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.

STARTING PITCHER

Dallas Keuchel, Braves - Just when it appeared Keuchel was bound for the Bronx, the Braves swooped in and signed the former AL Cy Young award winner to a one-year deal on Thursday. Atlanta sits two games behind Philadelphia in the NL East and the soft-tossing lefty is expected to provide stability to the Braves' rotation with Kevin Gausman and Mike Foltynewicz currently struggling. 12 team Mixed: $14, 15-team Mixed: $21; 12-team NL: $28

Peter Lambert, Rockies – The Rockies needed an arm to step up with Kyle Freeland's early-season struggles landing him in Triple-A Albuquerque, and Lambert did just that with seven innings of one-run ball against the Cubs to earn a win in his big league debut. The 22-year-old right-hander gets a two-step next week against the Cubs and Padres. Both games are at Coors Field, so temper your expectations a bit - but Lambert's dazzling debut puts him on the radar in mixed leagues. 12 team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

Elieser Hernandez, Marlins - With Caleb Smith (hip) ailing, Hernandez is expected to fill his spot in the rotation Tuesday against the Cardinals. The 24-year-old is dominating Triple-A with a 1.13 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 69:14 K:BB in 48 innings, but his stay in the Marlins' rotation may be a short one. 12 team Mixed: No, 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $2

Jose Urena, Marlins - Prior to Friday's blowup against Atlanta, Urena was on a three-game winning streak and had pitched six-plus innings in nine straight starts. With a lowly 6.15 K/9, Urena doesn't get much hype but he's been pretty reliable from an innings standpoint and has recorded eight quality starts this season. Urena is worth an add in deeper leagues, but with matchups against the Cardinals and Phillies in the coming weeks, you may wish to bench him for the time being. 12 team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

Freddy Peralta, Brewers – Peralta is one of the most frustrating pitchers to own from a fantasy perspective, as he either dominates or blows up with not much to offer in between. However, the 23-year-old has been lights out recently, with a 2.60 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 22:1 K:BB over his last 17.1 innings. While starting Peralta for his match up against the Astros next Tuesday may not be the best idea, he's worth an add in most formats while he's running hot. 12 team Mixed: $3, 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: Owned

Zach Davies, Brewers - With a paltry 5.8 K/9 and an average fastball under 90 mph, it's easy to overlook Davies on the waiver wire, yet he's 7-0 with a 2.41 ERA for the Brewers. The 17-game winner from 2017 has allowed three earned runs or less in 12 of his 13 starts this season and lines up to face the Giants and Padres for his next two turns in the rotation. 12 team Mixed: $5, 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $18

Nick Pivetta, Phillies - After a few weeks in the minors, Pivetta has been fantastic in his return to Philadelphia's rotation. The 26-year-old delivered the first complete game of his career on Saturday and has allowed one run on nine hits across his last 15 innings. 12 team Mixed: $5, 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: Owned

Anibal Sanchez, Nationals - Despite an ugly 1-6 record, Sanchez has allowed one run over his last 12.2 innings with a 16:3 K:BB during that span. His 4.19 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 53.2 innings afford him some fantasy value and he is set to start next against the White Sox on the road Monday. 12 team Mixed: $3, 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: Owned

RELIEF PITCHER

Craig Kimbrel, Cubs - No longer tied to draft pick compensation, Kimbrel signed with the Cubs on Wednesday to bolster a bullpen that has blown 11 saves in 2019. The 31-year-old is reportedly 2-to-3 weeks away from joining the Northsiders, but now is the time to add him to fantasy teams if he happens to be available in your league. 12 team Mixed: $25, 15-team Mixed: $35; 12-team NL: $45

Wade Davis, Rockies - Davis (oblique) returned from the injured list Friday and immediately returned to high-leverage duties, preserving a four-run lead in the ninth inning against the Mets. Scott Oberg, who earned three saves in Davis' absence, worked the eighth inning in that game. Davis' walk rate of 5.74 BB/9 is a bit high, but his return to the closer role is a welcome sight for fantasy owners who were patient with the veteran reliever. 12 team Mixed: $8, 15-team Mixed: $16; 12-team NL: Owned

CATCHER

Austin Barnes, Dodgers – Barnes (groin) returned from the injured list Thursday, but is unlikely to dominate the starts behind the plate for the Dodgers with Russell Martin hitting over .300 over the past three weeks. Barnes is far behind him at .225, but his on-base prowess at .338 should net him four starts per week at minimum. He's already matched the four home runs he hit last season and figures to reach double-digit homers for the first time in his career. 12 team Mixed: $1 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

FIRST BASE

Howie Kendrick, Nationals - Kendrick has always hit for average, but in 2019 he's also hitting for power with 10 HR in 171 plate appearances - giving him a .941 OPS. Assuming a continuation of regular playing time, he should easily surpass his career high 18 HR he set in 2011. Kendrick also benefits from multi-position eligibility with starts at second base and both corner infield spots. 12 team Mixed: $5, 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $18

SECOND BASE

Brian Dozier, Nationals - Dozier hasn't been fantasy relevant since he hit 17 home runs over the final two months of 2017. However, he's showing signs of life for the Nationals with a .406 average and three homers over the past two weeks. He only hit .209 against southpaws last season, but he's back to crushing them in 2019 with a .362 average and 1.157 OPS. Dozier appears to be extending his leash at the keystone with Carter Kieboom ice cold at the plate in Triple-A. 12 team Mixed: $3, 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: Owned

THIRD BASE

David Freese, Dodgers – The veteran corner infielder continues to mash lefties with a .930 OPS while playing in a division that features many southpaws, but Freese has been even more successful against right-handers this season by hitting a robust .341 with a 1.079 OPS. The 36-year-old is on fire over the last 21 days, going 15-for-34 with three home runs, nine RBI and 12 runs scored. Give Freese a look in deeper mixers while he's hot. 12 team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

SHORTSTOP

Orlando Arcia, Brewers - Arcia was awful last year with a .236 average and three home runs, but 2019 looks a bit more like his 2017 breakout campaign. With eight home runs and 27 RBI, the 24-year-old is on pace to set career highs in both categories with the potential for double-digit steals. The only knock on Arcia is his place in the Brewers' lineup, which figures to remain in the bottom-third for the remainder of the season. 12 team Mixed: $3, 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: Owned

Kevin Newman, Pirates – Cole Tucker failed to impress the Pirates in his first taste of the big leagues and was subsequently optioned to Triple-A on Saturday, leaving Newman as the only natural shortstop on the roster. After hitting eighth for much of the season, Newman has ascended to the leadoff spot with a strong .299 average and .346 OBP. He's not likely to hit for much power, but is worth a look for steals after swiping 28 bases at Triple-A last season. 12 team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

OUTFIELD

Carlos Gonzalez, Cubs - Gonzalez can be avoided in mixed leagues after struggling to a .210/.282/.276 batting line in 117 plate appearances with Cleveland before being released in May. However, a return to the National League with the superior Cubs' offense may be what CarGo needs to return to fantasy relevance in NL-only formats. Just don't expect him to play every day, as Kyle Schwarber, Albert Almora Jr. and Jason Heyward should continue to receive the bulk of the outfield playing time. 12 team Mixed: No, 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $1

Harold Ramirez, Marlins - Profiled a month ago, Ramirez has maintained a starting role for the rebuilding Marlins by hitting .322 in 23 games. He's cooled off recently, but is still hitting over .300 the past few weeks, which should keep him in the lineup for a team desperate for offense. 12 team Mixed: $2, 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11

Jay Bruce, Phillies - Bruce was profiled last week with concerns about his playing time after being traded to Philadelphia. Since then, Andrew McCutchen (knee) tore his ACL and prospect Adam Haseley (groin) joined him on the injured list, giving the veteran slugger a clear path to regular at-bats. Bruce seems to be enjoying his new team, going 8-for-18 with four home runs and 11 RBI since his arrival. Add him in leagues where you need power. 12 team Mixed: Owned, 15-team Mixed: Owned; 12-team NL: $14

Corey Dickerson, Pirates - Dickerson (shoulder) was activated from the 60-day injured list Saturday, joining Starling Marte (.768 OPS), Bryan Reynolds (.956 OPS), Melky Cabrera (.831 OPS) and Gregory Polanco (.770 OPS) in a crowded Pittsburgh outfield. Dickerson has been a fantasy asset in the past, but I'm hesitant to grade him higher than a 'C' due to playing time uncertainty. The 'C' grade might even be a stretch with Marte locked into an everyday role and Reynolds hitting the ball so well.  12 team Mixed: $5, 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: Owned