burnett are expected to split the Nationals closer's role." Clippard owns an elite skill set and should be owned in all leagues. Drew Storen is expected back in late June at the earliest, but even if Clippard isn't closing out games he has value as a middle reliever.

Michael Brantley, OF, Cleveland Indians (Owned: 34%) (FAAB: $150)

After a sluggish start to the season and a demotion to the seventh spot in the lineup, Brantley has been coming on strong as of late with several multiple hit games while running wild of the base paths. He has an eye popping contact rate of 91%, and is once again leading off for the Tribe. The 25-year-old is most likely owned in 15-team-leagues, but double check your waiver wire in 12 team formats as he should be owned across the board.

Brian Roberts, SS, Baltimore Orioles (Owned 15%) (FAAB: $25)

Roberts started his Double-A rehab assignment on Wednesday night walking twice in two plate appearances. He also scored a run and according to local scouts looked comfortable at second base. MASNsports reported that he felt good after his four innings of play. With only Robert Andino occupying second base at the moment, the 34-year-old should not have any trouble reclaiming his every day job. Look for 20 stolen bases, 60 runs scored and a solid batting average upon his return.

Everth Cabrera SS, San Diego Padres (Owned 3%) (FAAB: 40$)

The 25-year-old speedster has quietly been getting most of the starts for the Padres, and has started to hit as of late, after getting off to an abysmal start in April. He had 73 thefts in 479 at bats at low-A, which are too tantalizing to ignore. He has had mixed results in terms of stolen base success rates, but the upside for cheap speed is very real.

Will Venable OF, San Diego Padres (Owned 13%) (FAAB: 30$)

After once again flirting with hitting for the cycle, the 29-year-old is currently one another hot streak. Venable should hit 10 home runs and steal 20 bases by years end. He is also making more contact and hitting more line drives, which could allow him to sustain his .275 batting average. The 29-year-old crushes when he is playing outside of spacious PETCO, and his 15 of his next 21 games will be on the road. The right fielder should be owned in 15-team leagues and worth a look in 12 teamers.

Vladimir Guerrero, DH, Toronto Blue Jays (Owned 5%) (FAAB: 20$)

Adam Lind's demotion has paved the way for the free swinger to be the Jay's every day DH. Guerrero could soon report to High-A after a few more appearances in extended spring training, the team's official site reports. Power and a solid batting average is a rare commodity on the waiver wire, so make this pickup in all 15-team leagues.