NL FAAB Factor: Wainwright Returns

This is our weekly look at National League free agents. We have two goals for this article:

1. Identify likely free agents and discuss their strengths and weaknesses.
   
2. Estimate how much of your free-agent budget you should bid on them.

• 12-team league (either NL or Mixed, we'll specify)
  
• 5x5 categories
  
• $100 FAAB budget

Starting Pitcher

Jorge Lopez, Brewers – Lopez, selected 70th overall by Milwaukee in 2011, struggled from 2012-14, but he turned it around this year, as he was named the Southern League's Most Outstanding Pitcher by posting a 2.26 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 137:52 K:BB and excellent GB/FB ratio in 143.1 innings with Double-A Biloxi. Lopez will start Tuesday against the Padres, as he tries to make a late-season impression for 2016. One other name to look at for the future is Adrian Houser, who came over to Milwaukee in the Carlos Gomez deal and is likely a year away from contending for a rotation spot. Mixed: $1; NL: $4.

Injury activations/updates:

Homer Bailey, Reds – Bailey, who had Tommy John surgery on May 4, has been throwing for the past few weeks and completed another session Friday. He tossed three sets from 75 feet, showing more velocity than expected. Bailey was limited to two starts this year, going 0-1 with a 5.56 ERA, before he was injured. It's possible that Bailey is ready to go around Opening Day, though it wouldn't be surprising if he is sidelined until May or June.  Mixed: $2; NL: $7 (keeper league spec bid).

Adam Wainwright, Cardinals – Wainwright, who had surgery in late April to repair a torn Achilles' tendon, tossed a 25-pitch session Wednesday followed by a 27-pitch simulated game Saturday. If he has no setbacks or pain, he could be used in relief the final week of the regular season. He was expected to need 9-12 months to recover from the injury, but he has recovered much faster than that. St. Louis could use Wainwright with Carlos Martinez sidelined for the year with a strained pitching shoulder. Mixed: $4; NL: $11 (upped keeper league bid).

Relief Pitcher
 
Brad Ziegler, Diamondbacks – Ziegler tossed a scoreless ninth inning Friday to notch his 28th save. He has posted a 1.94 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in 64 appearances this year. Ziegler, who has just 34 strikeouts in 65 innings this season, should enter 2016 as Arizona's closer. Mixed: $15; NL: owned.

Catcher
 
Trevor Brown, Giants – With Brandon Belt (concussion) likely out for the year, the Giants have been periodically starting Buster Posey at first base and Brown behind the plate. Brown won't provide you much offense, but he could get you some counting stats the last week of the season. Mixed: No; NL: $2.

Tony Cruz, Cardinals – Cruz is starting almost daily due to Yadier Molina's thumb injury. The Cardinals hope Yadi will be back before the end of the season, but with a playoff berth clinched, they can afford to rest him. Cruz is backed up by Ed Easley and Travis Tartamella. Mixed: No; NL: $2.

First Base
 
Lucas Duda, Mets – Duda, after a brief slump, appears to be closing the season strong. His grand slam Saturday gave him three home runs in two games and 25 for the year. Duda could see some time off the last week, but should for the most part remain in the lineup as the Mets look to secure home-field advantage in the Divisional Series. Normally I would not have listed him, but he was just picked back up in my home mixed draft league, so maybe he's available in yours as well. Mixed: $18; NL: owned.

Second Base
 
Enrique Hernandez, Dodgers – Hernandez, out since the end of August with a strained hamstring, will join the Dodgers for their series in San Francisco this week. Prior to getting injured, he'd been starting nearly every day. When Hernandez does return, with Howie Kendrick back from his injury, Corey Seager now up in the majors as well as several other players healthy as well, he may struggle to play daily, but he'll see a little time in the infield and outfield. Mixed: $1; NL: $4 (if waived).

Shortstop

Cristhian Adames, Rockies –Adames, who has steadily climbed the Rockies' ladder, culminating in call-ups last year and this season, has started recently with Jose Reyes sidelined with an Achilles injury. He enjoyed a strong season at Triple-A, slashing .311/.362/.438 with 51 RBI, 11 home runs and 11 steals in 116 contests. Those numbers come on the heels of him hitting .338/.392/.441 line over 38 games last year, bolstered by a .403 BABIP. Adames' status for next year depends on what Colorado does with Reyes and if Trevor Story is viewed as ready. Mixed: $1; NL: $4.

Trea Turner, Nationals – Turner could see regular playing time the final week of the regular season now that Washington has been eliminated from playoff contention. Turner, a first-round pick of the Padres in 2014, came to the Nationals along with Joe Ross as part of a three-team deal that sent Steven Souza to the Rays. While playing for three minor league teams in two organizations, Turner hit .322 with eight home runs and 54 RBI in 116 minor league games. At Double-A Harrisburg, Turner batted .359 in 10 games, after which he was promoted to Triple-A Syracuse, where he hit .314 with three homers, 15 RBI, 31 runs and 14 steals in 48 games. Turner has been limited to spot starts and pinch-running duty even with Danny Espinosa lost to a hamstring strain, but Washington would benefit from getting a good look at him at second base with Anthony Rendon to play third and Yunel Escobar to man short as Ian Desmond is likely to leave town since he expects to sign a big free-agent contract. Mixed: $3; NL: $9 (higher in a keeper league).

Third Base

Maikel Franco, Phillies – Franco, diagnosed with a small, non-displaced fracture in his wrist nearly three weeks ago, played three innings in an Instructional League game Friday. It's possible that Franco, who is batting .277/.340/.490 with 13 homers and 48 RBI in 77 games, could return sometime during the final week of the regular season. Just an FYI as he should be owned in all leagues.

Outfield

Brian Bogusevic, Phillies – Bogusevic, on the strength of a 295/.360/.426 line with 24 stolen bases and 12 home runs at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, earned a September promotion. He has recently been starting in the Philly outfield and could be a decent source of counting starts the last week of the season. Mixed: No; NL: $3.

Kevin Frandsen, Giants – Frandsen, who hit a combined .280/.338/.356 at Triple-A between two different organizations this season, was called up Thursday by the Giants. With Brandon Belt sidelined with a concussion, Frandsen started at first Thursday. He could see time there the rest of the season and may qualify at second or third, depending on your league's rules. Mixed: No; NL: $2.

Jarrett Parker, Giants – Parker, who entered Saturday's game hot, was scorching in that contest, blasting three home runs and driving in seven. Prior to Saturday's outburst, Parker had three homers, five RBI and five runs scored in just 13 at-bats since his call-up a few weeks ago. With the Giants out of playoff contention and several outfielders sidelined, Parker should play almost daily the final week of the season. Mixed: $3; NL: $9.

Domingo Santana, Brewers – Santana, called up in late August, has been solid since the promotion. The key for Santana is plate discipline and he has been better at drawing walks, though his strikeout rate still leaves a bit to be desired. Santana was one of the two main prospects acquired by Milwaukee for Carlos Gomez and Mike Fiers. At the time of the trade, Santana was tearing up Triple-A, batting .320 with 16 homers and 62 RBI in 75 games. Ryan Braun could miss the rest of the season with a back injury, which will allow Santana to play right in addition to center and left. Mixed: $15; NL: owned.