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.
NOTE: Next week's column will be the final one of the season.
| PLAYER | TEAM | POS | GRADE | 12-Team Mixed $ | 15-Team Mixed $ | 12 team NL-Only $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walker Buehler | PHI | SP | D | $1 | $5 | $9 (upped bid) |
| Tanner Gordon | COL | SP | E | $1 | $5 | $9 |
| Josiah Gray | WAS | SP | D | $1 | $4 | $7 (upped early injury return bid) |
| Michael Soroka | WAS | SP | D | $0 | $1 | $6 (same injury return bid) |
| Randy Vasquez | SD | SP | D | $1 | $5 | $9 (upped bid) |
| Ryan Weathers | MIA | SP | D | $5 | $11 | $16 (upped bid) |
| Brad Keller | CHI | RP | D | $1 | $4 | $7 |
| Andrew Kittredge | CHI | RP | D | $3 | $9 | $14 |
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.
NOTE: Next week's column will be the final one of the season.
| PLAYER | TEAM | POS | GRADE | 12-Team Mixed $ | 15-Team Mixed $ | 12 team NL-Only $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walker Buehler | PHI | SP | D | $1 | $5 | $9 (upped bid) |
| Tanner Gordon | COL | SP | E | $1 | $5 | $9 |
| Josiah Gray | WAS | SP | D | $1 | $4 | $7 (upped early injury return bid) |
| Michael Soroka | WAS | SP | D | $0 | $1 | $6 (same injury return bid) |
| Randy Vasquez | SD | SP | D | $1 | $5 | $9 (upped bid) |
| Ryan Weathers | MIA | SP | D | $5 | $11 | $16 (upped bid) |
| Brad Keller | CHI | RP | D | $1 | $4 | $7 |
| Andrew Kittredge | CHI | RP | D | $3 | $9 | $14 |
| Tony Santillan | CIN | RP | D | $1 | $5 | $9 |
| Patrick Bailey | SF | C | D | $1 | $4 | $7 (if not rostered) |
| Moises Ballesteros | CHI | C | C | $0 | $2 | $7 (up in keeper leagues) |
| Freddy Fermin | SD | C | D | No | $0 | $6 |
| Carson Kelly | CHI | C | C | $9 | Rostered | Rostered |
| Gabriel Moreno | AZ | C | C | $11 | $22 | Rostered |
| Josh Bell | WAS | 1B | D | $3 | $9 | Rostered |
| Blaine Crim | COL | 1B | D | $0 | $1 | $6 |
| Rhys Hoskins | MIL | 1B | D | $1 | $5 | $9 (same injury return bid) |
| Edmundo Sosa | PHI | 2B | E | $0 | $1 | $6 |
| Tim Tawa | AZ | 2B | D | $1 | $4 | $7 |
| Ildemaro Vargas | AZ | 2B | E | $0 | $1 | $6 |
| Otto Kemp | PHI | 3B | D | $1 | $5 | $9 |
| Graham Pauley | MIA | 3B | D | $0 | $1 | $6 |
| Aidan Miller | PHI | SS | B/C | $1 | $4 | $7 (spec bid, up in keeper leagues) |
| Ji Hwan Bae | PIT | OF | E | No | No | $6 |
| Griffin Conine | MIA | OF | D | $1 | $4 | $7 (early injury return bid) |
| Jerar Encarnacion | SF | OF | D | No | No | $5 (same injury return bid) |
| Jose Siri | NYM | OF | D | No | No | $5 (same injury return bid) |
STARTING PITCHER
Walker Buehler, Phillies: Buehler, waived by the Red Sox, agreed to a one-year contract with the Phillies on Aug. 31. He started Friday and allowed one run on five hits and one walk while striking out three over five innings to defeat KC. Buehler has been profiled again as he was ineligible to be picked up in some leagues until appearing for Philly. He struggled in Boston posting a 5.45 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 84:55 K:BB in 112.1 innings over 23 appearances (22 starts) before losing his roster spot. Buehler brings a playoff pedigree and looks like he'll be part of a six-man rotation. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9 (upped bid)
Tanner Gordon, Rockies: Gordon continued his recent stretch of solid pitching on Friday as he gave up one run on two hits and a walk in six innings with nine Ks. Since seeing his ERA balloon to 8.37 following a disastrous Aug. 10 start in Arizona when he was obliterated for 10 earned runs, he's managed to throw six innings while yielding two runs or fewer in four of his last six appearances to boost that number to 6.14 by recording a 33:8 K:BB across 32.2 innings. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9
Josiah Gray, Nationals: Gray, coming off an excellent 2023, got rocked in his first two starts last season before landing on the IL with an elbow injury that eventually required Tommy John surgery and an internal brace procedure. He made his first rehab start with High-A Wilmington last Sunday where he produced one strikeout with no hits and two walks from 1.1 scoreless innings and 34 pitches. Gray was slated to throw two innings or 35 pitches, so he remained on target and will need two or three more rehab appearances before being ready to return. Assuming he can avoid a setback, the 27-year-old has a good chance of returning for a cameo with the Nationals before the end of the season. Gray should enter spring training next year as a favorite to fill a rotation spot. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (upped early injury return bid)
Michael Soroka, Cubs: Soroka, on the 15-day IL since early August with a right shoulder strain, allowed one earned run on one hit and no walks while fanning three across 2.1 innings and 38 pitches in a rehab outing with Triple-A Iowa on Thursday. The right-hander will soon rejoin the Cubs, likely as a multi-inning reliever. Since Soroka won't be stretched out as a starter, Jameson Taillon - who just came back - is the fifth starter with Javier Assad - who filled in for Taillon - waiting in the bullpen. 12-team Mixed: $0, 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $6 (same injury return bid)
Randy Vasquez, Padres: Vasquez, recalled from Triple-A El Paso to start last Saturday, has won two straight starts against the Rockies. The 26-year-old, who had previously pitched for San Diego on Aug. 15, surrendered a pair of earned runs through 12 innings with a 12:0 K:BB. Vasquez now holds a 3.72 ERA and a 71:49 K:BB in 123.1 innings spanning 25 appearances this season. He should continue to replace Nestor Cortes (biceps) in the rotation. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9 (upped bid)
Ryan Weathers, Marlins: Weathers, on the shelf since early June due to a strained left lat, rejoined the Marlins' rotation and started Thursday against the Nationals. He tossed five shutout innings, allowing five hits and striking out four on 68 pitches. Weathers made a couple of rehab outings, his last going the same 68 pitches. The southpaw had been limited to five starts for the Marlins this season, collecting a 3.28 ERA and 23:8 K:BB over 24.2 innings. Look for Weathers to remain in the rotation the rest of the way. 12-team Mixed: $5, 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $16 (upped bid)
Find out which projected starters are going and when with RotoWire's Probable Pitchers page!
RELIEF PITCHER
Brad Keller/Andrew Kittredge, Cubs: Keller and Kittredge look to be the favorite for saves with Daniel Palencia (shoulder) sidelined. Keller allowed his first run over 22 second-half appearances on Saturday while only yielding a total of six hits during that stretch. Kittredge, acquired from the Orioles, has posted a 3.45 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 20:2 K:BB in 15.2 innings with Chicago alongside three saves and seven holds. He saw and converted his first save opportunity since Palencia went on the IL to possibly make him the first choice. Keller - 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7; Kittredge - 12-team Mixed: $2, 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11
Tony Santillan, Reds: Santillan looks to be next in line when Emilio Pagan isn't available to close for Cincinnati. He registered saves last Sunday and Wednesday to give him three on the season. Santillan has also recorded 29 holds with a 2.55 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 67:25 K:BB in 67 innings. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9
CATCHER
Patrick Bailey, Giants: Bailey homered on Friday for the third time in four games with a walk-off grand slam against Tanner Scott in the 10th inning to defeat the Dodgers. He's now up to six in that category, a career-high 50 RBI, 42 runs scored and one steals despite only slashing .220/.276/.325 during 121 contests. Bailey's recent power surge makes him an intriguing option for fantasy managers in NL-only and two-catcher formats. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7
Moises Ballesteros, Cubs: Ballesteros was promoted from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday to replace Kyle Tucker (calf) on the active roster after registering an .859 OPS with 13 homers in 114 appearances. This will be fourth stint with the parent club and he'll see spot duty while Tucker is sidelined, but did start Friday and Saturday and looked productive to possibly pave the way for consistent at bats. 12-team Mixed: $0, 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team NL: $7 (up in keeper leagues)
Freddy Fermin, Padres: Fermin, acquired at the trade deadline from Kansas City, has recently seen an uptick in playing time behind the plate. His numbers aren't overly impressive, yet he's been better than Elias Diaz amd is worth a look in two-catcher, NL-only leagues. 12-team Mixed: No, 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $6
Carson Kelly, Cubs: I wasn't planning on profiling Kelly until I notice he was only 51 percent rostered. He's enjoyed a career campaign and has been hot again of late by dispatching four homers over a six-game stretch where he's also managed seven RBI and a 1.058 OPS. Kelly has now gone deep 17 times in 2025, putting him within one of his previous best. And he's already set a new high at 50 RBI. 12-team Mixed: $9, 15-team Mixed: Rostered; 12-team NL: Rostered
Gabriel Moreno, Diamondbacks: Moreno continued his hot run on Friday by going 2-for-4 with a walk, steal, homer and three runs batted in. He's notched four consecutive multi-hit efforts (8-for-15, two HR, five RBI) and has been on a heater since returning the lineup in August following a two-month absence due to a fractured right index finger. Since returning, Moreno is slashing .351/.415/.614 with four home runs and 16 RBI. 12-team Mixed: $11, 15-team Mixed: $22; 12-team NL: Rostered
FIRST BASE
Josh Bell, Nationals: Bell's numbers are in line with the last several seasons thanks to his recent upsurge. He went 8-for-15 with four homers and 13 RBI from the four games from last Sunday through Wednesday. The switch-hitter doesn't often start against left-handed pitching, which was the case on Thursday. Bell is up to .234/.325/.410 with 20 home runs and 58 runs driven in. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: Rostered
Blaine Crim, Rockies: Crim, promoted Friday due to Warming Bernabel being sidelined with a concussion, posted his first homer of the season. Claimed off waivers in early August from Texas, Crim slashed .273/.360/.424 with three home runs and 14 RBI though 114 plate appearances at Triple-A Albuquerque. Crim should run the table as the starting first baseman with Bernabel out and Michael Toglia sent down. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $6
Rhys Hoskins, Brewers: Hoskins was mentions the last two weeks and is right back here as he was activated on Tuesday. Initially placed on the IL Jul. 7 due to a Grade 2 left thumb sprain, he produced a .275/.371/.471 line with two homers over 14 rehab games at Triple-A Nashville. Hoskins isn't a full-time starter as Andrew Vaughn is filling that role, though the right-handed-hitter should at least still receive decent playing time at either first or DH versus lefties. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9 (same injury return bid)
SECOND BASE
Edmundo Sosa, Phillies: Sosa is filling in at shortstop for Trea Turner (hamstring), who went on the IL on Monday. Bryson Stott is occasionally moving over from second to shortstop, but Sosa should get most of the at-bats at the position. Sosa also qualifies at third in addition to second and short. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $6
Tim Tawa/Ildemaro Vargas, Diamondbacks: Tawa and Vargas are covering first base with Tyler Locklear (elbow) joining Pavin Smith (quadriceps) as those out for the season. Tawa should play against lefties with Vargas starting versus righties. Tawa offers more pop in his bat, yet will likely see less action - though both can play around the infield and outfield. Tawa - 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7; Vargas - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $6
See where all the players on your fantasy baseball team fit into RotoWire's MLB Cheat Sheet!
THIRD BASE
Otto Kemp, Phillies: Kemp was recalled on Monday and is filling in for Alec Bohm (shoulder) at the hot corner. After getting promoted from Triple-A on Jun. 7, the 25-year-old slashed .228/.298/.359 with four homers, one steal, 17 RBI and 17 runs over 46 games before being sent back down Aug. 17. Kemp was slumping before this promotion, but had a big series against the Mets with a pair of home runs during the four-game set. With Edmundo Sosa in for Trea Turner (hamstring) at shortstop, Kemp should get almost all the action at third. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9
Graham Pauley, Marlins: Pauley, on the shelf for almost a month with a right oblique strain, began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday. He's playing third base there and shouldn't require too many rehab contests before being activated from the 10-day IL. Pauley could beat Connor Norby (quadriceps) - who kicked off his own rehab stint Thursday - back from the IL, so the former should be the Marlins' primary third baseman upon returning, at least until the latter is ready. When Norby returns, Pauley could pick up at-bats at first and DH. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $6
SHORTSTOP
Aidan Miller, Phillies: Miller was promoted from Double-A Reading to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday. He went .259/.382/.427 with 13 homers, 52 stolen bases and a 14.9 percent walk rate over 489 plate appearances and was hot in September to earn the call up. Miller is likely to remain at Triple-A for the rest of the year, though a call-up can't be completely discounted if Edmundo Sosa struggles. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (spec bid, up in keeper leagues)
OUTFIELD
Ji Hwan Bae, Pirates: Bae was promoted from Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday. While spending most of the season there, he produced a .282/.377/.411 line with a home and 23 steals across 289 plate appearances. Bae is up for the first time since mid-May and is getting work in left field. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $6
Griffin Conine, Marlins: Conine underwent surgery Apr. 29 to repair a dislocated left shoulder and was expected to miss the remainder of the campaign. He progressed quicker than expected and joined Triple-A Jacksonville last Sunday to begin a rehab assignment. Conine could be ready to rejoin Miami at the beginning of this week or shortly thereafter. Before getting shut down with the shoulder injury, he had gotten off to a solid start by slashing .281/.352/.438 with a homer and seven RBI through 20 games. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9 (upped injury return bid)
Jerar Encarnacion, Giants: Encarnacion, sidelined since early August with a Grade 2 right hamstring strain, was activated on Saturday with Dominic Smith (groin) going on the IL. He logged five games during his rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento prior to his return. Injuries have limited to Encarnacion to only 10 appearances this season and will now be a backup outfielder who gets work against southpaws. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $6 (same injury return bid)
Jose Siri, Mets: Siri, on the shelf since Apr. 17 due to a fractured left tibia, was activated on Tuesday after going 7-for-26 with a homer in eight rehab games. With the Mets acquiring Cedric Mullins at the deadline, they were in no rush to activate Siri. The injury to Tyrone Taylor (hamstring) and Mullins' struggles accelerated his return timeframe and is projected to see action against left-handed pitching. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $5 (same injury return bid)
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