NL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week

NL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week

This article is part of our NL FAAB Factor series.

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.

PLAYERTEAMPOSGRADE12-Team Mixed $15-Team Mixed $NL-Only $
Tucker DavidsonATLSPENo04
Bryse WilsonATLSPD147
Kyle FreelandCOLSPD/E147
Tony GonsolinLASPD015
Elieser HernandezMIASPD39Rostered (same as prior weeks)
Spencer HowardPHISPC2711 (up if think he starts to match his potential)
Scott KazmirSFSPE015
Chad KuhlPITSPE015
Joey LucchesiNYMSPE015
Jordan YamamotoNYMSPENoNo

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.

PLAYERTEAMPOSGRADE12-Team Mixed $15-Team Mixed $NL-Only $
Tucker DavidsonATLSPENo04
Bryse WilsonATLSPD147
Kyle FreelandCOLSPD/E147
Tony GonsolinLASPD015
Elieser HernandezMIASPD39Rostered (same as prior weeks)
Spencer HowardPHISPC2711 (up if think he starts to match his potential)
Scott KazmirSFSPE015
Chad KuhlPITSPE015
Joey LucchesiNYMSPE015
Jordan YamamotoNYMSPENoNo3
Miles MikolasSTLSPD147 (bid only if MRI is clean)
Cody PoteetMIASPE159
David PriceLASPD71422 (upped bid as looks to be starting)
Sean Reid-FoleyNYMSPE015
Taylor WidenerAZSPE147
Archie BradleyPHIRPD014
Daniel BardCOLRPD1122Rostered
Kyle CrickPITRPD027
Seth LugoNYMRPC/D147 (spec return bid)
Jorge AlfaroMIACD027 (same as prior week)
P.J. HigginsCHICENoNo3
Kevan SmithATLCENoNo3
Andrew KnappPHICE015
Rafael MarchanPHICENoNo3
Tomas NidoNYMCD147
Garrett CooperMIA1BD816Rostered
Will CraigPIT1BENo15
C.J. CronCOL1BC/D25RosteredRostered
Joey VottoCIN1BD2712 (if not rostered)
Zach McKinstryLA2BD9 (same return bid)18Rostered
Brendan RodgersCOL2BC/D51116 (upped return bid)
Max SchrockCIN2BENoNo4
Wilfredo TovarNYM2BENoNo4
Donovan SolanoSF2BE027
J.D. DavisNYM3BC/D18 (once healthy)RosteredRostered
Brandon CrawfordNYM3BENo05
Willy AdamesMILSSD51125
Edmundo SosaSTLSSE159
Johneshwy FargasNYMOFE147
Khalil LeeNYMOFD014
Cameron MaybinNYMOFENoNo5
Scott HeinemanCINOFENoNo4
Matt JoycePHIOFENoNo4
Nick MartiniCHIOFENoNo4
Mark PaytonCINOFENoNo4
Cole TuckerPITOFD/ENo15
DJ PetersLAOFENo05
Yoshi TsutsugoLAOFD147
Josh ReddickAZOFD159
Magneuris SierraMIAOFE147
Jesus SanchezMIAOFC/D147 (early spec call up bid)

STARTING PITCHER 

Tucker Davidson/Bryse Wilson, Braves: With Huascar Ynoa breaking his hand punching the dugout Sunday and Mike Soroka sidelined for several more weeks, the Braves have a hole in their rotation. Davidson received the first chance to fill that spot and allowed three runs, a homer, and one walk while tossing 53 of his 72 pitches for strikes in his six innings against the Mets on Tuesday. Command and control issues have plagued the lefty in the past, but he's been solid in the minors this year surrendering just one run while posting a 14:3 K:BB ratio in 14 innings. Davidson was sent down to the minors after the outing to make room for Wilson, who was called up to start Saturday against the Pirates. Wilson allowed one run on five hits and two walks over 6.2 innings while striking out four and tossing 85 pitches (55 strikes) in his second straight quality start in the majors. He too was solid at Triple-A Gwinnet notching a 3.27 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 8:1 K:BB in 11 innings (two starts). Wilson was less successful in the big-league rotation earlier this season logging a 5.50 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and 11:5 K:BB in 18 innings (four starts), but could stick with Ynoa sidelined. Davidson - 12-team Mixed: No, 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $4 (stash candidate); Wilson - 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

Kyle Freeland, Rockies: Freeland, out with a strained left shoulder since late in spring training, made a second rehab start for Triple-A Albuquerque on Thursday tossing six innings and 79 pitches. Over 10 innings in his two rehab starts, he's posted a 1.80 ERA and should be promoted to start for the Rockies gainst the Mets this week. After a brilliant 2018 season, Freeland fell off the rails notching a 6.73 ERA the following year. He got rid of the cutter and introduced a curveball in 2020 while improving to a 4.33 ERA, and when right generates a ton of groundballs. Freeland likely will need one more rehab start before rejoining the rotation. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (same bid as prior) 

Tony Gonsolin, Dodgers: Gonsolin, sidelined since just before the season with right shoulder inflammation, was transferred to the 60-day injured list so he can't return until May 31 at the earliest. He will make a rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday for two innings as he builds up to four before being activated. Gonsolin is being built up as a starter, but may be used out of the bullpen with David Price now active and pitching in Dustin May's rotation spot. Gonsolin deploys a four-pitch mix, including a fastball averaging 95 MPH about half the time and a show-me curveball as well as a slider against righties and splitter against lefties. 12-team Mixed: $0, 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5 (early spec return bid, up if he starts)

Elieser Hernandez, Marlins: Hernandez, who left his first start of the year in the third inning with biceps tendon inflammation, threw three scoreless and hitless innings in his rehab start for Triple-A Jacksonville on Tuesday while striking out four and walking two. He threw 44 pitches, 28 of which were strikes and likely needs to appear in a handful of minor-league rehab game before the Marlins bring him back from the injured list, meaning he is likely 2-3 weeks away from rejoining the parent club. Hernandez's stuff screams major upside, but his limited innings last year means he's unlikely to pitch that much more than 100 this year - presuming he's able to stay healthy. 12-team Mixed: $3, 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: Rostered (same as prior weeks)

Spencer Howard, Phillies: Howard was recalled to start Saturday and allowed one run on a pair of hits and four walks while walking five over three innings. He earned that promotion and replaced Matt Moore by only surrendering one earned run with a 13:5 K:BB in nine innings through his first three starts of the year for Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Philly was planning to manage Howard's innings carefully in the minors during the early part of the season before calling him up as a major-league rotation as he threw 112 innings in 2018, 71 frames in 2019 and just 24.1 innings last year - posting a 5.92 ERA and 1.64 WHIP - as he battled shoulder woes. His hot start changed that timing and he could stick in the rotation with little competition for the fifth starter spot. 12-team Mixed: $2, 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11 (up if you think he starts to match his potential)

Scott Kazmir, Giants: Kazmir was promoted and started Saturday's game against the Dodgers allowing one run on pair of hits with two strikeouts across four innings. This was his first major-league appearance since 2016 when he posted a 4.56 ERA and 134 strikeouts for the Dodgers. Kazmir posted a 2.84 ERA and 5:1 K:BB in 6.1 innings at Triple-A Fresno before being promoted, so he is far from stretched out as a starter. But with Aaron Sanchez and Logan Webb sidelined, Kazmir could see a few more turns in the SF rotation. 12-team Mixed: $0, 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5

Chad Kuhl, Pirates: Kuhl, sidelined since Apr. 18 with a strained shoulder, tossed three shutout innings while striking out five batters and allowing only one hit and one walk for Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday. He will require another start in the minors before returning to the Pirates. Trevor Cahill (foot) left his start with an injury Wednesday, but manager Derek Shelton reiterated Kuhl will need to make another rehab start after missing the last month. Following that start, he should rejoin the Bucs' rotation. 12-team Mixed: $0, 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5

Joey Lucchesi/Jordan Yamamoto, Mets: Lucchesi, who had struggled as a Met since coming over from San Diego this offseason, was brilliant Saturday giving up only one hit over four scoreless innings while striking out eight without walking a batter. That outing was his best of the season and may have earned him another shot in the rotation due to the team's walking wounded. Lucchesi has bounced between starting and relieving, which is why he only went four innings. Despite Jacob deGrom's imminent return, New York still has two open rotation slots. Yamamoto faces his old team the Marlins on Sunday, for whom he posted a 6.20 ERA in 90 innings over the last two seasons. Since he isn't stretched out, he'll likely be limited to three or four innings but could remain in the rotation for a few turns if he does well. Lucchesi - 12-team Mixed: $0, 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5; Yamamoto - 12-team Mixed: No, 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $3 

Miles Mikolas, Cardinals: Mikolas, working his way back from shoulder soreness, compiled six scoreless innings for Triple-A Memphis in his most recent rehab outing Sunday. He gave up four hits and a walk with three strikeouts, tossing 57 of his 80 pitches for strikes. That outing coupled with Mikolas' prior start was enough to convince the Cardinals to activate him and start for the parent club Saturday where he allowedone run on three hits and a walk while striking out three in three innings. He missed all of 2020 due to a sore flexor tendon, which ended his 2019 campaign slightly early. The bad news is that Mikolas left this start early with forearm tightness and that will necessitate an MRI, so hold off adding him in your leagues. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (bid only if MRI is clean) 

Cody Poteet, Marlins: Poteet, a fourth-round pick in 2015, pitched well in his major-league debut giving up two runs on four hits while striking out six in five innings to notch the win May 11, but was sent back down the following Saturday. Miami recalled him from Triple-A Jacksonville to start on Tuesday with Lewis Brinson (undisclosed) landing on the 10-day injured list and he tossed five scoreless innings while giving up three hits and two walks while fanning three. Prior to the original promotion, Poteet produced a career 3.84 ERA over 99 minor-league games (95 starts) with 400 strikeouts over 510.2 innings. He should stick in the rotation even when Elieser Hernandez is ready for return. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9 

David Price, Dodgers: Price, sidelined since Apr. 25 with a strained right hamstring, was activated Monday after throwing nearly 30 pitches over two simulated innings last Friday and rejoined the Dodgers without a minor-league rehab assignment. He initially pitched out of the bullpen, but now looks to be part of the the rotation with Dustin May (elbow) out for the season and Tony Gonsolin (shoulder) still not available even though he will need to get fully stretched out. Price, who opted out last year due to COVID and opened this season in the bullpen, pitched well before the injury allowing one run in his last six innings after five runs in 3.2 innings to start the season. 12-team Mixed: $7, 15-team Mixed: $14; 12-team NL: $22 (upped bid as he looks to be starting)

Sean Reid-Foley, Mets: Reid-Foley has been solid in long relief for the Mets allowing just one run on five with a 14:0K:BB in 9.1 innings. Acquired in the Steven Matz deal, Reid-Foley has provided the team solid work in the middle innings as a bridge to the back end of the bullpen. New York could use him as an opener or give him a chance to start, but his stuff and ability to soak up innings in middle relief warrant him remaining in that role. 12-team Mixed: $0, 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5 

Taylor Widener, Diamondbacks: Widener, out with a strained groin since Apr. 22, was activated and started Sunday. He made a rehab start for Triple-A Reno on Tuesday and threw 74 pitches over 4.2 innings, paving the way for his activation. The righty was inconsistent before suffering the injury enjoying two scoreless six-inning outings while allowing three and four earned runs in his other two shorter starts. Despite being up-and-down, Widener should stick in the team's rotation with Luke Weaver (shoulder) joining Zac Gallen (UCL sprain) on the sidelines. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

RELIEF PITCHER 

Archie Bradley, Phillies: Bradley, out since Apr. 10 with a strained left oblique, was activated Tuesday after completing a short rehab assignment with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Hector Neris is still ensconced as the closer, but has been a bit shaky at times and that could result in manager Joe Girardi trying other options. Bradley, Sam Coonrod and Jose Alvarado may all be in the mix, but Bradley is still in a setup role for now. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4

Daniel Bard, Rockies: Bard notched his fifth save of the season Saturday. His overall numbers are still subpar and he looked to be in danger of losing his hold on the closer role a few weeks ago to Mychal Givens. But Bard has righted the ship by only giving up one earned run in his past seven outings. He's now converted five of eight save chances with a 5.29 ERA, 1.82 WHIP and 21:8 K:BB across 17 innings. 12-team Mixed: $11; 15-team Mixed: $22; 12-team NL: Rostered 

Kyle Crick, Pirates: Crick, out since May 9 with a triceps injury, was activated Saturday. Before the May 9th outing when he suffered the injury, hehad pitched 11 scoreless innings while allowing just one hit while posting three holds. Richard Rodriguez is locked in as the closer and David Bednar may be the closer-in-waiting, but Crick has some value in his bullpen role - especially if your league counts holds. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team NL: $7

Seth Lugo, Mets: Lugo, who underwent surgery to remove a loose body from his elbow in mid-February, was transferred to the 60-day injured list Monday meaning he likely will return in early June. He began a rehab assignment this past week and now will spend an extra couple of days in the minors. Lugo was brilliant out of the pen as a multi-inning weapon last year. And after starting in that role last season, he was moved back to the rotation where he faltered. When Lugo returns, he will be part of the set-up crew in front of Edwin Diaz, where his fastball gets a spike in velocity and his curveball enables him to strike out hitters at a high rate while being used as a multi-inning reliever. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (spec return bid) 

CATCHER

Jorge Alfaro, Marlins: Alfaro, out since Apr. 20 with a strained right hamstring, appeared in rehab games Wednesday and Thursday for Triple-A Jacksonville after being scratched for five days. He served at the DH on Friday and will catch Saturday, paving the way for activation. Limited to just 31 games in part due to a battle with COVID-19, Alfaro struggled to a .226/.280/.344 line while hitting just three homers. He played 10 games this year and was off to a slow start before suffering the injury. Sandy Leon and Chad Wallach will continue to work in a timeshare at catcher until Alfaro returns and will start nearly every day. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team NL: $7 (same as prior week) 

P.J. Higgins/Kevan Smith: The Cubs and Braves called up or traded for backup catchers this week. Higgins was promoted by Chicago to replace Tony Wolters on the active roster and back up Willson Contreras. Smith was traded from Tampa Bay to Atlanta on Wednesday in exchange for cash considerations. He should serve in a depth role behind William Contreras while Travis d'Arnaud (thumb) and Alex Jackson (hamstring) are sidelined. Both - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $3 

Andrew Knapp/Rafael Marchan, Phillies: J.T. Realmuto's wrist injury finally landed him on the IL this week. Knapp will see the lion's share of playing time behind the plate while Realmuto is sidelined. He enjoyed a breakthrough 2020, but don't expect much as he struggled before that season. Marchan will back up Knapp until Realmuto returns. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5; Marchan - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $3

Tomas Nido, Mets: Nido's performance at and behind the plate has resulted in him starting four of the Mets' last five games. He notched a single Saturday, extending his hit streak to five, during which he's blasted a home run and driven in four runs. James McCann will eventually get his job back, but Nido will continue to see substantial playing time as long as he stays hot. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 

FIRST BASE

Garrett Cooper, Marlins: Cooper continued his red-hot play Saturday blasting a two-run, walk off homer. He now has gone deep for the third straight game and sits with a seven-game hitting streak where he has gone 12-for-29. The surge has pushed Cooper's slash line on the season to .242/.306/.417 with five home runs and 19 RBI through 41 contests. He's shown in the past he can a productive part of the Marlins' order and should remain in the lineup daily. 12-team Mixed: $8; 15-team Mixed: $16; 12-team NL: Rostered

Will Craig, Pirates: Craig has been starting consistently at first base since his promotion from Triple-A Indianapolis on May 13. With Colin Moran (groin) and Phillip Evans (hamstring) residing on the 10-day injured list, Craig has played nine straight games while going 9-for-30 - albeit with a 12:3 K:BB. Both injured players are close to returning, limiting Craig's upside and future playing time. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $5 

C.J. Cron, Rockies: Cron, out with a lower-back strain, was activated off the 10-day injured list as expected Tuesday. He was in excellent form at the time of the injury hitting .388/.474/.714 over his previous 15 games. The time off has not slowed his bat, as the 31-year-old is 6-for-15 with four runs scored and a pair of RBI over the four contests since his activation. Cron is still locked in as the team's starting first baseman, although Ryan McMahon may see time at first now that Brendan Rodgers (hamstring) has returned but he is likely to play third in place of Josh Fuentes. 12-team Mixed: $25; 15-team Mixed: Rostered; 12-team NL: Rostered

Joey Votto, Reds: Votto, who fractured his left thumb on May 5, was on the field taking groundballs Saturday. The injury was expected to sideline him a month, which still is his projected absence. Votto got off to a solid start to the year, but slumped mightily after his first 15 contests. Although he's certainly not the offensive force he once was, he will presumably be Cincinnati's everyday first baseman once healthy. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $12 (if not already rostered)

SECOND BASE 

Zach McKinstry, Dodgers: McKinstry, out since Apr. 22 with a strained right oblique, began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Oklahoma City Friday. He was off to a strong start hitting .298/.328/.556 with three homers in 17 games before he was sidelined. McKinstry made the team out of spring training, but saw an uptick in playing time with Cody Bellinger sidelined longer than expected after being diagnosed with a hairline fracture in his left ankle suffered when he was spiked by a cleat on Apr. 5. He was seeing time at second base at both outfield corner spots with LA using him somewhat similar to Chris Taylor. With Corey Seager on the IL with a broken right hand, Taylor and Gavin Lux have been seeing time at shortstop though McKinstry saw 46 games at shortstop in the minors in 2019. McKinstry also could play all over until when he returns until either Bellinger - who started a rehab assignment this week - Seager or AJ Pollock returns. 12-team Mixed: $9; 15-team Mixed: $18; 12-team NL: Rostered (same return bid) 

Brendan Rodgers, Rockies: Rodgers, who suffered a right hamstring strain in mid-March, was activated Friday after completing a five-game rehab assignment for Triple-A Albuquerque. In his absence, Ryan McMahon has manned the position but could switch to third and displace Josh Fuentes as he did Friday. Rodgers was raking this spring before suffering the injury, but has struggled in his stints in the majors. Now activated, look for him to see solid playing time at the keystone for the Rockies. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $16 (upped return bid) 

Max Schrock/Wilfredo Tovar: The Reds and Mets called up backup middle infielders this week. Schrock provides Cincinnati with some additional depth in the infield after Mike Moustakas (heel) was placed on the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move. Expect Schrock to serve mainly as a backup to Jonathan India at second base and Eugenio Suarez at third while he's up with the big club. Tovar gives the Mets some infield depth, as they deal with injuries up and down the lineup. He's unlikely to do much if he finds his way into the lineup, as he's a career .188/.241/.238 hitter through his first 40 big-league games. Both - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $4 

Donovan Solano, Giants: Solano, out since Apr. 21 with a strained right calf, was activated Wednesday after a brief rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento. Prior to being sidelined, Solano had hit a fairly empty .300 in 50 at-bats. Now that he's returned from the 10-day injured list, Solano will start at second base for the Giants with Wilmer Flores placed on the 10-day IL due to a strained right hamstring to join Tommy La Stella (hamstring). 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team NL: $7

THIRD BASE

J.D. Davis, Mets: Davis, out since May 1 with a sprained left hand, kicked off a rehab assignment this week at Triple-A Syracuse. Prior to getting injured, he was slashing .379/.410/.679 with a pair of home runs and seven RBI, making up for his still subpar defense at the hot corner. Despite all the work Davis has done to improve his defense, that side of his game remains a problem. But if he's able to rake at the plate like he was, the Mets will live with his defensive issues and possibly replace him late in games. Davis batted .307/.369/.527 with 22 homers in 2019, but posted a .761 OPS last season. With Pete Alonso (wrist) sidelined, Davis is playing first base in the minors - a role he may fill when activated this week, at least until Alonso returns, and where he played 12 games in 2017 for Houston. 12-team Mixed: $18 (once healthy); 15-team Mixed: Rostered; 12-team-NL: Rostered

Brandon Drury, Mets: Drury was promoted by the Mets on Friday with Pete Alonso hitting the injured list. He hasn't done much in recent seasons hitting just .205/.254/.346 in 167 games, but could see a fair number of at-bats in the near future due to the Mets' extensive injury crisis. Drury started Friday at first, but sat Saturday with Dominic Smith shifting from left field to first base. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $5 

SHORTSTOP

Willy Adames, Brewers: Adames and Trevor Richards were acquired by the Brewers from the Rays on Friday in exchange for relievers J.P. Feyereisen and Drew Rasmussen. Luis Urias has struggled defensively at shortstop since the departure of Orlando Arcia, prompting Milwaukee to explore the trade market while the Rays are making room for the eventual promotion of Wander Franco. Adames has struggled at the plate so far in 2021 with a .625 OPS, but he posted a .755 OPS across his first three seasons in the big leagues and hit 20 home runs in 2019. He should take over the starting role at shortstop for the Brewers. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $25 

Edmundo Sosa, Cardinals: Sosa has ably filled in at shortstop for Paul DeJong (ribs). He extended his hit streak to four games Saturday to go 8-for-13 at the plate. Sosa hit 17 home runs at Triple-A Memphis in 2019, so he does have a little pop. DeJong is at least two weeks away, giving Sosa some short-term value. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9

OUTFIELD 

Johneshwy Fargas/Khalil Lee/Cameron Maybin, Mets: New York's starting outfield at times this past week has been Maybin in left, Fargas in center and Lee in right. With Brandon Nimmo, Michael Conforto, Jeff McNeil, Pete Alonso and J.D. Davis out, New York has major firepower on the sidelines. Fargas, selected in the 11th round in 2013 by the Giants, stole 50 bases in 2019 for Double-A Richmond and opted for free agency this offseason. He signed with the Mets and had eight steals along with a .242 average and .718 OPS this season for Triple-A Syracuse before his promotion. He should continue to start until the team gets healthy. Lee, acquired as part of a three-team deal with KC and Boston this offseason, is mainly known for his strong defense. In addition, his lack of plate discipline and inability to make consistent contact have been on display since his promotion as he's struck out his first eight at-bats. Lee either needs to overhaul his swing or find a way to tap into his power potential in order to avoid maxing out as a fourth outfielder. Primarily a center fielder, the Mets are using him at the corners to take advantage of his strong arm in the outfield. Maybin was traded from the Cubs to the Mets on Tuesday in exchange for cash considerations due to all the aforementioned injuries. He hit .103/.186/.205 in 10 Triple-A games, but was promoted with so many players sidelined. Maybin turned back the clock in 2019 with the Yankees, but returned to Earth last year and is unlikely to make much a difference for the Mets while in the majors. Fargas - 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7; Lee - 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4; Maybin - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $4

Scott Heineman/Matt Joyce/Nick Martini/Mark Payton/Cole Tucker: The Reds, Phillies, Cubs, Reds and Tucker called up or activated a fourth/fifth outfielder this week. Heineman was promoted with Nick Senzel (heel) landing on the injured list. The 28-year-old has just 49 big-league games under his belt with an unconvincing .189/.259/.331 slash line, but could see starts in CF with Senzel out. Joyce (calf) was activated off the 10-day injured list Friday. He had struggled at the plate in his infrequent opportunities this season hitting .100/.289/.133 in 38 plate appearances, but provides Philly a bat off the bench and could see the occasional start. Martini was promoted this week with Jason Heyward landing on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain Thursday. Matt Duffy could spend more time at third base if Kris Bryant sees time in right field, which would relegate Martini to bench and spot duty. Payton gives Cincy another healthy lefty bat off the bench while Mike Moustakas (heel) battles an injury. Over 18 career games at the big-league level, Payton is 4-for-25 with a double and a stolen base. Tucker, a first-round pick in 2014, hit just .215/.260/.324 in 93 games over parts of the last two seasons. A .214/.302/.339 line in 14 games for Triple-A Indianapolis hardly suggests he's turned a corner, but he made changes to his swing in the minors and the rebuilding Pirates have little reason not to let him work on his game at the big-league level. As such, Tucker should see time at shortstop and left field. All but Tucker- 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $4; Tucker- 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5

DJ Peters/Yoshi Tsutsugo, Dodgers: Peters is among a group of players who is seeing playing time in center field in the wake of Corey Seager's (hand) placement on the injured list last week. With Cody Bellinger (lower leg), AJ Pollock (hamstring) and Zach McKinstry (oblique) currently occupying spots on the injured list, LA has several vacancies to fill. Chris Taylor is seeing most of his time in center field with Gavin Lux filling in at short, Max Muncy starting at second and Albert Pujols at first with Seager out at least four weeks after fracturing a bone in his right hand.  The Dodgers acquired Tsutsugo from the Rays this weekend for a PTBNL or cash. LA reportedly identified a hitch in his swing through video they feel they can coach out of him quickly to help unlock the power he showed in Japan. Tsutsugo has a decent eye at the plate and showed some power, though not at the level he displayed with the Yokohama BayStars. At a minimum, he gives the Dodgers another left-handed bat off the bench to fill in for Edwin Rios, who was lost for the season with a shoulder injury. Defensively, Tsutsugo can play first base, third and left field and offers short-term value at least until the team's walking wounded return. Peters - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $5; Tsutsugo - 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $7

Josh Reddick, Diamondbacks: Reddick signed a minor-league deal with the Diamondbacks in early-April and provide depth in their system. His bat and glove both deteriorated last season in Houston - his 12th year in the majors - contributing to no team signing him this offseason or spring. In addition, Reddick's best season in the majors came in 2017 when he hit .314/.363/.484 for the Astros. That was the same season Houston implemented a trash-can banging, sign-stealing scheme, adversely affecting the perception of Reddick. Arizona called him up this week to back up all three outfield spots after he posted a .304/.365/.478 slash line in 11 games at Reno. Reddick should play against right-handed pitching at least until Kole Calhoun is ready to return. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team-NL: $9 

Magneuris Sierra, Marlins: Sierra is seeing consistent time in center field for Miami. His solid production late last week and early this week earned him additional playing time, which now should be the norm with Lewis Brinson (undisclosed) landing on the 10-day injured list Tuesday. Sierra looks like he could have a decent amount of leash in an everyday role until the Marlins return Starling Marte (ribs) from the IL, which is probably a few weeks away. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $7 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jan Levine
Levine covers baseball and hockey for RotoWire. He is responsible for the weekly NL FAAB column for baseball and the Barometer for hockey. In addition to his column writing, he is master of the NHL cheat sheets. In his spare time, he roots for the Mets and Rangers.
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