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 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. Carlos Correa 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.

Tim Adleman, Reds – Adleman, who made four starts for the Reds, posting a 3.72 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 16:9 K:BB ratio, before sidelined by a strained oblique in mid-May, was called back up to start Friday. He threw fired five scoreless frames in Friday's 9-2 victory over the Dodgers, giving up five hits and two walks while striking out three. That solid start kept him in the majors; even with Michael Lorenzen coming off bereavement leave. Adleman could remain in the Cincy rotation, though his average K% makes it tough to expect this hot start to his career in the majors to continue. 12-team mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7.

Homer Bailey, Reds – Bailey had his third solid start out of his four outings since his activation off the disabled list, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits and one walk while striking out six Marlins in five innings Wednesday. Outside of an August 6 blowup in Pittsburgh in which he allowed five runs on eight hits in three innings, Bailey has been solid since returning from Tommy John surgery on July 31. In those other four starts, Bailey racked up a 27:6 K:BB over 24.2 innings, making him a nice add for most teams and leagues. 12-team mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $22

Jose De Leon, Dodgers – De Leon, profiled several times over the previous weeks and two weeks ago gets another mention, as he continues to excel in the minors. He has a 2.70 ERA and 22:2 K:BB ratio over his last three starts for Triple-A Oklahoma City, a span of 20 innings, giving him a 3.14 ERA and 1.07 WHIP on the year. De Leon allowed seven earned runs in an inning five starts go; if you remove that outing, it's 18 ER in 70.2 innings pitched. With Bud Norris back, though he was bombed in his first start, Rich Hill slated to start Wednesday and Clayton Kershaw finally showing some progress, De Leon may not be up until the rosters expand, but he is at the ready if he gets the call. He attacks hitters with his low-90s fastball and judicious use of plus-plus changeup and slider. De Leon is the second-best pitching prospect for LA, right behind Julio Urias. He tossed 114,1 innings last season, striking out 163, and by missing the first month of the year and only tossing 71.2 innings to date, he likely should be able to pitch the entire rest of the 2016 campaign without needing to be shut down. 12-team mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $18 (same spec call up bid, up more if he gets promoted shortly)

Zack Godley, Diamondbacks – Godley was moved into the Arizona rotation a week ago, replacing Patrick Corbin. Prior to the move, Godley had a 5.24 ERA and 1.37 WHIP, but had a solid first start after the charge, holding the Mets to two runs on five hits and two walks with four strikeouts over 7.1 innings to get the win Thursday. Granted it was the struggling Mets, but Godley now has something to build on as he faces Atlanta on Monday. 12-team mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4.

Jeff Hoffman, Rockies – Hoffman, who came over to Colorado from Toronto last year in the Troy Tulowitzki deal, was called up and started Saturday against the Cubs. That debut outing didn't go particularly well, as Hoffman allowed seven runs – six earned – on seven hits and a walk with a pair of strikeouts in four innings. Hoffman was "close to getting promoted," according to Rockies manager Walt Weiss, in late-June but it took another six weeks before he finally landed in the majors. He posted a 4.02 ERA, 1.36 ERA and 124:44 K:BB in 118.2 innings with Triple-A Albuquerque, which is fairly solid given the hitter's parks in the PCL. Hoffman, selected ninth overall in 2014, has steadily moved up the ladder using his mid-to-high 90s fastball, plus curveball and slider with a developing changeup along with his excellent command to retire hitters. That solid three-pitch arsenal and command should help him pitching at Coors Field. He has a chance to stick in the Rockies' rotation over the rest of the season, as Colorado is closer to evaluation mode rather than the Wild Card race, though they are 6.5 games back of the second spot. 12-team mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11.

Seth Lugo, Mets – Lugo stood in for Steven Matz, who is dealing with shoulder discomfort, Friday against the Giants. He allowed three runs on seven hits while walking one and striking out three over 6.2 innings. Lugo surrendered just one run through six innings and was burned when the bullpen allowed both inherited runners to score. There is no word as to how long Matz will be sidelined, but he likely will miss at least one more start, which probably means Lugo fills in for him again. 12-team mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $2.

Brent Suter, Brewers – Suter, a 31st round pick out of Harvard, completed his improbable rise to the majors, starting Friday against the Mariners. The ending wasn't as good as the story, as Suter allowed seven hits, three walks and four runs, including a pair of home runs, in 4.1 innings. Suter got on the radar in 2015, when he went 5-3 with a 1.95 earned run average in 20 games (11 starts) for Double-A Biloxi, earning a promotion. He then went 3-1 with a 3.31 ERA in six starts for Triple-A Colorado Springs. Suter opened 2016 at that level, posting a 6-6 record with a 3.50 ERA and 75:14 K:BB ratio in 110.2 innings over 26 games (15 starts). That mark included a 3-2 record with a 2.34 ERA in his last seven outings (five starts) to earn the promotion. Even though Milwaukee is playing out the string, Suter is being transitioned to and will pitch out of long-relief. 12-team mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $3.

Julio Urias, Dodgers – Urias, the long-man out of the LA pen, got the start Sunday against the Reds. This outing is Urias' first since August 13, his second since August 8 and fourth of the month. Over his 10 starts this season, Urias posted a 4.37 ERA and 1.50 WHIP. Fortunately, he's started to improve since the All-Star break, as he has a 3.07 ERA over his last four contests spread over the past month. Overall, he has 56:23 K:BB ratio in 51 innings, impressive for a 19-year old. With Rich Hill back Wednesday and Clayton Kershaw possibly back in a few weeks, barring another injury, Urias should remain in his long-relief role. However, Brett Anderson's blister could open a rotation spot. 12-team mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11 (up in dynasty leagues)

Rob Zastryzny, Cubs – Zastryzny, who averaged nearly a strikeout per inning with Triple-A Iowa while working almost exclusively as a starter, was called up with John Lackey landing on the disabled list. His first outing came in relief, as Mike Montgomery made the start Saturday. Trevor Cahill, who came off the disabled list earlier in the week, tossed 4.2 innings of one-hit ball to get the win, so he could replace Lackey, leaving Zastryzny in the pen. 12-team mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $2.

Injury activation/updates:

Trevor Cahill, Cubs – Cahill, out a month with a knee injury, made a triumphant return to the majors. He pitched five shutout innings, allowing two hits and two walks while striking out three to earn the win Tuesday in a spot-start against the Brewers. Cahill made six subpar rehab appearances at Triple-A prior to his call back up to the bigs and served as a back up spot starter Mike Montgomery on Saturday in Colorado. He will act as an extra starting option but see most of his action out of the bullpen. 12-team mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $2.

Tyler Glasnow, Pirates – Glasnow, profiled last week, gets another mention, as will head out on a rehab assignment after successfully making it through Friday's side session. He had left left Sunday's rehab game at Double-A Altoona with an arm injury after three innings, but it looks as if Pittsburgh was just being cautious with their young starter. Glasnow has been out with shoulder discomfort since his July 23 start, and as long he doesn't have any more setbacks, he likely will be back when the rosters expand September 1. It's possible he is up earlier, but Ryan Vogelsong and Chad Kuhl have filled the bottom two spots well enough, so Pittsburgh does not need to push Glasnow back. 12-team mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $18 (slightly upped bid, if healthy)

Rich Hill, Dodgers – Hill, traded with Josh Reddick to LA for three pitching prospects, has been sidelined with a blister since July 17. It looks like Hill will make his long-awaited Dodgers' debut Wednesday against the Giants, after he threw 78 pitches in a simulated game at the Dodgers' training complex in Arizona on Thursday, experiencing no problems with the blister.. Prior to being injured, Hill had been on a roll posting a 1.67 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 10.3 K/9 over his last five starts. Overall, Hill has a 2.25 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 90:28 K:BB in 76 innings over 14 starts. He should continue to excel pitching at Chavez Ravine in front of what could be a solid LA offense, though he first needs to get back on the hill for that to happen. 12-team mixed: owned; 15-team Mixed: owned; 12-team NL: $55 (on expectation he is finally healthy).

Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers – Kershaw, out since his back pain flared up after a simulated game on July 16, threw 22 pitches in a bullpen session Saturday. He said his back felt 100 percent after the session and is scheduled to throw a 40-pitch session when the Dodgers return home Tuesday. Kershaw is eligible to return from the 60-day disabled list August 27 but likely will be out beyond that. It's unclear if Kershaw will make a rehab start or two before rejoining the Dodgers; all of which depends on how healthy he is, which still remains to be seen. 12-team mixed: $25; 15-team Mixed: $35; 12-team NL: $55 (in case he was waived, you believe he was healthy and he is back in early-September)

Lance Lynn, Cardinals – Lynn, who is recovering from November, Tommy John surgery, threw 1.2 innings in his first outing Monday. He struck out two while allowing just one hit on 27 pitches at High-A Palm Beach. Lynn, who was expected to miss all of 2016, reported no setbacks after the outing, so he should continue to progress forward with his rehab. It's possible that Lynn, who is using all of his pitches, will be available in September, possibly out of the bullpen. 12-team mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4 (stash option).

Tyson Ross, Padres – Ross, who has made just one start this year and is now sidelined with arm and shoulder injuries, tossed a stellar bullpen session Saturday, meaning a rehab assignment could be the next step in his recovery. Saturday was Ross' third bullpen session and he has gotten better in each one. Ross will likely need a 2-4 start rehab assignment to build up his pitch count for a return to the majors. It's possible that this return might not occur until mid-September. 12-team mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (early spec return bid)

Relief Pitchers:

Enrique Burgos, Diamondbacks – Burgos, who allowed the game-tying home run to Ryan Schimpf in the eighth inning Friday, got the save chance Saturday. He locked down the win, tossing a scoreless frame, striking out two. With Jake Barrett struggling and seemingly out of the role, Burgos is next in line to try and close for Arizona. Other than that poor outing Friday, Burgos has been close to lights-out, so he should get a decent chance to hold the job with Daniel Hudson possibly next in line. 12-team mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $18

Hector Neris, Phillies – Jeanmar Gomez blew his 4th save of the season Friday and has now allowed runs to score in two of this last four appearances. Gomez rebounded to notch his 33rd save Saturday and that blown save his first since July 18. If Philly ever decided to make a change, Neris, who notched his 26th hold Saturday and has been solid all season, is likely next in line. 12-team mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7.

Injury activation/updates:

Arodys Vizcaino, Braves – Vizcaino, out since July 15 with an oblique injury, was activated off the disabled list. Prior to being sidelined, Vizcaino had gotten off to a brilliant start, but struggled in his last four appearances, as he had just a 2:6 K:BB ratio in 3.1 innings and saw his ERA rise from 1.93 to 2.75 and WHIP from 1.22 to 1.44 on the year, during that span and increasing his WHIP from 1.22 to 1.44. The time off may have allowed Viz's arm to get refreshed. Vizcaino is being eased back into action and will not immediately reclaim the role of Braves closer. He allowed all four batters to reach in his first outing Thursday but threw a scoreless inning Saturday. Jim Johnson has done an excellent job standing in for Viz as the Braves' closer, but Vizcaino should eventually regain the role, though Mauricio Cabrera may also figure in the mix. 12-team mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $12 (up if think he closes shortly)

Catchers:
 
None noted

Injury activation/updates:

Jose Lobaton, Nationals – Lobaton, on the disabled list retroactive to July 19 with left elbow tendinitis, was activated Saturday. He returns to his role as Wilson Ramos' backup. 12-team mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No, 15-team NL: $0

Brayan Pena, Cardinals – Pena, recovering from inflammation in his left knee that has kept him out since the start of July, began a rehab assignment Friday with High-A Palm Beach. Upon his activation from the DL, Pena will return to his role as Yadier Molina's backup, replacing Alberto Rosario. 12-team mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No, 15-team NL: $0

First Basemen:
 
Josh Bell, Pirates – Bell, profiled last month just before and after he was promoted, lasted a week in the majors, blasting a pinch-hit grand slam in his four games in the bigs. At the time of that call up, Bell dominated at Triple-A Indianapolis, leading the club with 53 RBI and 13 home runs while posting a .324/.407/.535 line. Bell slumped since his demotion, but Jung Ho Kang was placed on the DL with a shoulder injury Saturday, opening up a roster spot. David Freese figures to play primarily at third base in the short term, which should allow Bell to see consistent playing time at first base. The Pirates clearly don't love Bell's defense at first base, but his bat is big league ready and John Jaso has been awful offensively over the last few months, prompting the call up. Bell should start 4-5 times a week and the power potential warrants a spot in your leagues but beware his walk rate has declined (12% down from 14%) and strikeout rate (15% up from 10%) spiked a bit. 12-team mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11, 15-team NL: $22 (up if he starts consistently)

Xavier Scruggs, Marlins – With Justin Bour suffering another setback to his sprained right ankle and not yet ready to return, Scruggs was promoted Friday to get his shot to start at first base for Miami. Scruggs hit .290/.408/.565 with 21 home runs and 24 doubles for Triple-A New Orleans in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. First base has been a black hole lately with Bour, as Derek Dietrich and Chris Johnson have failed to fill Bour's shoes lately. If Scruggs hits, he will play, and he got off to a good start with a home run Saturday. 12-team mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4, 15-team NL: $11

Injury activation/updates:

Ryan Zimmerman, Nationals – Zimmerman, out since late-July after getting hit on the wrist with a pitch, was activated off the disabled list Saturday. He had played just a few games following his return from a strained left rib cage, before he was sidelined again. Zimmerman has struggled the past few years and was hitting just .221/.284/.402 but did have 12 home runs in 74 games when he was sidelined with the rib cage injury and was 5-for-21 after returning when the wrist injury forced him out. However, he did slash .311/.372/.652 with 11 home runs in 135 at-bats after he was moved across the diamond from third to first base. 12-team mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11, 15-team NL: $22 (in case he was waived and believe he has a late run in him)

Second Base:

Robert Andino, Marlins – Andino was promoted last Sunday with Giancarlo Stanton landing on the disabled list. Andino, who mostly played shortstop in the minors, had 13 home runs with a .746 OPS in 419 at-bats for Triple-A New Orleans prior to his promotion. He also saw time at second base, left field and center field for the Zephyrs and fill a similar role with Miami. 12-team mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $2.

Kelly Johnson, Mets – Johnson made the most of the uptick in playing time he saw when Neil Walker was sidelined with a back injury this week. Walker may miss sometime this week with his wife slated to give birth any day now. When Walker goes on paternity leave, look for Johnson to likely start at second base against righties. Johnson has hit well during his second stint with the Mets, posting a .291/.354/.513 with seven home runs and 13 runs driven in over 117 at-bats in 52 games. 12-team mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team NL: $7.

Jose Peraza, Reds – Peraza was called up again to give the Reds some much-needed versatility with Zack Cozart and Adam Duvall banged up. He made the most of his start Saturday, going 3-for-5 with a HR and three RBI playing shortstop. Peraza's main value is his speed, as he has swiped 10 bags in 12 attempts, and he should see a decent amount of short-term playing time. 12-team mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9 (up if he gets consistent playing time)

Injury activation/updates:

Shortstops:

Dansby Swanson, Braves – Swanson, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2015 draft by Arizona, came to the Braves this off-season as the headliner in the Shelby Miller trade. Atlanta got by far the better end of the trade, as Swanson is unquestionably the Braves' No. 1 prospect. Swanson led Vanderbilt team to the College World Series in June and played in 22 games for short-season Hillsboro of the Northwest League, hitting .289 with one home run. Swanson hit .333/.432/.526 with one home run and seven steals while walking more than he struck out in 95 plate appearances at High-A Carolina to earn a promotion to Double-A Mississippi. He wanted tearing the cover off the ball there, posting a .744 OPS with eight home runs and 44 RBI over 84 games, but received the call to the majors when Atlanta dealt Erick Aybar to Detroit. Questions have been raised as to whether Swanson was promoted more for his Georgia roots than using the last six weeks of the year to get his feet wet for 2017. But whatever the reason, he is up and will be in the lineup daily the rest of the way. Our preseason outlook spelled out what should expect from him down the road: "Swanson should be a good, not great, defensive shortstop who bats for a high average with 15-20 homers, while hitting first or second in a big league lineup during his peak years." 12-team mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $9, 12-team NL: $14 (up bid if think he hits the ground running).

Injury activation/updates:

Asdrubal Cabrera, Mets – Cabrera, out since July 31 with a strained left patella tendon, was activated from the disabled list and is back starting at shortstop for the Mets. Prior to being sidelined, Cabrera was in the midst of a rough patch at the plate, which dropped his batting average to .255 on the season. Cabrera has 13 home runs on the season and should start nearly every day at shortstop now that he is active again. 12-team mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11, 15-team NL: $18.

Third Basemen:

Martin Prado, Marlins – Prado saw his hit streak end at eight Saturday but still is hitting .323 for the season. With seven home runs and 58 RBI, Prado is having another solid season, fairly in line with his season performance over his career. Prado is one of those solid players who gets overlooked at times in fantasy leagues but produces more than the sexy rookie or flavor of the month. With Giancarlo Stanton done for the year, Miami needs Prado to stay hot for the Marlins to remain in the Wild Card hunt. 12-team mixed: owned; 15-team Mixed: $25, 15-team NL: owned.

Yasmany Tomas, Diamondbacks – Tomas, profiled three weeks ago, remains red-hot at the plate. He homered in three straight games against the Mets, giving him 25 longballs and 57 RBI for the year. Much of the damage has come since the All-Star break, as Tomas has 12 HR and 23 RBI over 28 games in 113 at-bats. A.J. Pollock's return will take away at-bats from others in center field, but Tomas should see most of the action in right with David Peralta done for the year. In addition, Tomas, due to is 31 games at the hot corner last year, still qualifies at third base. 12-team mixed: owned; 15-team Mixed: $45, 15-team NL: owned.

Injury activation/updates:

Outfielders:

Michael Bourn, Diamondbacks – Bourn had been seeing fairly consistent playing time against righties in center field but he slashed .231/.306/.338 with four steals on six attempts in August. The additional at-bats he had been receiving may end when A.J. Pollock returns, moving Bourn back to his prior role as a spot starter. It's possible Bourn picks up at-bats in left field, though with Mitch Haniger and Brandon Drury there, that may prove difficult. 12-team mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0, 15-team NL: $2

Mitch Haniger, Diamondbacks – Haniger tore through Triple-A, posting a .351/.437/.697 line with 19 home runs over 64 games at Reno to earn the promotion. That production came after he posted an .869 OPS in 55 games at Double-A Mobile to earn the bump up in level. Haniger's production in the minors earned him a promotion to the majors this week. His four-game hit streak to open his career ended Saturday. Despite that, Haniger, a 2012 supplemental first round pick, should see fairly consistent playing time in left field as Arizona evaluates their team the remainder of the season. 12-team mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $9, 15-team NL: $16.

Patrick Kivlehan, Padres – Kivlehan, who bounced from the Rangers to Mariners to Padres, was promoted Saturday. He got the start in left field, blasting a home run against Robbie Ray. Kivlehan may steal some time from Alex Dickerson but with Hunter Renfroe and Manuel Margot looming after the September 1 roster expansion, his shelf life may be short, though he could also see time at both infield corner spots. 12-team mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1, 15-team NL: $4

Denard Span, Giants – Span, profiled two weeks ago, remains red-hot at the plate. He is giving the Giants the type of leadoff hitter they hoped they were getting when they signed him to a three-year deal this offseason. Span has upped his average from .246 to 274 since the All-Star break, going 45-for-146 with three home runs, 12 runs batted in, 14 runs scored and four stolen bases. As long as Span can stay healthy, he should be a nice source of runs atop a potent SF lineup. 12-team mixed: $15; 15-team Mixed: $35; 12-team NL: owned

Ichiro Suzuki, Marlins – Ichiro is seeing extra playing time in right field following the season-ending injury to Giancarlo Stanton. The numbers have been ugly for Ichiro, who notched his 3,000th hit this year, but Miami has few options available for that spot. That likely means that Suzuki should continue to see playing time, unless the Marlins try Robert Andino there or pick up a player before the August 31 trading deadline. 12-team mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $4.

Injury activation/updates:

A.J. Pollock, Diamondbacks – Pollock, out the entire season with a fractured right elbow, moved his rehab to Triple-A Reno on Friday and could rejoin the D-Backs within the week. He originally was expected to miss the year after having surgery in April to repair a fracture to the growth plate on his right elbow, the same place it was fractured in 2010. That looks like it won't be the case, as Pollock has slowly progressed through his rehab for the past month and looks to be on the verge of activation off the DL. Pollock, a first-round pick by the Diamondbacks in 2009, hit .315 last season with 20 home runs, 76 RBIs and 39 stolen bases and should provide a nice boost to your lineup the last five weeks of the season. 12-team mixed: $18; 15-team Mixed: $35, 12-team NL: $55 (upped early spec return bid).

Mac Williamson, Giants – Williamson is in the midst of a rehab stint at Triple-A Sacramento. With the San Francisco outfield now consisting of Angel Pagan, Denard Span, Hunter Pence and Gregor Blanco, there is little room at the inn for Williamson. But if Pagan's groin injury, which he suffered Saturday, sidelines him, Williamson could get another look-see. 12-team mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No, 12-team NL: $4

Justin Ruggiano, Mets – Ruggiano missed about the minimum with his strained left hamstring, returning to active duty Thursday. He made the most of his start that night, going 3-for-5 with two runs scored and a grand slam against Madison Bumgarner. Ruggiano will see nearly all of his playing time in center field against southpaws, due to his stark splits versus lefties and righties. 12-team mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No, 12-team NL: $5