NL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week

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.

This year, we're incorporating grids into the FAAB articles, so users can easily see at a glance how certain players stack up against others and how much they should command in a variety of formats.

The grids, which are 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. Carlos Correa would have been an "A" grade player last year -- that mark will be reserved for similar high-impact prospects stepping into an everyday role.

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 about the player in the comments.

Jhoulys Chacin, Braves – Chacin was profiled last week but gets another mention, as he will be called up to start Tuesday. He threw 7.2 shutout innings in his one start for Triple-A Gwinnett and will now makes his first appearance as Atlanta's fifth starter. Chacin resurrected his career last year with Arizona after taking a major step back with Colorado in 2014. He won't get you a ton of strikeouts but makes for a decent back-end starter. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team NL - $7

Tyler Cravy, Brewers – Cravy was promoted this week with Matt Garza landing on the DL due to shoulder soreness. It's unclear what role Cravy (who posted a 5.70 ERA in 14 appearances including seven starts last year for Milwaukee) will have, as the Brewers may use a four-man rotation. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL - $2

Robbie Erlin, Padres – Erlin was profiled last week when he was battling Colin Rea to break camp as the Padres' fifth starter. He lost that battle but will slot into the San Diego rotation anyway, in place of the injured Tyson Ross (shoulder). Erlin tossing 3.2 shutout innings to pick up the win over Rockies in San Diego's 13-6 victory on Friday and will make his first start of the season this week. He struggled last season between Triple-A and the majors, but closed the season strong and could remain in the team's rotation if he pitches well. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4

Tim Melville, Reds – Melville was called up and will start Sunday against the Pirates. Originally, the hope was that Anthony DeSclafani would be ready for Sunday's start, but his oblique injury will sideline him a bit longer. Melville has posted below-average numbers at best at Triple-A in his career, so don't expect much from him. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $0

Robert Stephenson, Reds – Stephenson had a one and done spot start Thursday, his first in the majors, allowing four runs – three earned – in five innings to get the win. He was sent down to the minors after the start, where he will work on improving his control to get his next shot at the majors, after which he could stick at that level. For now, Stephenson is a stash candidate with the hopes that the small strides he made last season continue and blossom at Triple-A. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team NL - $7

Injury activation/updates

Jon Gray, Rockies – Gray, who posted a 5.53 ERA in nine starts for Colorado in 2015 and has been sidelined with a strained abdomen, made his first rehab start Saturday for High-A Modesto. He is expected to make 2-3 starts before rejoining the Rockies. These numbers should tell you all you need to know about when you should use Gray: 8.27 ERA and 2.03 WHIP at home (21 innings) and a 2.70 ERA with a 1.20 WHIP on the road (20 innings). 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $3

Relief Pitcher

Neftali Feliz, Pirates – Feliz became yet another reclamation project for Pirates' pitching coach Ray Searage when he signed a one-year deal with Pittsburgh this offseason. Feliz bottomed out last season, posting a 4.58 ERA and a 1.68 WHIP in 18 games with the Rangers and a 7.62 ERA and 1.48 WHIP in 30 games with Detroit. Now in Pittsburgh, he looks to be the main right-handed setup man for Mark Melancon, so he should rack up lots of holds. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4

Jeanmar Gomez, Phillies – The Phillies' closing revolving door spun to Gomez on Saturday night. He threw a clean ninth to pick up his first save of the season and second in his career. David Hernandez and Dailer Hinojosa each faltered in their save attempts, prompting manager Pete Mackanin to give Gomez a shot. Gomez doesn't profile as a closer, but as long as he gets outs, he should keep the job. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14

Brandon Maurer, Padres – Maurer entered spring training with a chance to land a spot in the Padres' starting rotation but was moved back to the bullpen partway through camp. He should be one of San Diego's main setup men, a role he filled nicely last season before getting shut down with shoulder inflammation. Kevin Quackenbush and Fernando Rodney are ahead of him in the pecking order for saves, but he still should be a nice source of holds. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4

Arodys Vizcaino, Braves – Vizcaino, profiled last week, is now the primary option at closer for the Braves. Originally, it looked like Jason Grilli and Vizcaino was to split time with Grilli possibly having an edge as Atlanta looked to pump up his value in the hopes of dealing him by the trade deadline. Grilli struggled his first save chance and was immediately removed from the closer role, though, leaving the job fully in Vizcaino's. 12-team Mixed: $8; 15-team Mixed: $14; 12-team NL: $22

Catcher

Jordan Pacheco, Reds – Pacheco made the Reds' Opening Day roster as the third catcher behind Devin Mesoraco and Tucker Barnhart. As such, barring injury, Pacheco won't see a ton of action wearing the tools of ignorance, though he might see the occasional game at first or third base. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No, 12-team NL: $2

First Base

Brandon Allen, Reds – Allen was called up to provide Cincinnati with some depth at first base and a pinch-hitter off the bench. With Joey Votto playing nearly every day, Allen will see minimal at-bats. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No, 12-team NL: $2

Second Base

Charlie Culberson, Dodgers – Culberson opened the year as the Dodgers' utility infielder. His spot could go by the wayside once Howie Kendrick (calf) and Alex Guerrero (knee) return from the DL. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No, 12-team NL: $2

Munenori Kawasaki, Cubs – Kawasaki was called up to replace Kyle Schwarber on the Cubs' 25-man roster. His spot likely will last only until Javier Baez (thumb) is ready to be activated. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No, 12-team NL: $0

Adam Rosales, Padres – Rosales broke camp as the Padres' utility infielder. He could see time at first, second or third, but don't expect much playing time or production. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No, 12-team NL: $2

Injury activation/updates

Javier Baez, Cubs – Baez, who injured his thumb late in camp then was a hit by a pitch in Arizona earlier this week, was cleared to begin extended spring training. Once he returns, his path to playing time got a bit easier due to Kyle Schwarber's unfortunate injury. Baez will now likely be the Cubs' super-utility player, seeing time at first, second and shortstop in addition to left and center field. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11

Shortstop

Cristhian Adames, Rockies – Adames will open the season as the Rockies' primary utility infielder. Trevor Story, off his tremendous start, should be the everyday shortstop while DJ LeMahieu is at second and Nolan Arenado at third. Adames will see occasional action at all three spots. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1, 12-team NL: $4

Aledmys Diaz, Cardinals – Diaz was called up earlier this week with Tommy Pham (oblique) landing on the disabled list. Diaz, who signed a four-year, $8 million deal with the Cardinals in 2014, was lined up to break camp with St. Louis but lost that spot when the team signed Ruben Tejada. He hit .264/.324/.421 with 10 homers and six steals in 102 games at Double-A Springfield last season and followed that up by batting .380/.448/.620 over 50 at-bats at Triple-A Louisville. Diaz won't start daily but should see ample playing time at short along with Jedd Gyorko until Tejada (quadriceps) returns. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2, 12-team NL: $7

Third Base

Cole Figueroa, Pirates – Figueroa opened the season on the Pirates' roster due to Jung-Ho Kang' knee injury. Once Kang is activated from the 15-day DL, Figueroa likely will head to the minors. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $2

Outfield

Jeremy Hazelbaker, Cardinals – Hazelbaker was slated to be the Cardinals' fifth outfielder, but Tommy Pham's oblique injury has moved him up the depth charts. He had a .997 OPS last year at Triple-A Memphis and posted an .819 OPS this spring to earn a bench role. Hazelbaker can play all three outfield spots and should carve out decent playing time with Pham sidelined. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2, 12-team NL: $9

Tyler Holt, Reds – Holt was promoted just before the season with Jose Peraza heading down to Triple-A Louisville to get more seasoning. Don't expect Holt to see much playing time. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No, 12-team NL: $2

Jorge Soler / Matt Szczur, Cubs – Kyle Schwarber has a fully torn ACL and LCL and will miss the rest of the season. The injury creates a huge hole in left field that will be filled initially by Soler, who had a nightmarish spring training. If Soler's contact issues remain and he is unable to provide the power expected from him, Szczur, who is solid defensively, could get a chance to fill Schwarber's spot. Chicago could also play Ben Zobrist more in left and use Javier Baez, when he returns from injury, at second. Soler - 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11, 12-team NL: $14; Szczur - 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $2, 12-team NL: $7

Michael Taylor, Nationals – Like Tommy Pham, Taylor broke camp as his team's fourth outfielder, but Taylor now is starting following Ben Revere's oblique injury. As I wrote last week, Taylor will need to do a better job of cutting down his strikeouts and improving his walk rate in order to provide positive stats for your team. He is a home run and stolen base threat, but his plate coverage issues adversely impact his overall production. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $12; 12-team NL: $22

Rickie Weeks, Diamondbacks – Weeks, whose career has taken a major turn south, earned a bench role with Arizona after Peter O'Brien was sent to Triple-A. He will see some time against left-handed pitchers but his spot on the roster may depend on how long the D-Backs keep O'Brien in the minors. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No, 12-team NL: $3