NL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week

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. 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 serves as 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.

STARTING PITCHER

Adbert Alzolay, Cubs: Alzolay emerged from spring training with the No. 5 spot in the Cubs' rotation, making him an intriguing FAAB target, particularly in deep and NL-only leagues. As a 25-year-old last season, the right-hander racked up 29 strikeouts in 21 innings and posted a 2.95 ERA along with a 1.17 WHIP. Alzolay started in four of his six appearances, so he appears capable of handling a big-league lineup through multiple turns. He's been too generous with walks thus far as a major-leaguer, thus providing some cause for concern, but figures to be a strong source of strikeouts if he sticks in the rotation. Alzolay is projected to get his first start of the campaign Tuesday against Milwaukee. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $6; 12-team NL: $12

Brett Anderson, Brewers: With Opening Day taking place on a Thursday and the MLB slate limited to seven games Friday, many teams won't get to the back end of their rotation until the start of the new week. That could leave fantasy managers targeting uninspiring and unproven pitchers with the hope of getting volume-based production in a two-start week. Anderson is about as unexciting as they come in terms of fantasy ceiling, but has logged ERAs below 4.50 in each of the past three seasons. The southpaw doesn't strike out many batters, but has notched 21 quality starts over his last two campaigns. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $2

JT Brubaker, Pirates: Brubaker falls into the category of unproven pitchers with two starts this week, and he'll get a pair of middle-of-the-road offenses in the Reds and Cubs. The right-hander made his big-league debut last season, posting a 4.94 ERA and 1.37 WHIP across 47.1 innings. More intriguingly, Brubaker struck out 48 batters while making nine of his 11 appearances as a starter. The 27-year-old gave up four homers in 15 innings this spring, so he'll need to better keep the ball in the park to find major-league success. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4

Jose De Leon, Reds: De Leon is on this list purely because he lines up for a pair of starts against subpar offenses (Pittsburgh and Arizona). The right-hander isn't expected to stick in the Reds' rotation for long, so view him merely as a streaming option while you figure out a more reliable long-term plan. De Leon has an ugly 8.49 career major-league ERA but throws hard and has a 10.3 K/9 across 29.2 innings. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $2

Adrian Morejon, Padres: Morejon made this list last week and returns as one of the better two-start options available on the wire in most leagues. The right-hander registered a 3.21 ERA and 17:10 K:BB across 14 innings this spring to secure the final rotation spot made available by the season-opening absence of Dinelson Lamet. That may not necessarily mean that Morejon's time as a starter is limited, as the team could opt to go to a six-man rotation when Lamet returns. Morejon gets a pair of positive matchups this week – at home against San Francisco and on the road versus Texas. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $8 

Daniel Ponce de Leon, Cardinals: Ponce de Leon is another pitcher who was on this list last week and returns due to a pair of favorable matchups (at Miami, versus Milwaukee at home). Like Morejon, the right-hander offers considerable strikeout upside (career 10.1 K/9 over 114.1 major-league frames), and he looked great over his last three starts of 2020 with a 24:5 K:BB and 2.65 ERA. There is a risk Ponce de Leon won't stick in the rotation when Miles Mikolas and Kwang Hyun Kim return to the rotation, but he could help make his case with a pair of strong starts this week. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $8

Logan Webb, Giants: Webb is one of the few starters on this list not lined up for two starts this week. The right-hander went 5.1 innings against Miami in his season debut Saturday, allowing three runs and striking out five. The 24-year-old earned a mid-rotation spot with a dominant spring in which he yielded only one run and posted a 22:2 K:BB over 17 innings. Webb's 5.36 career big-league ERA over 94 innings prior to 2021 makes one wonder whether his Cactus League numbers were simply a mirage, but his home park and youth give hope he can function as a steady but unspectacular starter. 12-team Mixed: $4; 15-team Mixed: Rostered; 12-team NL: Rostered

Taylor Widener, Diamondbacks: Widener has a tough task lined up for his first start of the campaign as he'll face a Padres club Sunday that has scored 19 runs through its first three games. That may make many shy away from picking up the 26-year-old despite a strong spring in which he posted a 3.68 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 19:3 K:BB across 14.2 innings. Widener is a bit of a wild card at this point; he posted a superb 11.5 K/9 and 2.75 ERA across 137.1 innings in Double-A in 2018, then fell apart with an 8.10 ERA at Triple-A across 100 frames in 2019 before functioning as a serviceable reliever for Arizona last year. If Widener sticks in the rotation, he could offer solid strikeout upside. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4

Trevor Williams, Cubs: Williams has suffered through two straight subpar seasons but finished with a solid 3.11 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 2018. He rode a strong spring to the No. 4 spot in the Cubs' rotation and is lined up to face Pittsburgh and Milwaukee this week. The right-hander offers little in the way of strikeouts but could be a streamer against lower-level offenses. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $2

RELIEF PITCHER

Stefan Crichton, Diamondbacks: Crichton finished the 2020 campaign as Arizona's closer, notching five saves and posting an overall 2.42 ERA across 26 innings. The Diamondbacks brought in Joakim Soria in the offseason, but manager Torey Lovullo has yet to commit to a closer after both Soria and Crichton struggled this spring. Arizona has lost its first three games of the campaign, so it remains to be seen who will get the first save chance. Soria appears to have the upper hand, but is far from a sure thing, and Crichton could be next in line if the former falters. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team NL: $5

Yimi Garcia, Marlins: As in Arizona, Miami's closer situation remains unsettled, especially after Anthony Bass gave up four earned runs in blowing his first save opportunity of the campaign Friday. Garcia picked up the hold in that game, so it stands to reason he would be next in line if the team decided to move away from Bass as closer. Garcia was superb for the Marlins last season, allowing only one earned run while registering a 19:5 K:BB over 15 innings, though he's untested as a closer with only two career saves to his name. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team NL: $5

Alex Reyes, Cardinals: Jordan Hicks is still the most likely reliever to finish the campaign as the Cardinals' closer, but while he eases back into action, Reyes appears to have the inside edge toward save opportunities. The right-hander offers the stuff to close and will be used exclusively in the bullpen this season, though his ultimate role is still likely as a starter. Even if he eventually cedes the ninth-inning role to Hicks, Reyes could maintain value as a long reliever due to his high strikeout potential. 12-team Mixed: $10; 15-team Mixed: Rostered; 12-team NL: Rostered

Lucas Sims, Reds: Though Amir Garrett is rostered in far more fantasy leagues, the Reds appear to be going with a co-closer situation to kick off the campaign, with Garrett and Sims sharing the role. Sims could feasibly see more save opportunities in that scenario as the right-handed arm in the platoon. The 26-year-old offers considerable strikeout upside and blossomed last season with a 2.45 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 34:11 K:BB over 25.2 innings. Cincinnati may eventually settle on a single closer, so a strong start by either Garrett or Sims could go a long way toward cementing season-long fantasy value. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $6; 12-team NL: $10 

Blake Treinen, Dodgers: Kenley Jansen remains the Dodgers' closer for the umpteenth season, and unlike many others, I'm not expecting that to change over the course of the campaign. That said, if Jansen does lose his ninth-inning role or suffer an injury, Treinen would be the logical next man up for saves. The right-hander enjoyed a resurgent campaign in 2020, and manager Dave Roberts appears to trust him in big situations. If you're chasing saves or participating in a league that counts holds, going after the top setup man on arguably the league's best team makes plenty of sense. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team NL: $6

CATCHER

Jorge Alfaro, Marlins: Alfaro started the Marlins' first two games of the campaign behind the plate, going 1-for-6 with a run and a stolen base. He isn't often mentioned among the league's top catchers despite a solid 2019 in which he slashed .262/.312/.425 with 18 homers, 57 RBI and four steals. He struggled last season due in part to a bout with COVID-19 but appears locked in to the primary backstop role in 2021. A repeat of his 2019 campaign would justify a roster spot in most fantasy leagues. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: Rostered

Victor Caratini, Padres: Caratini found himself starting behind the plate for the Padres on Opening Day due to a fractured finger that has shelved incumbent starter Austin Nola. Caratini took advantage with a two-hit, three-RBI effort in the opener, though he then sat Friday and whiffed three times Saturday. It's unclear when Nola will return, though signs point to his absence lasting a matter of weeks, not months. In the meantime, Caratini's presence among a stacked Padres lineup could make him an adequate catching target in deeper leagues. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $3

Dom Nunez, Rockies: Elias Diaz currently sits atop the catching depth chart for Colorado, though his career .248/.300/.354 slash line and lack of power leave much to be desired. Nunez hasn't exactly been awe-inspiring offensively, but he did belt 17 homers at Triple-A in 2019. The Rockies may already be leaning toward a timeshare, as Nunez has caught two straight games for the club after Diaz started Opening Day. In his first start, Nunez drilled a home run, serving as a helpful reminder that any catcher who calls Coors Field home is deserving of a little extra consideration.    12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $1

FIRST BASE

Brandon Belt, Giants: Despite a mini breakthrough in 2020 that included a .309/.425/.591 slash line and nine home runs, Belt remains rostered in less than 20 percent of fantasy leagues. It's understandable that fantasy managers may be scared off by the veteran's offseason heel surgery or recent poor splits against southpaws, but Belt would provide some value if he's able to come close to his production last year. The 32-year-old could sit often against lefties and has gotten off to a slow start after missing much of spring training, so he's more of a deep-league target. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $3

Colin Moran, Pirates: Moran was originally expected to be in a platoon with Todd Frazier this season, but he's now slated to fill a near-everyday role after Pittsburgh optioned Frazier to its alternate training site. The Pirates are likely to have one of baseball's worst offenses in 2021, but there is nonetheless some value to be had in a starter who will slot in as a big-league team's cleanup hitter. Moran hit 10 homers in the abbreviated 2020 campaign and batted .277 in consecutive seasons from 2018 to 2019, so there is clearly some potential for production in his bat. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team NL: $5

SECOND BASE

David Bote, Cubs: Bote functioned as a utility player for the Cubs in each of his first three big-league campaigns but is now the team's everyday second baseman after winning the job with a strong showing this spring. His best season came in 2019, when he slashed .257/.362/.422 with 11 homers and five stolen bases. The 27-year-old will get a chance to prove that he can be a steady offensive contributor after leading the team with 29 RBI last season. He isn't likely to put up massive offensive numbers but could chip in across a number of categories. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $3

Jonathan India, Reds: After India slashed .313/.441/.604 with three home runs and two stolen bases in spring training, the Reds had little choice but to offer him the starting gig at second base to open the season. The 24-year-old has taken advantage of the opportunity thus far, going 4-for-7 with a double and an RBI through his first two major-league games. India hasn't posted awe-inspiring numbers in the minors, but word is he showed tangible improvement at the team's alternate training site last season. With the spring numbers and hot start, he's been among fantasy's most popular early-season pickups thus far. 12-team Mixed: $10; 15-team Mixed: $18; 12-team NL: Rostered

Chris Owings, Rockies: Ryan McMahon figures to get the bulk of starts at second base for Colorado this season, but Owings manned the position Opening Day and went 3-for-3 with a pair of stolen bases. The veteran has always offered solid stolen-base potential – he notched double-digit thefts every year between 2015 and 2018 – but his power is limited, and he carries a career .242 batting average. That said, playing in Colorado tends to do positive things for batters, and Owings' versatility could help him see a healthy amount of at-bats this season. He's logged at least two at-bats in every game so far, though he hasn't reached base since the season opener. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $2

Donovan Solano, Giants: Solano has gotten off to a fast start this season, going 7-for-14 with a pair of doubles, four runs and two RBI through three games. His ability to handle the stick is undeniable – Solano batted .326 over 190 at-bats last season and .330 over 215 at-bats in 2019. He doesn't offer much power or speed, but there's always room on a fantasy roster for a player who can hit over .300 for an extended period. Solano wasn't expected to fill an everyday role this season, but he's started and hit third in each of San Francisco's games so far, helping his fantasy stock considerably. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $6; 12-team NL: $10

THIRD BASE

Asdrubal Cabrera, Diamondbacks: Cabrera signed with Arizona in the offseason after hitting eight homers and driving in 31 runs over 190 at-bats with Washington last season. He isn't expected to play every day for the Diamondbacks, but the veteran started each of the team's first two games and went 3-for-8 with a home run and three RBI. Cabrera has long been a steady but unspectacular source of power while providing multi-position eligibility, knocking between 14 and 25 homers every season between 2011 and 2019 and batting a collective .264 over that span. He's on the downside of his career but could still provide some useful stats if he plays often enough. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $3

Evan Longoria, Giants: Longoria is another grizzled veteran who isn't going to wow you with his production but can help fantasy managers in deeper leagues. He appears set for an everyday role at third base for San Francisco after playing mostly at DH due to a foot issue for much of the spring. The 35-year-old started the regular season on a high note, clubbing a home run in each of his first two contests. Longoria probably isn't going to broach his career-high mark of 36 homers, but he seems like a safe bet for around 20 long balls and a non-destructive batting average. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team NL: $6

SHORTSTOP

Brandon Crawford, Giants: Crawford certainly doesn't rank among the glamorous shortstops in MLB, but he clubbed eight homers during the abbreviated 2020 campaign after posting double-digit long balls in each of his six prior campaigns. He also averaged 71 RBI and five steals a season over that span while hitting a collective .253. The 34-year-old has spent his entire career with San Francisco and remains locked in at shortstop for the Giants. 12-team Mixed: No, 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $1

OUTFIELD

Roman Quinn, Phillies: Quinn earned a spot on Philadelphia's Opening Day roster thanks to a strong spring in which he batted .270 and swiped four bags. His fantasy value is almost entirely dependent on his 99th percentile sprint speed, which he has used to successfully steal 35 bags on 40 attempts across 152 big-league games. Rostering Quinn is essentially a gamble he can hit enough to garner somewhat regular at-bats. If that scenario takes place, he could be a major asset in the stolen-base department. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $2

Austin Slater, Giants: Slater's ability to contribute this season may be limited by his current platoon with Alex Dickerson, though the former has started each of San Francisco's first three games. Slater missed nearly half of the 2020 campaign but still managed to slug five homers and swipe eight bases while batting .282, easily outpacing his production from his previous big-league opportunities. An Opening Day home run this season fueled hope that the 28-year-old could carry over the intriguing output into a full campaign of play in 2021, though Slater has failed to produce any other hits and has struck out seven times in his first 12 at-bats. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $1

Raimel Tapia, Rockies: Despite a breakthrough 2020 campaign in which he slashed .321/.369/.402 and swiped eight bases, Tapia is rostered in only about half of fantasy leagues. He has gotten off to a decent start this season, collecting a hit in each of his first three games. One of those hits was a home run, though power is probably the least of Tapia's strengths. Fantasy managers may be hesitant to roster an outfielder who isn't a lock to reach double-digit homers, but Tapia's solid bat-to-ball skills, speed and place atop the Colorado lineup could help him produce enough in other areas to compensate for the lack of power. 12-team Mixed: $7; 15-team Mixed: Rostered; 12-team NL: Rostered