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 grid below allows readers to see at a glance how certain players stack up against others and what kind of bids they should command in a variety of formats. The grid, which is sortable by column (click on the header), include a very basic "player grade" column. This is a reflection of a player's upside on an A-E scale, prioritizing skills and talent above role and playing time outlook, which are already factored into the recommended bid. Drake Baldwin would have been a borderline "A" grade player last year – that mark will be reserved for similarly high-impact prospects that could thrive in an everyday role.
A note for a change beginning this season: "In an effort to keep these articles from getting too long, some of the least interesting options at each position will be listed simply in the "Others" section. If you have questions on those players or any others, I'm happy to provide my thoughts in the comments.
| Name | TEAM | POS | GRADE |
|---|
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 grid below allows readers to see at a glance how certain players stack up against others and what kind of bids they should command in a variety of formats. The grid, which is sortable by column (click on the header), include a very basic "player grade" column. This is a reflection of a player's upside on an A-E scale, prioritizing skills and talent above role and playing time outlook, which are already factored into the recommended bid. Drake Baldwin would have been a borderline "A" grade player last year – that mark will be reserved for similarly high-impact prospects that could thrive in an everyday role.
A note for a change beginning this season: "In an effort to keep these articles from getting too long, some of the least interesting options at each position will be listed simply in the "Others" section. If you have questions on those players or any others, I'm happy to provide my thoughts in the comments.
| Name | TEAM | POS | GRADE | 12-Team Mixed $ | 15-Team Mixed $ | 12 team NL-Only $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corbin Burnes | AZ | SP | C | $0 | $1 | $6 (same early injury return bid) |
| Zac Gallen | AZ | SP | D | $0 | $1 | $6 (same early injury return bid) |
| DJ Herz | WAS | SP | D | No | $0 | $5 (early injury return bid) |
| Quinn Mathews | STL | SP | C/D | $2 | $7 | $11 (based on increased role) |
| Joe Musgrove | SD | SP | C | $1 | $5 | $9 (upped early injury return bid) |
| David Peterson | CHI | SP | D | $2 | $7 | $11 |
| AJ Smith-Shawver | ATL | SP | C | $1 | $5 | $9 (same injury return bid) |
| Gavin Stone | LA | SP | E | $0 | $1 | $6 (same early injury return bid) |
| Matt Wilkinson | SF | SP | E | $0 | $1 | $5 |
| Brandon Williamson | CIN | RP | E | $0 | $1 | $5 (same early injury return bid) |
| Justin Martinez | AZ | RP | C | $1 | $4 | $7 (closer potential) |
| Mason Montgomery | PIT | RP | C | $5 | $11 | $16 |
| Daniel Palencia | CHI | RP | C | $1 | $5 | $9 (same injury return bid) |
| Tanner Scott | LA | RP | B | $25 | $35 | $45 (if not rostered) |
| Rafael Flores | PIT | C | D | $2 | $7 | $11 (upped bid from prior) |
| Braxton Fulford | COL | C | E | No | No | $4 |
| Brett Sullivan | COL | C | D | $1 | $4 | $7 |
| Ethan Salas | SD | C | B | $1 | $4 | $7 (stash bid) |
| Will Banfield | CIN | C | E | No | No | $4 |
| Jesus Rodriguez | SF | C | D | No | No | $4 (started rehab stint) |
| Deyvison De Los Santos | MIA | 1B | D | No | No | $4 |
| Christopher Morel | NYM | 1B | E | No | No | $4 |
| Tim Tawa | AZ | 1B | C/D | $2 | $7 | $11 |
| Eric Wagaman | NYM | 1B | E | No | No | $4 |
| Ildemaro Vargas | AZ | 2B | D | $1 | $4 | $7 |
| Nick Yorke | PIT | 2B | E | No | $0 | $5 |
| Jose Fernandez | AZ | 3B | D | $1 | $4 | $7 |
| Jordan Lawlar | AZ | 3B | C | $2 | $7 | $11 (same injury return bid) |
| Matt Shaw | CHI | 3B | C | $1 | $4 | $7 (same early injury return bid) |
| Mark Vientos | NYM | 3B | D | No | No | $5 (same early injury return bid) |
| Seaver King | WAS | SS | B/C | $1 | $5 | $9 (stash bid, up if promoted) |
| Kevin Alcantara | CHI | OF | D | No | No | $5 |
| Alex Call | LA | OF | E | No | No | $3 |
| Alek Thomas | LA | OF | D | $1 | $4 | $7 |
| Sal Frelick | MIL | OF | C | $1 | $4 | $7 (same injury return bid) |
| Lourdes Gurriel | AZ | OF | D/E | No | $0 | $5 (early injury return bid) |
STARTING PITCHER
Corbin Burnes, Diamondbacks: Burnes threw 20 pitches in a live batting practice session on Friday, his first session facing live hitters. He'll follow up with two innings and 35 pitches in a bridge game Tuesday, after which he could be ready to begin a rehab assignment. Burnes tore the UCL in his right elbow that required Tommy John surgery after 10 starts last year, his first in Arizona. His time on the shelf was extended when he suffered a teres major strain while throwing to live hitters during June and finally progressed to toss bullpen sessions. The final step for Burnes will be the rehab assignment with the chance to rejoin the team sometime in September, possibly out of the bullpen. 12-team Mixed: $0, 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $6 (same early injury return bid)
Zac Gallen, Diamondbacks: Gallen, out with right elbow inflammation, went two innings and 35 pitches to live hitters on Thursday. He was scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday, after which the club will decide his next steps. The right-hander isn't eligible to be activated from the 60-day injured list until Sep. 7, which may be slightly early for his return. Gallen gave up 24 earned runs across 22.1 innings during his four-game losing streak prior to going on the IL, pushing his season ERA up to an ugly 6.34 that put him last among qualified MLB starters. His 1.56 WHIP is also worst in the league, so temper your expectations when/if he makes his way back. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $6 (same early injury return bid)
DJ Herz, Nationals: Herz, sidelined after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2025, continues to slowly work his way back. He was originally profiled at the end of June when he looked close to completing a rehab assignment. Herz suffered a strained left flexor, forcing him out for over six weeks before resuming his rehab assignment with Single-A Fredericksburg. Through three outings between there and Double-A Harrisburg, the southpaw has yet to allow a run while only limited to a combined five innings while maxing out at 33 pitches on Thursday. Herz will require several more appearances and toss 70-80 pitches before being considered for a rotation spot. The southpaw logged a 1.17 ERA, 0.52 WHIP and 11:0 K:BB in 7.2 innings on his rehab assignment before getting hurt and notched 106 Ks from 88.2 frames covering 19 starts for the Nationals two years ago. 12-team Mixed: No, 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $5 (same early injury return bid)
Quinn Mathews, Cardinals: Matthews was promoted on Saturday to help fill the holes in a St. Louis rotation that's recently lost both Andre Pallante (elbow) and Hunter Dobbins (forearm) to the IL. The thought earlier in the week was that Mathews could be used at times in a piggyback role with Kyle Leahy down the stretch. Mathews had made two starts for the Cardinals since his Aug. 1 promotion where he yielded three runs with a 10:6 K:BB from nine innings. He struggled on Saturday by allowing seven runs on 10 hits and a walk against the Phillies. But with the staff decimated, Mathews should remain in the rotation. The left-hander posted a 3.27 ERA and 120:61 K:BB through 99 innings (97 last season) and 21 starts at Triple-A Memphis. 12-team Mixed: $2, 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11 (based on increased role)
Joe Musgrove, Padres: Musgrove missed all of 2025 recovering from October 2024 Tommy John surgery and was profiled the last three weeks, so he's right back here as a path forward to his activation has become clearer. He threw a bullpen session last weekend before likely making his final minor-league rehab start in the upcoming week before likely returning to the parent club. Once activated, Musgrove should slot into the rotation sometime during the first week of September. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9 (upped early return bid)
David Peterson, Cubs: Peterson recently shifted to the bullpen and delivered six strong innings as a starter on Saturday following Edward Cabrera (finger) going back on the IL. With Cabrera sidelined, Peterson has a clear path to remain one of the Cubs' five starters. He's pitched well since arriving from New York by registering a solid 3.93 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 40:19 K:BB in 50.1 innings. 12-team Mixed: $2, 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11
AJ Smith-Shawver, Braves: Smith-Shawver has been a frequent subject in this column of late and earns another mention as he was promoted to start for Atlanta Wednesday to complete his recovery from 2025 Tommy John surgery. Despite giving up four runs on five hits and three walks with three strikeouts over 4.1 innings, he's expected to stick in the rotation as part of a six-man unit. The team's in the middle of a three-week stretch with only one scheduled off day that takes them to Sep. 3, though Smith-Shawver will need to perform better to maintain his spot. He had been pitching brilliantly for Triple-A prior to his promotion as he only conceded two earned runs with a 23:6 K:BB during his last 19.1 innings spanning four starts, so hopefully this outing was just a minor glitch. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9 (same injury return bid)
Gavin Stone, Dodgers: Stone was here last week and returns as he struck out five and allowed no hits and no walks across three shutout innings Thursday in his third rehab appearance with Triple-A Oklahoma City. He led the Dodgers in wins during 2024 and held a 3.25 ERA through 25 starts before missing all of last season while recovering from surgery to repair the capsule, labrum and rotator cuff in his shoulder. Aug. 6 marked Stone's first game action, and he's gone on to produce a magnificent 2.35 ERA, 0.52 WHIP and 13:1 K:BB from 7.2 innings. He'll likely will need one more rehab start before being ready to rejoin LA, yet his role is unclear due to all the other available pitchers. 12-team Mixed: $0, 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $6 (same early injury return bid)
Matt Wilkinson, Giants: Wilkinson, selected by the Guardians in the 10th round of the 2023 First-Year Player Draft, was dealt to the Giants back in May as part of the return package for catcher Patrick Bailey. The 23-year-old lefty compiled a 3.40 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 18.4 K-BB% in 90 innings between Double-A and Triple-A before being promoted to work as an opener on Wednesday against Cleveland. Wilkinson threw two scoreless innings and may be used in a similar short-term role moving forward. 12-team Mixed: $0, 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5
Brandon Williamson, Reds: Williamson landed on the IL in April due to a shoulder issue before suffering a finger injury late during June. He kicked off a rehab stint Aug. 2 at Double-A Chattanooga where he went two innings. Williamson made his third appearance at Triple-A Louisville last Sunday as he struck out two and gave up one earned run on five hits and no walks across 3.2 innings and 63 pitches (47 strikes) and should be ready to rejoin the Reds after his next rehab appearance. He recorded a 6.11 ERA and 1.64 WHIP through 28 innings over six starts before going on the IL after missing 560 days recovering from a full UCL tear in his left elbow back in 2024. 12-team Mixed: $0, 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5 (same early injury return bid)
See which projected starters are going and when with RotoWire's Probable Pitchers page!
RELIEF PITCHER
Justin Martinez, Diamondbacks: Martinez made his first major-league appearance in 435 days on Tuesday as he spent that time coming back from a second Tommy John elbow surgery. He made four scoreless appearances in the minors prior to being activated, following that up with two scoreless outings for the D-Backs. Martinez is being used is a setup role, yet could slot back in as the closer. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (closer potential)
Mason Montgomery, Pirates: Montgomery looks to have taken off as the Pirates' closer having reeled off 10 straight scoreless appearances while picking up two wins and three saves with a 0.56 WHIP and an eye-popping 19:2 K:BB in nine innings. Go back to the beginning of July and the numbers are even more impressive with a 0.92 ERA, 0.61 WHIP, 40:6 K:BB from 19.2 frames. Pittsburgh has rotated through several players in the role, so Montgomery deserves a chance to hold onto it. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $16
Daniel Palencia, Cubs: Palencia, on the IL since mid-June with a mild strain of his right flexor, was activated on Friday. He was up-and-down over six rehab appearances as he mixed four scoreless efforts with two subpar outings. Prior to being sidelined, Palencia made 19 appearances where he only made three saves (22 last season), but mainly performed well with a 2.70 ERA and 19 Ks across 16.2 innings. Jacob Webb had been extremely effective since Jun. 20 as he's converted all six of his save chances while notching five wins prior to blowing the save on Saturday. Due to his success in the role, Palencia may be relegated to setup duty. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9 (same injury return bid)
Tanner Scott, Dodgers: Scott is included here as his rostered percentage at the beginning of the week was just below my 60 percent threshold for inclusion in the column. That number has rightly spiked as he's assumed the Dodgers' short-term closer with Edwin Diaz on the IL with neck soreness. Even when Diaz returns, he'll initially be used in low-leverage situations to allow Scott a hold on the role for at least a few weeks. On the year, Scott has managed a 2.24 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 64:11 K:BB while going 19-for-21 in save opportunities alongside 12 holds. 12-team Mixed: $25; 15-team Mixed: $35; 12-team NL: $45 (if not rostered)
CATCHER
Rafael Flores, Pirates: Flores has found his power stroke since replacing Endy Rodriguez (left hip inflammation) on the active roster having blasted five home runs and driving in 10 runs through his last seven games while relegating Henry Davis to backup duty. Rodriguez may be sidelined longer than expected, opening the door for Flores to remain in the starting lineup. Flores has already logged 13 contests behind the plate and should easily reach 20 to give him backstop draft eligibility for next season. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11
Braxton Fulford/Brett Sullivan, Rockies: Hunter Goodman's strained left shoulder finally put him on the IL Tuesday. Sullivan had already been operating as Colorado's primary backstop with Goodman banged up while Fulford was called up Tuesday to cover as the second option. Sullivan has been hot at the plate, so enjoy the ride for as long as it lasts. Fulford - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $4; Sullivan - 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team NL: $7
Ethan Salas, Padres: Salas, a top prospect after signing in 2023, saw that status dim after struggling the next year and missing most of the following season due to injury. He's regained some of his luster after slashing .285/.361/.415 with seven homers, 37 RBI and 14 steals through 72 outings at Double-A San Antonio to earn a move up to Triple-A El Paso during July. Salas has been rolling at the new level by going .359/.427/.625 with three home runs and 20 RBI over 17 games that could put him on the verge of another promotion. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (stash bid)
Others: Will Banfield, Reds: Jesus Rodriguez, Giants (started rehab)
FIRST BASE
Deyvison De Los Santos, Marlins: De Los Santos was called up from Triple-A Jacksonville on Saturday to provide the Marlins extra flexibility at first base while Kyle Stowers (hamstring) is on the IL. He spent most of the season at Jacksonville, where he produce a .283/.347/.496 line alongside 19 homers, 66 RBI, 49 runs and 18 stolen bases through 401 plate appearances. De Los Santos should get occasional at-bats. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $4
Christopher Morel, Mets: Morel was promoted from Triple-A Syracuse on Monday. He inked a minor-league deal with the Mets during June and got bumped up to the big club after slashing .321/.382/.716 with 12 home runs from only 31 contests. The 27-year-old began 2026 with the Marlins before being cut loose after a lowly .425 OPS during 22 outings. Morel is operating at first versus left-handed pitching. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $4
Tim Tawa, Diamondbacks: Arizona is finally getting healthy on their infield, but the extra available bodies haven't reduced Tawa's role as he's taken off as the D-Backs' starting first baseman batting .299 (23-for-77) in August with four homers while adding 11 RBI and five steals. He's fairly locked in at the position with the club lacking other options. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11
Others: Eric Wagaman, Mets
SECOND BASE
Ildemaro Vargas, Diamondbacks: Vargas is receiving most of the work at second following the Diamondbacks placing Ketel Marte (personal) on the restricted list and then the IL for his knee. After a blazing start, he regressed as expected while receiving less action. With Marte and Tommy Troy sidelined, Tim Tawa is starting at first with Vargas occupying the keystone. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7
Nick Yorke, Pirates: Yorke missed nearly two months at Triple-A while recovering from a fractured right middle finger, though the 24-year-old returned to the Indianapolis lineup earlier this week and went 6-for-16 with three homers and a double through four appearances. Yorke was promoted last Sunday and will be used in a utility role following the return of Oneil Cruz while operating at first, second and third. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $6
Check out where all the players on your fantasy baseball team fit into RotoWire's MLB Cheat Sheet!
THIRD BASE
Jose Fernandez, Diamondbacks: Fernandez opened the season in the bigs, where he produced a .255/.289/.352 line with three home runs, seven stolen bases and a 7:40 BB:K in 55 games before ben demoted early in June. He slashed .273/.330/.470 with seven homers and 40 RBI in 48 contests at Triple-A Reno before getting called back up Monday to replace Ketel Marte on Arizona's 26-man roster. Fernandez is seeing nearly all of his time at third as he started his fifth straight on Saturday with Nolan Arenado slotting in as the team's DH. He could also be used at second and shortstop while contending with Ildemaro Vargas, Nolan Arenado, Jordan Lawlar and Geraldo Perdomo for at-bats. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7
Jordan Lawlar, Diamondbacks: Lawlar, sidelined since Jun. 20 with a strained right hamstring, was activated from the 10-day IL on Monday. He batted .250 with five home runs and two steals over a nine-game rehab assignment at Double-A Amarillo while working nine innings in center on consecutive to allow him to return. Injuries keep piling up for Lawlar as he's been impacted by poor health the last three seasons and only went 12 games before being sidelined again. Lawlar is getting a chance to fill the D-Backs' center field spot while moving Ryan Waldschmidt to a corner outfield spot. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11 (same injury return bid)
Matt Shaw, Cubs: Shaw has been out since Jun. 28 with a sprained left hand and embarked on a rehab assignment Wednesday with Triple-A Iowa. He resumed light hitting in early August while healing his sprained left hand in Arizona to show he was healthy enough to resume game action. Shaw's minor-league assignment likely will last 2-to-3 weeks as he's been sidelined almost two months. The 24-year-old appeared to have settled in as a near-everyday option before suffering the injury and should have a path to reclaiming a regular lineup spot once back to full strength after the Cubs made no major infield/outfield additions by the Trade Deadline. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (same early injury return bid)
Mark Vientos, Mets: Vientos, sidelined with a fractured right hand suffered on Jul. 9, started a rehab assignment at Double-a Binghamton Friday. There's no timetable for the infielder's return and he's likely to require an extensive rehab assignment due to his lengthy absence before being reinstated to the active roster. Vientos was suffering through another poor offensive campaign while his defense continued to be a concern following the move to first base. Jared Young has stepped in nicely at the position, which could relegate Vientos to spot duty when/if he returns in September. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $5 (same early injury return bid)
SHORTSTOP
Seaver King, Nationals: No rational reason exists for the Nats keeping King in the minors. Service time is no longer a concern with less than 45 days remaining on the schedule and CJ Abrams moving from shortstop to second and open the place for King. He raked at Double-A Harrisburg to earn a mid-May promotion to Triple-A Rochester, where he's recorded huge numbers. King should be added to the 40-man roster and has recently moved from shortstop to third to increase his flexibility. If he adapts well to playing the hot corner, he could head into spring training next year with a real chance to win the Opening Day starting job. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9 (stash bid, up when promoted)
OUTFIELD
Kevin Alcantara, Cubs: Alcantara joined the Cubs for the second time this season from Triple-A Iowa. He was slashing .271/.363/.542 with five steals, 19 home runs and 49 RBI over 303 plate appearances at the time of his promotion. Alcantara appeared in 20 games this year for Chicago and provides outfield depth. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $5
Alex Call/Alek Thomas, Dodgers: Andy Pages suffered a hand fracture after getting hit by a pitch Friday against Pittsburgh. Manager Dave Roberts said after the game that the outfielder is expected to miss roughly 4-to-5 weeks while he recovers. LA promoted Thomas from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday and will deploy Call, Tommy Edman or Thomas - who started Saturday - in center to help try and replace Pages. Thomas has produced a .296/.362/.493 line with seven homers, 40 RBI, 33 runs and four steals across 249 plate Triple-A appearances and looks to be the first option for the spot. Call gets a mild bump in value while Edman remains the same as he's already starting almost daily. Call - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $4; Thomas - 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7
Sal Frelick, Brewers: Frelick played though shoulder discomfort for most of the season before finally landing on the 10-day IL during July and should return in Milwaukee's upcoming series against the Mets. He went 9-for-32 with two home runs and a 5:5 BB:K through nine rehab outings with Triple-A Nashville with three in the outfield and five at DH. Frelick's struggles may be attributable to the shoulder issue with the hope is the time off has allowed the injury to heal. Once active, he could resume as the team's starting center fielder. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (same return bid)
Lourdes Gurriel, Diamondbacks: Gurriel, on his third IL stint of 2026, began an assignment at Triple-A Reno on Tuesday. He missed the start of the year while rehabbing from a torn ACL and then suffered a left hamstring injury in May before the adductor hit him the next month that's limited him to 47 games and 189 plate appearances. Gurriel should be ready by the end of the August, though the Diamondbacks carry a crowded outfield with a question of how exactly he'll fit in once ready. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $5 (early injury return bid)
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