NL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week

NL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week

This article is part of our NL FAAB Factor series.

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.

PLAYERTEAMPOSGRADE12-Team Mixed $15-Team Mixed $NL-Only $
Trevor CahillSFSPE015
Adrian MorejonSDSPD015
Corey OswaltNYMSPENo14
Jose QuintanaCHISPD2711
Sixto SanchezMIASPCC1118
Caleb SmithMIASPE027
Josh TomlinATLSPE147
Logan WebbSFSPD2711
Trevor WilliamsPITSPE015
Shaun AndersonSFRPENo04
Trevor RogersSFRPD147
Tony WatsonSFRP

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.

PLAYERTEAMPOSGRADE12-Team Mixed $15-Team Mixed $NL-Only $
Trevor CahillSFSPE015
Adrian MorejonSDSPD015
Corey OswaltNYMSPENo14
Jose QuintanaCHISPD2711
Sixto SanchezMIASPCC1118
Caleb SmithMIASPE027
Josh TomlinATLSPE147
Logan WebbSFSPD2711
Trevor WilliamsPITSPE015
Shaun AndersonSFRPENo04
Trevor RogersSFRPD147
Tony WatsonSFRPC/D2711
Daniel BardCOLRPE147
Carlos EstevezCOLRPD81422
Edwin DiazNYMRPC35RosteredRostered
Giovanny GallegosSTLRPD3914
Andrew MillerSTLRPD2711
Heath HembreePHIRPENoNo3
Brandon WorkmanPHIRPDRosteredRostered35
Emilio PaganSDRPD81624
Cal QuantrillSDRPE147
Seth RomeroWASRPD015
Richard RodriguezPITRPE159
Chasen ShreveNYMRPE015
Jorge AlfaroMIACD71422
Joey BartSFCB152535 (if not rostered)
Austin HedgesSDCD147
Luis TorrensSDCENoNo4
Yadier MolinaSTLCC12RosteredRostered
Garrett CooperMIA1BD51118
Kevin CronAZ1BE147
Wilmer FloresSF1BD22RosteredRostered
Ty FranceSD2BENoNo5
Brendan RodgersCOL2BC147
Brad MillerSTL3BE51116
Jake CronenworthSDSSD1118Rostered
Ryan BraunMILOFC35RosteredRostered
Steven DuggarSFOFENo17
Sam HilliardCOLOFE159
Raimel TapiaCOLOFD816Rostered
Scott KingeryPHIOFD511Rostered
Josh NaylorSDOFD015
Cristian PacheATLOFC51118 (upped bid)
Mark PaytonCINOFENo05
Jace PetersonMILOFENo05
Jesus SanchezMIAOFC3914

STARTING PITCHER

Trevor Cahill, Giants: Cahill was called up Aug. 12 to start due to injuries to Drew Smyly (finger) and Jeff Samardzija (shoulder). A fingernail issue cost Cahill the early part of the season, so he will need a few more turns in the rotation to be fully stretched out. With no set timetable for either pitcher to rejoin the team, Cahill is locked into the rotation for the short term and is making his third start Sunday. 12-team Mixed: $0, 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5

Adrian Morejon, Padres: Morejon, who struggled in his first exposure to the big leagues last season, threw three scoreless innings in a spot start this past week. Possessing a smaller 5-foot-11 frame and significant durability issues, Morejon projects as a reliever but was to work as a starter in Triple-A again this season if we had a minor-league campaign. He could theoretically help the club as a short-inning starter, a multi-inning reliever or an opener the remainder of the season, which partially could depend on San Diego does with MacKenzie Gore. 12-team Mixed: $0, 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5

Corey Oswalt, Mets: Oswalt, profiled a month ago when he was a potential replacement for Marcus Stroman, made his first start of the season Tuesday in place of David Peterson (shoulder fatigue). He put together an impressive campaign for Triple-A Syracuse in 2019 by posting a 2.91 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 79:15 K:BB across 86.2 innings (16 starts). Oswalt has struggled in his prior major-league stints bouncing between starting and relieving, but could make a handful of starts until Peterson or Michael Wacha (shoulder) is ready to return even with Seth Lugo moving into the rotation. 12-team Mixed: No, 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4

Jose Quintana, Cubs: Quintana, who underwent thumb surgery at the start of July, continues to work his way back. He threw a 28-pitch simulated game Friday and could be activated to start Tuesday against Detroit. Quintana's role once he heads back to the big leagues hasn't yet been defined. A bullpen role hasn't been ruled out, but he'll step back into the Cubs' rotation as Tyler Chatwood has been sidelined with back tightness and Alec Mills came off a rough outing. 12-team Mixed: $2, 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11 (upped bid)

Sixto Sanchez, Marlins: Get your prospects here, get your prospects here. Miami added Sixto and Jesus Sanchez - no relation - on the same day to their active roster. Sixto, who turned 22 on Jul. 29, was acquired from the Phillies before the 2019 season as part of the J.T. Realmuto trade. He has been dominating at the team's alternate site, reportedly touching 100 MPH with his fastball, Sanchez registered a 0.95 ERA, 0.74 WHIP and 39:7 K:BB over his final eight starts (47.1 innings) at Double-A last year. He has a pair of 70-grade pitches in his fastball and upper-80s changeup. A slider is coming along as a solid third pitch and what makes him further stand out is his fine command. Sanchez notched the win in his debut allowing three runs on six hits while striking out four in five innings and should remain in the Marlins' rotation the balance of the season. 12-team Mixed: $5, 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $18

Caleb Smith, Marlins: Miami is finally close to getting back several members of their rotation. Sandy Alcantara looks to be first in line with Smith, who also just recently received clearance to resume baseball activity after being sidelined with COVID-19, possibly next in line along with Jose Urena. Smith was brilliant the first half of 2019, but struggled his last 12 starts after missing a month with left hip inflammation. He has middling fastball velocity and struggles to limit hard hits and home runs, so consider him a streaming option even when he returns. 12-team Mixed: $0, 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team NL: $7

Josh Tomlin, Braves: Tomlin resurrected his career last season pitching out of the bullpen for the Braves and provided 79.1 innings of good relief work, finishing with a 3.74 ERA - his best mark since 2015. Injuries have wreaked havoc with the team's starting pitching, with just one man left standing (Max Fried) from their Opening Day rotation. Tomlin fared respectably well in his first start Tuesday, working four innings on 51 pitches and giving up two runs on six hits and a walk while striking out two. He'll likely push his pitch count up to the 60-to-75 range Sunday and could remain in the rotation with a solid effort. Ian Anderson should be up in a few weeks and Bryse Wilson plus Kyle Wright each could get another shot, so Tomlin's spot is far from secure. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

Logan Webb, Giants: Webb, profiled three weeks ago, continues to pitch well enough for the Giants. He rebounded from a poor start with his best outing of the season Friday. Webb has produced an 8.6 K/9 this season but is also issuing 3.6 BB/9, so he should post even better numbers if he finds a way to limit the walks. He seems to be trending in the right direction, walking one or fewer in three of his last four starts. Last season, following an 80-game suspension, Webb posted an unimpressive 5.22 ERA in eight starts. But the underlying numbers suggest he should be a capable enough starting pitcher going forward and looks locked into a rotation slot. 12-team Mixed: $2, 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11

Trevor Williams, Pirates: Williams has pitched better than his record by posting a respectable 3.70 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 23:8 K:BB through 24.1 innings. His team likely limits his win opportunities, but Williams might be a decent streaming option in deeper leagues. 12-team Mixed: $0, 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5 

RELIEF PITCHER

Shaun Anderson/Trevor Rogers/Tony Watson, Giants: For a while, it was Trevor Gott the save. Lately, it's been Trevor Gott hammered and blew the save and game. A change might occur once again at the back end of the Giants' bullpen, but we are probably looking at the dreaded closer committee. If choosing one, Watson should be your first priority since he's closed before and was projected to open the season as the closer - followed closely by Rogers, who has righted the ship with five straight scoreless appearances. Anderson remains a dark horse candidate, while it's possible Gott retains his role. But if speculating, grab Watson as he's yet to have a save opportunity but has logged five straight scoreless appearances while collecting three holds over that span. Anderson - 12-team Mixed: No, 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $4; Rogers - 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7; Watson - 12-team Mixed: $2, 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11

Daniel Bard/Carlos Estevez, Rockies: Bard, profiled last week, and Estevez are in line to notch saves with Jairo Diaz's recent slump and Wade Davis's injury. I thought Bard looked to be the favorite to close, but Estevez relieved him on Aug. 16 to notch the save and has been more effective lately after initial struggles and could be the first option now to close in the Colorado bullpen. This is especially so after Bard gave up a walk-off home run to Cody Bellinger on Saturday after Estevez tossed a scoreless eighth inning. Bard - 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7; Estevez - 12-team Mixed: $8, 15-team Mixed: $14; 12-team NL: $22

Edwin Diaz, Mets: Diaz, profiled last week, gets another mention as Seth Lugo is moving into the Mets' rotation with Diaz stepping back into the closer role. Brilliant in 2018 as a Mariner, Diaz struggled his first season in New York. His advanced metrics were a mixed bag, but what stood out were the 15 home runs he allowed last season in 58 innings. He notched the save on Opening Day but blew his next opportunity and struggled his next outing, resulting in him losing the closer role to Lugo. Following those poor outings, Diaz has been back as of late, allowing one run in eight innings with a 19:2 K:BB in increasingly higher-leveraged situations, though he still makes Mets' fans reach for antacid when he comes in games. But with Lugo slated to start, Diaz should have a decent hold on the closer job. 12-team Mixed: $35, 15-team Mixed: Rostered; 12-team NL: Rostered

Giovanny Gallegos/Andrew Miller, Cardinals: Manager Mike Shildt mentioned Gallegos, Ryan Helsley, Miller and Tyler Webb as possible candidates to close two weeks ago. Helsley - who was mentioned twice by Shildt – is the likely favorite down the road, but will finally receive clearance to resume baseball activities this week after being sidelined with COVID-19, meaning he is likely still a few weeks away. Gallegos, who missed the beginning part of the season and made his debut on Jul. 29, pitched 1.1 perfect innings with one strikeout to earn his first save of the season Saturday. He produced closer-like numbers last season, striking out 33.3 percent of opposing batters while walking just 5.7 percent en route to a 2.31 ERA. Miller notched saves last Saturday and Monday and will remain in the mix, though he pitched the eighth inning this past Saturday. Look for Gallegos and Miller to split the closer role until Helsley returns. Gallegos - 12-team Mixed: $3, 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14; Miller - 12-team Mixed: $2, 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11;

Heath Hembree/Brandon Workman, Phillies: Phialdelphia's bullpen has been a tire fire all season, prompting the team to acquire a pair of reinforcements from Boston on Friday for Nick Pivetta and Connor Seabold. Hembree posted a 2-0 record with a 5.59 ERA and 1.24 WHIP across 9.2 innings in 11 appearances to begin the season and should fill a middle-relief role for Philly. Workman posted a 4.05 ERA and 1.80 WHIP over 6.2 innings while converting on each of his four save chances this season. Last year, he racked up 10 wins, 15 holds, 16 saves and 104 strikeouts in 73 appearances. With Hector Neris struggling, Workman should be in the mix for saves in the City of Brotherly Love, though both he and Neris blew save chances Saturday. Hembree - 12-team Mixed: No, 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $3; Workman - 12-team Mixed: Rostered, 15-team Mixed: Rostered; 12-team NL: $35 

Emilio Pagan/Cal Quantrill, Padres: Another closer carousel, this time in San Diego. Drew Pomeranz had taken over from Kirby Yates but Pomeranz is now dealing with shoulder soreness. Pagan, brilliant in Tampa last season and acquired by San Diego this past offseason, appears to be first in line. Thursday's blown save was Pagan's fourth of the season, but San Diego went back to Pagan on Friday and he responded by nailing down the win. He's been far from consistent in 2020 with four blown saves and six holds in 12 appearances along with a 6.75 ERA and 1.42 WHIP across 12 innings. But with Pomeranz sidelined due to a strained left shoulder, Pagan should see most of the save chances but may be a shaky option given the seven walks and three home runs he has allowed over 12 innings this season. Quantrill, now working in a "flex role," closed out Tuesday's win so he too could be in the mix. Add in Tim Hill and Craig Stammen and it's a cast of thousands - albeit one led by Pagan. Pagan - 12-team Mixed: $8, 15-team Mixed: $16; 12-team NL: $25; Quantrill - 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

Seth Romero, Nationals: Romero, drafted in the 2017 first round, projects to be a starter down the road. But for now, he will work out of the Washington bullpen. He missed all of 2018 and 2019 following Tommy John surgery and comes with a lot of baggage - he was suspended in college and was sent home from minor-league camp back in 2018 as a disciplinary measure. Romero had never pitched above Low-A Hagerstown, but is getting seasoning in the majors and the upside makes him worth a speculative bid in stash leagues. 12-team Mixed: $0, 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5 

Richard Rodriguez, Pirates: Keone Kela just returned to action last week after missing the first part of the season recovering from COVID-19. Forearm tightness forced him from Friday's game and could land the Bucs' closer on IL. Pittsburgh cycled through several closers while Kela was out. If he is out for a while, look for Rodriguez - who notched 16 holds last season but saw his numbers rise following a brilliant 2018 campaign - to get the first chance to close. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9

Chasen Shreve, Mets: Shreve has been outstanding in long relief to begin the season, posting a 3.09 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 17:3 K:BB through 11.2 innings over six appearances. The southpaw reliever could be in line for additional work due to the issues in the Mets' starting rotation, forcing additional reliance on the bullpen. 12-team Mixed: No, 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $5

CATCHER

Jorge Alfaro, Marlins: The one benefit to the extended delay in starting the season is those players who would have missed time initially were expected to be ready to go once play started. Alfaro, who was projected to miss a bit of time with a strained left oblique suffered in late-February, was deemed fit and ready before summer camp open. He was then diagnosed just before Opening Day with COVID-19. Alfaro is now finally fully healthy after hitting 18 home runs with a .737 OPS last year - his first in Miami. He was activated Friday, moving Francisco Cervelli to the bench. 12-team Mixed: $7, 15-team Mixed: $14; 12-team NL: $22

Joey Bart, Giants: Bart, the second overall pick in 2018, was expected to be promoted sometime this year once Buster Posey opted out. The Giants decided to keep Bart in their alternate camp site for an extra month, but have now finally added him to their roster. He has only played 22 games at Double-A, but should immediately settle into an everyday role behind the dish with San Francisco. The Giants could look to keep Bart's bat in the lineup by deploying him as a designated hitter on non-catching days. He slashed .284/.343/.542 with 29 home runs in 130 games over his two seasons in the minors while showing excellent receiving skills behind the plate. 12-team Mixed: $15, 15-team Mixed: $25; 12-team NL: $35 (if not rostered, up in keeper leagues) 

Austin Hedges/Luis Torrens, Padres: Hedges and Torrens are splitting time behind the plate with Francisco Mejia on the IL due to a left thumb contusion. With Mejia out, Hedges should see most of the action, providing power with a weak batting average supported by Torrens. When Mejia returns, look for him and Hedges to resume their platoon, though Hedges could continue to carve out a large share of the playing time due to Mejia's hitting struggles. Hedges - 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7; Torrens - 12-team Mixed: No, 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $4

Yadier Molina, Cardinals: Before you go crazy and ask why Yadi is included here, the rationale is that Molina might have been dropped in some leagues due to his COVID-related absence. As of Friday morning, he was rostered in 64 percent of leagues - slightly below my threshold for inclusion in these columns. Molina made his presence felt with three runs driven in his first game back Thursday. If fully healthy, he should be in the lineup almost daily and provide upper-tier catcher production. 12-team Mixed: $12, 15-team Mixed: Rostered; 12-team NL: Rostered 

FIRST BASE 

Garrett Cooper, Marlins: Cooper was slated to split time in right field with Matt Joyce when the plug was pulled on spring training. Injuries bookended Cooper's season last year, but he posted solid numbers when healthy. He started in the Marlins' first two games of the season and went 2-for-7 with an RBI before he was shut down Jul. 26 when he became one of the first known players on the roster to have tested positive. Cooper received clearance last Saturday to resume baseball activities and should be close to rejoining the Marlins. Once activated, he's expected to rotate with Jesus Aguilar between first base and designated hitter. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $18

Kevin Cron, Diamondbacks: Cron opened the season on the D-Backs' 30-man roster, but was sent down to the team's alternate site a week in. Jake Lamb's struggles resulted in Cron getting another kick at the can starting this past Monday. Lamb was seeing time at DH, a role Cron could get a chance to fill semi-regularly. Cron, a minor-league masher who belted 44 home runs between Triple-A Reno and Arizona in 2019 - albeit with an inability to make consistent contact and high-K rate - should start against lefties but may get a chance to play versus righties as well if he can get hot at the plate. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

Wilmer Flores, Giants: Following Friday night's game, Flores had homered in three straight games and racked up 10 RBI over that stretch. The versatile infielder is finding his way into the Giants' lineup on an everyday basis due to his offense, and he has produced five multi-hit games in his last six contests while slashing .350/.391/.633 in 60 at-bats this month. Flores qualifies at first and second and should continue to start daily as SF needs the offense, especially with Austin Slater now sidelined with a strained left groin. 12-team Mixed: $22, 15-team Mixed: Rostered; 12-team NL: Rostered; 

SECOND BASE

Ty France, Padres: France was called up from the team's alternate site and is in line for semi-consistent playing time at DH due to Tommy Pham fracturing his hamate bone last Sunday. Josh Naylor should play versus righties with France seeing action against southpaws. Wil Myers will also factor in the mix, but Pham's injury opens the door for France to get on the field somewhat regularly. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $5 

Brendan Rodgers, Rockies: Rodgers was promoted last week with David Dahl landing on the IL. Rodgers struggled in his big-league debut in 2019, slashing .224/.272/.250 with 27 strikeouts in 25 games but also he hit .350/.413/.622 across 37 games at Triple-A prior to his promotion. He was drafted third overall in 2015 but needed season-ending surgery to repair a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder after his poor debut last season. Rodgers is seeing semi-regular playing time at second base, but is stuck behind Ryan McMahon and Garrett Hampson at the position. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (up if he gets off to a hot start at the plate) 

THIRD BASE

Brad Miller, Cardinals: My profile of Miller at the end of June appears to be coming to fruition. I wrote then: "Miller should fill in across the diamond; flexibility that is needed with a condensed schedule. In addition, he has done his best damage at the plate while focused solely on hitting as a DH in the American League, which is a spot he will see action at this season for the Cardinals, especially if Matt Carpenter doesn't hit as expected at the position." The DH part hasn't yet happened much, as the Cardinals' extensive list of absent players due to the team's recent COVID-19 outbreak has afforded the versatile Miller an abundance of playing time since St. Louis resumed play. He has played third with Tommy Edman at short due to Paul DeJong's absence. DeJong is due back Monday, but look for Miller to remain in the lineup and play around the infield and DH as long as he continues to rake. 12-team Mixed: $5, 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $16 (if not rostered)

SHORTSTOP

Jake Cronenworth, Padres: Cronenworth, profiled two weeks ago, gets another mention as all he has done lately is continue to impress at the plate. Heading into Saturday's game, he has hit in six straight with a 328/400/597 slash line for the year. Cronenworth extended his hitting streak to seven Saturday by blasting a grand slam, San Diego's sixth in their past seven games. He has played at least five games at first, second and third, with his versatility adding to his value and likelihood of him receiving regular playing time - though most of his action should come at the keystone position. Acquired from the Rays as a secondary piece to Tommy Pham, Cronenworth projected to steal 10-15 bases with minimal power, but has already produced three home runs on the season. 12-team Mixed: $11, 15-team Mixed: $18; 12-team NL: Rostered 

OUTFIELD

Ryan Braun, Brewers: Braun was off to a slow start before he was sidelined by a right index finger injury. He returned on Aug. 11 and has righted the ship recently, starting six of the past seven games, Braun started six of the past seven games, going 7-for-24 with one homer, three doubles, three runs, four RBI and a stolen base during that stretch. Braun, who enjoyed a rebound campaign last season, is splitting time between the outfield and DH and should be in the lineup almost daily as he's now fully healthy. 12-team Mixed: $35, 15-team Mixed: Rostered; 12-team NL: Rostered

Steven Duggar, Giants: Duggar, promoted and demoted earlier this month, was called back up Saturday with Austin Slater (mild left groin strain) landing on the IL. Yes, that sound you heard was me cursing as Slater is now my eighth player on IL in the Staff Keeper League. The 26-year-old Duggar hit .234/.278/.341 with four home runs and 28 RBI with 78 strikeouts over 73 games with the Giants last year. He'll split duties in center field with Mauricio Dubon until Slater returns and will likely starting against right-handed pitching. 12-team Mixed: $0, 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $7

Sam Hilliard/Raimel Tapia, Rockies: David Dahl's back woes forced him to the IL, creating a hole in the Colorado outfield. Hilliard has seen a mild uptick in playing time in left and center field after seeing most of his role usurped by Garrett Hampson. The primary beneficiary has been Tapia, who had been seeing semi-regular playing time but now is starting almost daily while also recently moving to the leadoff spot. He has hit safely in five of his last six games heading into Saturday's contest and should be a nice source of runs if he remains a top a solid Colorado lineup. Hilliard - 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9; Tapia - 12-team Mixed: $8; 15-team Mixed: $16; 12-team NL: Rostered 

Scott Kingery, Phillies: Kingery looked like he would be headed to a more regular bench role after top prospect Alec Bohm was called up to take over as the Philles' everyday third baseman, but injuries to Adam Haseley (wrist) and Jean Segura (hamstring) have since reopened steady at-bats for the 26-year-old. Part of the reason why Kingery was also expected to ride the pine was his poor early-season performance at the plate. Some of his slow start might be explained by his battle with COVID-19, which didn't afford him time to properly prepare for the season after the virus wiped out some of his summer camp. Now healthy and in the lineup almost daily, Kingery may be one to target if he was waived in your league, though Haseley returned Saturday and could a;sp receive some playing time. 12-team Mixed: $5, 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: Rostered 

Josh Naylor, Padres: Naylor is tipped for semi-consistent playing time at DH and in left field due to Tommy Pham fracturing his hamate bone last Sunday. The Padres have tried Naylor in left field, but it's pretty clear he is ill-suited for playing the outfield meaning most of his action should come at DH with Wil Myers - health permitting - in right or left and Jurickson Profar and Jorge Mateo also seeing time in left. Ty France will potentially start at DH against southpaws with left-handed hitting Naylor - who possesses light tower power - playing against righties. Edward Olivares was a candidate to see additional time, but was optioned this past week to the Padres' alternate site. Despite that, Naylor has started only two of the past six games, ceding time to Profar in left. 12 -team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5 (up if he starts to see consistent playing time)

Cristian Pache, Braves: Pache, profiled last week, gets another nod this week as he was promoted to the show this week. He originally was on the short list of Atlanta prospects who could get promoted to the big-league roster in the near future. Ronald Acuna was placed on the 10-day IL last Saturday - retroactive to Aug. 10 - due to a sore wrist. Nick Markakis landing on the IL due to COVID provided the final impetus for Pache's promotion. For now, Ender Inciarte is manning center field, with Pache playing left. But once Acuna returns, look for Pache to likely switch to center especially if Inciarte's hitting woes continue. Pache's defense is elite and ahead of his offense, but he continues to improve that side of his game. He slashed .277/.340/.462 with 12 home runs in 130 games between Gwinnett and Double-A Mississippi a season ago and would benefit from a year at Triple-A, but that will not be the case this year due to the pandemic. Look for Pache to be in the lineup almost daily initially and potentially remain there due to his top-shelf defense. 12-team Mixed: $5, 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $18 (upped bid from prior week)

Mark Payton/Jace Peterson: The Reds and Brewers added to the outfield depth Saturday. Payton was promoted by the Reds, who selected him in the Rule 5 draft last offseason. The 28-year old hit .334/.400/.653 with 30 home runs and 97 RBI at Triple-A last season, aided by an increase in his flyball rate. Payton likely will fill a bench role for Cincinnati. Peterson replaced Brock Holt, who was designated for assignment. He should fill a utility role in Milwaukee. Both - 12-team Mixed: No, 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $5 

Jesus Sanchez, Marlins: I get to step back in the time machine for this one. My final FAAB column of last year highlighted some players who could contribute in 2020. Sanchez, who came over to Miami at the deadline from Tampa, was one of those highlighted there. He slashed .246/.338/.446 with four homers and nine walks in 17 games with Triple-A New Orleans before missing the rest of the season with a strained hamstring on Aug. 23. Prior to getting dealt, Sanchez hit .275/.332/.404 with eight home runs and five steals in 78 games at Double-A Montgomery, but just .206/.282/.317 with a 28.2 percent strikeout rate at Triple-A Durham. With Miami getting next to no outfield production, Sanchez - who will be 23 in October - will get a chance to fill one of the corner spots. Look for initial struggles, but he promises the talent to stick in the lineup the rest of the season. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14 (keeper spec bid)

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jan Levine
Levine covers baseball and hockey for RotoWire. He is responsible for the weekly NL FAAB column for baseball and the Barometer for hockey. In addition to his column writing, he is master of the NHL cheat sheets. In his spare time, he roots for the Mets and Rangers.
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