NL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week

We have two goals for this article: 

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.

Bids in general are best guesstimates. With so much uncertainty at least initially, those values may be even greater estimates than usual. The FAAB chart below lets users easily see at a glance how certain players stack up against others and how much they should command in a variety of formats.

The chart, 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. An "A" grade is reserved for a high-impact prospect stepping into an everyday role.

If you have questions on players, I'm happy to provide my thoughts in the comments.

STARTING PITCHER

Edward Cabrera, Marlins: Cabrera dealt with right shoulder discomfort and a back issue last year and was diagnosed with an inflamed nerve in his biceps that resulted in a late start to this season. He's slowly moved up the ladder on his rehab stint, advancing from Double-A Pensacola to Triple-A Jacksonville on Jul. 13. Cabrera made five starts for Pensacola and posted a 2.77 ERA with 33 strikeouts over 26 innings. He made his second start on Friday for Jacksonville and only allowed one run on four hits and two walks while striking out 12 in six innings and 98 pitches - this after striking out 11 in his previous effort last Saturday. Cabrera pairs a plus breaking ball with his plus-plus fastball, while his third-pitch changeup is still a bit of a work in progress along with his command. Considered one of Miami's top pitching prospects in the organization, he could get a promotion in the very near-term following excellent back-to-back starts. 12-team Mixed: $2, 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11 (early spec call up bid) 

Tyler Gilbert, Diamondbacks: Gilbert, who was called up on Aug. 3 and pitched out of the bullpen, started Saturday against the Padres. That outing was historic, as he fired a complete game no-hitter on three walks while striking out five to become only the fourth pitcher in history to toss a no-no in his first career start. The southpaw worked mainly as a starter at Triple-A Reno to begin the year, logging a 3.44 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 50:19 K:BB across 52.1 innings. The 27-year-old struck out five in 3.2 scoreless innings across three relief appearances following his call up. Gilbert spent the first five seasons pitching in the minors as part of the Phillies' organization before latching on with Arizona this year. He was likely to shift back to the bullpen when Luke Weaver (forearm) was ready to return, though his stellar outing and Merrill Kelly testing positive for COVID-19 should keep him in the rotation - at least for the short-term. 12-team Mixed: $2: 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11

Elieser Hernandez, Marlins: Hernandez, who left his first start of the year in the third inning with biceps tendon inflammation and was placed on the 60-day injured list twice, made the third start of his minor-league rehab assignment at Triple-A Jacksonville on Tuesday. He tossed five innings, allowing one run on two hits and no walks while striking out 10 on 62 pitches. Hernandez has looked dominant through his three rehab outings by only giving up one run while posting an 18:0 K:BB in 11.2 innings. While not stretched out, his next start could come with the big club Sunday against the Cubs or during next week's series with Atlanta or Cincinnati. Hernandez's stuff screams major upside, but limited innings last year means he's unlikely to pitch much more than 100 this year presuming he's able to stay healthy. But the upside makes the 26-year-old right-hander an intriguing pitcher to stash in leagues where he's sitting on the waiver wire. 12-team Mixed: $5: 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: Rostered (upped bid from prior) 

Miles Mikolas, Cardinals: Mikolas, on the shelf since late May while recovering from the forearm injury, is slated to start again for Double-A Springfield. That outing will be his fifth rehab appearance, but his prior one went so poorly - seven runs allowed on 11 hits, including three home runs over 4.2 innings – it was no surprise he made an additional start. Mikolas could see one more rehab start, but there is a possibility he makes his next outing for the parent club and slide into the fifth rotation spot. He ended 2019 with a sore flexor tendon which lingered into 2020 and resulted in a late start to this season. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (same spec return bid)

Justin Steele, Cubs: Steele, in the minors for about a month, was called up from Triple-A Iowa to start Tuesday against the Brewers. He has excelled across 11 relief appearances with the Cubs earlier this season (2.03 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 21:7 K:BB in 13.1 innings), but the 26-year-old lefty pitched as a starter in the minors. Since being reinstated from the injured list and optioned to Triple-A in early July, Steele has impressed in five starts for Iowa compiling an 0.87 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 11.8 K/9 across 20.2 innings. He didn't enjoy the same success Tuesday when he gave up three runs on five hits and a walk while striking out one over five innings and 70 pitches. It's unclear if Steele will stick with the Cubs - and if so, whether he'll start or relieve. But with Chicago looking to the future, they might keep him in the rotation. 12-team Mixed: $0, 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5 

Luke Weaver, Diamondbacks: Weaver, on the shelf since mid-May with a strained rotator cuff, allowed one run on four hits while striking out six over three innings for the Diamondbacks' entry in the Arizona Complex League on Monday. His fastball was in the 93-94 mph range, which is right at his season mark and bodes well for the future. Weaver is scheduled to throw about 60 pitches in a rehab start Saturday with Triple-A Reno and could be one or two more outings away from rejoining the MLB rotation with Caleb Smith moved back to the bullpen. Our preseason outlook shows the risk and possible reward in rostering Weaver: "...was the only pitcher in MLB tagged with nine losses despite making only 12 starts during the shortened season, and the rest of his numbers (6.58 ERA and 1.56 WHIP) also weren't pretty. It's quite the contrast to 2019, when the right-hander dazzled with a 2.94 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 12 starts before going down with injury." 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (early spec return bid)

Trevor Williams, Mets: Williams, called up from Triple-A Syracuse to start Thursday, allowed a run on three hits and two walks while striking out two in 4.1 innings against the Nationals. Due to a rainout, the twin bill Thursday came in a stretch of six games in five days for the Mets which necessitated Williams temporarily being slotted into the rotation as the No. 6 starter. Before being acquired from the Cubs ahead of the trade deadline, he made 13 appearances (12 starts) in the big leagues logging a 5.06 ERA and 1.53 WHIP while striking out 61 over 58.2 innings. Williams was sent down Friday, but is next in line if a starter is needed especially with Jacob deGrom shut down for at least two more weeks. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $5 

Huascar Ynoa, Braves: Ynoa, who fractured his hand on May 17, completed his last rehab outing Wednesday throwing 83 pitches while striking out seven across 4.2 innings for Triple-A Gwinnett. He allowed three runs on four hits and four walks, but will be activated from the injured list Tuesday to start at Miami and replace Kyle Muller in the Braves' rotation. Prior to the injury, Ynoa posted a 3.02 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 50:11 K:BB through 44.2 innings. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $18 (upped return bid)

RELIEF PITCHER

Genesis Cabrera, Cardinals: Cabrera has notched holds in each of his last four appearances, giving the left-hander 20 on the season. As the primary southpaw setting up Alex Reyes, he has a 3.12 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 59:29 K:BB from 52.1 innings. Cabrera now has 12 consecutive scoreless appearances and continues to get the job done in high-leverage situations for the Cardinals even though walks remain a slight concern. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9 

Corey Knebel, Dodgers: Knebel, sidelined since late April with a strained lat, was activated Tuesday. He was cleared to rejoin the Dodgers following a stellar six-game rehab assignment at Triple-A Oklahoma City where he permitted one run on four hits and a walk while striking out 11 over 5.2 innings. Manager Dave Roberts has not shied away from using Knebel by already pitching him in three games, including a one-out save Saturday. Prior to being shelved, he looked to be the next man up for closing duties behind Kenley Jansen considering he notched three holds and two saves across his first eight appearances with the Dodgers. Knebel looks to have slid back into the role or similar one since his return to action. 12-team Mixed: $2, 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11

Zack Littell, Giants: Littell may be third in line for saves, but that hasn't stopped him from having substantive value this month. Since being recalled Aug. 7, he's gone 1-0 with two saves and eight strikeouts over 6.2 innings. Jake McGee has struggled lately and Littell has been manager Gabe Kapler's choice to lock down games. And if Tyler Rogers continues to operate as the setup man, that potential usage certainly makes Littell worth a look. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9

CATCHER

Robinson Chirinos/Austin Romine, Cubs:  Romine, sidelined since Apr. 25 due to a significant left wrist sprain, was reinstated from the 60-day injured list Thursday. He appeared in four rehab games across the last several weeks going 4-for-10 with two doubles, two runs and a strikeout. With Willson Contreras (knee) landing on the 10-day IL, Romine and Chirinos will fill in at catcher with Chirinos seeing most of the playing time. Chirinos - 12-team Mixed: $2, 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11; Romine - 12-team Mixed: No, 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $5

Travis d'Arnaud, Braves: D'Arnaud, out after left thumb surgery in early May, was reinstated from the 60-day injured list Wednesday after completing a six-game rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett. Atlanta ran through several catcher - including Stephen Vogt of late -  and welcome TdA back with open arms. Now active, d'Arnaud should be in the lineup the majority of the time and lengthen a Braves lineup that added Jorge Soler and Adam Duvall at the trade deadline. 12-team Mixed: $25, 15-team Mixed: $35; 12-team NL: $45 (upped return bid)

Manny Pina, Brewers: If in need of a second catcher in NL-only leagues, you could do a lot worse than Pina. His pair of homers Thursday gave the backstop nine in only 151 plate appearances along with 24 runs driven in. Omar Narvaez is entrenched as Milwaukee's starter behind the plate. But with the team up by eight games over Cincy, they could opt to rest Narvaez and keep him fresh. If that happens, Pina would be in line for additional at-bats. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9 

FIRST BASE

C.J. Cron, Rockies: Cron has opened August hot going 16-for-39 with five home runs and 20 RBI in 11 games, aided by several big efforts against the Marlins. He's also slashing .261/.370/.502 with 19 home runs and 63 runs batted in on the year. Cron is profiled as he was just under the 60 percent roster threshold for my inclusion in the weekly column, meaning he is likely only available in shallower leagues. If that's the case, grab him for the balance of the year as Colorado has shown no signs of reducing his playing time despite playing for the future. 12-team Mixed: $55; 15-team Mixed: Rostered; 12-team-NL: Rostered 

SECOND BASE 

Travis Blankenhorn, Mets: Blankenhorn was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse on Friday to replace Javier Baez (back), who was placed on the 10-day injured list. In the minors since late-July, Blankenhorn slashed .227/.346/.409 with two home runs, two doubles, five runs and four RBI in 12 games at Triple-A Syracuse since then. He'll serve as utility depth with Baez sidelined. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team-NL: $4 

Asdrubal Cabrera, Diamondbacks: Cabrera spent two weeks on the IL with a right hamstring strain before being activated Jul. 23. After going 5-for-20 with four RBI in July after returning, the veteran third baseman has gone 8-for-29 with a .861 OPS, two homers and seven RBI in nine August games. Even though Arizona is looking for the future and despite the return of Ketel Marte (hamstring) and Josh Rojas (finger), Cabrera is starting almost daily at the hot corner. Prior to being sidelined, he was hitting .240 with five home runs, 28 RBI and 25 runs across 223 plate appearances with the Diamondbacks. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team-NL: Rostered 

Zach McKinstry, Dodgers: McKinstry, a key part to the Dodgers' success earlier this year, was called up from the minors Saturday. He had been with the taxi squad since getting demoted Aug. 1, but will now be active with the big-league club. McKinstry figures to get some playing time in right field along with Billy McKinney while Mookie Betts (hip) is out. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team-NL: $6 

Jace Peterson, Brewers: Peterson is hampered by all the hitting depth in Milwaukee, but has shown he deserves more playing time posting a stellar .980 OPS in 31 games. But with the Brewers relatively healthy, expect him to continue filling a part-time role. Peterson has an .820 for the year with five home runs and 25 RBI in 179 plate appearances in his best overall year since 2016 with Atlanta. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11 

THIRD BASE

Evan Longoria, Giants: Longoria, on the injured list with a sprained left shoulder since Jun. 6 and transferred to the 60-day injured list in mid-July, was activated Saturday. He completed a short rehab assignment at Triple-A Sacramento and was waiting the past several days to come off the IL. The acquisition of Kris Bryant at the trade deadline figures to cut into Longoria's playing time at third base, though Bryant will see time at first base and in the outfield. Prior to being sidelined, Longoria posted a solid .280/.376/.516 slash line with nine home runs, 30 RBI, 28 runs scored and a stolen base as a near-everyday option at third. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $16 (slightly upped return bid, up more if think he starts) 

SHORTSTOP

Josh Rojas, Diamondbacks:  Rojas, profiled last week, gets another mention this week as he returned to action Wednesday after being on the injured list with a dislocated finger since Jul. 22. He completed a short rehab assignment at Triple-A Reno and is expected to be in the lineup almost daily at the keystone spot for the Snakes. Rojas is still dealing with discomfort and range-of-motion issues in his left pinky and may not be 100 percent for another month or so, requiring him to manage the pain to play. But the upside potential as seen in his solid numbers across the board before being sidelined and 6-for-14 performance since returning warrant a look. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14 (upped bid from prior) 

OUTFIELD

Lewis Brinson, Marlins: Brinson, profiled the last few weeks, gets another mention as he's been on fire at the plate. Promoted after the All-Star break, he's making the most of the consistent playing time following the trades of Starling Marte and Adam Duvall. Since Jul. 30, Brinson has gone 19-for-51 with four home runs, 17 runs driven in and 12 runs scored. The 2012 first-round pick and key player acquired by Miami from Milwaukee in the Christian Yelich deal had struggled during his previous chances in the majors. But with the Marlins once again looking to the future and Brinson on a roll, he figures to see consistent playing time down the stretch at all three outfield spots even when Jesus Sanchez (COVID-19) comes off the injured list. 12-team Mixed: $11; 15-team Mixed: $22; 12-team NL: $33 (upped bid) 

Bryan De La Cruz, Marlins: De La Cruz, profiled two weeks ago when he was called up, gets another mention as he is seeing plenty of action. Since joining the Marlins' active roster Jul. 30 following his trade from the Astros, he's started 12 of 13 games in right field. De La Cruz hasn't replicated his numbers from a breakout campaign at Triple-A this season, but he's 17-for-54 with a home run, three runs batted in and a weak 2:18 BB:K. Acquired from the Astros in the trade which sent Yimi Garcia the other way, De La Cruz slashed .324/.362/.518 with 12 home runs, 50 RBI, 48 runs and two stolen bases across 66 games at Triple-A Sugar Land prior to coming over. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $16

Jose Martinez, Mets: Martinez, shut down since the spring while recovering from surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, began a rehab assignment at Low-A St. Lucie and started in right field and played three innings while going 0-for-2 with a strikeout. The Mets are deploying him in both corner-outfield spots during his rehab assignment, which will likely last at least another week while he attempts to get his timing back at the plate following a lengthy layoff. New York has been vulnerable to left-handed pitching against whom Martinez raked, save for 2020. Even though the Mets are relatively healthy in the outfield and have Pete Alonso locked in at first, Martinez could see starts against southpaws once activated from the 60-day injured list. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $4 (early spec return bid)

Lars Nootbaar/Jose Rondon, Cardinals: Nootbaar and Rondon are filling in for Dylan Carlson, who left Thursday's game with right wrist soreness. X-rays showed no fracture, but Carlson's slight right wrist sprain will limit him to base running and possibly defense through the weekend. It's swinging a bat that's the problem right now and he isn't even a lock to return early next week, opening the door for Nootbaar and Rondon. Nootbaar homered Thursday, but Rondon started against a lefty Friday and that likely means a strict platoon in right field while Carlson is out. Nootbaar - 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $6; Rondon - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $5

Jesus Sanchez, Marlins: Yes, I have profiled what could be the entire Marlins' outfield the rest of the way. Sanchez, on the COVID-19 IL since mid-July, began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday and homered in the game. Although the 23-year-old had been participating in workouts recently, he'll still require some time in the minors prior to rejoining the Marlins. Sanchez was slashing .265/.315/.434 with three home runs in 23 games following his promotion after raking in the minors. He's expected to serve as Miami's starting left fielder once reinstated from the injured list. 12-team Mixed: $11: 15-team Mixed: $22; 12-team NL: Rostered 

Nick Senzel, Reds: Senzel, out with a left knee injury since May 17 that required surgery over a later, is in the midst of a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville and is playing both center field and shortstop as was earlier reported. He's only played one career game at shortstop during his time in the minors, but his athleticism should at least make him a superior defender at the position. Before the knee injury surfaced, Senzel had been seeing most of his work at second and third after Tyler Naquin locked down the center field job following his hot start to the season at the dish. But if Senzel can hold his own at shortstop, that position would probably represent his clearest path to an everyday role once eventually activated. Manager David Bell said recently that Senzel is "getting really close" to returning with the Reds. 12-team Mixed: $3: 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14 (upped spec return bid)