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. 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 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.

This is the final column of the series for the baseball season. Thanks to all those who read and/or commented. If you have any additional comments, suggestions, criticisms or praise, please email [email protected] or [email protected].

STARTING PITCHER

Dakota Hudson, Cardinals: Hudson's recovery from Tommy John surgery last September concluded after being promoted as the 29th man for the Cardinals' doubleheader Friday. He surrendered two runs on four hits over 3.2 innings, throwing 61 pitches - 41 for strikes - in his first major-league appearance this season. It's unclear what the Cardinals have in store for Hudson moving forward, but he'll likely continue to follow Jack Flaherty as the two figure to keep working in a tandem to close out the year. Hudson will likely contend for a rotation spot in 2022. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (same bid as prior)

Scott Kazmir, Giants: Kazmir had his contract selected by San Francisco and started Wednesday at San Diego. He only allowed one unearned run over four-plus innings in his first ML start since early July after spending three-plus months at Triple-A Sacramento coupled with winning an Olympic silver medal. The veteran lefty earned the promotion after pitching well in his final two starts in the minors with a 3.75 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 11:0 K:BB over 12 innings. Kazmir has a chance to remain in the Giants' rotation for the final week of the regular season, though the team likely won't make that decision until after Monday's off day. 12-team Mixed: $0, 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5

Max Kranick, Pirates: Kranick, recalled last Sunday, started the contest and gave up three runs on four hits and four walks while striking out six in five innings. Since tossing five perfect frames in his MLB debut, he's been rocked for 24 runs across 24.2 innings (8.76 ERA) with a 22:14 K:BB from six outings. Despite Kranick's struggles that have been impacted largely by his control issues and partially due to some bad luck, his FIP is 4.61. He's also scheduled to start Sunday against the Phillies. Kranick just turned 24 in July, so he'll probably get a look for the rebuilding Pirates' rotation. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $4

Peter Lambert, Rockies: Lambert, who underwent Tommy John surgery in July of 2020, made his first major-league start since 2019 on Friday going 3.2 innings against San Francisco while allowing two runs (a pair of solo home runs) on four hits, one walk and two Ks from 65 pitches. He went 3-7 with a 7.25 ERA and 1.74 WHIP in 2019 before missing all of the following campaign. Lambert should make one more start for Colorado this season. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $5 

Adonis Medina, Phillies: Medina's stuff has not translated yet into performance, having made 17 starts at Triple-A Lehigh Valley posting a 5.05 ERA and 1.44 WHIP over 67.2 innings. He mixes an array of four-seam fastballs, sinkers, sliders and changeups with an occasional curveball. Medina's ability to throw multiple above-average pitches - including a fastball that can reach the mid-90s - adds to his prospect status. But until he puts it all together, it will just be potential. After throwing two scoreless innings on Sep. 16, Medina made his first major-league start of the year Tuesday pitching 3.2 innings while surrendering one run on four hits and two walks and striking out three. Medina could go again Sunday versus the Pirates and may earn one more turn in the rotation the final week of the season. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

Humberto Mejia, Diamondbacks: Mejia, called up from Triple-A Reno to start last Monday against Atlanta, allowed six runs on eight hits and two walks across four innings while fanning four. The 24-year-old right-hander previously made a pair of starts for Arizona in late August, covering 11 innings while allowing six runs on 14 hits and three walks. Mejia should remain in Arizona's six-man rotation as a replacement for rookie Tyler Gilbert, though don't expect that much given what we've seen to date. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $4

RELIEF PITCHER

Kervin Castro, Giants: Castro notched the win in relief Friday. The 22-year-old has been excellent over 9.1 scoreless innings to begin his major-league career, allowing nine hits and striking out eight without walking a batter despite a .310 BABIP. Castro posted a 2.86 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 66:22 K:BB in 44 innings across 30 appearances with Triple-A Sacramento before his promotion to the Giants on Sep. 6. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $4

Matt Cronin, Nationals: Cronin, selected in the fourth round of 2019, was dominant for Low-A Hagerstown after getting drafted and posted a 0.82 ERA and 41:11 K:BB over 22 relief innings. The left-hander has put up massive strikeout numbers across two minor-league levels, but is in need of more seasoning to work on his command and control to reduce his walks. Cronin may be the closer-of-the-future for the Nationals. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5 (keeper league stash)

Brusdar Graterol, Dodgers: If the Dodgers don't re-sign Kenley Jansen, they'll be left with a hole to fill in the ninth inning. Blake Treinen could be the favorite to earn the spot, but a dark horse is Graterol as he's righted the ship the last two months. He battled injuries in his career, got off to a rough start in 2021, but has only allowed six earned runs in 23.1 innings with a 21:5 K:BB since his promotion Aug. 3. Manager Dave Roberts has recently started using Graterol in higher leverage roles, boding well for a potential chance at closing in the future. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 

Dauri Moreta, Reds: If looking for a sleeper to close for the Reds in 2022, Moreta might be your man. Tejay Antone will miss the year following Tommy John surgery, and Mychal Givens isn't a lock to close next season. Moreta's contract was selected from Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday. After excelling at Double-A Chattanooga, he was promoted in July. He was dominant there with a 0.68 ERA and 0.65 WHIP in 26.1 innings across 24 relief appearances, and began operating as the team's closer in August. Moreta, who signed with the Reds in 2015 out of the Dominican Republic, uses a mid-90s fastball, but it's the command of the strike zone that makes him stand out. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (up in keeper leagues)

J.B. Wendelken, Diamondbacks: Wendelken picked up his second save of the year - both coming during a nine-day span - Thursday against Atlanta. The 28-year-old right-hander spent the first four seasons of his career in Oakland before joining Arizona this year. Tyler Clippard is also in the closer mix, but Wendelken is the one to roster the last week of the season. He holds a 4.28 ERA in 40 innings this season with a 38:18 K:BB while recently finding success by regularly inducing soft contact, though that may not have long-term sustainability. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11

Miguel Yajure, Pirates: Yajure, acquired from the Yankees in the Jameson Taillon deal this offseason, was called up to start Friday to make his first big league appearance since May 14. He allowed three runs off five hits, two walks and a hit batter while striking out two over 3.2 innings and now has a 4.85 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 10:5 K:BB from 13 innings across three appearances (two starts) this season. Yajure's fastball sits around 92 MPH, but he blends his pitches remarkably well by throwing a cutter, curveball and changeup. It remains to be seen whether his next appearance will be as a starter or following an opener as he did on Friday, but he profiles as a future No. 4/5 as early as next season. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $6

CATCHER 

Victor Caratini/Webster Rivas, Padres: Austin Nola was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday with a left thumb strain and will undergo season-ending surgery. The backstop concludes the campaign with two homers to go along with a .272/.340/.376 slash line across 194 plate appearances in an injury-plagued year. Filling the gap behind the plate are Caratini and Rivas, who was recalled from Triple-A El Paso on Friday. Neither catcher was impressive when Nola was sidelined earlier this year, but Caratini was solid in 2019 while with the Cubs. Caratini - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $6; Rivas - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $4 

Taylor Davis, Pirates: Davis, acquired in June from the Orioles, had his contract selected by the Pirates on Monday. He was promoted after Jacob Stallings (concussion) landed on the IL. Davis, who slashed .253/.347/.331 at Triple-A with two homers in 176 plate appearances in 2021, should operate as the No. 2 backstop while Michael Perez handles primary catching duties with Stallings out. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $4 

FIRST BASE 

Michael Chavis, Pirates: Chavis, sidelined since Aug. 28 with an elbow injury, is expected to be activated Tuesday against the Cubs. Kevin Newman has recently been seeing most of the starts at the keystone, and it's unclear how the playing time will be split over the final six games of the season once Chavis is activated. Chavis qualifies at first and second and will likely see time at both and maybe at third base and left field. Once a highly-touted prospect, he was dealt by Boston to Pittsburgh for Austin Davis at the trade deadline. Through his first 168 MLB games, Chavis had struck out in 33.6 percent of his plate appearances while slashing just .234/.291/.413, but did hit 18 home runs in 2019. He slashed .246/.316/.536 with five home runs, five doubles, 12 runs, 12 RBI and a stolen base across 17 games at Triple-A Indianapolis to earn the late-August promotion. Chavis hit the ground running by posting a .364 batting average with three extra-base hits in 22 at-bats before being sidelined. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $18 (same return bid)

SECOND BASE 

Gavin Lux, Dodgers: Lux, recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sep. 10, has been solid at the plate since after struggling for most of the season. The 23-year-old has gone 16-for-38 with three extra-base hits, nine RBI and 10 runs scored through Friday's game. Lux has also played in left and center field to enhance his versatility. He hasn't lived up to his potential in three partial seasons in the majors, but the move to the outfield appears to have motivated him. Lux still projects to fill an infield position in the future, but could see Chris Taylor-like usage and become a breakout candidate in 2022. 12-team Mixed: $8, 15-team Mixed: $16; 12-team NL: Rostered

Tommy La Stella, Giants: La Stella continued his hot hitting Friday by blasting another home run. Limited to only 68 games due to injury, he's produced seven homers on the campaign with four coming over the last 13 contests and him starting most of those games. During that stretch, La Stella has also knocked in 10 runs and batted .310 (13-for-42). Manager Gabe Kapler should continue to pencil in his name into the starting lineup most of the final week of the season. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $18 (if not rostered)

THIRD BASE

Freddy Galvis, Phillies: Galvis has taken over as the Phillies' primary third baseman while relegating Ronald Torreyes to spot duty. He's produced a .239/.310/.409 line with four homers, 13 RBI and 15 runs scored over 27 games since returning to the NL and Philadelphia, where he played from 2012 to 2017. Galvis hit the bench Saturday after going hitless in two straight, but should see most of the action at the hot corner as the Phils look to surpass the Braves for the NL East crown. 12-team Mixed: $3, 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: Rostered 

Luke Williams, Phillies: Williams, out since testing positive for COVID-19 in late August, was activated Monday. He was cleared to return after a lengthy 10-game rehab assignment where he struggled to a .351 OPS. With the Phillies in the postseason hunt, Williams is filling a bench role as his .253/.324/.326 slash line through 105 rookie plate appearances makes him ill-suited for everyday at-bats. 12-team Mixed: No, 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $4 

SHORTSTOP

Orlando Arcia, Braves: Arcia was promoted from Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday to give the Braves an additional utility player to go along with Ehire Adrianza. Unless Atlanta loses one of Austin Riley or Dansby Swanson over the final week, Arcia is unlikely to pick up regular starts while the team looks to secure the NL East title. If/when that happens, look for Arcia to get a start or two. 12-team Mixed: No, 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $5

Bryson Stott, Phillies: Stott, drafted in the first round of 2019, was promoted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley this week. Over 351 plate appearances at Double-A following a Jul. 1 promotion from High-A, the 23-year-old slashed .301/.368/.481 with 10 home runs and six stolen bases. Stott is a patient hitter who has added some power and may be the Phils' future starter at either second base or shortstop. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5 (keeper league stash)

OUTFIELD 

Greg Deichmann/Nick Martini/Luke Raley: The Cubs (2x) and Dodgers both called up depth outfielders this week. Deichmann, who came to Chicago from the A's in the Andrew Chafin deal just before the trade deadline, was recalled on Friday. The second-round selection in 2017 made his big-league debut in early August, but failed to impress in a small sample of seven games going 4-for-23 with eight strikeouts. He profiles as a Quad-A player, with big raw power and contact questions… Martini, sent to Triple-A over the weekend, was recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday with Alfonso Rivas (finger) landing on the injured list. Martini has appeared in 22 games for the Cubs this season with a .158/.227/.211 slash line. He'll cover spot duty the last week of the season… Raley was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday with Cody Bellinger moving to the IL with a left rib fracture. He went 10-for-59 with a double, homer and two RBI during his previous stints in the majors this season and will receive occasional starts against right-handed pitching. All - 12-team Mixed: No, 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $4 

Alex Dickerson, Giants: Dickerson, out since the beginning of September with a strained right hamstring, was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Thursday. He spent nearly two weeks at Triple-A Sacramento on a rehab assignment and went 6-for-11 with a home run, three doubles, four runs and two RBI across the last three appearances. The 31-year-old isn't guaranteed an everyday role now that he's healthy since LaMonte Wade and Austin Slater are available, as seen by him pinch-hitting the first two after his return but then starting Saturday. Prior to being sidelined, Dickerson produced a .235/.303/.426 slash line with 13 HR and 38 RBI over 227 at-bats. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9

AJ Pollock, Dodgers: Pollock, sidelined for two-plus weeks with a strained right hamstring, rejoined the big-league roster Thursday. Manager Dave Roberts has been reluctant to use him in center field and has put him in left since returning to action. Pollock was in the midst of a 2-for-15 slump prior to going down, but notched three hits in his first three games and should see fairly consistent playing time the final week of the season. 12-team Mixed: $7, 15-team Mixed: $14; 12-team NL: Rostered 

Tyrone Taylor, Brewers: Taylor, sidelined since Aug. 21 with a strained right oblique, was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Tuesday. He went 6-for-13 with two doubles, three runs and two RBI across five rehab outings, clearing him to rejoin the major-league club. The 27-year-old will be mainly used as outfield depth, but is getting  a slight uptick in playing time after blasting a pair of homers Thursday off Adam Wainwright. Taylor, who has 12 long balls and has driven in 42 runs, could get the opportunity to secure a full-time role with the Brewers in 2022. 12-team Mixed: $2, 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11

Alek Thomas, Diamondbacks: Thomas, a second-round draftee from 2018, represents the D-Backs center fielder of the future. He slashed .283/.374/.507 with 10 home runs and an 8-for-13 success rate on steal attempts over 329 plate appearances at Double-A Amarillo to earn a move to Triple-A Reno, where he has looked even better. Arizona wants Ketel Marte to play only one position next year - which could be second base - opening up center field for Thomas. The lefty-has long fit the archetype of a potential table setter, thanks to a strong hit tool and 60-grade speed. He doesn't have a great arm, but is a solid enough defender in center to be an everyday player. Thomas started to tap into his power this year to add to his value. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5 (keeper league stash)