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. This is the final column of the season. Thank you to everyone who read and/or asked questions during the campaign. Please leave any comments below or email [email protected] or [email protected].
| PLAYER | TEAM | POS | GRADE | 12-Team Mixed $ | 15-Team Mixed $ | 12 team NL-Only $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josiah Gray | WAS | SP | D | $1 | $5 | $9 (slightly upped injury return bid) |
| Michael Soroka | WAS | SP | D | $0 | $1 | $6 (same bid as prior) |
| Jose Suarez | ATL | SP | D | $1 | $4 | $7 |
| Riley O'Brien | STL | RP | D | $5 | $11 | $16 |
| Miguel Amaya | CHI | C | D | $1 | $4 | $7 (injury return bid) |
| Moises Ballesteros | CHI | C | C | $5 | $11 | $16 |
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. This is the final column of the season. Thank you to everyone who read and/or asked questions during the campaign. Please leave any comments below or email [email protected] or [email protected].
| PLAYER | TEAM | POS | GRADE | 12-Team Mixed $ | 15-Team Mixed $ | 12 team NL-Only $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josiah Gray | WAS | SP | D | $1 | $5 | $9 (slightly upped injury return bid) |
| Michael Soroka | WAS | SP | D | $0 | $1 | $6 (same bid as prior) |
| Jose Suarez | ATL | SP | D | $1 | $4 | $7 |
| Riley O'Brien | STL | RP | D | $5 | $11 | $16 |
| Miguel Amaya | CHI | C | D | $1 | $4 | $7 (injury return bid) |
| Moises Ballesteros | CHI | C | C | $5 | $11 | $16 (if he has catcher eligibility) |
| Rafael Flores | PIT | C | D | $1 | $4 | $7 (up in keeper leagues) |
| Jake Bauers | MIL | 1B | D | $1 | $5 | $9 |
| Blaine Crim | COL | 1B | D | $1 | $5 | $9 (upped bid from prior) |
| Bryce Eldridge | SF | 1B | B/C | $3 | $9 | $14 (up in keeper leagues) |
| Tyler Freeman | COL | 3B | E | No | $0 | $6 |
| Sal Stewart | CIN | 2B | C | $3 | $9 | $14 |
| Brett Baty | NYM | 3B | C | $15 | Rostered | Rostered |
| Graham Pauley | MIA | 3B | D | $0 | $1 | $6 (same bid as prior) |
| Thomas Saggese | STL | SS | D | $1 | $5 | Rostered |
| Luke Williams | ATL | SS | E | No | No | $4 |
| Troy Johnston | MIA | OF | D | $2 | $7 | $11 |
| Mickey Moniak | COL | OF | C | $22 | Rostered | Rostered |
| Jordan Walker | STL | OF | D | $0 | $2 | $7 |
STARTING PITCHER
Josiah Gray, Nationals: Coming off an excellent 2023, Gray got rocked in his first two starts last season before landing on the injured list with an elbow injury that eventually required Tommy John surgery and an internal brace procedure. He's working his way back with his third rehab start on Friday where he tossed 2.2 scoreless innings (no hits, three walks, two strikeouts). Assuming Gray came out of that outing with no setbacks, he could be activated for the final week of the regular season with a 60-pitch limit and enter spring training as a favorite to fill a rotation spot. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9 (slightly upped injury return bid)
Michael Soroka, Cubs: Soroka, on the 15-day IL since early August with a right shoulder strain, was activated Monday. He gave up one earned run on one hit and no walks while striking out three across 2.1 innings and 38 pitches in a rehab appearance with Triple-A Iowa the previous Thursday to result in his activation. The right-hander is working as a multi-inning reliever, having already made two appearances there. Since Soroka wasn't stretched out as a starter, Jameson Taillon - who recently came back from a groin injury, - 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 bid as prior)
Jose Suarez, Braves: Suarez made three appearances with Atlanta early this season while producing a 2.45 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with five strikeouts over 7.1 innings before being designated for assignment. He remained with the organization and missed over two months in the minors with an undisclosed injury. In four appearances with Triple-A Gwinnett after being activated in late August, Suarez recorded a 2.70 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 23:6 K:BB from 20 innings. He carried that success with him to the Majors by allowing two runs on five hits and two walks through seven innings while fanning nine to notch the win on Tuesday. Suarez could get one on two more starts during the final week. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7
Find out which projected starters are going and when with RotoWire's Probable Pitchers page!
RELIEF PITCHER
Riley O'Brien, Cardinals: O'Brien may have become the Cardinals' primary closer after notching his third save in his last five appearances on Tuesday. The 30-year-old sports a 2.08 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 41:20 K:BB across 43.1 innings. JoJo Romero is still in the mix, yet has become more of a setup man in front of O'Brien. 12-team Mixed: $5, 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $16
CATCHER
Miguel Amaya, Cubs: Amaya, sidelined with a left oblique strain since late-May, returned to action Aug. 12. He sprained his left ankle the next day to put him back on the IL. Amaya isn't fully recovered from that setback and started a rehab assignment at Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday as the DH. The hope is he'll be able to catch this weekend and rejoin the team for the final week. Amaya slashed .280/.313/.515 with four homers and 25 RBI in 27 games before originally being sidelined. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (injury return bid)
Moises Ballesteros, Cubs: Ballesteros was profiled last week when promoted from Triple-A Iowa and gets another mention as he's now the Cubs' primary DH. With Kyle Tucker (calf) on the IL, Willi Castro and Seiya Suzuki have been used in right field to open the door at DH for Ballesteros. The 21-year-old rookie started six straight games and has gone 8-for-21 with a triple, two homers, three RBI and five runs scored. If there's a downside, Ballesteros won't qualify as a catcher in next year's drafts. 12-team Mixed: $5, 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $16 (if he has catcher eligibility)
Rafael Flores, Pirates: Flores was acquired from the Yankees on Jul. 31 as part of the David Bednar deal and produced a .280/.354/.470 line with 22 home runs and six stolen bases over 133 games between the Double-A and Triple-A levels before the deal. He went .281/.363/.459 with six homers and 28 RBI through 28 contests at Triple-A Indianapolis following the trade to earn a promotion on Wednesday. Flores will work at first base and catcher down the stretch. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (up in keeper leagues)
FIRST BASE
Jake Bauers, Brewers: Bauers has received a slight uptick in playing time that's coincide with Andrew Vaughn's slump. And he's made the most of it by batting .405 (15-for-37) in 14 September games (through Friday) and is up to a .235/.345/.400 line with seven home runs, eight steals, 27 RBI and 27 runs across 200 plate appearances. Take advantage of Bauers' increased at-bats and production for the last few contests. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9
Blaine Crim, Rockies: Crim was brought up last Friday due to Warming Bernabel being sidelined with a concussion and is back here as he's done well. As the Rockies' starting first baseman following the demotion of Michael Toglia and absence of Bernabel, Crim has gone 8-for-28 with three homers, a double, nine RBI and four runs scored during his first eight outings. He slashed .273/.360/.424 with three home runs and 14 runs driven in over 114 plate appearances at Triple-A Albuquerque after being claimed by Colorado. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9 (upped bid from prior)
Bryce Eldridge, Giants: Eldridge, a 2023 first-round pick, produced a .260/.333/.510 line with 25 home runs, a 9.7 percent walk rate and a 29.3 percent strikeout rate from 433 plate appearances between Double-A Richmond and Sacramento and was brought up on Monday after Dominic Smith (hamstring) went on the IL. He's still looking for his first big-league hit, yet is starting against right-handed pitchers while sitting versus southpaws. The power is undeniable, but Eldridge needs to manage his swing-and-miss tendencies to fully succeed. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14 (up in keeper leagues)
SECOND BASE
Tyler Freeman, Rockies: Freeman is heating up at the plate with his three hits on Friday giving him at least one during six of his last seven games. The utility man got off to a fast start this season by turning in an .878 OPS through Jul. 9, though his production significantly decreased. Freeman has picked up his production the last few weeks to provide him some value. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $6
Sal Stewart, Reds: Stewart has played 10 games at first and four at third, the latter filling in of late for Ke'Bryan Hayes. Hayes returned to action on Friday to send Stewart to the bench, where he also found himself for most of Saturday. Stewart has four homers over 49 plate appearance since his promotion, albeit with an 12:3 K:BB. With Cincy in the Wild Card hunt and Spencer Steer red-hot, his playing time could be somewhat limited. Depending on your league format, Stewart may also qualify at the keystone after 32 appearances there last season and 17 during 2025. If that's the case, up your value and bid. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11
See where all the players on your fantasy baseball team fit into RotoWire's MLB Cheat Sheet!
THIRD BASE
Brett Baty, Mets: Baty has grabbed a hold of the job at third, at least against righties. He still sits periodically against southpaws, yet has been brilliant since the All-Star break slashing .278/.350/.500 with eight home runs, 17 runs driven in and 29 runs scored. Baty looks likely to enter 2026 as the team's starter at the hot corner. 12-team Mixed: $15; 15-team Mixed: Rostered; 12-team NL: Rostered
Graham Pauley, Marlins: Pauley, on the shelf for a month with a right oblique strain, was activated on Monday. He completed a three-game rehab assignment with Triple-A Jacksonville to allow for his return. Pauley played third base at Jacksonville, but returned at the same time as Connor Norby (quadriceps) - the Marlins' primary player at the position. He's receiving at-bats at first, third and DH. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $6 (same bid as prior)
SHORTSTOP
Thomas Saggese, Cardinals: Saggese has been relatively productive since the start of August having been in the lineup almost daily while posting a .285/.333/.361 slash line with 19 runs, 14 driven in to go with a homer. He also qualifies at second, short and third to enhance his NL-only league value. Saggese's power was evident during his time in the minors and should appear in the bigs as he gains more experience. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: Rostered
Luke Williams, Braves: Williams was promoted last Sunday to provide Atlanta lineup depth with Jake Fraley (oblique) going on the IL, but don't expect much production. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $4
OUTFIELD
Troy Johnston, Marlins: Johnston continued his strong play since being called up in July by blasting his fourth homer on Saturday. The rookie outfielder has made a positive impression having settled in as Miami's top right fielder. And through Johnston's first 99 at-bats, he's batting .283 with those aforementioned four long balls, 13 RBI, 10 runs and two stolen bases. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11
Mickey Moniak, Rockies: Moniak went deep for the third straight game on Wednesday. He's now up to 24 home runs, 68 RBI, 60 runs scored, nine steals and a .272/.308/.525 slash line through 131 contests. Nearly all that production has come against right-handed starters as Moniak has only managed 58 at-bats versus southpaws. The 2016 first-overall selection by the Phillies enjoyed a solid 2023 with the Angels before regressing last year and now resurrecting his career in Colorado. 12-team Mixed: $22; 15-team Mixed: Rostered; 12-team NL: Rostered
Jordan Walker, Cardinals: The season-ending injury to Willson Contreras (shoulder) provides Walker "additional run" in right field. Alec Burleson has taken over for Contreras as the Cardinals' primary first baseman, allowing Lars Nootbaar to play in left and Walker to handle right most days. He's having a brutal season and has yet to do much with the opportunity, so tread carefully. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team NL: $7
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