NL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week

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.

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.

Starting Pitcher

Wilfredo Boscan, Pirates – Boscan appears in line to make a spot start Tuesday against the Giants in place of Juan Nicasio, who was placed on the restricted list and is unlikely to rejoin the team for a few days. Because Boscan is in line to start that day at Triple-A Indianapolis, he and not someone like Tyler Glasnow, who started Friday in the minors, is getting the nod. Boscan, who made five relief appearances in the majors this year, has made nine starts at Triple-A Indianapolis this season, posting a 2.92 ERA with a 1.14 WHIP. When Nicasio does rejoin the team, he could move to the 'pen, allowing Boscan to remain or more likely Glasnow to join the rotation. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $3

Jorge De La Rosa, Rockies – De La Rosa opened the year in the Rockies' rotation but was removed in late May. He has regained some of manager Walt Weiss' trust by pitching well in three relief appearances to earn a start this past Tuesday against the Yankees. While he might have gotten the nod due to the Yankees' lefty-heavy lineup, De La Rosa tossed five scoreless innings and it looks like he will remain in the Colorado starting rotation. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $3

Cody Reed, Reds – Reed, profiled last week on speculation that he would be promoted with the Super Two deadline having past, did get the nod this week to make his major league debut, starting against the Astros on Saturday. He allowed four runs on six hits, struck out nine and walked three over seven innings. Reed posted a 3.20 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with a 63:17 K:BB in 63.2 innings. Those numbers continue the success he has had the past year-and-a-half in the minors. Reed, selected 46th overall in 2013, came to the Reds last year from Kansas City in the Johnny Cueto deal. He relies on a mid-90s fastball that he can spot to either side of the plate along with a nasty mid-80s slider, his best pitch, and a work-in-progress changeup to retire hitters. With Cincy looking to the future, look for Reed to stick in the rotation. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11 (upped bid)

Albert Suarez, Giants – Suarez joined the Giants' rotation earlier in the season replacing an injured Matt Cain (hamstring), making a pair of starts before going back to the bullpen. With Cain out again, Suarez moves back into the rotation. He has a 3.33 ERA with a 1.04 WHIP in 27 innings this year, building off the success he had in the minors last year and prior to his call up this season. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team NL: $6

Jameson Taillon, Pirates – Taillon, profiled last week, did get the nod to replace Gerrit Cole (triceps) in the Pittsburgh rotation. All he did was no-hit the Mets for six innings before finishing his outing by allowing two hits and a walk while striking out five over eight shutout innings to notch his first win of the season. Taillon rolled at Triple-A Indianapolis, posting a 2.04 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 61:6 K:BB in 61.2 innings to earn the call up. With Jeff Locke and Juan Nicasio no locks, Taillon could stick in the rotation though he likely is looking at an innings limit after missing all 2014 and 2015. His velocity is no longer in the mid-to-upper 90s, topping out in the low-90s, but his slow curveball and changeup have become more effective weapons. 12-team Mixed: $6; 15-team Mixed: $13; 12-team NL: $21 (upped bid)

Michael Wacha, Cardinals – This one is solely for shallower mixed leagues in case Wacha was waived during his struggles. Wacha had his third quality start in his last four outings, allowing one run on six hits while walking two and striking out seven in 7.2 innings in a 1-0 loss to the Rangers. Wacha has worked on his mechanics the past few weeks, restoring the bite to his breaking pitches. He clearly has the stuff to succeed, but will need to limit his walks and be much more effective around the strike zone to generate more swinging swing and fully restore his value. But the upside is clearly worth taking if he for some reason is available in your league. 12-team Mixed: $18; 15-team Mixed: owned; 12-team NL: Owned

Injury activation/updates

Mike Foltynewicz, Braves – Foltynewicz, out since May 30 with bone spurs in his pitching elbow, threw off a mound Thursday and will either throw in batting practice or a simulated game this weekend. Following that, Foltynewicz should make a few rehab starts before rejoining the Braves. Prior to being sidelined, Foltynewicz was 2-2 with 3.51 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 28:8 K:BB in 28.2 innings. He will still be pitching with the bone spurs in his elbow, though that should not sideline him unless the situation worsens. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $2

Matt Garza, Brewers – Garza, out since the start of the season with a strained lat, made his first start of the season for the Brewers, allowing one run on eight hits and one walk while striking out five over four innings Tuesday in San Francisco. He made three rehab starts with Low-A Wisconsin, posting a 4.76 ERA with 10 strikeouts in 11.1 innings of work prior to getting activated. Garza lost a career-high 14 games last season while posting a 5.63 ERA and 1.57 WHIP, adversely impacted by a drop in his K-rate and rise in his BB-rate. He is in the midst of the four-year, $52 million contract he signed with Milwaukee in January 2014, a deal that right now looks like an albatross around their necks. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $2

Brandon McCarthy, Dodgers – McCarthy, working his way his way from Tommy John surgery last April, surrendered two runs on four hits over three innings with four strikeouts in a rehab outing for High-A Rancho Cucamonga on Thursday. He tossed threw 20 pitches, 11 for strikes, in two innings of one-run ball in his first outing last week, so he is slowly building towards a return to LA. McCarthy, whose fastball is at 89 mph, will likely need 2-3 more starts before rejoining LA, likely completing all 30 days of his rehab assignment. When he is ready to return, McCarthy could replace Julio Urias in the rotation. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4

Shelby Miller, Diamondbacks – Miller, 1-6 with a 7.08 ERA and 6.56 FIP, has been sidelined since May 27 with a sprained right finger. The belief, hope, prayer – including by me, who has him in two leagues – is that injury suffered in mid-April resulted in his struggles. Miller will get a chance to prove that was the case, as he will be activated and start against the Phillies on Monday. He made two rehab starts with High-A Visalia, going 2-0 with a 0.75 ERA in 12 innings of work and the other hope is that he will stop trying to justify his trade to Arizona with each pitch and allow his talent and stuff to show through. 12-team Mixed: $14; 15-team Mixed: Owned; 12-team NL: Owned

Frankie Montas, Dodgers – Montas, who came to the Dodgers in the three-team, seven-player trade that also netted them Trayce Thompson and sent Todd Frazier to the White Sox, underwent surgery on Feb. 12 to remove his right first rib. Montas was expected to miss 2-4 months but was able to begin a rehab stint on May 20. He was reinstated from the 60-day DL and optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on June 12, though that hasn't slowed him down. Montas has gone four innings in back-to-back starts and is now viewed as a possible rotation option in LA. He posted a 2.97 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 108 strikeouts in 112 innings as a 22-year-old at Double-A last season. Montas' fastball is usually 96-97 mph but can hit triple digits and he also possesses a plus slider. His changeup is a work-in-progress and may determine if he meets his ceiling of a No. 2 starter or floor of a high-leverage reliever. Right now, he still projects to join the Dodgers this season in the 'pen but if he keeps excelling in the minors and injuries continue to mount in the majors, Montas could get a shot at filling the fifth starter slot. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4 (early spec bid, higher in keeper leagues)

Tyson Ross, Padres – Ross made just one start before landing on the disabled list with a shoulder injury. He continued his way back by throwing long toss and working off the front of a mound Thursday. Ross threw a 15-pitch bullpen session Saturday, the first what should be several sessions to show he is fully healthy and building up towards a simulated game and eventually 3-4 rehab starts. Ross is likely several weeks away from rejoining the Padres following the All-Star break, if all goes well. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4 (very early spec bid)

Hyun-Jin Ryu, Dodgers – Ryu, after a brief setback, continues to progress in his potential return to the majors, tossing 46 pitches over three innings last Sunday and he is set to throw 60 pitches over four innings Friday. He likely is 1-2 starts away from rejoining the Dodgers' rotation. Ryu was originally projected to join the LA rotation for the team's June 10-12 series at San Francisco, but that was prior to the setback. Now, look for him around the beginning of July, which would put his total rehab time at about 14 months after undergoing surgery last May to repair a torn labrum in his pitching shoulder. 12-team Mixed: $4; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14 (slightly lower bid than before setback)

Zack Wheeler, Mets – Wheeler, rehabbing from March 2015 Tommy John surgery and profiled last week, could begin his rehab assignment at High-A St. Lucie as soon as this week. Once that happens, the 30-day clock on his activation from the disabled list begins, which means he should be back in the majors shortly after the All-Star break. Prior to his injury, Wheeler took a major step forward in 2014, going 11-11 with a 3.54 ERA and 187 strikeouts in 185.1 along with improved groundball and walk rates. If all goes right Wheeler, who mixes a mid-90s fastball that tops out at 97 mph with a nasty mid-70s curveball and work-in-progress changeup, will become the fifth Musketeer in New York this summer. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $6; 12-team NL: $9 (upped early spec return bid)

Relief Pitcher

Shawn Kelley, Nationals – Kelley, who signed with the Nationals this past offseason, will now step in as closer with Jonathan Papelbon (intercostal) landing on the disabled list. Pitchers like Blake Treinen, Oliver Perez, Felipe Rivero and Yusmeiro Petit may also be in the mix for saves but Kelley is the clear favorite to close. Kelley has a 2.45 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 35:6 K:BB in 25.2 innings on the season and he has maintained his spike in K-rate and drop in BB-rate, boding well for continued success. In addition, his strong GB/FB ratio, albeit dropped a bit from last year, should help him retain value even when Papelbon returns. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $17

Seung Hwan Oh, Cardinals – Trevor Rosenthal and Kevin Siegrist combined to blow Saturday's game against the Rangers. In fact Rosenthal has been brutal this month, allowing eight runs in five innings over eight appearances, raising his ERA to 4.91 to go with a 1.91 WHIP for the season. Siegrist hasn't been as bad, but he too has had his struggles. With both slumping, Oh, who has been the team's best reliever and who also had a rough outing Saturday, could get a shot at closing. Oh allowed two runs (one earned) which raised his ERA to 1.77 on the year along with a 49:8 K:BB in 35.2 innings. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14 (closer spec bid)

Nick Wittgren, Marlins – Wittgren has pitched well for the Marlins in his rookie season, posting a 2.76 ERA and 1.04 WHIP with a 17:4 K:BB in 16.1 innings. Those fine numbers could earn him a move to high-leverage situations, affording him a chance to notch holds. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $2

Injury activation/updates

Michael Lorenzen, Reds – Lorenzen, sidelined with a strained right elbow and then delayed by mononucleosis, could return at the end of Reds' current nine-game road trip, which would be this Friday. He has made two appearances at Triple-A Louisville, striking out four in two scoreless innings. When he does rejoin the Reds, Lorenzen will pitch as a reliever (his role in college) rather than a starter. Lorenzen's two-plus pitch arsenal makes him a possible Cincy closer candidate with that role in a state of flux this season following the trade of Aroldis Chapman. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

Adam Ottavino, Rockies – Ottavino, who had Tommy John surgery last May, could be back with the Rockies in 2-3 weeks. He has made three appearances with High-A Modesto and should move up to Triple-A Albuquerque in the next few days. In 10 appearances last season before he was sidelined, Ottavino pitched 10.1 scoreless innings to produce three saves, a 0.48 WHIP and a 13:2 K:BB. Jake McGee is a free agent after the season and even though Carlos Estevez has filled in nicely with McGee out, Ottavino could be next in line to get saves in Colorado. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4

Sergio Romo, Giants – Romo, out since April 10 with a strained elbow flexor tendon in his pitching arm, could return to the Giants during their next homestand, which begins June 24. He is in the midst of an extended rehab stint, but once Romo returns to the majors, he will slot back in as one of Santiago Casilla's setup men. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $2

Catcher

Willson Contreras, Cubs – Contreras blasted his way to the majors, hitting .353/.442/.593 with nine home runs, 43 RBI and a 1.030 OPS in 55 games at Triple-A Iowa. With Tim Federowicz designated for assignment, Contreras will serve as the Cubs' third catcher and was partially called up to learn from Miguel Montero and David Ross. Contreras should be the starting catcher by 2018 and platoon next year with Montero, whose contact ends after the 2017 season. Montero and Ross have struggled this year at the plate, so Contreras could seize some playing time. In addition, he has experience playing left field, third base and first base in previous seasons, which could afford him some additional at-bats this season. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11 (up bid if you think he gets a sizeable number of at-bats)

Injury activation/updates

Travis d'Arnaud, Mets – D'Arnaud, out since April 26 with a right rotator cuff strain, is expected to be activated Tuesday to face the Royals. He has been able to throw without incident for the past week-plus and has progressed to catching full games in the minors. New York could use his bat in the lineup and when he returns, look for d'Arnaud to play nearly every day behind the plate, health permitting. 12-team Mixed: $13; 15-team Mixed: $19, 15-team NL: $27 (in case he was waived)

First Base

Brandon Moss, Cardinals – Moss continues to rake at the plate, blasting eight home runs in the last month, giving him 15 for the season. His hot bat is forcing St. Louis to find a way to keep him in the lineup. That playing time comes at first base and in both left and right field, resulting in Moss having multi-positional eligibility again. Moss has a 900+ OPS, aided by his power bat, augmenting his value. 12-team Mixed: $15; 15-team Mixed: $33 (in case not owned); 12-team NL: Owned

Jason Rogers, Pirates – Rogers was promoted Saturday from Triple-A Indianapolis, where he hit .286/.346/.429 with four home runs in 45 games. He has done damage against lefties (.339/.414/.484) so look for him to get some starts at first base against southpaws along with some pinch hit opportunities when a lefty is on the hill. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 15-team NL: $2

Second Base

Jose Peraza, Reds – Peraza was called up this week for the second time this season while Billy Hamilton was out for a short span of time. Hamilton has come off the 7-day concussion DL but Peraza was kept around with the team in Texas and able to use the DH. Peraza had a .274/.318/.354 slash line with nine steals in 55 games at Triple-A Louisville. He may get sent back down to Louisville when the Reds return home next Thursday and likely needs an injury on the team to stick in the majors. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4 (up bid if you think he sticks)

Kolten Wong, Cardinals – Wong opened the season as the Cardinals' second baseman but his struggles at the plate landed him in the minors on June 6. He had posted a .222 BA and .592 OBA to earn that demotion to Triple-A Louisville. Wong handle the demotion the best way possible, by raking at the plate, as he posted a 1.458 OPS during his seven games in the minors, prompting the Cardinals to bring him back up Friday. Wong will not start at second, as Matt Carpenter is handling the position with Jhonny Peralta at third, but he will see time there as well as in center field, where he saw action in the minors, especially now that Randall Grichuk was sent down Saturday. With Grichuk down, Wong could become the starter in CF depending on what St. Louis decides to do at that spot. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7, 15-team NL: $11

Ryan Schimpf, Padres – Schimpf, a career minor leaguer, got his first call-up this week. He hit .355/.432/.729 with 15 homers, 17 doubles and 48 RBI at Triple-A El Paso to earn that promotion. At 5-foot-9 he doesn't fit the profile of a power hitter, but he does have four straight full seasons of 20+ HR. San Diego has little to lose by giving him playing time at second base. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

Shortstop

Jose Reyes, Rockies – Reyes, profiled the last two weeks, gets a third straight mention. Colorado decided to designate him for assignment Wednesday after he completed a rehab stint following the end of his 52-game suspension for domestic abuse. It remains to be seen if someone will look to trade for him, wait for the 10 days to end and sign him or let him remain a free agent. Trevor Story is entrenched at short for the Rockies and Colorado wants nothing to do with Reyes following his off-season incident. If Reyes is dealt or signs elsewhere, he could starting for that team over the next few weeks, at which time, he would be a nice source of runs and steals. 12-team Mixed: $4; 15-team Mixed: $8; 12-team NL: $16 (if he lands in the NL)

Injury activation/updates

Erick Aybar, Braves – Aybar's absence from the lineup lasted just the minimum 15 days, as he was activated last Sunday off the disabled list. His batting average has been hurt by a low BABIP but he hasn't helped himself with a spike in his K rate. Atlanta is going nowhere, so if Aybar doesn't wake up, he could end up on the bench. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5

Third Base

Cody Asche, Phillies – Asche has seen consistent playing time in left field since returning on June 2 from the strained left oblique muscle he suffered in late March. His playing time has cut into the at-bats received by Jimmy Paredes, Tyler Goeddel and Peter Bourjos. Asche, the Phillies' fourth round pick in 2011, provides a little bit of pop but it's unclear how he will be deployed as the season wears on. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

Ty Kelly, Mets – Kelly was promoted for the second time this season with Juan Lagares landing on the disabled list due to his injured thumb. In his first stint in the majors early this month, Kelly recorded a .174/.240/.304 slash line over 10 games and 23 at-bats. Kelly, who was batting .388 at Triple-A Las Vegas, gives the Mets a utility player who can fill in at multiple positions. He likely got the nod over Brandon Nimmo due to the Mets outfield already being loaded with left-handed bats, which made Kelly a more likely candidate. That said, his at-bats will likely be limited. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $0

Outfield

Albert Almora / Matt Szczur, Cubs – Dexter Fowler strained his right hamstring Saturday and will undergo an MRI on Sunday. If he is sidelined Almora, profiled last week, and Szczur should be the primary beneficiaries of additional playing time. Almora was already seeing a healthy amount of at-bats replacing Jorge Soler (hamstring). But now, he could become a full-time player with Fowler also sidelined. In addition, when Soler returns, Almore might stick if Fowler is still out. Szczur would see time when Almora sits or when Jason Heyward is in right, Kris Bryant at third and Ben Zobrist is at second, leaving left field open. Almora - 12-team Mixed: $4; 15-team Mixed: $10; 12-team NL: $16; Szczur - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team NL: $5

Brandon Barnes / Ryan Raburn, Rockies – Barnes was promoted Friday with Geraldo Parra landing on the disabled list with a high ankle sprain. He likely will be on the short end of the left field platoon with Raburn seeing most of the playing time. Raburn normally struggles against righties and kills lefties, but so far this year it's been the reverse. He has a bit of power and should benefit from playing in the thin air at Coors Field. Barnes - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $2; Raburn - 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

Brandon Nimmo, Mets – Nimmo has been red hot at the plate recently, and with Michael Conforto nursing a wrist injury and Juan Lagares landing on the disabled list with a thumb injury along with the Mets struggling to score runs, he could be in line for a promotion to the majors. That promotion didn't happen when Lagares landed on the DL, because the Mets are loaded with lefty-hitting OF and Nimmo would be relegated to spot duty. However, if for some reason Conforto or Curtis Granderson was sidelined Nimmo, who was the 13th overall pick in 2011 and blasted three home runs last week while upping his line to .330/.412/.530 for the season, could get his first stint in the majors. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $2, 12-team NL: $7 (early spec bid)

Tommy Pham, Cardinals – Pham opened the season with the Cardinals but lasted just a few days before he was sidelined with tightness in his left oblique. After missing a month and finishing a rehab stint, he was optioned to the minors. Pham was promoted Saturday with Randall Grichuk getting sent down to the minors. He hit just .236/.344/.382 with nine extra-base hits in 110 at-bats at Triple-A Memphis, but with Grihcuk struggling mightily, Pham got the nod. Stephen Piscotty and Kolten Wong should start most days in center field but Pham will see some time there as well. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1, 12-team NL: $4

Ichiro Suzuki, Marlins – Ichiro has made the most of the additional playing he has received to become the new Hit King, depending on your view. Even if you don't ascribe to that view, he has inched within 21 hits of joining the 3,000 hit club. His playing time has declined a bit recently, but when he is in the lineup, he is a decent source or runs, stolen bases and batting average in single leagues. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No, 12-team NL: $3

Will Venable, Dodgers – Venable exercised the opt-out clause he had with the Phillies to sign with the Dodgers. He was only hitting .205/.304/.307 with two home runs in 127 at-bats for Triple-A Lehigh Valley when he decided to head west, so it's not as if he was setting the word on fire. Venable should be just a fill-in outfielder moving forward as the Dodgers have Howie Kendrick and Joc Pederson playing regularly and Yasiel Puig is returning soon. However, his left-handed bat could provide him playing time, as he has in the distant past been a solid matchup against right-handers. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No, 12-team NL: $3

Injury activation/updates

Angel Pagan, Giants – Pagan, out since May 24 with a hamstring injury, was activated Tuesday. Prior to getting injured, Pagan was off to a slow start, hitting .275/.338/.383 with two home runs and five stolen bases in 35 games. With Hunter Pence out and Gregor Blanco seeing time in right, Pagan should see substantial playing time in left field with the occasional start in center. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11

Yasiel Puig, Dodgers – Puig, sidelined with a strained left hamstring, kicked off a short rehab assignment this week at High-A Rancho Cucamonga. He could rejoin the Dodgers early this week, though the addition of Will Venable and return of Scott Van Slyke will allow LA to be cautious with his activation. Puig is having his second straight poor season, as his OPS has actually declined all three years after his rookie campaign, but he still should start in right field when he returns. 12-team Mixed: $11 (in case he was waived); 15-team Mixed: Owned; 12-team NL: Owned