NL FAAB Factor: End of May Update

Normally, this would be my weekly look at National League free agents. But as we all know, we are not in normal times. First and foremost, I hope you and all of your loved ones are safe and well and remain that way.

To provide you some fresh reading material during this mandated hiatus, this article will look at some interesting NL players to draft and/or add off waivers. The LABR and Tout Wars NL-only leagues are our starting point for the column. Players drafted late or reserve picks are the main focus, though I probably will touch on others whose values I think will exceed their costs. My plan is to cover a handful of names each week, hopefully saving several over for the following column, allowing a new population of players to be covered weekly.

To make this somewhat interactive, 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 in the comments and I will touch on those the following week. We will see how many weeks this lasts, and hopefully by the time we exhaust all the names we want to cover, we will have baseball or an idea when games will resume, enabling a resumption of the normal column.

Major league baseball proposed the use of a Universal DH two weeks ago in its submission to the Players Association. All signs point to the ratification of this change — presuming the revenue sharing issues can be ironed out and baseball played — meaning that National League games will mirror those of the Junior Circuit. My first few columns of the year highlighted a few players who will benefit from the Universal DH, while last week's column focused heavily on those players. The week's column includes additional hitters who figure to benefit from the addition of another position player in the batting order.

STARTING PITCHER 

Chi Chi Gonzalez, Rockies: Gonzalez might have ended spring training with a slide edge on the battle for the fifth starter spot in Colorado. Jeff Hoffman was Gonzalez's primary competition for the final spot in the rotation, with Ubaldo Jimenez representing a dark-horse candidate as well. Given the need for multiple starters/pitchers, all three players are likely to see time in the Rockies' rotation and/or bullpen this season. But seeing the history of each of the three pitchers, I wouldn't be racing to sign any of them, but innings and especially counting stats matter. LABR: Not owned; Tout Wars: Not owned

RELIEF PITCHER

Jeremy Jeffress/Rowan Wick, Cubs: Jeffress and Wick will be the main bridges to Craig Kimbrel in the Chicago bullpen. Wick was dominant for the Cubs last season, posting a 2.43 ERA and 35 strikeouts across 33.1 innings of relief, while Jeffress struggled with a 5.02 ERA for Milwaukee. Those recent performances would appear to give Wick the edge in the bullpen pecking order, but Jeffress did record a stellar 1.29 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 89 strikeouts across 76.2 innings in 2018 and was also brilliant in 2015-16  If Jeffress is fully over his shoulder and hip woes, he should be a nice weapon in the Windy City.  Jeffress - LABR: Not owned; Tout Wars: Not owned; Wick - LABR: $1; Tout Wars: Reserve pick 

CATCHER

Francisco Cervelli, Marlins: As noted in my update last week on Kurt Suzuki, I have focused on backup catchers in several columns, believing that the potential condensed schedule with necessitate turning to the second backstop more frequently. Jorge Alfaro is locked in as the Fish's top backstop, but Cervelli filled a similar role in Pittsburgh, but injuries, especially concussions, have short-circuited his career. If healthy, Cervelli should carve out a healthy amount of playing time, aided by a strong eye at the plate. But be cognizant that another concussion likely will end his career. LABR: $1; Tout Wars: Not owned 

FIRST BASE

Garrett Cooper, Marlins: Cooper was slated to split time in right field with Matt Joyce when the plug was pulled on spring training. Injuries bookended Cooper's season last year, but when healthy, he posted solid numbers. Miami could look to play younger options at the position, though the pandemic-impacted condensed schedule might change that view. In addition, the use of a Universal DH could allow Cooper to see time at first base, with Jesus Aguilar at DH, though Lewin Diaz will be in the first base mix, or at designated hitter. Look for Miami to find ways to get Cooper's bat in the lineup. LABR: $8; Tout Wars: $4 

SECOND BASE

Carter Kieboom, Nationals: Kieboom struggled in his first exposure to major league pitching, a situation other top prospects have experienced. But his brilliant numbers in the PCL last season, coupled with Kieboom being 23 percent better than the average PCL hitter despite being the youngest qualified hitter on the circuit bode well for future success. Washington brought in Starlin Castro and Asdrubal Cabrera back as a safety net and also have Howie Kendrick in case Kieboom wasn't ready. But it should only be a matter of time before Kieboom is the starter, though the possibility exists that will not occur this season. LABR: $9; Tout Wars: $7

THIRD BASE

Neil Walker, Phillies: Walker would appear to be the perfect extra player for NL rosters due to his flexibility.  As a switch hitter who can play both infield and outfield (Walker started games at first, second, third and left field this spring), he should have a good chance to start the season with the Phillies. His defense has declined recently, but the bat is still mildly potent, which might allow Walker to see some starts at DH along with spot duty as the aforementioned positions. LABR: Not owned, Tout Wars: Not owned

SHORTSTOP 

Brandon Crawford, Giants: Crawford's numbers have been in steady decline since 2015, but he is still locked in as the Giants' shortstop. His drop in output resulted in a sharp falloff in his auction price, yet, he still is productive enough to fill the role as starter in most NL-only leagues. If Crawford can find a way to reverse the 21 point drop in BABIP from 2019 – and he was having a string spring – he could end up a bargain in most leagues. Even if only matches last year's number, 11 HR and 59 RBI are still decent for what likely was a low purchase price. LABR: $3; Tout Wars: $2

OUTFIELD 

Shogo Akiyama, Reds: Akiyama, set to begin his first season in the U.S., figures to be one of the beneficiaries, along with Aristides Aquino, Nick Senzel and Jesse Winker, of a Universal DH. Those four players were battling for playing time at two outfield spots. The addition of another spot in the batting order should afford each of the three additional playing time. Akiyama, a five-time NPB All-Star, signed a three-year, $21 million deal with the Reds this past January. He makes solid contact and draws walks, which should result in Akiyama leading off vs. RHP at a minimum and benefitting from the solid batting order behind him.  LABR: $12; Tout Wars: $14

Brad Miller/Rangel Ravelo, Cardinals: St. Louis has a plethora of options at DH with Miller and Ravelo joining Dylan Carlson, Matt Carpenter and Lane Thomas in the mix. Miller can also fill in across the diamond; flexibility that is needed with a condensed schedule. In addition, he has done his best damage at the plate while focused solely on hitting as a DH in the American League. Ravelo was already on track to stick as a reserve first baseman and pinch hitter when spring training was suspended, but gets a boost with the addition of a DH. That option could enable Ravelo to see semi-regular playing time. Miller - LABR: $0; Tout Wars: Reserve; Ravelo - LABR: Not owned; Tout Wars: Not owned