NL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week

This is our weekly look at National League free agents. 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.

This year, we are again using grids into the FAAB articles, so users can easily see at a glance how certain players stack up against others and how much they should command in a variety of formats.

The grids, which are 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. Cody Bellinger would have been an "A" grade player last year -- that mark will be reserved for similar high-impact prospects stepping into an everyday role.

As always, if there is a player that was not discussed in the article that you would like to know about, feel free to ask about the player in the comments. This week, I only covered the more significant Sep. 1 callups, but I'm happy to address any players you want me to cover in the comment section. Please see James Anderson's excellent column on possible callups for additional information (https://www.rotowire.com/baseball/article.php?id=46761) and the MLB website for the complete list (http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/transactions). Also, relevant fantasy players will be included in the column once those players are added to a major-league roster during the month.

STARTING PITCHER

Sandy Alcantara, Marlins: Alcantara is closing out the season in fine form. After his complete game shutout Sunday, he's posted a 2.77 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 42 strikeouts in seven starts over 48.2 innings since the start of August. Alcantara followed up that outing by only allowing a single run on nine hits while striking out six over seven innings against the Giants on Friday. This fine stretch lowered his season ERA to 3.93 but his record stands at 5-13 on the year due to Miami's struggles. If you're looking for a starter to take a flyer on down the stretch, Alcantara is clearly worth a look. 12-team Mixed: $8, 15-team Mixed: $16; 12-team NL: $22

James Marvel, Pirates: Marvel remained in the Pittsburgh rotation Saturday, though maybe he shouldn't have. After posting a 2.67 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 53:22 K:BB in 11 starts after being promoted to Triple-A in July, he was called up to make a spot start last Sunday for an injured Mitch Keller (wrist). Marvel limited the Cardinals to two runs on four hits and two walks over five innings and the Pirates decided to keep Marvel in the rotation after Keller was hit hard Tuesday. He went on to allow seven runs on nine hits with no walks and two strikeouts across four innings while taking the loss against the Cubs on Saturday, making it unclear if he'll get another start the rest of the way. 12-team Mixed: No, 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $5

Injury activations/updates

Johnny Cueto, Giants: Cueto has made his way back from August 2018 Tommy John surgery. Prior to undergoing the knife last year, he had posted a 3.23 ERA in 51 innings but his fastball had dropped two MPH and his K rate had also declined, resulting in a 4.65 FIP. Cueto started his rehab appearances with the Giants' rookie-level Arizona League affiliate before progressing to High-A San Jose and then to Triple-A Sacramento for a pair of rehab starts. He felt soreness in his upper back during his final rehab start, slightly pushing back his return date. But Cueto tossed five scoreless innings in his return to action Tuesday, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out four over 69 pitches - and is scheduled to make his next start Sunday. 12-team Mixed: $7; 15-team Mixed: $14; 12-team NL: $22 (upped return bid)

Garrett Richards, Padres – Richards, recovering from July 2018 Tommy John surgery, is on the verge of pitching for the Padres this season. He threw a bullpen session Saturday, and is set to start against Milwaukee on Monday. Richards was on his fourth rehab start on Aug. 5 but was shut down with shoulder discomfort. After missing a little more than two weeks, he resumed his rehab stint and made three rehab starts since being shut down.  In those appearances, Richards topped out at 63 pitches on Tuesday and will likely will be on a pitch count against the Brewers. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

Luke Weaver, Diamondbacks – Weaver, removed from his May 26 start with a mild flexor pronator strain and a minor UCL sprain, opted for a conservative treatment rather than undergoing surgery. He started a throwing program in mid-July and completed a 21-pitch simulated game without issues nearly two weeks ago, progressing from a handful of bullpen sessions. Weaver threw 30 pitches over two innings in another simulated game last Friday and tossed a bullpen session Tuesday. His next step could be a simulated game or an appearance for a minor-league affiliate in a postseason game and there is a "strong chance" he is able to return before the end of the season. Prior to being hurt, Weaver - who came over to Arizona in the Paul Goldschmidt trade - posted a 3.03 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 68:14 K:BB across 62.1 innings. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9 (same speculative stash bid, likely still owned in keeper leagues)

Brandon Woodruff, Brewers: Woodruff, sidelined since late July with a left oblique strain, is on the verge of rejoining Milwaukee's pitching staff. Prior to being sidelined, he had registered a 3.75 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 136:29 K:BB through 117.2 innings. After throwing 40 pitches during a live batting-practice session Wednesday, Woodruff will next pitch in the majors but could piggyback Zach Davies on Monday or Gio Gonzalez on Tuesday rather than start since he is not stretched out.  12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14 (based on expectation that he will get 1-2 starts the rest of the way)

RELIEF PITCHER

Shaun Anderson, Giants – Anderson notched the save Tuesday, tossing 1.1 scoreless innings with Will Smith sidelined due to back inflammation. Smith is expected back this weekend, but Anderson - who normally is a starter - could receive more save opportunities if the incumbent misses any more time. That was the case Friday, as Anderson closed out the Giants' win over the Marlins. But on Saturday with Smith available, he pitched the eighth and took the loss after allowing a pair of earned runs. 12-team Mixed: $2, 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11

Alex Claudio, Brewers – Claudio made his 77th appearance of the season this week for Milwaukee. He struggled a bit early in the year, owning a 6.33 ERA after a May 28 appearance but has been stellar since by posting a 2.43 ERA and 1.27 WHIP and 11 holds while giving up only three home runs in 37 innings over 48 appearances. Claudio is worth a look in leagues that count holds. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 

Jairo Diaz, Rockies – The Rockies' bullpen appears to have settled where Carlos Estevez is the set-up man and Diaz as the closer. Estevez has produced four holds in front of Diaz's four saves this month. Diaz owns a 3.93 ERA and 1.25 WHIP with a 58:15 K:BB in 50.1 innings across 50 appearances, but a 0.00 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 7:1 K:BB through 7.2 innings in September. If chasing saves in September, pursue Diaz as an option as he looks to be the primary option in Colorado. He was given the night off Saturday after pitching three of the prior four games, with Jesus Tinoco notching the save. 12-team Mixed: $8, 15-team Mixed: $16; 12-team NL: $22

John Gant, Cardinals – Gant could be a candidate for the closer's role to open 2020 if Carlos Martinez - who assumed the closer role after Jordan Hicks was sidelined - is able to secure a spot in the starting rotation during spring training. Hicks may be out until mid-season at the earliest after Tommy John surgery while Martinez - who has excelled out of the bullpen - wants to return to starting. Gant, despite some bobbles, has taken well to the bullpen having transitioned from the rotation. Andrew Miller is signed for next season and could be part of a platoon with Gant if C-Mart starts with Giovanny Gallegos also forcing his way into the conversation.12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9

Justin Wilson, Mets – Wilson was sidelined from May 11 to Jul. 2 with left elbow soreness. Since returning, he has excelled in the pen for the Mets by only allowing four earned runs on 21 hits along with a 29:10 K:BB in 25.2 innings - as well as a 1.48 ERA since the All-Star break. Wilson is 4-1 with three saves - including two this past week - nine holds, a 2.31 ERA, a 1.26 WHIP and 38 strikeouts in 35 innings this season and has become one of the main men in the Mets' bullpen alongside Seth Lugo. 12-team Mixed: $2, 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11

CATCHER

Yan Gomes, Nationals: Kurt Suzuki is day-to-day with elbow inflammation, opening the door for Gomes to see steady work behind the plate. His batting and on-base averages are subpar but provides value thanks to four home runs this month. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11 (higher than usual bid because he is a catcher)

FIRST BASE 

Edwin Rios, Dodgers: Rios was promoted again this week, rewarding him for his fine minor-league season. The 25-year-old hit .270/.340/.575 with 31 home runs and 91 RBI for Triple-A Oklahoma City and posted a strong .286/.419/.571 line in 17 games for the Dodgers earlier in the year. Rios will be limited to pinch-hit duty along with the occasional start at first base once the Dodgers' have their playoff seeding set. 12-team Mixed: No, 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $4 

SECOND BASE

None Noted 

THIRD BASE

Todd Frazier, Mets: Frazier has gotten hot at the plate again, which has earned him additional at-bats. He has been streaky throughout his career, including a recent run of seven RBI with three home runs against Arizona since Tuesday. Frazier is batting .240 with 21 homers, 66 RBI, 57 runs and one steal in 408 at-bats this season. While he remains hot, manager Mickey Callaway will pencil his name in the lineup more frequently, pushing Jeff McNeil to second base or the outfield. 12-team Mixed: $5, 15-team Mixed: $11, 12-team NL: $16

SHORTSTOP 

Nico Hoerner, Cubs: Hoerner, one of the Cubs' top prospects, was promoted from Double-A Tennessee on Monday and immediately inserted into the starting lineup. Late-season injuries to Javier Baez (wrist) and Addison Russell (head) decimated Chicago's depth at shortstop, necessitating the need to promote Hoerner. The 2018 first rounder went 3-for-5 with a triple and four RBI in his MLB debut. He missed two months this year with a broken wrist and was slated to make up some of those at-bats in the Arizona Fall League before getting the call. He had accumulated 337 career minor league at-bats - none above Double-A - but his .284/.344/.399 line with Tennessee shows his ability to make contact. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $16

OUTFIELD

Ben Gamel/Trent Grisham, Brewers: Christian Yelich will miss the remainder of the season after fracturing his kneecap, creating a hole in the Milwaukee outfield. Gamel, in Milwaukee for almost the first few months of the season, was demoted to the minors on Aug. 24 but recalled a week later after four games at Triple-A San Antonio. He originally resumed his role as the Brewers' fifth outfielder and saw sporadic playing time, but started when Milwaukee played in AL parks and utilized a designated hitter. With Yelich sidelined, Grisham represents the primary replacement with Gamel sliding in behind him in the pecking order. Grisham slashed .381/.471/.776 with 13 home runs and six stolen bases in 34 games for Triple-A San Antonio after posting a .254/.371/.504 slash line with 13 homers and six stolen bases in 63 games with Double-A Biloxi. Gamei - 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $7; Grisham - 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $18 

Matt Joyce, Braves: Joyce continues to take advantage of the additional playing he received following the injury to Nick Markakis (fractured wrist) and original absence of Austin Riley (partially torn LCL). Heading into Wednesday's games, Joyce had posted an .412/.524/.735 slash line over his last 12 contests. He is sitting versus southpaws but in the lineup nearly every day against right-handers, meaning he is on the strong side of the platoon. Markakis was activated Friday, but Joyce could start almost daily in left field even though Riley has already returned to the active roster. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14

Juan Lagares, Mets: Lagares has been hot lately, capped by his two-HR, six-RBI performance Thursday. He is 6-for-15 with four extra-base hits - including three homers - over his last seven games but batting .215 with five homers, 26 RBI, 35 runs and four steals in 242 at-bats this season. Lagares should continue to start against southpaws with Brandon Nimmo back from his injury and available to play center field. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

Harold Ramirez, Marlins: Ramirez is starting close to every day for Miami. After a hot August, he has regressed in September but has gone 35-for-128 with 14 runs scored, 15 runs drive in and four home runs since Aug. 1. Ramirez has taken advantage of the opportunity afforded him and could enter spring training next year as a favorite to break camp as a starting outfielder with a strong close to the season. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14 

Magneuris Sierra, Marlins: Sierra is seeing fairly consistent playing time in the Miami outfield following his September promotion. He put together a .271/.304/.399 slash line with six homers, 21 RBI and 26 stolen bases over 81 games this season at Triple-A New Orleans to earn the call up. Sierra only recorded a .227/.263/.242 line in 220 MLB plate appearances prior to this promotion, but has looked a bit better in this go-around. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 

Injury activations/updates 

Nick Markakis, Braves: Markakis, sidelined with a fractured wrist after getting hit by a fastball Jul. 26, took live batting practice Wednesday and returned to game action for the Braves on Friday. Prior to being plunked, he had played in 104 games and hit .284/.358/.429 with 22 doubles, nine homers and 55 runs batted in. While Markakis was sidelined, Atlanta relied on a combination of Matt Joyce and Rafael Ortega while Ender Inciarte and Austin Riley were also out, though Riley is now back and Joyce likely will shift to left with Markakis now activated. 12-team Mixed: $11; 15-team Mixed: $22; 12-team NL: $33 (aggressive return bid)