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.

Amir Garrett, Reds - Garrett, mixes a low-90s fastball and slider to retire hitters along with a work-in-progress changeup, won his second start of the season Wednesday against the Pirates. He is now 2-0 with a 1.42 ERA, 0.71 WHIP, and 9:2 K:BB ratio through 12.2 innings this season for Cincinnati, with both of his wins have coming on the road against division rivals. A highly-recruited former college basketball player at St. John's University, Garrett was drafted in the 22nd round in 2011 and really took a major step forward in 2015 when he went 9-7 with a 2.44 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 133:55 K:BB ratio in 140.1 innings at High-A Daytona. He built on that success in 2016, moving steadily up the ladder, and now should be fairly entrenched in the Reds' rotation. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $19

Jeff Hoffman/German Marquez/Harrison Musgrave, Rockies - Jon Gray, the Rockies' ace, will miss a month with a toe injury, creating a major hole in the Colorado rotation. The three pitchers listed are all candidates to fill that spot, though the team doesn't need a fifth starter until April 28. Hoffman lost his battle to break camp to Antonio Senzatela and Kyle Freeland after struggling with control. He hasn't been great at Triple-A, though his FIP is over a run better than his actual ERA. Hoffman made six starts with the Rockies last year and could have the upper hand in filling Gray's spot. Marquez may be second in line, partially because he has been working in relief and would need to get stretched out. He pitched fairly well in his stint in the majors last season, showing solid control and an ability to keep the ball in the park. Musgrave hasn't enjoyed as much success at Triple-A Albuquerque as he did in spring training, and given Musgrave's status off the 40-man roster, Hoffman and Marquez may have the upper hand at the moment. Hoffman - 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team NL: $7; Marquez - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $4; Musgrave - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $2.

Zach Lee, Padres - Lee went 11-6 with a 2.70 ERA in 19 starts for Triple-A Oklahoma City in the Pacific Coast League but has been unable to carry that success forward in the majors. In addition, last season, Lee went a combined 7-14 with a 6.14 ERA between Oklahoma City and Tacoma after a June 16 trade to the Mariners. Lee was called up to replace the injured Trevor Cahill and Luis Perdomo and held the Rockies scoreless over 5.1 innings in Coors Field on Wednesday, giving up just two hits along with four walks while striking out three in a 6-0 win. He may be sent down Sunday to make room for the returning Trevor Cahill. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $2.

Sal Romano, Reds - Romano, one of the Reds' pitching prospects, will start in place of the injured Rookie Davis (forearm) on Sunday. He posted a 3.52 ERA with a 144:34 K:BB ratio in 156 innings pitched last season for Double-A Pensacola. Romano may be needed for just one start, as Davis is due back next week. But Romano, who mixes a mid-90s sinking fastball, developing curveball and changeup to retire hitters, could be back before the end of the season. He likely will make several more starts for Triple-A Louisville and then be up sometime during the summer, if not sooner. Although that strategy might change if Brandon Finnegan's strained shoulder lands him on the disabled list. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team NL: $5 (up more if you think he sticks).

Joe Ross, Nationals - Ross will make his first start of the season for the Nationals on Wednesday in Atlanta. He sealed the deal by giving up one run on six hits in seven innings with six strikeouts in his second start at Triple-A on Thursday. Shoulder issues cost Ross 10 weeks over the summer, but besides that, it was a solid campaign for him with rises in several metrics. Ross uses a 93-mph fastball, excellent slider and work-in-progress changeup to retire hitters, but it's lack of a good off-speed pitch that allows lefties to tattoo him, as they hit .356 against Ross. It's that issue and health concerns, which make Ross at times a risky bet. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 15-team NL: $11

Injury activation/updates:

Trevor Cahill, Padres - Cahill had a solid enough first start against the Dodgers - allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks across 5.2 innings - bit landed on the disabled list after the start with a strained lower back. He served the minimum 10 days and was activated to start Sunday. Cahill, who has brought back his cut fastball and also pitched well out of the Chicago bullpen last year. Don't expect a ton of Ks but Cahill should keep the Padres in games and earn some wins. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7.

Matt Garza, Brewers - Garza (strained right groin) pitched well - five innings, two hits, one run) allowed - in his first start April 12 at Triple-A Colorado Springs. He will make his second rehab start April 17 against Nashville and 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
 
Joaquin Benoit, Phillies - After removing Jeanmar Gomez as the closer, Phillies' manager Pete Mackanin installed Benoit in that role Monday. Benoit hasn't closed since 2014, but other than a poor stretch in Seattle last season, Benoit was exceedingly good the last four seasons. Benoit posted a 2.40 ERA and 0.98 WHIP from 2010 to 2016, while finishing six of the last seven seasons with a K/9 higher than 9.00. Benoit still has a high-90s, sinking fastball and changeup, each of which he uses to retire hitters. As the Phillies are in rebuild mode, Benoit, who is only signed for this year, could only hold the job short-term since he could get dealt before year-end. If a trade does happen, Hector Neris, who remained in his set-up role as Mackanin opted to keep him there, would likely close. 12-team Mixed: $11; 15-team Mixed: $22; 12-team NL: $33.

Matt Bowman, Cardinals - The Cardinals selected Bowman off the Mets' roster in the Rule 5 draft in December 2015. He was coming off a poor season at Triple-A Las Vegas during which he posted a 5.53 ERA and 1.68 WHIP, resulting in a 7-16 overall record. However, those numbers masked a strong GB:FB ratio. Bowman used that ability to generate groundballs to compile 13 holds, a 1.17 WHIP and 3.46 ERA in 59 appearances last season. He has continued that success into this season and could potentially notch more holds in 2017. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4

Archie Bradley, Diamondbacks - Bradley lost his battle this spring to break camp as the D-Backs' fifth starter. But, that setback opened up a new role for Bradley in which he has been excelling. Bradley has been Arizona's version of Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances, working high-leverage, multiple innings out of the bullpen. In 6.1 innings, Bradley has 10K while allowing just four hits and two walks. In addition, it's possible that Bradley closes for the D-Backs once they more on from Fernando Rodney. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9.

Grant Dayton, Dodgers - Dayton, the main lefty out of the L.A. pen, broke out with a 2.05 ERA and 0.76 WHIP in 26.1 innings last season. This year, he has already made five scoreless appearances for the Dodgers. After notching six holds in 2015, Dayton should easily exceed that numbers while posting solid ratios and counting stats. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5

Miguel Diaz, Padres - Diaz, a Rule 5 pick by Minnesota from Milwaukee, was traded right after the draft to San Diego. He posted a 3.71 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 91:29 K:BB ratio in 94.2 innings in the Midwest League and with the Padres in rebuilding mode, San Diego is keeping him in the majors. That move has so far worked out well, as Diaz is using his fastball to retire hitters but will need to better develop a second pitch. Diaz is being used in low-leverage situations but could see his role expand as the season continues. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $3.

Cody Reed, Reds - Reed is working out of the bullpen, but it might not be too long before he is in the Reds' starting rotation. Rookie Davis and Bronson Arroyo won the fourth and fifth starter spots in spring training but neither are solid options. Eventually, since Cincinnati is in a rebuilding role, look for Garrett, Reed and Robert Stephenson to make up three-fifths of the rotation at some point, at least until Homer Bailey (elbow) is ready. Reed pitched well until his last spring start and has carried that success into the season. For now, he and Stephenson will serve as part of the bridge to Raisel Iglesias, but eventually he will be in the rotation. That time could come sooner rather than later if Brandon Finnegan's strained shoulder lands him on the disabled list. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

Trevor Rosenthal, Cardinals - Rosenthal lost the closer job last season to Seung Hwan Oh partially due to injury and partially due to a mechanical flaw. He was to be stretched out as a starter this spring but a lat issue set him back, resulting in a change in that approach. Oh has struggled early this season but likely has earned a bit of latitude after his performance last season. But Rosenthal is now active and if Oh continues to struggle and Rosenthal finds his prior form, a change could happen down the road. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

Injury activation/updates:

Pedro Baez, Dodgers - Baez, who injured his thumb on a comebacker in spring training, retired all four batters he faced in his third rehab appearance Wednesday for Triple-A Oklahoma City and was activated Friday. Baez, who had 83 K in 74 IP along 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.

Carter Capps, Padres - Capps, returning from Tommy John, has made two rehab appearances for High-A Lake Elsinore. He likely will move up to Triple-A El Paso on Sunday, making a handful of appearances there, before rejoining the Padres. Once Capps is back, he should begin his role as Brandon Maurer's setup 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 two weeks).

Jeurys Familia, Mets - Familia is in the midst of serving a 15-game suspension for violating MLB's domestic violence policy. He pitched for High-A St. Lucie on Saturday and will pitch for Double-A Binghamton on Monday. Familia will probably pitch one or two more games before he returns to the big leagues on Thursday. Once he is back, Addison Reed, who has been closing for Familia, will move to a setup role. (Just an FYI as should be owned in all leagues.)

CATCHER
 
Travis d'Arnaud, Mets - D'Arnaud has removed the hitch in his swing but is still having difficulties throwing out runners. However, if he hits like he has lately, the Mets will live with his issues behind the plate and continue to run him out there. D'Arnaud's winning home run Thursday in the 16th inning capped a career-high four-hit night for the catcher, who drove in four runs and scored three. Nine games into the season, TdA is hitting .333/.438/.704 with a pair of home runs and nine driven in along with a solid 5:4 K:BB ratio. 12-team Mixed: $14; 15-team Mixed: owned; 12-team NL: owned

Injury activation/updates:

Devin Mesoraco, Reds - Mesoraco (hip), who is the midst of a rehab stint, has caught five games without incident at Double-A Pensacola on Monday. He had a breakout season in 2014, during which he had 25 HR and 80 RBI, prompting the Reds to sign him to a four-year, $28 million extension in January 2015. Since then, hip and shoulder injuries and surgeries have limited Mesoraco to just 39 games in two seasons. Mesoraco's final hurdle will come early this week when he's scheduled to catch back-to-back games Tuesday and Wednesday. If all goes according to plan, Mesoraco could be back with the Reds as soon as Thursday. If Mesoraco is healthy, look for Price to ease him back into game-action, increasing his playing time during the season. 12-team Mixed: $4; 15-team NL: $9; 12-team NL: $14

Tom Murphy, Rockies - Murphy, who opened the season on the 10-day disabled
list after he fractured his right hand when it made contact with Kris Bryant's bat on March 11, remains in a thumb-extending brace and has yet to begin fielding drills fielding drills as of Thursday. He recently underwent a CT scan, but the Rockies haven't disclosed the result. Once the brace is off, Murphy still likely would require multiple weeks to test the hand in fielding and throwing drills, batting practice and rehab games before the Rockies consider activating him from the 10-day disabled list. In the interim, Tony Wolters and Dustin Garneau will hold down the catching spot. Once Murphy is bat, he will at a minimum platoon with Wolters and likely should end up garnering most of the playing time behind the plate. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11.

FIRST BASE
 
Adam Lind, Nationals - Ryan Zimmerman is off to a tremendous start limiting Lind to basically pinch-hit duty. If Zimmerman falters or suffers another injury, Lind looms, though he is much better at the plate against lefties. In addition, Lind, who saw his numbers fall last year due to his becoming too pull happy, could occasionally see time at the corner outfield spots. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $4.

SECOND BASE
 
Wilmer Difo, Nationals - Difo is starting at shortstop with both Trea Turner and Stephen Drew on the 10-day DL with hamstring injuries. Turner is due back Wednesday, which will result in Difo heading back to the bench. Difo will then go back to a utility role, seeing time at second, short and third as well as possibly center field. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No, 12-team NL: $3.

Scooter Gennett, Reds - Gennett was claimed off waivers from Milwaukee in late March, as the move of Jonathan Villar to second base cost Gennett his job. Rather than make him a super-utility player, Milwaukee waived Gennett once a sot was needed for Jesus Aguilar. Gennett, who hit 14 home runs last year, has started five games already at second base in Cincy, taking advantage of the playing time. He hit his third home run of the season and should benefit from playing half his games at Great American Ballpark. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4, 12-team NL: $9.

SHORTSTOP

Johan Camargo, Braves - Camargo was promoted to fill the roster spot of Matt Kemp, who landed on the 10-day DL with a strained hamstring. He is blocked at each infield position by more established options, so he is filling a reserve role during his first major-league stint. Down the road, Camargo profiles as a utility infielder, and he will head back to the minors once Kemp is activated. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No, 12-team NL: $0.

J.T. Riddle/Miguel Rojas, Marlins - Riddle and Rojas are handling shortstop for Miami with Adeiny Hechvarria sidelined with a strained left oblique. That injury has a tendency to linger, so Hech could be out 2-3 weeks. Rojas, who is the better hitter and showed in the minors he could make consistent contact, will see most of the action at the position, with Riddle serving as the backup. Riddle - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 15-team NL: $2; Rojas - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 15-team NL: $5.

THIRD BASE

Wilmer Flores, Mets - Flores broke camp with the Mets as a backup infielder. Jose Reyes has gotten off to a horrific start, which could afford Flores additional playing time. Flores is already seeing time at first against southpaws while also seeing action at second and third. He mashes lefties, batting .340 last season in 100 at-bats against them while blasting 16 home runs for the second straight season. But if Reyes' struggles continue, manager Terry Collins could turn to Flores more often, especially if he can fix his problems against righties. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $9, 12-team NL: $14.

Eugenio Suarez, Reds - Suarez came up as a shortstop in 2015 and then moved to the hot corner following the trade of Todd Frazier last year. He got off to a big start last season, but regressed during the year, impacted by a 24.7 percent strikeout rate while posting the second-most errors at the position. Despite those issues, Suarez blasted 21 HR and drove in 70 runs. This year, he is expected to be a placeholder until Nick Senzel is ready. But Suarez has cut his K rate nearly in half while boosting his BB rat, resulting in a hot start. That strong beginning is also boosted by an unsustainable BABIP but Senzel will need time before he is ready, giving Suarez a bit longer hold on the role. 12-team Mixed: $11; 15-team Mixed: $22; 15-team NL: owned

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, began a rehab assignment with High-A Jupiter on Wednesday. He will play four consecutive games and then a call as to his status will be made, with the expectation he will join the Marlins in Seattle on Monday. As noted last week, 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 (same bid as prior).

OUTFIELD

Michael Conforto, Mets - Conforto broke camp with Juan Lagares (oblique) and Brandon Nimmo (hamstring) sidelined. He has made the most of his opportunity, batting .375 in 21 plate appearances with a pair of home runs. That strong start kept Conforto around despite Lagares' activation Thursday. The Mets will need to get creative to find Conforto playing time, which should occur in center and left field, as well as possibly right, when Jay Bruce needs a day off. Conforto has little to prove at Triple-A Las Vegas and believes he is better served remain in the majors with sporadic at-bats rather than playing daily in the minors. For now, that will be the case. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11.

Gorkys Hernandez/Aaron Hill/Chris Marrero/Mike Morse/Melvin Upton Jr./Mac Williamson, Giants - Jarrett Parker suffered a broken clavicle crashing into the wall while robbing D.J. LeMahieu of a hit Saturday against the Rockies. Parker likely will be sidelined at least six weeks if not longer, creating a hole in left field for San Francisco. In the short term, left field likely will be occupied by some combination of Marrero, Hernandez and Hill, though none of three have been particularly good. Morse, who was sidelined with a hamstring injury late in the spring, left extended spring training Sunday to join High-A San Jose. His numbers have plummeted the last few years, but he did hit 16 home runs while playing 84 of his 131 games for the Giants in left field. Upton, who was released by the Blue Jays just before the season started, signed a minor-league contract with the Giants last Saturday. He has yet to begin action at Triple-A Sacramento but could eventually earn himself an opportunity for time in left field. Williamson (quadriceps), who was injured last in the spring, was placed on the 10-day disabled list April 2. He could be back by early-May and earn the left field job due to his power potential. All save for Morse and Williamson - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No, 12-team NL: $4; Morse and Williamson - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2, 12-team NL: $7 (due to more upside)

Jace Peterson, Braves - Peterson has been the primary option in left field, replacing Matt Kemp, who landed on the 10-day DL with a strained hamstring. Chase d'Arnaud is also seeing some time at the position but Peterson is option one there. Kemp is expected back Wednesday, after which Peterson, who doesn't hit for power or run much, will return to a reserve role. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No, 12-team NL: $2.

Raimel Tapia, Rockies - Tapia, one of the Rockies' top prospects, was called up and started in left field for the Rockies on Friday. He was off to a hot start at Triple-A Albuquerque, going 13-for-32 with six doubles and six RBI. Tapia got the nod with Gerardo Parra away for a few days on paternity leave and David Dahl (ribs) still out. He hit 323/.363/.450 with 34 RBI and 17 steals in 104 games for Double-A Hartford and then batted.346 with 14 RBI in 104 at-bats at Triple-A. Tapia likely will head back to the minors once Parra rejoins the Rockies but his future is bright. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4, 12-team NL: $7 (if you can stash him)

Trayce Thompson, Dodgers - Thompson was first injured in May and then shut down after July 10 due to a back injury. He opened the season in minors but was called up Wednesday after Franklin Gutierrez strained his left hamstring while trying to steal a base Monday and landed on the 10-day DL. Thompson Thompson will see most his at-bats against left-handed pitching, working on the smaller side of a platoon with either left fielder Andrew Toles or center fielder Joc Pederson. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $4.

Jesse Winker, Reds - The Reds on Friday promoted Winker, the No. 49 overall pick in the 2012 draft. Winker saw his power dry up last year due to a wrist injury, but he posted a .397 OBA. He was off to a strong start this season, hitting .323/.421/.387 in eight games for Triple-A Louisville. The big question is where will Winker play, as Adam Duvall is entrenched in left and Billy Hamilton in center while Scott Schebler had continued his strong play from the end of last season into this one. The likely scenario has Winker seeing time in right field, though not starting daily and the timing of/need for the call up is odd. The hope has to be way that with Winker now at Great American Ballpark; the power switch may flip back on. However, Winker might be sent down when Sal Romano is called up to start Sunday, though if Brandon Finnegan's shoulder strain sidelines him, Winker could get a reprieve for a few days. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (up if you think he sticks and/or you can stash him)

Injury activation/updates:

David Dahl, Rockies - Dahl, sidelined with a stress reaction in his sixth rib, joined the Rockies during their upcoming series with the Giants to be re-evaluated by the team training staff. He has increased his activity to throwing, running and weight training, but swinging the bat or any rotational activity will not be allowed until after his next MRI, which is scheduled for Friday. If he gets a clear bill of health, Dahl could be back with the Rockies by mid-May. (Just an FYI as should be owned in all leagues, but if not, the bids should be $11/22/33.)

Ian Desmond, Rockies - Desmond, sidelined since March 12 after taking a pitch to the hand, took infield practice Thursday at first base, and he's slated to start batting practice next week. The Rockies haven't ruled out on a late-April return for Desmond, who likely will see most of his action at first base with some playing time possibly in left field as well. (Just an FYI as should be owned in all leagues but if not, the bids should be $18/35/45.)

Juan Lagares, Mets - Lagares, who began the season on the disabled list with a strained left oblique muscle, was activated Thursday. He will see some time in center field against lefties with Curtis Granderson either sliding to right field or to the bench. However, Lagares may also need to battle Michael Conforto for playing time in center. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $4.