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 is 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.
| PLAYER | TEAM | POS | GRADE | 12-Team Mixed $ | 15-Team Mixed $ | 12 team NL-Only $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McCade Brown | COL | SP | E | No | $0 | $5 |
| Bubba Chandler | PIT | SP | B | $1 | $5 | $9 (up in keeper leagues) |
| Ryan Gusto | MIA | SP | E | No | No | $6 |
| Nolan McLean | NYM | SP | C | $5 | $11 | $16 (upped bid from prior) |
| Tylor Megill | NYM | SP | E | $0 | $1 | $5 (same early injury return bid) |
| Johan Oviedo | PIT | SP | D | $0 | $2 | $7 |
| Robby Snelling | MIA | SP | C | $1 | $4 | $7 (upped spec bid) |
| Jameson Taillon | CHI | SP | D | $1 | $5 | $9 (injury return bid) |
| Jonah Tong | NYM | SP | B | $1 | $4 | $7 |
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 is 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.
| PLAYER | TEAM | POS | GRADE | 12-Team Mixed $ | 15-Team Mixed $ | 12 team NL-Only $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McCade Brown | COL | SP | E | No | $0 | $5 |
| Bubba Chandler | PIT | SP | B | $1 | $5 | $9 (up in keeper leagues) |
| Ryan Gusto | MIA | SP | E | No | No | $6 |
| Nolan McLean | NYM | SP | C | $5 | $11 | $16 (upped bid from prior) |
| Tylor Megill | NYM | SP | E | $0 | $1 | $5 (same early injury return bid) |
| Johan Oviedo | PIT | SP | D | $0 | $2 | $7 |
| Robby Snelling | MIA | SP | C | $1 | $4 | $7 (upped spec bid) |
| Jameson Taillon | CHI | SP | D | $1 | $5 | $9 (injury return bid) |
| Jonah Tong | NYM | SP | B | $1 | $4 | $7 (spec call up bid) |
| Carson Whisenhunt | SF | SP | E | No | $0 | $5 |
| Jose Alvarado | PHI | RP | C | $0 | $1 | $6 (same bid as prior) |
| Andrew Kittredge | CHI | RP | D | $1 | $4 | $7 |
| Riley O'Brien | STL | RP | D | $1 | $5 | $9 |
| Andrew Saalfrank | AZ | RP | D | $1 | $5 | $9 |
| Kirby Yates | LA | RP | C | $1 | $4 | $7 (same injury return bid) |
| Riley Adams | WAS | C | D | $1 | $5 | $9 |
| Will Banfield | CIN | C | E | No | Np | $4 |
| Jose Trevino | CIN | C | D | No | $0 | $6 |
| Gabriel Moreno | AZ | C | D | $2 | $7 | $11 (upped injury return bid) |
| Hayden Senger | NYM | C | E | No | Np | $4 |
| Luis Torrens | NYM | C | D | No | $0 | $6 |
| Jake Bauers | MIL | 1B | E | No | No | $6 |
| Spencer Horwitz | PIT | 1B | D | $5 | $11 | Rostered ($16 if not) |
| Rhys Hoskins | MIL | 1B | D | $1 | $5 | $9 (upped injury return bid) |
| Pavin Smith | AZ | 1B | E | No | $0 | $6 (slightly upped injury return bid) |
| Brett Baty | NYM | 2B | C | $7 | $14 | Rostered ($22 if not) |
| Hyeseong Kim | LA | 2B | D | $1 | $4 | $7 (same early injury return bid) |
| Thomas Saggese | STL | 2B | D | $1 | $4 | $7 |
| Nacho Alvarez | ATL | 3B | E | $0 | $2 | $7 |
| Javier Sanoja | MIA | 3B | D | $1 | $5 | $9 |
| Mark Vientos | NYM | 3B | C | $8 | $16 | Rostered ($22 if not) |
| Maximo Acosta | MIA | SS | E | $0 | $1 | $6 |
| Andruw Monasterio | MIL | SS | E | No | $0 | $5 |
| JJ Wetherholt | STL | SS | B | $1 | $4 | $7 (spec call up bid) |
| Will Benson | CIN | OF | E | No | $0 | $6 |
| Nathan Church | STL | OF | D | $1 | $4 | $7 |
| Starling Marte | NYM | OF | D | $2 | $7 | $11 |
| Luis Matos | SF | OF | E | No | $0 | $6 |
STARTING PITCHER
McCade Brown, Rockies: Brown was promoted to make his MLB debut Sunday. The 79th overall pick in the 2021 First-Year Player Draft missed significant development time after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2023 and has yet to pitch above Double-A, yet pitched effectively over 11 outings at Hartford with a 3.14 ERA and 57:15 K:BB across 43 innings. Brown should get a chance to remain in the Rockies rotation the rest of the way. 12-team Mixed: No, 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $6
Bubba Chandler, Pirates: Chandler finally got the call to the Majors. Rather than promoting him when he was rolling, Pittsburgh waited and he's proven less than stellar the past month. Chandler was also used in a bulk bullpen role behind starter Braxton Ashcraft on Friday. This may be the best way for him to get his feet wet and regain his form, though it's hard to credit the Pirates considering how they've handled him all season. Chandler had been working exclusively out of the rotation at Triple-A and struck out 121 batters over 100 innings, though a bloated 12 percent walk rate played a large part in his elevated 1.48 WHIP. The stuff is there, so harnessing it will be key to his future value as he did Friday in tossing four scoreless innings to notch the save. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9 (up in keeper leagues)
Ryan Gusto, Marlins: Miami promoted Gusto on Friday to take the roster and rotation spot of Cal Quantrill, who was designated for assignment and claimed by Atlanta. He was acquired from the Astros in the Jesus Sanchez deal at the trade deadline and will be making his second start with the parent club. The rookie right-hander has a combined 4.89 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 95:30 K:BB across 92 innings with Houston and Miami and will need to impress with Robby Snelling pushing for a promotion. 12-team Mixed: No, 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $6
Nolan McLean, Mets: McLean, profiled last week when promoted, gets another mention following his second straight strong start where he allowed two runs on four hits and no walks in seven innings while striking out seven. He's now only yielded two runs from his first 12.1 innings to go with a 15:4 K:BB to earn a rotation spot. Drafted in the third round during 2023 as a two-way player, McLean has thrived since concentrating solely on pitching. He moved steadily up the ladder and delivered a 3.00 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 69:26 K:BB through 60 innings through his last 10 Triple-A Syracuse outings to earn the call-up. 12-team Mixed: $5, 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $16 (upped bid from last week)
Tylor Megill, Mets: Megill, on the IL since Jun. 17 with a sprained right elbow, was dominant in his second rehab appearance as he fanned nine batters across 3.1 scoreless innings for Double-A Binghamton last Sunday. He'll likely be ready to rejoin the Mets after two more appearances, which coincides when the rosters expand for September. Megill could operate in a bulk relief role as the Mets starters don't go deep while the team needs additional swing-and-miss arms. 12-team Mixed: $0, 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5 (same early injury return bid)
Johan Oviedo, Pirates: Oviedo experienced a successful first start for the Pirates as he surrendered a run on two hits and a walk while striking out five in five innings. He returned from Tommy John surgery in Sep. 2023 and pitched to a 3.12 ERA with a 1.04 WHIP and 36:7 K:BB across eight starts (26 innings) in the minors. Oviedo should get a chance to remain in the rotation. 12-team Mixed: $0, 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team NL: $7
Robby Snelling, Marlins: Snelling continues to roll at Triple-A Jacksonville following his promotion from Double-A Pensacola. The Marlins acquired him as part of a 2024 deadline deal that sent Tanner Scott and Bryan Hoeing to the Padres. The 21-year-old southpaw hasn't given up an earned run through 21 straight innings while working at least six frames in five straight while delivering a stunning 0.88 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 46:6 K:BB over 30.2 innings. Snelling isn't yet on the 40-man roster and hasn't been shifted to a five-day schedule that would mirror a big-league rotation, so the Marlins may not have immediate plans to bring him up. He appears ready for the Majors and a promotion would still preserve his rookie status for 2026. Keep Snelling on your radar. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (upped spec bid)
Jameson Taillon, Cubs: Taillon made a successful return to the bigs by giving up one run on five hits and one walk with four Ks during six innings to notch the win. Before landing on the shelf in early July due to a right calf strain, he went 7-6 with a 4.44 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 74:20 K:BB in 95.1 innings. Taillon slots in as the Cubs' fourth starter, a role he should keep for the balance of the regular season. 12-team Mixed: $2, 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11 (upped return bid)
Jonah Tong, Mets: Tong is blazing up the prospect ranks and hasn't slowed much since his move to Triple-A Syracuse. He threw six shutout innings on Saturday where he allowed five hits and one walk while striking out eight on 88 pitches (63 strikes) with 21 swing-and-misses with a fastball that topped out at 97.6 MPH. Tong has completed 11.2 scoreless at Syracuse with 17 Ks and 39 swing-and misses across two starts. He wasn't expected to be called up this year, yet his recent performance may have put him under consideration. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (spec call up bid)
Carson Whisenhunt, Giants: Whisenhunt is back in the Majors replacing Landen Roupp (knee) on the Giants' 26-man roster. He made three starts with SF earlier this year with a 5.02 ERA and 12:7 K:BB across 14.1 innings. Whisenhunt's numbers at Sacramento weren't much better at a 4.37 ERA and a 92:32 K:BB through 103 innings. Despite poor overall production - including two runs on four hits and two walks over four innings on Friday - he'll likely join the rotation. 12-team Mixed: No, 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $5
See which projected starters are going and when with RotoWire's Probable Pitchers page!
RELIEF PITCHER
Jose Alvarado, Phillies: Alvarado, handed an 80-game PED suspension in mid-May, was activated when eligible on Tuesday. He began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Lehigh Valley Aug. 7 and made five scoreless appearances before returning. The southpaw didn't reclaim the closer role for the Phillies as they acquired Jhoan Duran at the deadline. 12-team Mixed: $0, 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $6 (same bid as prior)
Andrew Kittredge, Cubs: Kittredge notched two saves in three days this past week. Daniel Palencia is still the Cubs' top option, though it appears Kittredge has earned some trust in late-game situations when required. He had one poor outing in the nine he's made for Chicago, but has been unscored upon during the other eight while posting an overall 10:1 K:BB. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7
Riley O'Brien, Cardinals: O'Brien is sharing closing duties for St. Louis with JoJo Romero and has claimed two saves to Romero's four since Ryan Helsley was dealt to the Mets. He's found his footing this season with a 1.56 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 34:17 K:BB in 34.2 innings. Either pitcher can be called upon to finish up depending who the opponent is sending in during the eighth or ninth inning, so O'Brien holds additional value. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9
Andrew Saalfrank, Diamondbacks: Saalfrank has settled into a key late-inning role for the Diamondbacks having picked up a pair of saves, a win and blown save across his last four appearances with an overall 1.65 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 11:5 K:BB over 16.1 innings. He's Arizona's primary bullpen southpaw whose usage depends on when a key spot arises versus a lefty. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9
Kirby Yates, Dodgers: Yates, on the IL since Jul. 29 due to lower back pain, was activated Saturday after two rehab appearances at Triple-A Albuquerque. Tanner Scott (elbow) was activated Friday, so Yates isn't likely to be a prolific source of saves but should still provide counting stats and holds. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (same injury return bid)
CATCHER
Riley Adams, Nationals: Adams has ably filled in for Keibert Ruiz (concussion) since he went on the IL in early July as he's slashing .260/.343/.427 with four doubles, four homers, nine RBI and 13 runs. Ruiz is participating in baseball activities, though remains without a timeline for his activation to provide Adams continued value for the Nationals and fantasy rosters. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9
Will Banfield/Jose Trevino, Reds: Tyler Stephenson was placed on the IL this week with a fractured left thumb. Filling in behind the plate are Trevino - who's been mildly productive this - and Banfield. The latter produced a .220/.277/.304 line with two home runs this season at Triple-A Louisville and will be making his ML debut when he makes his first appearance. Banfield - 12-team Mixed: No, 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $4; Trevino - 12-team Mixed: No, 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $6
Gabriel Moreno, Diamondbacks: Moreno, out since mid-June and on the 60-day IL with a hairline fracture, was activated on Friday. He went 8-for-20 with a pair of homers through six rehab contests with Triple-A Reno and should resume as Arizona's primary catcher. Jose Herrera was DFA'd to make room for Moreno, leaving James McCann and Adrian Del Castillo as the backups. Moreno went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer during his first game back. 12-team Mixed: $2, 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11 (upped injury return bid)
Hayden Senger/Luis Torrens, Mets: Stop me if you've heard this before, but Francisco Alvarez is out with a hand injury - his third with the same issue. Attempting to replace him will be Torrens and Senger, in that order. Torrens offers the slightly better bat, so he's the one to target. Check his status as he's battling left hand soreness, resulting in Senger starting the last three straight games. Senger - 12-team Mixed: No, 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $4; Torrens - 12-team Mixed: No, 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $6
FIRST BASE
Jake Bauers, Brewers: Bauers was activated off the IL Friday. Sidelined since just after the All-Star break with a left shoulder impingement, he's ready to go after going deep three times in five rehab contests. The 29-year-old will likely operate primarily as a reserve bat at first and DH. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $6
Spencer Horwitz, Pirates: Horwitz missed the first six weeks of the season recovering from injury and took a while to regain his form. He'd been hot since the All-Star break while playing almost daily at first bat.ting 300 with four homers, 20 RBI and 17 runs scored across 31 games. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: Rostered ($16 if not)
Rhys Hoskins, Brewers: Hoskins was initially placed on the IL Jul. 7 due to a Grade 2 left thumb sprain and kicked off a rehab stint at Triple-A Nashville Tuesday. Once ready to return, he may not be a full-time starter as Andrew Vaughn has posted a .947 OPS through 36 outings. The right-handed-hitting Hoskins should still have a clear path to playing time at either first or DH versus left-handers once fully back to health. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9 (upped injury return bid)
Pavin Smith, Diamondbacks: Smith, on the 10-day IL since early July with a right oblique strain, was activated on Monday following a brief rehab assignment at Triple-A Reno. He was a starter earlier this year, but looks to now be in a timeshare. Tyler Locklear, who was acquired from Seattle in the Eugenio Suarez deal, remains the primary first baseman against lefties while Smith appears to be on the strong side of the platoon. As for DH, the Diamondbacks are giving prospect Adrian Del Castillo - a lefty batter like Smith - a long look there. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $6 (slightly upped return bid)
SECOND BASE
Brett Baty, Mets: Baty, despite a hot streak, is still less than 30 percent rostered in CBS leagues. He's forced his way into an everyday role by hitting safely in nine of his last 11 games while going 15-for-41 with four homers, six RBI and 10 runs. Baty's defense - especially at third, but also at second - has been extremely solid to help him remain in the lineup. He's now up to 15 home runs, 41 runs driven in and 42 runs scored from 102 contests. 12-team Mixed: $7; 15-team Mixed: $14; 12-team NL: rostered ($22 if not)
Hyeseong Kim, Dodgers: Kim, on the IL since Jul. 29 due to left shoulder bursitis, started a rehab appearance with Triple-A Oklahoma City Thursday where he started in left field and logged five innings. Alex Call was acquired at the deadline and has played in left over a struggling Michael Conforto. But if Kim can handle the position defensively, he could receive opportunities there after being activated in addition to action at the keystone. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (same early injury return bid)
Thomas Saggese, Cardinals: Saggese is making the most of the increased playing time due to injuries in St. Louis. He's made solid contact this month with a .286 batting average and eight runs through 16 games and figures to see extended short-term action with Brendan Donovan (groin) sidelined while Nolan Gorman is covering third in the absence of Nolan Arenado (shoulder). 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7
Check out where all the players on your fantasy baseball team fit into RotoWire's MLB Cheat Sheet!
THIRD BASE
Nacho Alvarez, Braves: Austin Riley (abdomen) underwent season-ending surgery, leaving Alvarez as Atlanta's starting third baseman. He's better suited to a utility role, but will get a chance to disprove that narrative. Through 95 big-league plate appearances, Alvarez is slashing .259/.337/.341 with no homers or steals, yet recorded 10 of each with an .861 OPS over 64 Triple-A contests in 2024. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team NL: $7
Javier Sanoja, Marlins: Sanoja has taken over as Miami's primary third baseman following the injuries to Graham Pauley (oblique) and Connor Norby (wrist). He's starting against righties and appeared in five of the last six games at the position while going 6-for-21 (.286) with a double, homer, steal, two runs and four RBI. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9
Mark Vientos, Mets: Vientos may have found his offensive stroke going 3-for-5 with a pair of home runs on Saturday and going 9-for-24 with five long balls across six games. He's also shown better patience at the plate driving breaking balls he was previously out in front. Vientos is getting time at third and DH while once again becoming a lineup fixture. 12-team Mixed: $8; 15-team Mixed: $16; 12-team NL: Rostered
SHORTSTOP
Maximo Acosta, Marlins: Acosta was promoted from Triple-A Jacksonville on Monday as a replacement for third baseman Graham Pauley (oblique), who was placed on the 10-day IL. He only batted .236 with a 10.6 percent walk rate and 26.5 percent strikeout rate over 431 plate appearances for Jacksonville, but showcased a fantasy-friendly skill set with 13 home runs and 28 steals (in 35 attempts). For now, Acosta is offering infield depth at second and third while Javier Sanoja mainly handles the hot corner in place of Pauley and Connor Norby (wrist). 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $6
Andruw Monasterio, Brewers: The Brewers put Ortiz (hamstring) on the 10-day IL on Friday with a left hamstring strain, leaving Monasterio and Brice Turang to handle shortstop. If Monasterio gets off to a good start, he'll get more action while Turang should remain at second. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $5
JJ Wetherholt, Cardinals: Wetherholt was selected seventh overall in 2024 and began the year at Double-A Springfield before spending the last month at Triple-A Memphis. He's raked at both locations having blasted a combined 16 homers while stealing 18 bases and driving in 52 runs through 90 games and recently seeing time at the hot corner after playing second and shortstop. St. Louis may opt not to call up Wetherholt, but he'd still retain rookie eligibility with little downside in promoting him. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (spec call up bid)
OUTFIELD
Will Benson, Reds: Benson was moved up from Triple-A Louisville last Sunday. The 27-year-old was demoted a couple weeks ago, but is back with the Reds after Jake Fraley (knee) was designated for assignment. Benson has a .224/.269/.415 line with nine home runs from 61 MLB games this season and should step in as Cinci's No. 4 outfielder. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $6
Nathan Church, Cardinals: Across three minor-league levels this season, Church went .329 with 13 home runs and 16 steals across 86 outings. He's receiving semi-regular action in center while Victor Scott (ankle) is sidelined. When Church sits, St. Louis shifts Lars Nootbaar over to center to give Jordan Walker starts in right. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7
Luis Matos, Giants: Matos was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday. Prior to this, he slashed an ugly .167/.208/.351 in 120 ML contests. He will mainly play initially against southpaws, but notching two hits in three straight since being promoted could afford him additional work. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $6
Starling Marte, Mets: Marte has been quietly effective going 46-for-160 with five home runs, 13 runs driven in and 18 runs scored over the last 46 outings. And he added to those numbers on Saturday by going 3-for-3 with a homer and a pair of steals. Marte has regained manager Carlos Mendoza's trust and should continue to receive consistent playing time down the stretch. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11
For the latest updates on injuries, lineups, roster changes and more, go to RotoWire's Fantasy Baseball News & Latest MLB Updates or follow @RotoWireMLB on X.
