MLB FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week

This FAAB article is in addition to the AL and NL FAAB articles that run Sunday. Bids are based on a $100 FAAB budget. Throughout the season, this column will have two goals:

1. Identify FAAB targets for fantasy managers in leagues with Thursday FAAB.

2. Offer a preview of FAAB targets ahead of Sunday's columns.

Opening Day is finally upon us. With several injuries and roster moves occurring just before the regular season, there are several options on the fantasy waiver wire to consider to fine-tune rosters for the season.

Starting Pitcher

Domingo German, Yankees: German was named the Yankees' No. 5 starter after he recorded a 1.38 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 17:1 K:BB in 13 innings during Grapefruit League games this spring. The right-hander won 18 games and posted a 4.03 ERA in 143 innings with the Yankees in 2019 but was suspended for the 2020 campaign. German will attempt to build upon his stellar spring performance during the full 2021 season. FAAB: $10

Logan Webb, Giants: Webb posted a 5.36 ERA in his first two major-league seasons, but he was named the No. 3 starter for the Giants following an outstanding spring. The right-hander made five starts in Cactus League play and recorded a 0.53 ERA and 22:2 K:BB in 17 innings. While he'll need to prove himself in the regular season, Webb has made significant strides this spring and appears to have a secure starting role. FAAB: $5

Dylan Cease, White Sox: Cease has momentum heading into the regular season after he recorded 11 strikeouts in 5.1 innings during Tuesday's spring game against the Rockies. The righty made four starts this spring and posted a 1.06 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 22:7 K:BB in 17 innings. Cease had a career-low 4.01 ERA in 12 starts during the abbreviated 2020 season and is backed by the potent White Sox offense this year. FAAB: $4

Relief Pitcher

Daniel Bard, Rockies: Bard makes the list for a second consecutive week since Scott Oberg's career could be over after he underwent surgery to remove blood clots Thursday. While Bard had been named Colorado's closer prior to Oberg's surgery, Bard's job security increased since Oberg appeared to be the top alternative for save chances. The Rockies are in a rebuilding year, but Bard had a strong spring by tossing 7.1 scoreless innings with 11 strikeouts and three walks in eight relief appearances. FAAB: $6

Ian Kennedy, Rangers: Kennedy has a chance to take the closing role in Texas after Jose Leclerc underwent Tommy John surgery Wednesday. The 36-year-old converted 30 of 34 save chances with the Royals in 2019 but posted a 9.00 ERA in 14 innings in 2020. Kennedy will look to bounce back in 2021 and appears to be on the right track after he tossed 6.2 scoreless innings with a 0.45 WHIP this spring. FAAB: $3

Matt Bush, Rangers: Bush is Kennedy's main competition for ninth-inning duty early in the season, at least until Joely Rodriguez is cleared to return from an ankle sprain. Bush hasn't pitched in the majors since 2018 due to elbow issues, but he made seven relief appearances this spring and posted a 4.76 ERA and 9:4 K:BB in 5.2 innings. Kennedy appears to be the favorite for save chances heading into the regular season, but Bush recorded 10 saves for the Rangers in 2017 and will be a ninth-inning option. FAAB: $2

Gregory Soto, Tigers: Soto had a strong spring with a 2.70 ERA and 1.05 WHIP with 10 strikeouts in 6.2 innings. The Tigers optioned Joe Jimenez to Triple-A Toledo on Saturday, and manager A.J. Hinch said that Soto "very much has closer stuff." While Soto posted a 5.36 ERA and 1.69 WHIP in his first two major league seasons, his strikeout rate improved to 32.2 percent in 2020, and he'll attempt to build on an effective spring performance as Detroit's closer to begin the year. FAAB: $2

Catcher

Austin Barnes, Dodgers: Barnes still enters the 2021 season as the Dodgers' backup catcher, but manager Dave Roberts has classified the 31-year-old as a "1A option" with Will Smith behind the dish. Barnes slashed .281/.410/.469 with one home run and five RBIs this spring and could carve out at-bats, especially if Smith struggles to begin the year. While Smith should see slightly more playing time than Barnes in 2021, Barnes could still have plenty of opportunities to produce runs in a potent Dodgers lineup. FAAB: $2

Victor Caratini, Padres: Caratini will serve as the Padres' starting catcher to begin the regular season since Austin Nola was placed on the injured list due to a finger injury. Caratini hit just .206 with three extra-base hits and three RBIs in 14 spring games this year, but he'll have the chance to earn playing time with his new club early in the season. Nola isn't expected to miss much time, but Caratini could still carve out at-bats as a backup — and Yu Darvish's personal catcher — throughout 2021. FAAB: $1

First Base

C.J. Cron, Rockies: Cron remains on the list for a second consecutive week after he hit two home runs in the final four spring games. He'll serve as the Rockies' primary first baseman in 2021 after he slashed .354/.415/.771 with five home runs and eight RBIs in Cactus League play. The 31-year-old averaged 27.5 home runs per year in 2018 and 2019 and will attempt to bounce back at hitter-friendly Coors Field after hitting .190 with four home runs in 13 games with the Tigers last year. FAAB: $10

Jay Bruce, Yankees: Bruce is the starting first baseman for the Yankees to begin the season while Luke Voit is sidelined due to a knee injury. While Bruce has the potential to produce runs hitting in a strong Yankees lineup, he underwhelmed this spring by batting .206/.289/.441 with two home runs and three RBIs in 15 Grapefruit League games. The veteran hit just .198 in 32 games with the Phillies last year but should see regular at-bats to begin the this season. FAAB: $6

Second Base

Jazz Chisholm, Marlins: Chisholm underwhelmed in his first big-league action in 2020 by hitting .161 with two home runs and six RBIs in 21 games, but he held off Isan Diaz for the starting job at second base heading into this season. The 23-year-old batted .266/.333/.488 with three home runs, six RBIs and four stolen bases in 20 spring games this year and is still one of Miami's top prospects this season as he looks to gain his footing in the majors. FAAB: $3

Third Base

Josh Fuentes, Rockies: Fuentes lost the first-base competition in spring to C.J. Cron. However, Fuentes was effective at the plate in Cactus League play, batting .339/.361/.559 with one home run, 11 RBIs and eight runs in 21 games. The 28-year-old should see time at third base to begin the year with Brendan Rodgers sidelined due to a hamstring injury and could carve out a regular role for the Rockies if he plays well. FAAB: $3

Shortstop

Brandon Crawford, Giants: Crawford was on pace for a career-high 22 home runs if the 2020 campaign was 162 games, and he had a .791 OPS that was the highest of his 10-year career. The 34-year-old enters this season as the everyday shortstop for San Francisco once again after batting .306/.395/.556 with two home runs and seven RBIs in 15 spring games this year. He's only stolen four bases  the last two seasons but provides some fantasy value through his modest power and ability to get on base. FAAB: $2

Nicky Lopez, Royals: Lopez should play the strong side of a platoon early in the season, as Adalberto Mondesi is slated to miss "a couple weeks" with a strained right oblique. Lopez hit just .118 with four RBIs in 16 spring games and has hit .228 in 159 major-league games, but he could be an option for fantasy managers in deeper leagues who need regular at-bats following Mondesi's injury. FAAB: $1

Outfield

Kyle Isbel, Royals: Isbel was reassigned to minor-league camp March 22 but continued to perform well in spring games, batting .333/.420/.548 with two home runs, five RBIs and two stolen bases. As a result, he played his way back onto the major-league roster and will start in right field on Opening Day. While Isbel could experience growing pains in his first big-league action, he has plenty of upside after earning a roster spot. FAAB: $10

Taylor Trammell, Mariners: With Kyle Lewis expected to miss several weeks because of a knee injury, Trammell should be the primary center fielder to begin the season. He slashed .311/.392/.611 with three home runs, nine RBIs and two stolen bases this spring but also struck out 17 times in 45 at-bats. Like Isbel, Trammell likely will need an adjustment period early in his major league career, but he could carve out playing time throughout the year if he performs well to begin the regular season. FAAB: $4

Jackie Bradley, Brewers: Bradley underwent offseason wrist surgery but is available for the Brewers to begin the regular season. The 30-year-old hit .231 with three RBIs this spring but had a career-high .283 batting average with seven home runs, 22 RBIs and five stolen bases during his last year with the Red Sox in 2020. Bradley should serve as Milwaukee's primary right fielder this year and has intriguing power and speed, especially in deeper leagues. FAAB: $3