NL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week

We have two goals for this article: 

1. Identify likely free agents and discuss their strengths and weaknesses.

2. Estimate how much of your $100 starting free-agent budget you should bid on them.

Bids in general are best guesstimates. With so much uncertainty at least initially, those values may be even greater estimates than usual. The FAAB chart below lets users easily see at a glance how certain players stack up against others and how much they should command in a variety of formats.

The chart, which is sortable by column (click on the header), include a very basic "player grade" column. This serves as a reflection of a player's skills and role on an A-E scale. An "A" grade is reserved for a high-impact prospect stepping into an everyday role.

If you have questions on players, I'm happy to provide my thoughts in the comments.

STARTING PITCHER

Tony Gonsolin, Dodgers: Gonsolin, out since Jul. 31 with right shoulder inflammation, was activated to start Thursday against the Cardinals. He allowed one run on three hits and a pair of walks with three strikeouts across three innings while tossing 55 pitches, including 34 for strikes. That outing came after Gonsolin surrendered one run on three hits and a walk while striking out one in 2.1 innings in a rehab appearance at Low-A Rancho Cucamonga last Saturday. The right-hander will look to get further stretched out in his next outing, which tentatively lines up for Tuesday against the Diamondbacks as he fills the fifth starter spot for LA. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14 (upped return bid) 

Dakota Hudson, Cardinals: Hudson's recovery from Tommy John surgery last September continues to progress towards him rejoining the Cardinals before the end of the season. He worked up to four innings and 46 pitches in his most recent rehab start for Double-A Springfield on Tuesday, scattering four hits and a walk while only giving up a pair of unearned runs. Hudson's velocity, feel and spin rates have all reportedly been solid through his first three rehab appearances and he'll next take the hill for Springfield on Sunday. He could appear with Triple-A Memphis for his next turn, then join St. Louis in a bullpen role and contend for a rotation spot in 2022. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (same spec return bid)

Merrill Kelly, Diamondbacks: Kelly, out after testing positive for COVID-19 on Aug. 14, threw four innings and 66 pitches in a rehab start in the Arizona Complex League on Sep. 9. That outing came after Kelly threw a 23-pitch bullpen session without any issues on Aug. 27, followed by a three-inning, 51-pitch outing in an intrasquad game on Sep. 3. Prior to be sidelined, he had posted a pristine 2.95 ERA and 1.08 WHIP while going 5-2 over his last 10 appearances. Manager Torey Lovullo didn't rule out the possibility of Kelly's next start coming with the Diamondbacks perhaps as soon as Tuesday versus the Dodgers. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14 (spec return bid) 

Jake Woodford, Cardinals: Woodford, recalled from the minors on Sep. 3, pitched well out of the bullpen replacing Kwang Hyun Kim last Saturday and striking out five over 5.1 innings of long relief. That solid effort resulted in manager Mike Shildt slotting Woodford into Kim's slot in the rotation Thursday against the Dodgers where he gave up one run on three hits and a pair of walks while striking out three across four innings and will remain in the rotation in what was Jack Flaherty's (shoulder) spot. Prior to being sent down, Woodford started in his last three appearances for St. Louis but primarily worked out of the bullpen posting a 5.08 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 32:17 K:BB across 39 innings. With his successful outing, the right-hander is expected to remain in the rotation for at least another turn, which tentatively lines up this week against the Mets. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 

Jordan Yamamoto, Mets: Yamamoto, on the injured list since late May due to a sore right shoulder, made his most recent rehab start at Low-A St. Lucie on Thursday going four innings while striking out five and allowing a run on three hits and no walks. After making three turns with St. Lucie kicking off a minor-league stint in the rookie-level Florida Complex League, Yamamoto had his rehab assignment transferred to Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday. He tossed three scoreless innings and struck out six as he continues to build back up for a starting role in case the Mets require an extra arm for the rotation later in September, but is more likely to slot into the bullpen if the big club suffers no further attrition to its pitching staff. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5

RELIEF PITCHER

Jose Alvarado/Hector Neris, Phillies: If Ian Kennedy continues to struggle, the Phillies could turn back to Alvarado or Neris to close games. Alvarado has gone scoreless over his last 11 appearances, including Saturday. Neris has allowed only one earned run since Jul. 21 with a respectable 33:9 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 23 innings pitched. Manager Joe Girardi has given Kennedy a vote of confidence, but that may last only until he blows another save. Alvarado - 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7; Neris - 12-team Mixed: $2, 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11

Dominic Leone, Giants: Leone, who has been used as an opener recently, tossed two scoreless innings Friday. He now has a 1.48 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 40:20 K:BB through 42.2 innings in a complete reversal of his performance the past several seasons since his solid 2017 campaign. Leone, who has a save, 13 holds and a 3-3 record this year, could see additional opening opportunities while Alex Wood (COVID-19) and Johnny Cueto (elbow) remain unavailable as manager Gabe Kapler has shown little hesitation to using a bullpen game to address an understaffed rotation. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

Kodi Whitley, Cardinals: Whitley has pitched well since getting recalled from Triple-A Springfield on Aug. 28 having tossed six scoreless innings over five appearances. The righty struggled with St. Louis earlier this season by posting a 6.10 ERA and 8:7 K:BB in 10.1 relief innings, though five of those earned runs came in the three appearances before he landed on the injured list. Whitley was effective after joining Triple-A Memphis in July with a 2.25 ERA in 16 innings accompanied by 21 strikeouts and only seven walks. He should continue to be used in low-leverage situations. 12-team Mixed: No, 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $5

CATCHER

William Contreras, Braves: Atlanta recalled Contreras from Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday to back up Travis d'Arnaud until Stephen Vogt (hip) returns from the IL. Contreras hit .196/.277/.372 in 166 plate appearances with Atlanta this season, as he was rushed to the majors to serve as the Braves' starting catcher in May and June when TdA injured his thumb. With d'Arnaud signed to a two-year extension that carries a third-year option, Contreras could be the backup for the next few seasons. 12-team Mixed: No, 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $5

Tomas Nido, Mets: Nido, on the injured list since Aug. 31 with a sprained left thumb, began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday and is expected to require a few rehab appearances before being cleared for activation. He'll likely rejoin the Mets sometime this week, joining Patrick Mazeika in backing up James McCann. 12-team Mixed: No, 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $5

FIRST BASE 

Seth Beer, Diamondbacks: Beer, acquired in the Zack Greinke trade in 2019, received his first call up to majors on Friday. He struggled at Double-A following the trade, but restored some luster to his value by slashing .287/.398/.511 with 16 homers and 33 doubles while striking out just 17.5 percent of the time in 100 games for Triple-A Reno. Beer was viewed a decent prospect, but not an elite one as he really only stood out in the power department. He's exclusively played first this season after previously spending time in the outfield corners, but will see time at DH when Arizona plays in AL parks as they did this past weekend against Seattle. In his first game with the D-backs on Friday, Beer pinch-hit for Christian Walker – his main competition along with Pavin Smith for playing time at first base - with two outs in the eighth inning and hit a solo homer in his first MLB at-bat. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9

Matt Beaty/Colton Welker: The Dodgers and Rockies called up depth first baseman this week. Beaty was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday majors after Billy McKinney (hip) was placed on the 10-day injured list. Sent to the minors in late August, Beaty hit .357 with three doubles, five runs and four RBI across nine games to earn the call-up. He'll spell Max Muncy and Albert Pujols at first while also possibly seeing the occasional start at a comer outfield spot…Welker, suspended in early-May for 80 games, was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday. He reported there in mid-August, and appeared in 23 games where he slashed .286/.378/.476 with three home runs, 18 RBI and 13 runs. The 23-year-old's career numbers in the minors haven't jumped off the page, but he brought his walk rate up to 12.2 percent in Albuquerque and will now play his home games at hitter-friendly Coors Field. Welker provides help in the corner infield behind C.J. Cron and Ryan McMahon while Connor Joe (hamstring) is sidelined and has seen most of his action so far at the hot corner. Beaty - 12-team Mixed: No, 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $5; Welker - 12-team Mixed: No, 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $6 

Lewin Diaz, Marlins: Diaz, sent back to the minors at the end of August, will rejoin the major-league club after Jesus Aguilar (knee) was placed on the 10-day IL on Wednesday. The 24-year-old has slashed .121/.171/.394 with three homers, five runs and five RBI in 16 big-league games this year, but is covering the majority of the at-bats at first base against right-handed pitchers with Jorge Alfaro likely starting against lefties. Diaz blasted 20 home runs and drove in 51 through 312 plate appearances in his first exposure this season to Triple-A pitching. 12-team Mixed: No, 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $7

Jose Martinez, Mets: Martinez, who looked to be on pace to join the Mets earlier in the month, resumed his minor-league rehab assignment at Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday. After hyperextending his left shoulder in late August, he was pulled off his rehab assignment for about a week before the Mets cleared him to rejoin the club. Though the shoulder is seemingly no longer a concern, Martinez will still need to pick up at-bats in the minors and prove his surgically repaired left knee - which sidelined him since the spring - doesn't bother him when playing the outfield. The righty could be a short-side platoon mate in left field for Jeff McNeil or Michael Conforto once reinstated from the 60-day injured list while helping the Mets versus southpaws, against whom they've been vulnerable this year. 12-team Mixed: No, 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $6 (early spec return bid)

Daniel Vogelbach, Brewers: Vogelbach, out after spending over two months on the shelf with a strained left hamstring, was activated from the 60-day injured list last week. Rowdy Tellez had claimed the starting role at first since joining Milwaukee, but will undergo an MRI on his right knee Sunday to determine the severity of the injury he suffered Saturday. If Tellez is sidelined, Vogelbach could see an uptick in playing time, but manager Craig Counsell could deploy Eduardo Escobar more often at first base especially when Willy Adames returns to action. 12-team Mixed: No, 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $7

SECOND BASE

Eddy Alvarez, Marlins: Alvarez, who won a silver medal with Team USA at the Olympics, had his contract selected from Triple-A Jacksonville on Tuesday. The 31-year-old infielder hit .288/.423/.441 with four home runs and two steals in 31 games in the minors. Alvarez provides additional infield depth behind Miguel Rojas and Jon Berti (concussion). 12-team Mixed: No, 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $4 

Nico Hoerner, Cubs: Hoerner was placed on the injured list Jul. 29 with a right oblique strain and appeared on track to rejoin the Cubs by the end of August, only to have his recovery timeline pushed back when he suffered a setback during his minor-league rehab assignment. Manager David Ross said Hoerner (oblique) took batting practice and participated in infield drills this Monday, but he has yet to resume his rehab stint. He'll need to play in at least a handful of games before being activated. Once reinstated, Hoerner will likely take over as the Cubs' everyday shortstop. Prior to being injured, he had slashed 313/.388/.388 with 14 RBI and three stolen bases through 39 games but was sent to the minors before the season and dealt with forearm and hamstring issues. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: Rostered (if not, $16) 

THIRD BASE

Brad Miller, Phillies: Miller didn't start Saturday, but came off the bench to hit his 18th home run of the season. Five of those long balls have come in his last 12 contests, as he continues to see most of the playing time at first with Rhys Hoskins sidelined for the remainder of the season following lower abdomen surgery. Miller's batting average leaves a little to be desired, but his OPS is up near .800 and he continues to go deep. 12-team Mixed: $11; 15-team Mixed: $22; 12-team-NL: Rostered 

Yoshi Tsutsugo, Pirates: Most of Tsutsugo's recent starts have come in right field, where he appears to have supplanted the struggling Anthony Alford as the Pirates' preferred option at the position. During his 24 games for Pittsburgh, Tsutsugo has crushed seven home runs while driving in 15 and scoring 12 times while posting a 1.096 OPS. He credits his power outburst to an opening of his batting stance, allowing him to catch up to high-velocity pitching - a prior area of weakness. 12-team Mixed: $8; 15-team Mixed: $16; 12-team-NL: $24, if not Rostered 

SHORTSTOP

Jose Barrero, Reds: Barrero, added to the taxi-squad Monday, was called up Friday with regular shortstop Kyle Farmer's leaving for paternity leave Friday. He made the most of that opportunity by drilling an RBI double for the go-ahead run and scored another run. Barrero received a 24-game trial with Cincinnati during the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, but struggled at the plate as was expected considering he played at High-A the previous season. He received a cup of coffee in August after improving his plate approach and tapping into more power, slashing 303/.378/.532 while slugging 17 home runs between Louisville and Double-A Chattanooga after having left the yard only 14 times across his first three professional years. Barrero also stole 15 bases between the two levels. It's not clear whether or not he'll have a roster spot once Farmer returns. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5 (up substantially in keeper leagues)

OUTFIELD

Steven Duggar, Giants: Duggar, recalled from Triple-A Sacramento last Sunday, has seen semi-consistent playing time in center field. The 27-year-old was at Sacramento for the past month, but rejoined the big-league roster with Austin Slater (concussion) hitting the injured list. Duggar enjoyed a strong first half with an .845 OPS in 63 games, but slashed .200/.273/.300 through 20 games out of the All-Star break before being demoted. Once Slater and Alex Dickerson (hamstring) complete their rehab stints and are activated, Duggar will either land back in the minors or return to a bench role. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team-NL: $5

Odubel Herrera, Phillies: Herrera extended his modest hitting streak to six games with a pair of knocks and has now hit safely in 12 of his last 13. The outfielder holds a .261/.316/.424 slash line with 12 home runs, six stolen bases, 46 RBI and 49 runs scored across 413 plate appearances. Herrera's recent hot hitting has regularly kept him in the lineup versus southpaws in addition to the righties, against whom he usually starts. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team-NL: Rostered

Matt Joyce, Phillies: Joyce, out with a lower-back strain since mid-June, was activated from the 60-day injured list Saturday. Injuries have limited him to only 36 games and 62 plate appearances where he's hit a miserable .100/.258/.240. The veteran outfielder compiled a .241/.385/.483 line with two home runs in 11 rehab games, but could slot into the fourth outfielder role with Travis Jankowski (foot contusion) being placed on the 10-day injured list. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team-NL: $6 

Tim Lopes/Nick Martini/Mickey Moniak/Steven Souza: The Brewers, Cubs, Phillies and Dodgers all called up depth outfielders this week. Lopes was recalled from Triple-A Nashville on Sunday with Willy Adames (quadriceps) heading to the IL. He appeared in five MLB games earlier this season and should fill a utility role… Martini's contract was selected from Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday. After getting outrighted to the minors in early June, he slashed .274/.384/.444 with 10 homers, 51 runs, 38 RBI and two stolen bases in 71 minor-league games. The 31-year-old will serve as outfield depth after Michael Hermosillo (forearm) was placed on the 10-day injured list…. Moniak, the first overall pick in 2016, was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday to replace Travis Jankowski (foot contusion) on the Phillies' 28-man roster. He was hitting .244/.305/.435 with 12 home runs and five steals in 92 games at Triple-A. Moniak will fill a depth role in the outfield… Souza's contract was selected from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday with Zach McKinstry optioned in a corresponding move. The 32-year-old outfielder was hitting .247/.387/.507 with nine home runs and four steals in 46 games at Triple-A. Souza hit .160 with 10 strikeouts in 13 games in the majors earlier this season and will see some action at both corner outfield spots. All- 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team-NL: $4 

Henry Ramos, Diamondbacks: Ramos, selected in the fifth round in 2010 by Boston, had his contract selected by the Diamondbacks on Sunday. The 29-year-old joined Arizona on a minor-league deal in May and crushed the ball at Triple-A Reno with a .371/.439/.582 slash line, 12 homers, 16 doubles, 57 RBI and 62 runs over 75 games. Ramos is receiving his first taste of the big leagues thanks to his strong showing at Triple-A and will cover at both corner outfield positions. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team-NL: $6