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 $100 starting 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. Dansby Swanson 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.

Doug Fister, Free Agent - Fister remains unsigned as he looks for a major-league deal that would allow him to enter a starting a rotation. But the Mets might be interested due to injuries to Steven Matz (elbow) and Seth Lugo (slight UCL tear) along with questions regarding how Matt Harvey (Thoracic Outlet Syndrome) and Zack Wheeler (Tommy John) return from their surgeries. Fister's numbers and fantasy relevance fell off the last two years following a career year in 2014, but in a decent pitchers' park and with a solid lineup around him in New York, he would have some value. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4 (early spec bid)

Tommy Milone, Brewers - Milone started for the Brewers on Saturday against the Cubs, replacing the injured Junior Guerra, who is out 4-6 weeks with a strained right calf. Matt Garza could return from the 10-day DL in a bout a week, so Milone, who gave up four runs on nine hits and a walk in four innings, might be limited to just one more start. Milone had a 5.80 ERA, 1.528 WHIP and 51:22 K/BB ratio over his last 71.1 major league innings coming into the start, which should say all you need to know about his value. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $0.

Alex Wood, Dodgers - Rich Hill, who missed 37 games last year with a blister, is sidelined once again with the same problem. Two words, Rich: pickle brine. Wood, who tossed two scoreless relief innings Wednesday, will start in place of Hill, who might just miss the one start, rather than Julio Urias. If the absence is longer than the one start, then the Dodgers may turn to Urias, unless Wood, who lost out in the fifth starter battle to Brandon McCarthy, pitches well. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4.

Injury activation/updates:

Matt Garza, Brewers - Garza (strained right groin) is expected to start April 12 for Triple-A Colorado Springs and make his second rehab start April 17 against Nashville. Presuming he has no setbacks, Garza should make his next start in the majors, replacing the injured Junior Guerra (calf). Garza had a solid first year in Milwaukee in 2014 but fell off a cliff in 2015 and wasn't that much better last season. He is in a contract year, so maybe that spurs resurgence, but don't bet on it. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $4.

RELIEF PITCHER
 
Greg Holland, Rockies - Holland, who missed all last season recovering from Tommy John surgery in October 2015, signed with the Rockies this offseason. He earned the closer job in spring training and notched saves the first two games of the season, pitching on back-to-back days, proving his health. He followed that with two additional saves during the week. Holland's fastball topped out in the 95 mph range, slightly below where it was pre-surgery. Adam Ottavino still looms, and all the caveats for a pitcher coming off Tommy John still apply, but if you invested in Holland, so far, so good, though as an Ottavino owner in the RotoWire Staff League, I am less than happy. 12-team Mixed: $12; 15-team Mixed: $18; 12-team NL: owned

Hector Neris, Phillies - Jeanmar Gomez, who broke camp as the Phillies closer, had a shaky save on Opening Day, allowing a two-run home run before securing the win. Manager Pete Mackanin expressed concern about Gomez's outing after the game, so it's clear he has a short leash and hold on the role. Neris, who had a dominant year out of the bullpen last year with 102 strikeouts in 80.1 innings and 28 holds due to increase use of his splitter and less reliance on his slider, is next in line and a change could come sooner rather than later. Joaquin Benoit, Edubray Ramos and Pat Neshek would all move up a notch if a switch were made. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11 (upped from last week, go higher if think he closes immediately).

Injury activation/updates:

Pedro Baez, Dodgers - Baez, who injured his thumb on a comebacker in spring training, threw 15 pitches in a scoreless rehab appearance Friday for Triple-A Oklahoma City. He was slated to pitch again Saturday and could rejoin the Dodgers this week. Baez, who had 83 strikeouts in 74 innings with 29 holds last season, will serve as a setup man for Kenley Jansen. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5.

Mauricio Cabrera, Braves - Cabrera, who missed the last 10 days of spring training with elbow soreness, is scheduled to throw off a bullpen mound Monday. If all goes well, he likely will have one or two more bullpen side sessions, then throw live batting practice once before beginning a brief minor league rehab assignment. Once he rejoins the Braves, Cabrera will join Arodys Vizcaino in setting up Jim Johnson. Cabrera had baseball's second-highest average fastball velocity (100 mph) while posting a 2.82 ERA and six saves in 41 appearances, but needs to limit his walks, as he had 19 versus 32 strikeouts in 38.1 innings. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5

Carter Capps, Padres - Capps, returning from Tommy John, tossed a 21-pitch simulated inning and a bullpen session Tuesday. He should begin a short rehab stint in the near term and then be activated and begin his role as Brandon Maurer's set-up man. Capps has elite stuff, mixing his high-90s fastball, nasty slider and pitching motion that draws major ire since he doesn't stay on the rubber when he releases his pitches, making him a closer in waiting. The only question is how long will that wait be? 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (same as prior).

CATCHER
 
Rene Rivera, Mets - Travis d'Arnaud has removed the hitch in his swing but is still have difficulties throwing out runners. That has allowed Rivera to see more time than expected to begin the season above and beyond serving as Noah Syndergaard's personal catcher. Rivera is known for his defense, so don't expect much at the plate even if he continues to see playing time. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team NL: $0; 12-team NL: $3.

FIRST BASE
 
Matt Adams, Cardinals - Adams replaced the injured Stephen Pisciotty (possible concussion) in left field Tuesday and started in left field Thursday. The work he put in during spring training in the outfield to increase his versatility has paid immediate dividends, as Adams did not look out of place there. Randal Grichuk moved to right field, allowing Adams to play left and if he continue to be at least decent defensively and hit like he did this spring, he could be in line for more playing time there. At a minimum, it gives manager Mike Matheny additional lineup options. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7, 12-team NL: $11.

Tyler Moore, Marlins - Moore was limited to just 29 games in the minors last season due to a torn knee tendon that forced him to miss 4.5 months but earned a spot on Miami's Opening Day roster, largely due to Martin Prado landing on the disabled list. Justin Bour might sit against certain lefties, giving Moore some playing time. But manager Don Mattingly plans to give Bour every chance to succeed against southpaws, limiting to pinch-hit duty. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $2.

SECOND BASE
 
Phil Gosselin, Pirates - Gosselin made the Pirates' Opening day roster as a utility player. He will fill in at first, second, third and in the outfield. Gosselin wont see regular time but clearly is worth a roster space in NL-only leagues. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No, 12-team NL: $2

Aaron Hill, Giants - Hill made the Giants as a utility player out of spring training. He played second base on April 6 and started the next game in left field. Part of the reason for his outfield appearance might have been due to Denard Span's hip injury. But playing time is playing time, especially in NL-only leagues. Look for him to continue to see several starts each week, seeing time in the infield and in left field, as long as he continues to hold his own at the plate, like he did with Milwaukee last season. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2, 12-team NL: $7.

SHORTSTOP

Chris Owings, Diamondbacks - The D-Backs named Owings the starting shortstop before the season but also said Nick Ahmed will see a fair share of starts. So far, Owings has started twice and Ahmed once, but when Ahmed started, Owings was in right field. Owings has shown the ability to get on base and also provide steals and the latter is no surprise, as he stole 16 bases in 2015 and 21 last year. Owings had a big spring, posted a .900-plus OPS, and if he plays almost daily, should could be a nice source of cheap-ish speed while qualifying at short and in the outfield. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $9; 15-team NL: $16

THIRD BASE

Travis Shaw, Brewers - Shaw, profiled last week, has gotten off to a fine start in Milwaukee batting clean up for the Brew Crew. He should benefit from that lineup slot, hitting behind Jonathan Villar, Eric Thames and Ryan Braun, putting him in place to best his career-high 71 RBI set last year. Keep in mind that his lack of walks and just-OK plate discipline likely will eventually come back to hurt him. But he should play close to every day and come up with a lot of runners on base, which should aid his counting stats. In addition, if he shows any sort of improvement in plate discipline and against southpaws, a huge year could be in the offing. 12-team Mixed: $11; 15-team Mixed: $19, 12-team NL: $33 (upped bid from prior week)

Injury activation/updates:

Martin Prado, Marlins - Prado, sidelined with a Grade 1 right hamstring strain suffered March 15 against Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, could be back by the end of Miami's upcoming homestand, which is April 16. Derek Dietrich is manning third in Prado's absence but Prado's value is more real than fantasy life for Miami. That's not to say that he doesn't contribute to fantasy teams but other than a solid BA and OBA, the counting stats are just average at best compared to others at the position. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11

OUTFIELD

Aaron Altherr, Phillies - Altherr, profiled last week, gets another mention as manager Pete Mackanin said he will not employ a strict platoon early on, which means Altherr could see more time than a typical right-handed bench bat. This means that Howie Kendrick and Michael Saunders are each at risk of losing at-bats. Altherr's work with hitting coach Matt Stairs to lower his hands at the plate paid dividends this spring and now could get 400 at-bats, if he gets off to a strong start. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9.

Jabari Blash, Padres - Blash, profiled last week, was sent down to the minors to start the season but earned a call-up with Alex Dickerson (bulging disc in back) landing on the 60-day DL and Hector Sanchez sidelined with a concussion. A Rule 5 pick last year, Blash opened the season in San Diego but was a bit overmatched. He passed through waivers and went to the minors, where he not surprisingly posted big numbers. Blash, who has shown big time power this spring, could see time as a fourth outfielder, especially against southpaws. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $3.

Nick Franklin, Brewers - The Brewers claimed Franklin off waivers from the Rays. Franklin had a solid 2016 season and decent spring but ran into a numbers camp in Tampa, with the team looking for room for Daniel Robertson. He will fill a utility role for Milwaukee, seeing time at second, short and possibly the outfield. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $2

Adam Frazier, Pirates - Frazier was profiled last week but his early season usage hints at increased value. He played left field on Opening Day due to Gregory Polanco's mild injury and then was the DH on Wednesday against Chris Sale. With Pittsburgh returning to NL play this weekend; Frazier saw decreased playing time. But he will fill a super-utility role, playing second, shortstop and outfield and providing a solid slash line and some stolen bases. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4, 12-team NL: $7.

Gorkys Hernandez, Giants - Hernandez made the Giants as a fourth/fifth outfielder and has seen immediate action due to Denard Span's hip injury. Span is not expected to be out long term, but it's clear that Hernandez is the backup center fielder. Once span returns, Hernandez will be limited to action against certain southpaws or when Span needs a day off. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No, 12-team NL: $4.

Yasiel Puig, Dodgers - Puig has gotten off to a big start, notching three home runs already, including two home runs Thursday. However, keep in mind that Puig faced Jered Weaver in that game rather than a hard-thrower, against whom he has struggled. Puig saw 177 pitches 94 mph or faster last season, according to MLB's Statcast data. Only 12 of those were put in play, seven landed for hits and another 97 were strikes (whether called, whiffed on or hit foul), showing the difficulty he has had with upper-tier fastballs, especially on the inner half of the plate. Maybe Puig reverses that trend, but even if not, he still could feast on weaker arms in the league. If you took a flier on him, so far, so good. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11, 12-team NL: $18.

Melvin Upton Jr., Giants - Upton, who was released by the Blue Jays just before the season started, signed a minor-league contract with the Giants on Saturday. After struggling following his trade to Toronto last year, Upton had a rough spring and ultimately was released. Upton likely will report to Triple-A Sacramento and could eventually earn himself an opportunity to platoon with Jarrett Parker in left field, as Parker and his platoon mate Chris Marrero have each gotten off to slow starts this year. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2, 12-team NL: $7

Injury activation/updates:

Juan Lagares, Mets - Lagares, who began the season on the disabled list with a strained left oblique muscle, may return to the Mets sometime this week. The plan is for Lagares to play in a game on Monday and the rejoin the team a few days later. Lagares will see some time in center field against lefties with Curtis Granderson either sliding to right field or to the bench. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $4