NL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week

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 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.

Next week will be the final column of the season. Thanks to everyone who read and/or commented on the column during the year. If you have any additional comments or suggestions, please email support@rotowire.com or jan.levine@gmail.com.

STARTING PITCHER

Sandy Alcantara, Marlins: Alcantara, the Marlins' top pitching prospect, came over from St. Louis in the Marcell Ozuna trade and made his debut as a starter for Miami at the end of June. He allowed one run on three hits and five walks with two strikeouts in five innings to pick up the win against the Mets. A few days after that outing, Alcantara was placed on the 10-day disabled list due to a right axillary infection. Alcantara, called back up on Sept. 5, has hit the ground running in his return to the majors, allowing only a pair of runs on five with six walks and 12 strikeouts in 14 innings over two starts. When he was acquired, questions existed as to his future role, but Miami decided to develop Alcantara as a starter, though there is still the outside possibility he becomes a late-inning reliever. The rationale for this possible role: Alcantara can touch triple digits with his fastball, but he has shaky command and inconsistent secondary offerings, making him potentially fit better as a reliever. But for now, he will remain in the rotation the rest of the season and will have a leg up on a spot heading into spring training. 12-team Mixed: $8; 15-team Mixed: $16; 12-team NL: $24

Injury activations/updates

Adam Wainwright, Cardinals: Wainwright, who last pitched in the majors May 13, rejoined the Cardinals and started Sept. 10 against the Pirates. He struggled in that start, allowing four runs on seven hits while striking out three in five innings, but he did retire eight straight to close his effort, and Wainwright will start Sunday against the Dodgers. Wainwright struck out 23 while not allowing a run across 17 innings during his six-game rehab stint, capped by five shutout innings in his last appearance. He posted a 4.00 ERA and 1.83 WHIP with 15 strikeouts across 18 innings with the Cardinals this season before the injury, continuing his prior struggles. As I wrote previously, given his difficulties since the 2015 season, don't expect much from Wainwright, but he looked better in his rehab appearances than expected, and given his prior pedigree and experience, he is most certainly worth a flier, despite his struggles Tuesday. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9

RELIEF PITCHER

Yoshihisa Hirano, Diamondbacks: After almost being removed several times, Brad Boxberger has lost the closer job in Arizona, creating a large gap at the back end of the bullpen. Manager Torey Lovullo appears to have turned to Hirano, who notched his second save of the season Friday. After blowing a save Wednesday, Hirano was given another chance to handle the ninth inning, and he managed to keep the Astros off the board. He may have a grip on closer duties in Arizona for now, especially with Archie Bradley struggling of late and possibly better suited to setup duty. Hirano, who closed in Japan, has a 2.12 ERA with 55 strikeouts over 63.2 innings in 2018. 12-team Mixed: $15; 15-team Mixed: $25; 12-team NL: $35

Steve Cishek/Carl Edwards Jr./Jesse Chavez/Justin Wilson, Cubs: With Pedro Strop missing two weeks with a hamstring injury and Brandon Morrow not yet ready to return from his biceps injury, the back end of the Chicago bullpen is in flux. Morrow did throw a 35-pitch bullpen session Wednesday and is expected to partake in a simulated game this weekend. But even if he does return this week, he is unlikely to be thrown into closing immediately. Edwards, who has 21 holds, may be second in line to close along with Cishek, with 25 holds and experience at the end of games with Miami and Seattle. They're followed by Chavez, who some believe might even be the favorite for the role based on how well he has pitched and usage by manager Joe Maddon. Next comes Wilson if a tough lefty needs to be faced. Brandon Kintzler and Jorge de La Rosa, who notched the save Friday, are also in the mix but don't boast similar fantasy-relevance. With each save chance, the closer might be a tossup, and we can understand if fantasy waiver wire pickers shy away from any and all of these relievers. Cishek - 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $18; Edwards - 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11; Chavez - 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9; Wilson - 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4

Corey Knebel, Brewers: Knebel continues to excel out of the Milwaukee bullpen since his call back up to the majors. Since coming back to the majors on Sept. 2, Knebel has allowed just two runners to reach base while striking out 13 batters over 7.2 scoreless frames. Contrast those numbers with the 5.08 ERA and struggles just before he was demoted, and something clearly clicked into place either in the minors or when he arrived back in the majors. Jeremy Jeffress and Josh Hader are ensconced in their roles, but Knebel should earn holds and the occasional save down the stretch. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11

Corbin Burnes, Brewers: Burnes, a starter in the minors, has pitched well out of the bullpen for Milwaukee. Overall, he has posted a 2.67 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 30.1 innings, but he's been particularly sharp of late, posting a 0.64 ERA and 0.79 WHIP to go along with a 10:3 K:BB in 14 innings over his last nine outings. Burnes won't close, but he has racked up four wins, and, as noted above, solid peripherals, which should benefit your team down the stretch. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

Injury activations/updates

Arodys Vizcaino, Braves: Vizcaino, out since July 11 because of shoulder inflammation, was activated Friday and tossed a scoreless inning in a low-leverage situation Saturday. After making a handful of rehab appearances at Low-A Rome and Triple-A Gwinnett, Vizcaino tossed a bullpen session Tuesday, leading to his activation. A healthy Vizcaino would solidify the back end of the bullpen, though he likely won't close with A.J. Minter serving in the role. Prior to being sidelined, Vizcaino posted 1.65 ERA with 34 strikeouts and a career-high 15 saves in his 32.2 innings of work. He will join Brad Brach and Dan Winkler as a bridge to Minter in the season's final stretch and perhaps in the playoffs. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

Julio Urias, Dodgers: Urias, who made eight minor-league rehab appearances (four at High-A Rancho Cucamonga) was promoted to majors Monday and tossed a scoreless inning Saturday. In 11.2 minor-league innings split between Triple-A Oklahoma City, Rancho Cucamonga and the Dodgers' AZL affiliate, the club's former top pitching prospect posted a 5.40 ERA, a 1.48 WHIP and a 19:7 K:BB. Urias also regularly received multiple days of rest between his outings, so he likely won't pick up a large workload down the stretch. In deeper leagues, however, he could provide solid numbers similar to Burnes for those looking for a few extra strikeouts and RP ratio help in the final two weeks. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (up in keeper leagues)

CATCHER

Victor Caratini, Cubs: Caratini has seen a slight uptick in playing time, receiving at least a pair of at-bats in five of the Cubs' last six games. Willson Contreras is still the starter behind the plate, but his power numbers are down substantially this season, allowing Caratini to receive additional playing time recently. In addition, manager Joe Maddon will use Caratini at first occasionally, adding to his value in NL-only and DFS leagues. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $7

FIRST BASE

Peter O'Brien, Marlins: O'Brien, promoted on Sept. 4, hit his first home run in the majors since 2016 on Thursday. He slashed a combined .216/.330/.506 with 30 homers across 110 games between Double-A and Triple-A, playing for both the Dodgers and Marlins. O'Brien should see playing time for Miami when a lefty is on the hill, as he did Thursday, starting against southpaws Steven Matz and Jason Vargas. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4

SECOND BASE

Adam Frazier, Pirates: Frazier just continues to rake at the plate. Now, with Gregory Polanco (knee/shoulder) out for the season, Frazier is playing right field, allowing Josh Harrison (hamstring) to play second base. Frazier is the early favorite to start at second base in 2019, but he will likely remain in right field the rest of this season. Since his recall July 25, Frazier is slashing .341/.390/.581 with 16 doubles, five homers and 22 RBI in 141 plate appearances through September 13. 12-team Mixed: $25; 15-team Mixed: $35; 12-team NL: owned

Pablo Reyes, Pirates: Reyes, called up when the rosters expanded Sept. 1, has seen additional playing time of late. With Gregory Polanco out for the remainder of the season, Reyes has seen some time in left and right field. Reyes hit .289/.341/.435 with eight home runs, 35 RBI and 13 steals for Triple-A Indianapolis prior to his promotion. He has hit .375/.474/.625 in seven games since his callup, holding down the short side of a platoon with Adam Frazier in left field. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9

Cory Spangenberg, Padres: Spangenberg was expected to take over as the Padres' starting second baseman with Luis Urias (hamstring) done for the season, though that has not fully been the case. The utility man slashed .234/.295/.374 with seven homers and six steals over 292 plate appearances this year prior to replacing Urias on Tuesday. Spangenberg put together a few nice weeks in June, but overall, he has struggled at the plate, so save for some counting stats, don't expect much the last two weeks of the season when he is in the lineup. Jose Pirela and Freddy Galvis have been seeing time at the keystone, as well. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $3

THIRD BASE

Daniel Descalso, Diamondbacks: Manager Torey Lovullo recently stated Descalso would be the starter at second base. That move was to result in a cut in playing time for Ketel Marte. But Marte has been in the lineup lately, relegating Descalso to spectator status. Descalso's woes at the plate coupled with Marte's upside may have resulted in Lovullo changing his mind. Keep a close eye on the playing time split, as Descalso can be deployed at second and third base in your leagues. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5

SHORTSTOP

Alen Hanson, Giants: Hansen has seen additional playing lately with Brandon Crawford nursing a knee injury. His production has tailed off after a strong start, but Hanson does provide multi-position eligibility and stolen base potential when in the lineup. San Francisco is playing out the string, so look for Hanson to be in the lineup almost daily the rest of the way. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11

OUTFIELD

Franmil Reyes, Padres: Reyes has made the most of his playing time the past three weeks. From Aug. 21 through Sept. 12, Reyes slashed .373/.439/.712 with six home runs and 11 RBI. Reyes is starting daily in right field, a role he should continue to fill the rest of the season with San Diego in evaluation mode. 12-team Mixed: $30; 15-team Mixed: $40; 12-team NL: $50

David Dahl, Rockies: Dahl still sits versus southpaws, but he has raked against righties, affording him fairly regular playing time for Colorado. Through Thursday's games, Dahl has posted a .300/.363/.567 slash line with seven home runs, 19 RBI and four stolen bases in 135 plate appearances against righties, contrasted to a .506 OPS in 52 plate appearances against southpaws. After missing most of 2017 due to injury, Dahl has acquitted himself nicely this season and projects to be a starting outfielder next season when Carlos Gonzalez likely is not a member of the Rockies. 12-team Mixed: $25; 15-team Mixed: $35; 12-team NL: Owned

Jay Bruce, Mets: Bruce has had an injury-plagued and disappointing season, but he looks to be closing the year strong. Following his big game Friday, Bruce is 10-for-41 through 12 games in September with two doubles, four homers and 12 RBI. Bruce is seeing most of his action at first base, and with 13 games played so far at the position, he has a shot to go into next year eligible there along with the outfield. 12-team Mixed: $22; 15-team Mixed: $33; 12-team NL: Owned