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 are again using 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 grid, which is 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.

Next week will be the final column of the season. Thank you to all those who provided comments throughout the year. Any additional comments regarding the column, please email [email protected] and/or [email protected].

Henderson Alvarez, Phillies - Alvarez, who made his last appearance in the majors in 2015 with the Marlins, was called up this week and started for the Phillies on Saturday. He pitched 32 innings over seven starts for the independent league Long Island Ducks before signing with Philadelphia in August. Alvarez, who has been plagued by shoulder woes in his career, compiled a 2.84 ERA but just an 8:6 K:BB across three starts (19 innings) with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. His fastball has been clocked as fast as 98 mph this season, so the Phillies will give him some starts to see if he can be an option to compete for a rotation spot next spring. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7.

Steven Brault, Pirates - Brault made his first start in the majors Sept. 5 and was to move right back to the bullpen. Instead, Jameson Taillon was skipped for his turn in the rotation and Brault made the most of that opportunity, tossing six shutout innings, allowing just one hit and a walk while striking out six. This summer, Brault was Triple-A Indianapolis' best starter, going 10-5 with a league-low 1.94 ERA in 21 games (20 starts). As Pittsburgh looks toward next year, Brault could remain in the team's rotation the rest of the way. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11.

Rookie Davis, Reds - Davis, along with Jackson Stephens, is moving into the Reds' rotation, replacing Tyler Mahle and Amir Garrett. He flopped in his audition early in the season before landing on the DL and struggled in his one outing after his promotion last week. You know what to do. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $0.

Tyler Glasnow, Pirates - Glasnow, who excelled after his demotion to Triple-A Indianapolis, was called back up and started Wednesday against the Brewers. That outing went like so many he had in the majors before his demotion, as he allowed five runs on four hits and six walks with three strikeouts in just 2.2 innings. Glasnow went just 2-6 with a 7.45 ERA and 1.91 WHIP in his 12 starts before getting sent down after his June 9 start. In the minors, he lowered his walks total (3.1 BB/9) while increasing his strikeouts (13.5 K/9) and pitching almost exclusively out of the stretch. Whatever the reason for his success, Glasnow looked like a potential ace once again in the minors. But Glasnow, who mixes a mid-90s fastball and plus-curveball along with a changeup he finally trusted in the minors, needs to show he can carry and repeat that success in the majors. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (up it if a believer).

Shohei Otani, Japan - Otani, the most sought after player not in MLB, will be posted this winter and play in the states in 2018. The 23-year-old two-way superstar boasts a .286/.359/.505 slash line with 47 homers over 389 career games and holds a 2.60 career ERA over 522.1 innings in Nippon Professional Baseball. Due to the new international signing rules, about 12 teams cannot post for Otani, but Otani will not lack for suitors. The question is, regardless of where he lands, if Otani will be a two-way player, stepping into a starting rotation and either playing the field or serving as the DH on days he doesn't start on the hill. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11 (feel free to up the bid)

Jackson Stephens, Reds - Stephens, along with Rookie Davis, is moving into the Reds' rotation, replacing Tyler Mahle and Amir Garrett. He has been solid out of the bullpen his three outings in September and was passable his first start in the majors against the Cubs on July 1. But his overall Triple-A numbers - 4.92 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 110:51 K:BB - show a somewhat pedestrian pitcher, so bid wisely. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $3.

Jen-Ho Tseng, Cubs - Tseng posted a 1.80 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 55 innings with Triple-A Iowa this season, earning a callup and spot start Thursday. He lasted just three innings, allowing five runs on five hits and a walk with six strikeouts. Tseng, who had a 39:14 K:BB ratio at Iowa, was solid in 15 starts at Double-A Tennessee but might not get any additional starts in the majors this season. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $2.

Aaron Wilkerson, Brewers - Wilkerson, who made 24 starts at Double-A Biloxi this year, could get a spot start down the stretch due to Matt Garza's struggles and Jimmy Nelson's shoulder injury. At 28, Wilkerson is not a big-time prospect, but he did post a 3.16 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in 142.1 innings this season. At this point, it is unknown as to how Wilkerson will be deployed with Milwaukee, but there may be an opportunity for a spot start here or there, especially with Matt Garza's struggles and Jimmy Nelson's shoulder injury. Wilkerson struggled at Triple-A last year, but rebounded at the lower level this year. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4.

Injury activation/updates:

Brandon McCarthy, Dodgers - McCarthy (finger) made his final rehab start at High-A Rancho Cucamonga on Friday, allowing two earned runs on five hits and zero walks with two strikeouts in six innings, throwing 50 of his 71 pitches for strikes. He will be activated from the 60-day DL next Friday, when the Dodgers begin their final homestand. It's not clear whether he will pitch out of the bullpen or start, but it's fairly likely he gets a start or two down the stretch once LA clinches the division and NL home field advantage. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4.

Adam Wainwright, Cardinals - Wainwright threw a bullpen session Thursday morning and was slated to throw another one Saturday or Sunday. In each session, he has seen a slight uptick in velocity, hitting the low-90s with his fastball while also increasing his pitch count. Wainwright, on the disabled list with a right elbow impingement, is 12-5 this season albeit with a 5.12 ERA. He could make 1-2 starts the remainder of the season. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7.

RELIEF PITCHER
 
John Brebbia, Cardinals - Brebbia has just five hold this season, but his 2.45 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 42 strikeouts over 44 innings have given him value in deep NL-only and mixed formats. With the back-end of the Cardinals' bullpen in flux much of the year, Brebbia's solid work has been one constant for the team. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4.

Luis Garcia, Phillies - Garcia picked up his ninth hold of the season - and seventh in last two months - last Saturday with a scoreless inning in a 5-4 win over the Nationals. His two scoreless innings Tuesday and scoreless inning this past Saturday lowered his ERA to 2.51 and WHIP to 1.14 for the year. Garcia has posted a 55:21 K:BB ratio in 64.2 innings in 59 games, using a mid-90s fastball that he complements with a slider and cutter to retire hitters. He has become Hector Neris' main setup man. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7.

CATCHER
 
Austin Barnes, Dodgers - Barnes is batting .294/.413/.471 in 225 plate appearances but is on the short side of a catching platoon with Yasmani Grandal this year. Grandal has struggled recently, possibly opening the door for Barnes to see more playing time. If that happens, Barnes, who has shown he can be productive at the plate, would move up the backstop fantasy rankings. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7.

Tomas Nido, Mets - Nido, the Mets' top catching prospect, was called up to the majors from Double-A Binghamton this week. He batted .232/.287/.354 with eight homers and 60 RBI in 102 games for the Rumble Ponies prior to his promotion. Those numbers are a drop from what he posted the last two seasons, especially last year at High-A St. Lucie. Nido, who played in the Futures Game earlier in the year, is known more for his contact skills (14.9 percent strikeout rate) and strong defensive profile, and clearly is in need of more seasoning. He should get that next season at Triple-A Las Vegas. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4 (value is in keeper leagues)

FIRST BASE
 
Ryder Jones, Giants - Jones will see most of the playing time at third base the rest of the season now that he has returned from a missing a few games with an illness. Despite a .185/.265/.311 line in 41 games with the big club this season, Jones will replace Pablo Sandoval, who has actually been worse than Jones. Jones batted .312/.396/.574 in 64 games at Triple-A Sacramento, giving SF some hope that his success in the minors might be repeatable. With Brandon Belt (concussion) possibly out for the season, Sandoval and Buster Posey would split time at first base the rest of the way, opening the hot corner for Jones. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7.

Dominic Smith, Mets - Smith, the Mets' first baseman of the future, struggled when he was first promoted in August. But he had found his stroke at the plate in September, slashing .315/.383/.630 with four home runs and 14 runs in. Strikeouts are still a concern but Smith is making better contact and has a .353 batting average with runners in scoring position. Smith is a wizard defensively, whose bat finally has caught up to his glove. There are still questions as to the power and Smith will need to watch his weight, but his .330/.386/.519 line with 16 homers, 76 RBI and 77 runs scored across 500 plate appearances this year is impressive even by PCL standards. Eight of those home runs were hit in July after he blasted 14 and drove in 91 runs at Double-A Binghamton last season. 12-team Mixed: $35; 15-team Mixed: $45; 12-team NL: Owned.

SECOND BASE

Daniel Descalso, Diamondbacks - Descalso continues to be productive and receive a surprising amount of playing time. In his past 29 games, through Monday's contest, Descalso had tallied four homers, 10 RBI, 13 runs and a .301/.376/.518 slash line. Descalso qualifies at first, second, third and outfield, increasing his value. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11
 
SHORTSTOP

Addison Russell, Cubs - Russell, out since Aug. 2 with a strained foot that ended up as plantar fasciitis, finally returned to action Saturday. He punctuated that return with a pinch-hit home run. After hitting 21 home runs and driving in 95 runs a year ago, Russell had a horrific first half to the 2017 season. He turned it around before he was sidelined, batting .306/.338/.565 with three home runs and seven RBI after the All-Star Game. Javy Baez has more than ably filled in at shortstop for Russell, so it's possible that Russell does not regain his starting job the rest of the season. But Baez can play several positions, as can Ben Zobrist and Kris Bryant, which should afford Russell semi-regular playing time at a minimum. 12-team Mixed: $20; 15-team Mixed: $30; 12-team NL: Owned

Chris Owings, Diamondbacks - Owings may come off the 60-day disabled list Sept. 29 for the Diamondbacks' series in Kansas City, the first day he is eligible to return. He is scheduled to see a hand specialist Monday. Thus far, he has been able to run the bases and field grounders at shortstop without issue, but he needs to hit to prove he can be ready at the end of the month. If healthy, Owings will have a handful of games before the regular season ends to make his case for a spot on Arizona's postseason roster. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4.

THIRD BASE

Enrique Hernandez, Dodgers - Hernandez is starting in left field against left-handed pitchers. Manager Dave Roberts announced this Wednesday, as Curtis Granderson has struggled mightily since joining the Dodgers -- slashing just .107/.256/.267 in 75 at-bats. Grandy will play against righties with the change also driven by Hernandez' .261/.354/.580 line with 10 homers in 158 plate appearances against southpaws this season prior to the change occurring. Hernandez qualifies at short, third and in the outfield. He is away from the team following his grandfather's unfortunate passing in Puerto Rico. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7.

OUTFIELD

Jordan Luplow, Pirates - Luplow has seen semi-consistent playing time in right field since his promotion. After going hitless in his first 11 major-league at-bats, Luplow has heated up at the plate recently. He provides some power - blasting 23 HR in 414 at-bats between Double- and Triple-A - prior to his promotion. With Pittsburgh playing out the string, Luplow will continue to see at-bats as he tries to help in spring training next year with a leg up on a role. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11

Magneuris Sierra, Cardinals - Sierra, one of the Cardinals' top prospects, was promoted from Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday. He likely will serve as the top pinch-running option and top defensive replacement in the outfield over the final two weeks of the season, at least until the Cardinals' are eliminated from post-season contention. Sierra hit .269/.313/.352 with one home run and 17 steals in 81 games at Double-A this season, and likely will open 2018 at Double-A or Triple-A to continue his development as a hitter. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4 (up in keeper leagues).

Injury activation/updates:

Lewis Brinson, Brewers - Brinson, sidelined since mid-August with a strained left hamstring while at Triple-A Colorado Springs, has been able to hit off a tee and throw from the field during his recovery in Arizona. When Brinson first went down, the club thought it would take between 4-6 weeks before he would return, making a mid-September activation as slightly optimistic. Once Brinson is able to ramp up his efforts and participate more extensively in drills and live hitting, a more definitive timetable should become present. It's possible he comes back next week, and if Keon Broxton the main center fielder continues to struggle, Brinson, whose main value is in keeper league, or Brett Phillips could see solid playing time down the stretch as Milwaukee fights for a player spot. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4 (early spec activation bid)