This article is part of our NL FAAB Factor series.
As I wrote last week, normally, this would be my weekly look at National League free agents. But as we all know, we are not in normal times. First and foremost, I hope you and all of your loved ones are safe and well and remain that way.
To provide you some fresh reading material during this mandated hiatus, this article will look at some interesting NL players to draft and/or add off waivers. The LABR and Tout Wars NL-only leagues are our starting point for the column. Players drafted late or reserve picks are the main focus, though I probably will touch on others whose values I think will exceed their costs. My plan is to cover a handful of names each week, hopefully saving several over for the following column, allowing a new population of players to be covered weekly.
To make this somewhat interactive, as always, if there is a player that was not discussed in the article that you would like to know about, feel free to ask in the comments and I will touch on those the following week. We will see how many weeks this lasts, and hopefully by the time we exhaust all the names we want to cover, we will have baseball or an idea when games will resume, enabling a resumption of the normal column.
STARTING PITCHER
Dakota Hudson/Carlos Martinez, Cardinals: Hudson entered spring training on the list of those likely to see a drop from last year's
As I wrote last week, normally, this would be my weekly look at National League free agents. But as we all know, we are not in normal times. First and foremost, I hope you and all of your loved ones are safe and well and remain that way.
To provide you some fresh reading material during this mandated hiatus, this article will look at some interesting NL players to draft and/or add off waivers. The LABR and Tout Wars NL-only leagues are our starting point for the column. Players drafted late or reserve picks are the main focus, though I probably will touch on others whose values I think will exceed their costs. My plan is to cover a handful of names each week, hopefully saving several over for the following column, allowing a new population of players to be covered weekly.
To make this somewhat interactive, as always, if there is a player that was not discussed in the article that you would like to know about, feel free to ask in the comments and I will touch on those the following week. We will see how many weeks this lasts, and hopefully by the time we exhaust all the names we want to cover, we will have baseball or an idea when games will resume, enabling a resumption of the normal column.
STARTING PITCHER
Dakota Hudson/Carlos Martinez, Cardinals: Hudson entered spring training on the list of those likely to see a drop from last year's production. After a rough first start, he went on to post a 16-6 mark while notching a 3.29 ERA and 1.39 WHIP. RotoWire's preseason outlook highlighted this: "The right-hander doesn't strike out many batters — his 7.0 K/9 was the ninth-lowest mark among qualified starters — relying instead on his sinker/cutter combo to help generate a league-high 56.9 percent groundball rate." But he did have a solid spring and is locked in as the Cardinals' No. 3 starter. Martinez, who recovered from his injuries and pitched out of the bullpen last season due to durability issues, was slotted in as St. Louis' fifth starter. When healthy in the past, C-Mart showed that he was a solid to upper-tier starter, but injuries wreaked havoc with his availability. But remained healthy throughout spring training and proved his previously ailing right shoulder was up to the rigors of starting and could benefit from a shortened season, if one actually occurs. Hudson - LABR: $3; Tout Wars: $4; Martinez - LABR: $8; Tout Wars: $13
RELIEF PITCHER
Jordan Hicks, Cardinals: As has been a theme of these columns, certain players — especially those dealing with an injury — are benefitting from the delayed start to the season. Hicks most certainly falls into that category, as he continues playing catch and visiting the Cardinals' spring training facility for rehab-related work when possible. Recovering from late-June Tommy John surgery, Hicks has been on a throwing program since January. Giovanny Gallegos is expected to begin the season as the Cardinals' closer and Ryan Helsley is in the wings, but the longer the season is delayed, the better chance Hicks has to be a factor in the bullpen. LABR: $0; Tout Wars: R
CATCHER
Travis d'Arnaud, Braves: As a Mets fan, I believed TdA was the jewel in the R.A. Dickey deal. We all know that proved not to be the case, with Noah Syndergaard far outshining d'Arnaud. Injuries adversely impacted d'Arnaud's career and playing time, but he parlayed a fine 90-plus games in Tampa Bay into a two-year, $16 million deal with Atlanta. He will split playing time behind the plate with Tyler Flowers but is expected to receive a majority of the starts at the position. D'Arnaud should benefit from the fine lineup in front of him in the batting order, but be careful not to overrate. LABR: $7; Tout Wars: $6
FIRST BASE
Howie Kendrick, Nationals: Kendrick was brilliant last season for Washington, batting .344/.395/.572 with 17 home runs while driving in 62 runs in 370 plate appearances. He signed a one-year $6.25 million contract to return to the Nationals last December. The Nationals added Asdrubal Cabrera and have Carter Kieboom ready, which likely will cut into Kendrick's playing time. But as we have seen, Kendrick finds a way to receive action at several positions, likely resulting in 300-plus plate appearances again. LABR: $5; Tout Wars: $6
SECOND BASE
Jurickson Profar, Padres: Profar finally stayed healthy the last two seasons. After a solid 2018 campaign, Profar regressed last year, hitting .218 in Oakland after batting .254 in his final year with Texas while still blasting 20 home runs for the second straight year. Profar agreed to a one-year, $5.7 million contract this offseason with the Padres, where he will be used at second base despite his defensive woes last season. The 19 stolen bases in 20 attempts the last two seasons add to the value of Profar, who should bat in a prime run-producing spot in the order. LABR: $11; Tout Wars: $10
THIRD BASE
Jedd Gyorko/Eric Sogard, Brewers: Gyorko and Sogard were set to open the season as a platoon at the hot corner for the Brewers. Injuries limited Gyorko to 62 games last season and contributed to him finishing his 2019 campaign with St. Louis and Los Angeles with a lowly .498 OPS. But Gyorko showed in the past when healthy that he can be productive and versatile, playing several positions. Sogard, who played in Milwaukee in 2017 and 2018, brings a strong on-base average and could bat leadoff for the Brewers when in the lineup. Both will battle Brock Holt and possibly Ryon Healy for at-bats when the season begins. Gyorko - LABR: $2, Tout Wars: $1; Sogard - LABR: $3, Tout Wars: $1
SHORTSTOP
Nico Hoerner, Cubs: Hoerner, drafted in the first round in 2018, made his major-league debut last season, as he was an emergency call up with Javier Baez and Addison Russell. As RotoWire noted in a recent update, before play was suspended due to the pandemic, Hoerner likely was looking at starting the year at Triple-A Iowa to get more regular playing time. However, if rosters are expanded and the schedule gets compacted as expected, he could land a role in the majors and regular playing time — probably at second base — when the regular season begin. LABR: $2; Tout Wars: $3
OUTFIELD
Yoenis Cespedes, Mets: Cespedes is a major wild card. The 34-year-old wasn't yet running the bases or taking part in fielding drills when MLB suspended play, and it's not clear how ready he will be to patrol the outfield once action resumes. But the rumors of a universal DH in 2020 and continued delay to the start of the season add to the potential of Cespedes providing positive value for his owners and the Mets. Add pending free agency and the desire to cash in on the open market and you should have a motivated Yo, whenever he is ready to play. LABR: $5; Tout Wars: $2
