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.

This week's column is not an exhaustive list of who was promoted. Instead, I have profiled those players who will either fill a substantive role on their team down the stretch or project in the future to have a key role or bright future with their team. If I missed anyone or there is someone you would like profiled, please put it in the comments section of the blog.

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 can be sent to support@rotowire.com and/or jan.levine@gmail.com .

Josh Collmenter, Braves – Collmenter, was acquired in exchange for cash from the Cubs earlier this week, started for the Braves on Saturday. He allowed two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out eight in five innings to get the win. That outing builds on the four-start run he had with the Cubs' Triple-A Iowa affiliate, where he posted a 2.25 ERA and 1.31 WHIP. The Braves needed a temporary fix in their rotation while Mike Foltynewicz recovers from a bruised left calf and got in Collmenter, who could see 1-2 more starts the rest of the way. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

Brandon Finnegan, Reds – Finnegan continued his recent stretch of good pitching Sunday, tossing five scoreless innings, though he allowed five hits and walked five while striking out seven. That outing lowered his ERA on the season to 4.04, nearly a full run below the 4.93 it was on July 24. The walks are a concern but Finnegan has averaged more than a K per inning in that stretch and is firmly entrenched in the Cincy rotation. Finnegan regressed a little bit Saturday, allowing five runs - two earned – on seven hits and three walks in 2.1 innings in what might be his last start of the season. But his overall FIP shows there is still growth to be had, but substantial upside in keeper leagues exists. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7 (in case he gets one more start); 12-team NL: owned

German Marquez, Rockies – Marquez, who came to Colorado in the Jake McGee deal and is one of the Rockies' top pitching prospects, was profiled last week after he received a well-deserved promotion this week to the majors. He posted a 3.13 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 155:39 K:BB in 166.2 innings across Double-A and Triple-A this year, though with much better numbers at Double-A. Marquez is already 27.2 innings over his total from 2015, so he has been working out of the pen but will start Wednesday against the Cardinals. He likely will begin 2017 at Triple-A but be up in the majors during the season, as his power arm should play well at Coors Field. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4 (up in keeper leagues)

Alex Reyes, Cardinals – Reyes, profiled when he was moved into the Cardinals' starting rotation in place of Mike Leake (shingles) at the end of August, gets another mention, as he now replaces Jaime Garcia in the rotation beginning Sunday. When Leake returned, Reyes, despite a pair of solid outings, was moved back to the bullpen. He now replaces Garcia, who has allowed 10 home runs over his last six starts and looks to running out of gas. Reyes needs to work on his control and limit his walks while benefitting from a 91 percent strand rate, but he has elite stuff and deserves to be a starter for the team. His 50-game suspension for marijuana ended in May and he made 14 starts for Triple-A Memphis prior to his promotion early last month to first work out of the bullpen. As we wrote in our pre-season outlook: "last season, Reyes posted a 2.49 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and an eye-popping 151 strikeouts in 101.1 innings across three levels, finishing with a strong eight-start showing with Double-A Springfield. Reyes pumps gas that can touch 100 mph, but he also boasts a plus curveball and a changeup that should be average or better in time." If Reyes is available, grab him, especially since he should also be a part of the 2017 Cardinals rotation. 12-team Mixed: $22; 15-team Mixed: $44; 12-team NL: $66 (if not owned).

Gabriel Ynoa, Mets – Ynoa started in place of the injured Jacob deGrom on Sunday. DeGrom was to have gotten the nod but was scratched due to pain in his elbow. Ynoa, who struggled during his last 10 starts with Triple-A Las Vegas, allowing 32 runs across 59 innings, hasn't fared much better in the majors. He has surrendered nine runs in 5.1 innings; so don't expect much from him in what may be a one-and-done start. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $2.

Injury activation/updates:

Brett Anderson, Dodgers – Anderson, on the disabled list since his August 20 start with a blister, started for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday allowing one earned run with five strikeouts over 54 pitches in five innings. That start was his first after the blister issue reared its head during his rehab start with High-A Rancho Cucamonga earlier this month. Back surgery sidelined most of this season, and when he returned to action for LA, he struggled in those two outings. Anderson may need one more rehab start to get up to 75 pitches and then could possibly slot back into the rotation but is likely to be used out of the bullpen. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

Homer Bailey, Reds – Bailey, who missed almost the first four months of the season recovering from 2014 Tommy John surgery, made just six starts before he was sidelined with biceps tenderness. He threw a 44-pitch bullpen session Tuesday and was scheduled for another session Friday, though that was canceled with no reason provided. If Bailey is able to make that session and ramp up his pitch count, he could return and be slotted into the Reds' rotation before the end of the season. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4

Wei-Yin Chen, Marlins – Chen, out with an elbow injury since July 20 against Philadelphia, is will start Monday for the Marlins. That return comes on the heels of Chen throwing 65 pitches in a simulated game this past Monday. Chen should be on a limited pitch count – probably 75-80 pitches – due to the extended absence and lack of a rehab start. He has a 4.99 ERA and 1.30 WHIP but a solid 89:23 K:BB in 110 innings this year, so he might be worth the risk. . 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9.

Steven Matz, Mets – Matz, out since August 14 with a strained shoulder but who tossed a 20-pitch bullpen session earlier in the week, threw a full bullpen session in Port St. Lucie on Saturday. If all goes well, Matz, who four quality starts and a 34:7 K:BB over 31.1 innings in his last five outings before the injury, could be back the final week of the regular season. Tread carefully with him. Matz likely still owned in all formats, but if not, bids are: 12-team Mixed: $4; 15-team Mixed: $8; 12-team NL: $14 (on upside potential, offset by possible pitch count limits)

Tyler Glasnow, Pirates – Glasnow, out with shoulder discomfort since his July 23 start, was profiled last week when he called up from Triple-A Indianapolis. He struggled in his two starts for the Pirates earlier this year before he was sidelined and is pitching in relief for the team. Glasnow's minor-league numbers – 1.87 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 133K in 110.2 IP – speak to his pedigree, but he needs to cut down his walks, as he had 62 this year. Glasnow may a relief appearance Friday and could get one more start before he is shut down for the season. He should be in Pittsburgh's rotation next year. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11 (up in keeper leagues)

Joe Ross, Nationals – Ross, out since July 3 with a shoulder inflammation, was activated and started Sunday. He tossed a 60-pitch simulated game last Saturday, which came on the heels of a 60-pitch effort in his last rehab start and the two were viewed as sufficient for him to make the start Sunday. With Stephen Strasburg sidelined with a flexor mass strain, Ross slides into his open spot in the Washington rotation. Ross is 7-4 with a 3.49 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 79 strikeouts in 95.1 innings over 16 starts. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14 (if waived)

Michael Wacha, Cardinals – Wacha, out since early-August with right shoulder inflammation, which is a related injury to his shoulder from two years ago, was activated off the disabled list Wednesday. Prior to being sidelined, Wacha's velocity had dropped, contributing to his struggles, resulting in a4.45 ERA and 1.42 WHIP on the year/ While he's served exclusively as a starter to this point in 2016, Wacha will be used out of the bullpen and is unlikely to return to the rotation this year. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (up in keeper leagues)

Relief Pitchers:

Daniel Hudson, Diamondbacks – A few weeks I profiled Hudson and Randall Delgado after Jake Barrett and Enrique Burgos both imploded. It looks like Hudson is choice one while Delgado is choice two. Hudson was brilliant early in the year, but then posted a 24.21 ERA in 165 appearances from June 23 to Aug. 2, before rebounding to reel off 11 scoreless appearances. He allowed runs in three of four appearances at the end of last month and beginning of this one, but has a pair of saves in hiss last six outing and seems to be the closer-du-juor in Arizona. In addition, he has picked up his strikeout rate, which lagged for a while. Hudson, who has 17 holds this year and 20 last year, is a free agent after the year, but Arizona is likely to try and bring him back after sticking with him – at least for the most part – through two Tommy John surgeries. 12-team Mixed: $11; 15-team Mixed: $22; 12-team NL: owned.

Derek Law, Giants – Law, profiled last week, gets another mention as he finally was activated Wednesday. Hunter Strickland may be the favorite for saves, but he blew his first chance Tuesday, though he didn't pitch as badly as his line might indicate. Law, who has probably been the Giants' best reliever this season, posted a 1.94 ERA and 0.96 WHIP over 51 innings before landing on the disabled list with a right elbow strain Aug. 28. Manager Bruce Bochy will mix-and-match in the ninth inning, but Law and Strickland have the most upside and are expected to see most of the save chances. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $22 (up if he becomes the main closer).

Kevin Siegrist, Cardinals – Siegrist, with Seung-Hwan Oh due to a groin injury, picked up his second save of the year Tuesday. That save was Siegrist's first save since May 12, as manager Mike Matheny looks like he will continue to turn to him while Oh is out. Trevor Rosenthal is back to action, but even when he is back. Siegrist is likely to remain next in line. 12-team Mixed: $4; 15-team Mixed: $8; 12-team NL: $16

Injury activation/updates:

Trevor Rosenthal, Cardinals – Rosenthal, who landed on the shelf with shoulder issues toward the end of July, was activated Thursday following a pair of successful live bullpen sessions. Prior to being sidelined, Rosenthal notched a 5.13 ERA with a 2.04 WHIP, impacted by 27 walks in just 33.1 innings. He struggled in the two months prior to his placement on the DL, with the Cardinals removing him from the closer role in late June for Seung Hwan Oh, who currently is out with a groin injury. It's possible that Rosenthal sees some late-inning work, but Oh should remain the closer with Kevin Siegrist as the set-up man. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11 (possible closer spec)

Catchers:
 
Jorge Alfaro, Phillies – Alfaro, acquired as part of the deal that sent Cole Hamels to the Rangers last season, was called up last Sunday. This was technically his second promotion to the bigs, as he was on the team for a day following the trade of Carlos Ruiz to the Dodgers for A.J. Ellis until Ellis met the Phillies. Alfaro slashed .285/.325/.458 with 15 HR and 67 RBI over 404 at-bats at Double-A Reading this season. The Phillies now have solid depth at catcher with Rupp, Alfaro and Andrew Knapp and Alfaro could start 2017 at Triple-A Lehigh Valley to work on his plate discipline and defense – besides his arm – behind the dish. Look for Alfaro to see two starts a week behind Cameron Rupp and Ellis. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1, 15-team NL: $4 (up in keeper leagues)

Austin Hedges, Padres – Hedges is closing out his Triple-A campaign in fine fashion, as he is helping to lead El Paso to the PCL crown. The Padres website reported that as of Thursday, San Diego assured themselves an extra year of team control with Hedges, so service time won't be an issue. Plus, Hedges is already on the 40-man roster, and there's plenty of playing time available with Christian Bethancourt on the disabled list and Derek Norris struggling. Hector Sanchez has been a nice fill-in, but the Padres are likely to give Hedges the starting job next year, so why not give him a leg up on it the last two weeks of the season. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11

Rene Rivera, Mets – Travis d'Arnaud continues to struggle at and behind the plate, opening the door for Rivera to see more playing time. Rivera has shown that he is an excellent defensive player, so the Mets are willing to overlook his weak stick, you shouldn't. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $2.

Injury activation/updates:

First Basemen:
 
Ryan Howard, Phillies – Howard was to start all three games at home against the Marlins this past weekend and then start last three games of the season at home against the Mets. Manager Pete Mackanin was giving Howard a nice send off at home, as he is in his last few weeks as a member of the Phillies. But Howard had to be scratched Satrurday due to fluid build up in his knee and may not play Sunday. Howard will be a free agent after the season, and with the Phillies playing out the string, they are trying to send off their longtime first baseman in the right way, though his health might prevent that. Despite being under the Mendoza line, Howard still has 22 home runs, so he could run into a few the final weekend of the year, but will sit the other games for Tommy Joseph. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $5; 15-team NL: likely still owned

Injury activation/updates:

Lucas Duda, Mets – Duda, out since May with a stress fracture in his lower back, was activated Saturday. He will initially be limited to pinch-hit duty but could progress to additional action before the end of the season. Duda, who had a setback in July when he looked to be inching closer to returning, has been limited to a handful of live batting practice sessions that just started last week. James Loney got off to strong start before reverting to prior form, but Duda's return, depending on its extent, could give New York a solid power bat in the middle of the order. Before his injury, Duda was hitting .231 with seven homers over 130 at-bats. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14.

Second Basemen:

Adam Frazier/Alen Hanson/Sean Rodriguez, Pirates – Josh Harrison is out 4-to-6 weeks with a strained groin, creating a hole at second base. The three-headed monster of names in the lead part of this post will attempt to fill the gap. Frazier has been seeing some time in left field with Starling Marte (back) out, but Marte is due back shortly, so Frazier will need to see most of his action at second base. Frazier should play against righties with S-Rod continues to blast southpaws and Hanson slotting in periodically. Frazier - 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14; Hanson - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $3; Rodriguez - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5.

T.J. Rivera. Mets – Rivera, promoted to give the Mets depth in the infield, started Tuesday and Wednesday for the team. He showed in the minors hoe could hit and the New York native has carried that hot stick to the parent club. If Rivera can remain hot, he should continue to see playing time at second base with Neil Walker sidelined for the balance of the season. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11.

Injury activation/updates:

Shortstops:

None noted

Injury activation/updates:

Aledmys Diaz, Cardinals – Diaz, sidelined with a hairline fracture in his thumb starting August 1, was activated Sunday. It took a while for the injury to heal and for Diaz to gain enough strength in the digit to hit and throw, which was the last hurdle to tackle. Now that Diaz is back, he should see ample playing time at shortstop the last few weeks of the season. 12-team Mixed: $35 (in case not owned); 15-team Mixed: owned, 15-team NL: owned

Third Basemen:

Brandon Drury, Diamondbacks – Drury got off to a fine start, but then landed on the bench due to a lengthy slump that lasted from June through August. A.J. Pollock's injury will sideline him the balance of the year and afforded Drury additional playing time, for which he has taken advantage. Drury qualifies at third base and the outfield and is close to having eligibility at second base in leagues that require 20-games played. He is up to 14 HR and 45 RBI with four of those longballs and 11 runs batted in over his last two-plus weeks. Ride the wave while it lasts. 12-team Mixed: $11; 15-team Mixed: $22; 12-team NL: owned

Rio Ruiz, Braves – After a good start to the year, Ruiz hit the skids for a while righted the ship. Ruiz hit 10 home runs and batted .271/.355/.400 on the year at Triple-A Gwinnett. Adonis Garcia has been solid since he returned to the major leagues and Austin Riley looms in the minors, but Ruiz might be the starter at the hot corner next year. He was rewarded by getting added to Atlanta's 40-man roster and was called up Saturday with the Braves looking to the future. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4, 15-team NL: $7.

Injury activation/updates:

Outfielders:

Mitch Haniger, Diamondbacks – Haniger, getting his first major-league exposure at 25, has made the most of his additional playing time recently, blasting a pair of home runs in a four game stretch. He hit .321 average and .999 OPS to go with 25 homers and 12 steals this past year in the minors, earning the promotion. Haniger's track record of plate discipline in the minors makes him an under-the-radar player to watch heading into next year. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $18

Roman Quinn, Phillies - Quinn was profiled a few weeks ago based on the expectation that he was to be promoted when the rosters expand September 1. That expectation became a reality, as he was called up last Sunday. Quinn has built off the success he had last year at Double-A Reading before suffering a tear in his hip flexor in mid-June that ended his season. This season, an oblique injury sidelined him for six weeks, the third straight season an injury has impact his year. But was solid after returning August 4 and posted a .287/.361/.441 line with 31 steals in 71 games. Quinn has shown his ability to get on-base, steal bases and play a solid outfield since his promotion and is on the 40-man roster and Manager Pete Mackanin said "there's a good chance" Quinn could be on the Phillies' Opening Day roster next season. Quinn he profiles as a centerfielder, and a strong finish could make Obudel Herrera a trade candidate this winter or be forced to move to a corner spot next season. 12-team Mixed: $7; 15-team Mixed: $14, 12-team NL: $22.

Michael Reed, Brewers – Reed was promoted with Keon Broxton sidelined for the balance of the season after fracturing his right wrist Friday. He hit .248 with eight home runs and 45 RBI for Triple-A Colorado Springs this season and could see a few starts the last two weeks of the year. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No, 12-team NL: $3

Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins – Stanton, profiled last week after he returned to active duty, gets another mention this week, as he returned to the starting lineup Friday against the Phillies. He tweaked his groin during an at-bat on August 14, which was to sideline him to the last week of the season. That timeframe was predicated on his rehab going perfectly. Stanton made a surprising return to action past week, limited to pinch-hit duty, but with Miami on the fringes of Wild Card contention, he returns to the starting lineup, which should bolster the roster. However, he is unlikely to play daily and it's also possible that if Miami fully falls out of the wild Card race, the Marlins may elect to just shut Stanton down. 12-team Mixed: $35; 15-team Mixed: $55; 12-team NL: $75.

Injury activation/updates:

Matt Holliday, Cardinals – Holliday, out since mid-August due to a fractured thumb that required surgery, took batting practice Monday and was to play in a simulated game Saturday. But, he decided not to participate in that simulated game due to too much swelling around his thumb. Time is running out for Holliday to play in a sim game and make it back before the end of the season. If Holliday comes off that sim game with no issues, he could be activated shortly thereafter, but he may remain somewhat limited initially upon reinstatement from the DL. If he shows that his fully healthy, Holliday could be the team's starting left fielder the last week of the regular season. 12-team Mixed: $6; 15-team Mixed: $12; 12-team NL: $19 (just in case he returns to action)

Juan Lagares, Mets –Lagares, who had surgery to repair a partially torn left thumb ligament at the end of July, was activated off the disabled list Friday. He will serve as a defensive replacement and pinch runner, as he will just start to swing a bat this week. Lagares was to miss around six weeks with the injury, so his return is right in line with that timeframe. The Mets have several outfield options, so don't expect to see Lagares in games until late in games, and even then, he won't see many at-bats. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $3.

A.J. Pollock, Diamondbacks – Pollock, sidelined since September 9, which was just his 12th game from a broken elbow, could return to action in Arizona's next to last series of the season. It's been a lost year for Pollock, but he might get a chance to provide his owners some value the last week of the season. If he is available and you have the room, stash him for the upside. 12-team Mixed: $6; 15-team Mixed: $12; 12-team NL: $19 (upside potential as stash candidate)

Mallex Smith, Braves – Smith, who was expected to miss the remainder of the season with the fractured left thumb he sustained on June 18, was activated of the disabled list Friday. He made that return following a several week rehab assignment in the minors, which first started with Double-A Mississippi. Prior to getting injured, Smith appeared in 58 games with the Braves, batting .237/.312/.379 with 14 steals, including .298/.362/.476 line against right-handed pitching, against whom he should see most of his action. Ender Inciarte, Matt Kemp and Nick Markakis are fairly locked into starting spots, but Smith will see some action. Smith is projected to open the 2017 season as one of the Atlanta's starting outfielders, in either center or right field. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $18.