As those of you in AL and NL-only leagues know all too well, the free agent list often looks like the list of available restaurants in Death Valley.

But one day into Week 17 of the season, there will be several fresh cuts of meat in the NL locker. And AL players will have a shot at Matt Garza, the first crossover player of real value – maybe two if the Cubs and Yankees can agree on a deal for Alfonso Soriano.

Let’s start in the junior circuit where the immediate question is – How many FAAB units do you put on Garza? I can’t give you a specific answer, as obviously every team’s needs and resources vary, BUT you do have to realize that Garza is very likely the most impactful starting pitcher the AL will see this year via trade or callup at this point in the season.

Obviously, Soriano might be the same for hitters but I am less enthusiastic on going heavy on him, one because this reported deal is not even done as I type this but also because Soriano will not only have to adjust to AL pitching again but may have to fight for everyday at-bats in pinstripes.

There are more players to look at in the NL this week but perhaps less certainty about their value.

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In Atlanta, it appears the Braves will soon add two pitchers to their roster. Alex Wood, who was called up at the end of May to help in the bullpen and then made one spot start in June, was sent down to the Minors two weeks ago when the Braves starting outfield all went on vacation. He continued to start at Triple-A Gwinnett and will start on Thursday, replacing the injured Paul Maholm. Prior to his callup in May, Wood had a 1.26 ERA in 57 innings of relief pitching at Double-A Mississippi. He had a 2.45 ERA in 22 innings with the Braves with 26 strikeouts and eight walks.

Wood being recalled and immediately inserted into the rotation may have settled the question of who the Braves would turn to first, but persistent reports of their intentions to send struggling starter Kris Medlen back to the bullpen would open a second rotation spot, this presumably for Brandon Beachy, who is completing his latest rehab assignment in Gwinnett.

Both pitchers will be hot targets for NL players with gaps in their starting rotation.

But there are also two new National League outfielders in Miami this week. The Marlins made the unusual move of calling up both of their top hitting prospects, outfielders Christian Yelich and Jake Marisnick, from Double-A Jacksonville at the same time. While it marks the big league beginning for the organization's top two prospects, the club also decided two promising young players need more minor league seasoning. Second baseman Derek Dietrich and centerfielder Marcell Ozuna were optioned to Jacksonville, creating some holes in the lineup for either you or your league mates.

Yelich, who was the higher ranked prospect going into this season, started this season with Class A Jupiter and was then promoted to Jacksonville. He was batting .277 over 191 at-bats at the Double-A level with seven homers and 29 RBI. He's batting .314 over his last 10 games.

Marisnick was also playing in the Jacksonville outfield. He was batting .295 with 12 homers and 46 RBI over 264 at-bats at the Double-A level. Marisnick also had 11 stolen bases, and this may give him more value than Yelich for the balance of the season. Long term, Yelich’s power and likely higher average will make him the more valuable outfielder.

Beyond trying to get one to bolster NL fantasy outfields, it will be interesting to see if both hitters can handle the upgrade in competition at the major league level and, if they can, whether the Marlins will look at the possibility of trading Giancarlo Stanton this off-season as he heads into his first arbitration-eligible year. {jcomments on}