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.

Eddie Butler, Rockies - Butler, who was called up and moved into the rotation when Jorge De La Rosa was injured on late-April and recently was shifted back to the bullpen in a long relief role, was shifted back to starting following the placement of Tyler Chatwood (back) on the DL. His first start was Thursday against the Diamondbacks, which did not go particularly well, as he allowed six runs on 11 hits in five innings. It remains to be seen if Butler will get another turn in the Colorado rotation. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $2.

Paul Clemens, Marlins - Clemens, sporting a 4.30 ERA, 4.13 FIP and 7.9 K/9 ratio at Triple-A New Orleans, was promoted last Sunday. He originally was to provide bullpen depth, but got his first start since 2013 on Monday instead. Clemens allowed three runs on seven hits with three walks and just two strikeouts over five innings against the Rockies. He followed that up by notching his first win of the year by allowing four runs on five hits and five walks with two strikeouts over five innings Saturday against the Cubs. For now, Clemens is remaining in the rotation. Though his life span there may be short. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $2.

Jeff Hoffman, Rockies - Hoffman, who came over to Colorado from Toronto last year in the Troy Tulowitzki deal, could end up in the majors before too long. He has posted a 3.49 ERA and 88:29 K:BB in 87.2 innings for Triple-A Albuquerque this season. Hoffman, selected ninth overall in 2014, has steadily moved up the ladder using his mid-to-high 90s fastball, curveball and changeup along with his excellent command to retire hitters. That three-pitch arsenal and command should help him pitching at Coors Field. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4 (early spec call-up bid).

Jeff Locke, Pirates - Locke came in to his start last Monday having allowed 18 runs in 8.2 innings to see his ERA rise from 4.28 to 5.92 on the year. He rebounded nicely this week by allowing one run in 13.2 innings over his two starts to move his ERA down to 5.12. Locke likely has solidified his rotation spot for a little bit, especially with Tyler Glasnow needing to lower his walk rate before he is promoted. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4.

Adam Warren, Cubs - Warren, acquired from the Yankees this offseason for Starlin Castro, bounced between starting and relieving last season for NY, posting a 3.66 ERA with a 1.21 WHIP in 17 starts. He was brought in by Chicago to be a long man but also possibly fill the role of a spot starter. So far this year, he has pitched in relief, but that looks likely to change, as he was sent down Tuesday to be stretched as a starter. If Warren can build up his pitch count quickly, the Cubs intend to recall him in time for a start before the All-Star break. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team NL: $7.

Injury activation/updates:

Homer Bailey, Reds - Bailey, making his way back from Tommy John surgery last May, had progressed to rehab starts in April. But he was shut down for several weeks after feeling soreness in his surgically repaired elbow. Bailey is ready to restart his 30-day rehab clock, progressing from throwing from 180 feet at the end of May to bullpen sessions for the last couple of weeks. He is expected to make five starts, beginning with a two-inning stint Monday at Triple-A Louisville. If all goes right, Bailey should be back in the majors a week after the All-Star break. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $7 (early spec return bid).

Mike Foltynewicz, Braves - Foltynewicz, out since May 30 with bone spurs in his pitching elbow, could be back in the majors in less than two weeks and make a pair of starts before the All-Star break. He is scheduled to pitch five innings (around 75 pitches) in a rehab start Saturday for Triple-A Gwinnett and then make one more minor league start (up to 90 pitches) before rejoining the Atlanta rotation. If this schedule holds, Folty would start July 5 against Philadelphia and July 10 against the White Sox. Prior to being sidelined, Foltynewicz was 2-2 with a 3.51 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 28:8 K:BB ratio 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: $1; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9.

Raisel Iglesias, Reds - Iglesias, who made just five starts before a shoulder impingement landed him on the shelf, was activated off the DL Tuesday. He posted a 3.49 ERA and 27:7 K:BB ratio in 28.1 innings in those five starts. Igelsias will now be used out of the bullpen for now in order to preserve his shoulder, which markedly reduces his fantasy value. However, it's possible that Iglesias gets a shot at closing, where his solid fastball-curveball mix might play nicely. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14 (if you think he closes).

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 the injury suffered in mid-April resulted in his struggles. Miller's start against the Phillies on Monday was a step in the right direction, as he allowed just one run on five hits and a walk while striking out five in 6.2 innings to get the win. Granted, it was the Phillies, but a win is a win and a solid start is a solid start. That outing builds off his two-rehab starts with High-A Visalia, where he went 2-0 with a 0.75 ERA in 12 innings of work. However, he did regress a bit Saturday, allowing seven runs on 11 hits and a walk in six innings, though some of that can be discounted since the start was in Colorado. 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: likely owned; 12-team NL: still owned.

Brandon McCarthy, Dodgers - McCarthy, working his way his way from Tommy John surgery last April, tossed 3.2 innings for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday. This outing was his second in his rehab stint and likely will need 1-2 more starts before rejoining LA. When he is ready to return, McCarthy, whose fastball is at 89 mph, probably will replace Julio Urias, who will move to the bullpen after his next start, in the rotation. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4 (same as prior week).

Hyun-Jin Ryu, Dodgers - Ryu started for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, allowing eight runs (five earned) on 10 hits (two home runs) with four strikeouts in just four innings and 77 pitches. This was Ryu's third start after a brief setback slowed his return to the majors. Ryu was believed to be 1-2 starts away prior to Thursday, but his struggles could mean that he makes an additional start in the minors. If that does happen, Ryu might not rejoin the Dodgers until right after the All-Star break, which would put his total rehab time at about 14 months after undergoing had surgery last May to repair a torn labrum in his pitching shoulder. 12-team Mixed: $4; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14 (same bid as last week).

Vince Velasquez, Phillies - Velasquez, out since his June 8 start against the Cubs with a right bicep strain, hit 97 mph on the gun in a rehab start Wednesday. He tossed five innings, allowing one run on two hits with three strikeouts and a walk. Velasquez was only hitting 87 mph in that start against the Cubs, so seeing a return to normal velocity is an extremely good sign. He joined the Phillies in San Francisco on their road trip and will start Monday against Arizona. Just an FYI as he should still be owned in all formats.

Relief Pitcher

Jonathan Broxton, Seung Hwan Oh, Kevin Siegrist, Cardinals -Trevor Rosenthal's nightmarish campaign continued Friday, as he allowed a three-run home run to Adam Lind to lose the game for St. Louis. Manager Mike Matheny announced Saturday that Broxton, Oh and Siegrist will close for the Cardinals. The pecking order should be Oh, who has been phenomenal in his first year in the U.S., Siegrist and then Broxton. Oh has posted a 1.66 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 51:8 K:BB in 38 innings so far this season while setting up Rosenthal. Siegrist had 28 holds last year and is having another solid year with a 2.79 ERA, but a 4.27 FIP, 0.97 WHIP and 32:10 K:BB ratio in 29 innings. Broxton, who closed for Cincy in the past, has a 3.77 ERA, 4.21 FIP and walk rate over 12 percent. Broxton - 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7; Oh - 12-team Mixed: $7; 15-team Mixed: $14; 12-team NL: $22; Siegrist - 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14.

Daniel Hudson, Diamondbacks - Hudson, the primary setup man for Brad Ziegler, notched his first save of the season Tuesday. Despite his first real bobble of the season Thursday, which cost me a win in my league from Zack Greinke, Hudson has been phenomenal this year, posting a 2.45 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 24:9 K:BB ratio in 28.1 innings. After missing two years coming back from two Tommy John surgeries, Hudson had a strong rebound campaign last season, racking racked up 21 holds and four saves with 71K in 67.2 innings out of the bullpen. Hudson, prominently featured in the book, "The Arm," will be a free agent after the year, but could be re-signed in Arizona, where he might close in the future. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11.

Edubray Ramos, Phillies - Ramos received a well-deserved promotion Friday. He posted a 2.40 ERA with Double-A Reading and 0.38 ERA with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, which included allowing just one run in 17.1 innings in May. Ramos will get a chance to prove he should stick with Andrew Bailey on the disabled list and may be used in high-leveraged situations. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $2.

Tyler Thornburg, Brewers - Thornburg, who had a poor 2014 season, has turned it around the past two years. He posted a 3.67 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 25 games last year and has a 2.93 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 42:10 K:BB ratio in 30.2 innings this year. Thornburg notched his second save of the year Wednesday and is up to 13 holds on the year. He'll continue to notch a handful of saves in addition to holds, despite the presence of Will Smith, since Thornburg is the primary righty out of the bullpen. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7.

Injury activation/updates:

Michael Lorenzen, Reds - Lorenzen, sidelined with a strained right elbow and then delayed by mononucleosis, was activated Wednesday after four appearances at Triple-A Louisville, striking out seven in four scoreless innings. He initially will pitch as a reliever -- his role in college -- rather than a starter, though there is some speculation he could transition back to starting. 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 Champan, though Tony Cingrani has been solid there the past few weeks. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7.

Jake McGee, Rockies - McGee, sidelined with left knee inflammation since June 11, threw from 110 feet on flat ground last Friday and tossed a 20-pitch bullpen session this past Friday. He's scheduled to throw another one Sunday and could bypass a rehab assignment and return to the Rockies organization once eligible on June 25. Once back, he will regain his closing job from Carlos Estevez. Just an FYI as he should still be owned in all leagues.

Sergio Romo, Giants - Romo, out since April 10 with a strained elbow flexor tendon in his pitching arm, pitched in back-to-back days with Triple-A Sacramento without any setbacks. He will make one more minor league appearance and expects to rejoin the Giants during their current homestand. Romo required an extended rehab stint, but once he 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, profiled last week when it was announced he would be called up, looks to be in line for fairly consistent playing time. Miguel Montero will continue catching Jake Arrieta while David Ross will continue with Jon Lester, but that potentially leaves three starts a week for Contreras behind the plate. In addition, Contreras started at first base Thursday, making good on the expectation that he would see playing time at other positions. 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. He should be the starting catcher by 2018 and platoon next year with Montero, whose contract ends after the 2017 season. Montero and Ross have struggled this year at the plate, which as noted above looks as if it will afford Contreras additional playing time. 12-team Mixed: $11; 15-team Mixed: $22; 12-team NL: $35 (upped bid from prior week as it looks as he will see 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, was activated as expected Tuesday to face the Royals. He has gotten off to a slow start at the plate but has thrown out a pair of runners trying to steal, showing that his shoulder is fully healed. New York desperately needs TdA's bat in the lineup, so look for him to play nearly every day behind the plate, health permitting. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11, 15-team NL: $16 (same as last week).

First Base

Josh Bell, Pirates - Bell is hot again at the plate, as he blasted his 11th homer of the season for Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday. After hitting just four his first 28 games, Bell has seven longballs his last 28 contests. In addition, he is up to .316/.403/.529 for the year, though his walk rate has declined (12% down from 14%) and strikeout rate (16% up from 10%) spiked a bit. John Jaso has done a solid job at first for the Pirates but Bell could force his way into playing time against southpaws and possibly even more. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7, 15-team NL: $11.

Second Base

Scooter Gennett, Brewers - Gennett opened the season red-hot, then was sidelined in late-April for 15 days with tightness in his right oblique. He is red-hot again this month, going 26-for-72 (.361) with eight multi-hit games. Gennett already has seven home runs, well on his way to breaking his career high of nine home runs from 2014, along with 20 RBI and 28 runs. He used to sit against southpaws but Gennett is hitting .294 with a .973 OPS in 34 at-bats, affording him extra at-bats. 12-team Mixed: $12; 15-team Mixed: $22; 12-team NL: owned.

Jose Peraza, Reds - Peraza, profiled last week when he was called up for the second time this season, gets another mention as it looks like he will stick in the majors for a bit. Manager Bryan Price said Peraza will stay up as long as he can find him regular at-bats, which looks will be the case in the middle infield and outfield. Peraza has five steals in his 11 games in the majors, which is where he provides value for his owners. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7, 12-team NL: $11 (for the steals).
Injury activation/updates:

Chris Owings, Diamondbacks - Owings, sidelined with plantar fasciitis, kicked off a rehab assignment this week. Prior to being sidelined, Owings had just gotten hot at the plate, solidifying his spot in the lineup. Arizona returns home this week, and the team is hopeful Owings will be healthy enough to make a return at that point. When that does happen, his role is somewhat unclear, as Michael Bourn has been playing center, Socrates Brito was just promoted and Peter O'Brien is also up in the majors. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4.

Shortstop

Asdrubal Cabrera, Mets - Despite all the big names on the Mets, you can make an argument that Cabrera has been their most consistent and valuable player the first three months of the season. His home run Wednesday gave him eight for the year along with 24 RBI and a .265 batting average. Cabrera has been especially hot lately. Over his last 14 games through Thursday, Cabrera hit .314 with five doubles, three home runs, five RBI and 11 runs scored. Cabrera's defense has been excellent all season and he has paired with Neil Walker to give the Mets solid up-the-middle defense and a double-play combination. While the Mets have signed Jose Reyes now that he has passed through waivers, Cabrera is fairly comfortably ensconced at shortstop and Reyes with be a super-utility player. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: owned.

Jose Reyes, Mets - Reyes, profiled the last three weeks, gets a fourth straight mention. He passed through after Colorado decided to designate him for assignment following his completion of a rehab stint at the end of his 52-game suspension for domestic abuse on May 31. The Mets opted to sign him, bringing him back where he was drafted and spent the first eight years of his career. Reyes will go to the minors to play third base, where he will be deployed in the majors, as Asdrubal Cabrera is locked in at shortstop. In addition, he will see time at second, short and possibly in the outfield. Reyes may supplant Curtis Granderson as the team's leadoff hitter, which should enable him to score more runs and provide a spark on top of the lineup. 12-team Mixed: $4; 15-team Mixed: $8; 12-team NL: $16.

Chris Taylor, Dodgers - Taylor, acquired last weekend by LA from Seattle for Zach Lee, was called up Saturday. He slashed .312/.387/.457 over 247 at-bats with Triple-A Tacoma prior to the trade. Taylor has decent speed with no power and will be a backup infielder for the Dodgers. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $2.

Third Base

Gordon Beckham, Braves - Beckham, on the disabled list for the second time this year with a strained hamstring, is expected to kick off a rehab assignment in the next few days. That assignment will likely last a few weeks, possibly to the All-Star break. When activated, Beckham, who had a .284/.382/.442 line in 31 games, should regain his starting spot at third base from Adonis Garcia and Chase d'Arnaud. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7.

Brandon Drury, Diamondbacks - Drury, sent down to Triple-A Reno last weekend, was called back up with Socrates Brito landing on the disabled list. He likely will be a part-time player with Jake Lamb playing every day at third base and Peter O'Brien and Yasmany Tomas regularly filling left and right field. Drury get off to a hot start but slowed as the season wore on and saw his playing time cut as a result. He will see occasional at-bats but still has a high upside for those in keeper leagues. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4.

Conor Gillaspie/Ramiro Pena, Giants - With Matt Duffy (Achilles) on the disabled list, the Giants are using Gillaspie and Pena at the hot corner. Gillaspie saw decent playing time in 2013-14 with the White Sox but bounced to the Angels and Giants since. With Duffy out, Gillaspie should see time against righties at third base. Pena was called up on June 10 due to Kelby Tomlinson's thumb sprain. As a righty hitter, he likely will be on the shorter end of a platoon with Gillaspie, playing versus southpaws. Gillaspie - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $4; Pena - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $2.

Injury activation/updates:

Outfield

Emilio Bonifacio/Jeff Francoeur, Braves - Mallex Smith's fractured left thumb is expected to sideline him 8-to-10 weeks. Bonifacio was promoted to take Smith's spot on the roster and he will be part of a four-person platoon in left field that includes Francoeur, Chase d'Arnaud and Jace Peterson. Interim manager Brian Snitker said that the starter will depend on matchups on a day-to-day basis. Bonifacio hit 270/.321/.319 with 23 steals at Triple-A Gwinnett and his speed could earn him the majority share in the platoon. Frenchy has the most power and likely best outfield arm among the four. D'Arnaud and Peterson see time at other positions and their values won't change much. Bonifacio - 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $7 (due to speed); Francoeur - 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4.

Michael Bourn, Diamondbacks - Bourn got a longer leash in center field with Socartes Brito landing on the disabled list, joining Chris Owings on the sidelines. Heading into Friday's game, Bourn was just 18-for-his-last-86 at the plate, but he went 2-for-5 Friday and then went 2-for-5 Saturday with a home run and three RBI. Chris Herrmann may be the back up CF, which should afford Bourn some extra at-bats. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9.

Adam Frazier, Pirates - Frazier was called up Friday to give the Pirates an extra outfielder with several on the team nursing mild ailments. He earned that promotion by batting.333/.401/.425 with 17 stolen bases for Triple-A Indianapolis. Frazier broke in as a shortstop but has played the infield and outfield this season. He will see occasional playing time in Pittsburgh. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $2.

Travis Jankowski, Padres - Janikowski stole his fourth base in his last three games Thursday, as he makes the most of his playing time with Jon Jay out, and now has 10 steals in just 90 plate appearances. He also has a .360 OBA and 15 runs in those 90 plate appearances, making him a sneaky add in almost all formats. Jankowski stole 71 bases in the minor leagues in 2013 and 32 in 97 games in the minors, plus two more in the majors, last season. If Jay's arm sidelines him for longer than expected and/or Jankowski stays hot, look for Jankowski to remain in the lineup and be a cheap source of steals. 12-team $4: No; 15-team $9: No; 12-team NL: $15.

Brandon Nimmo, Mets - Nimmo was promoted Saturday to take the place of the slumping Michael Conforto, who exchanged places with Nimmo at Triple-A Las Vegas. After a slow start, Nimmo was up to .328/.409/.508 with five home runs for the 51s. Nimmo's 48:33 K:BB ratio show an advanced approach at the plate and he should see solid playing time in left field as well as the occasional start in center, which is where he played when selected 13th overall in the 2011 draft. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7, 12-team NL: $11.

Injury activation/updates:

A.J. Pollock, Diamondbacks - Pollock was expected to miss the year after having surgery in April to repair a fracture to the growth plate on his right elbow, the same place it was fractured in 2010. That might not be the case, as Diamondbacks president Derrick Hall said Pollock is "doing great" and could be "back sooner than we thought or hoped." Following the surgery, it was announced Pollock would miss at least three months, which will be in July, which is when Pollock might resume baseball activities. If that happens, Pollock could be back by the end of the month or in early-August, making him worth a spot on your bench. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4, 12-team NL: $7 (early spec return bid).

Yasiel Puig, Dodgers - Puig, sidelined with a strained left hamstring, was activated Tuesday following a short rehab assignment at High-A Rancho Cucamonga. He will see most of his time in right field, likely starting just about every day. Puig is having his second straight poor season, as his OPS has actually declined all three years after his rookie campaign, but gets a chance to show that he should remain in the lineup. But given LA's depth, he will need to hit to keep his lineup spot. 12-team Mixed: $11 (same as prior); 15-team Mixed: owned; 12-team NL: owned.