Nate Ravitz

  (11:00 AM)

Fantasy chat time. Let's have 'em.

Mike (ATL)

Keep Soriano or Rollins? I don't love the depth of either SS or OF.

Nate Ravitz

  (11:02 AM)

OF isn't nearly as deep as it used to be, but I think Rollins is the easy choice here. He's a borderline top 5 player for me, and I won't have Soriano in my top 10.

Adam, CA

I can't wait for Arenas anymore. Do you actually think he comes ? I am thinking of dropping him for Foye.

Nate Ravitz

  (11:02 AM)

I doubt Arenas plays this year.

Nick (Lexington Park, MD)

Do you think that mentally the Patriots are breathing a little sigh of relief that they are not facing the Colts, or does it really matter?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:03 AM)

My guess is that half of the Pats are relieved, half are disappointed, and 100 percent of them are eager to beat a team that cried about the Shawne Merriman dance.

Sean (NJ)

Hey Nate I have an interesting question. Im the commish of a newly started keeper league. Next years draft is the 1st we'll keep players. Say everyone keeps their 1st rounder is it fair to make the draft say standard like 1-12 than back to 1 again instead of snake where the Champ would get 1st pick pretty much. Thanks.

Nate Ravitz

  (11:05 AM)

You could make it standard, or you could make it a hybrid (1 through 10, then 2 through 1, then 3 through 2). But I prefer to make 1st-rounders ineligible for keeping.

Hank Blalock (Texas)

Am I a huge sleeper this year? Seems like the injury affected me the last 3 years and when I returned healthy, I hit pretty well in September. Is .275-25-90 out of the question?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:06 AM)

Blalock was actually really, really good last year when he played, so that does make him a bit of a sleeper, especially since 3B is pretty deep. Those numbers are not out of the question.

Gray (Chicago)

Will Ryan Braun be in LF Opening Day in order to get him used to the position or do you think he may get a few games at 3B this season while Cameron is suspended?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:07 AM)

The MO of the Brewers has been to make decisive moves and not mess around with guys, so I don't think they'd want Hall or Braun playing anywhere but their regular position. It will probably be Gwynn in CF while Cameron is suspended.

Ari G (305)

Nate my man, tell me how I sign up for Diet Soda's Man Baseball league? Thanks!

Nate Ravitz

  (11:08 AM)

Listen to the podcast when it resumes later this month. We'll definitely be talking about that.

John(NY)

Hey Nate...my team going into next season...Hasselbeck,J.Lewis,Edge,Selvin Young,K.Watson,TO,Colston,Chris Henry and Heath Miller..do you see a championship in my future?Give me your thoughts on my team next season and forward...thanks..

Nate Ravitz

  (11:08 AM)

You're very weak at running back, in my book. I'm not confident that either Young or Watson will be an uncontested starter. But that's still a solid base.

Ari G (305)

Corey Hart, or Cameron Maybin? Thanks

Nate Ravitz

  (11:09 AM)

Hart, and it's not even close, at least for 2008.

Craig (MPLS)

Rule No 1: Never pay for a career year. Those who take Hanley and JRoll too high will regret it. The only 1st rounders I'm in love with are ARod, Pujols, Reyes, Wright, Cabrera, and Crawford. Money in the bank right there.

Nate Ravitz

  (11:10 AM)

Well, your premise is fine, but what's the downside of drafting Rollins in the top 10? .277-25-83-127-36 in his non-career-year in 2006.

eric (miami)

nate, i know there's not much bball talk here, but i am fighting for one of the final playoff spots in my league and i have bynum...do i try to trade him, waive him outright or hold on and hope i can make the playoffs without him?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:10 AM)

I think you have to hold him if you can, or at least deal him. He still has value.

Paul T. (Cincinnati)

Better keeper - Dan Haren or Erik Bedard? Wish I could keep both but I only have 4 spots and already have Vlad, Ortiz, and David Wright.

Nate Ravitz

  (11:13 AM)

I'd personally keep Haren, but I'm sure I'm in the minority. Bedard's upside is higher, but Haren is much safer and will be a beast in the NL, even in a hitters' park.

matt (the chi)

TRADE ALERT! I was offered a trade last night that i fear may be to good to be true. I was offered D.Will and D.Howard for Kobe. Am i missing something or should i just pull the trigger?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:13 AM)

Pull the trigger.

Michael (Portland, ME)

If I'm keeping Peavy and Gallardo, would I be crazy to draft Dan Haren with my first pick in an 8 keeper NL-only league? I am also keeping Wright, Utley, Furcal, Bay and Kemp.

Nate Ravitz

  (11:15 AM)

I'd have to know who else was available, but I see Haren as a top 20 player in NL-only, so it's not crazy

Trent (Marine/Pod Trooper)

Are you whipping the Pod Vader into shape? We the Pod Troopers are losing the battle against Stephania's soldier and the Andy Glockner. Without our leader it is only me and few Marines/Pod Troopers holding them off. We need the Pod Vader and many kegs of coke zero asap! And are u still degrading your self by eating the girly snack bites?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:16 AM)

Pod Vader is slowly recovering. And yes, the snack bites are delicious. I'm comfortable in my skin.

Buck (LA)

Follow up to the Braun question, do you think ESPN will set his eligibility to LF and 3B immediately or will we have to wait for the proper number of games played in LF?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:16 AM)

Braun's default will be 3B

Cory(DC)

Dynasty league question- How much longer will Cleveland keep V-Mart behind the plate and who wins this deal, Kelly Johnson/Jered Weaver for Rasmus/Slowey/Brignac?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:18 AM)

My guess is Martin catches a few more years. There doesn't seem to be much momentum to moving him. I like the Rasmus side long term, but they will need 2 full years to catch up in value.

Ari G (305)

Will Manny Parra be this year's Yovani Gallardo? (including the game in Colorado ...)

Nate Ravitz

  (11:18 AM)

No, he's not THAT good.

Dan (NYC)

Nate, I have a tricky draft this year as we're transitioning to dynasty format. In what rounds would you consider drafting stud prospects like Bruce and Longoria? Thanks.

Nate Ravitz

  (11:22 AM)

It's really impossible to say without so little info. I will say that I was part of a first-year dynasty draft last year, with 16 teams, and for instance, Maybin went in Round 15

Jacob (Pine City)

In my keeper leauge I need to choose between Jason Campbell or D Anderson as my backup. Who shall I keep?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:22 AM)

Anderson and it's not even close. I personally don't like Campbell much at all. You saw how much better the Skins got with Todd Collins at QB, and that's says a lot about Campbell.

DJ (MN)

How do you think Dontrell will do in Detroit. I am tempeted to give him up in favor of picking up someone like a Brandon Mcarthy and another cheap starter. Good idea?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:23 AM)

Dontrelle should be a lot better than McCarthy. Even switching to the harder league, he'll get a boost from facing guys who haven't seen him much, and I think Kenny Rogers will have a positive influence on him (seriously)

David (DC)

Dynasty league, which side? Alex Rios and Beckett for Hanley Ramirez and Colby Rasmus.

Nate Ravitz

  (11:25 AM)

Short term, Beckett side in a landslide. I prefer playing for the next 1-2 years, and it's going to be more than that before Colby will be good enough to make this even.

Joe (ny)

With so many top RBs entering the draft this year, do you think this will further dilute the number of feature backs in the nfl?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:25 AM)

I disagree with your premise. I'm not at all excited about the backs coming into the league this year.

Ed (J'ville)

B. Jacobs a good keeper in the 3rd?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:26 AM)

yeah, that's about right. I'll probably rank him 12-15 among RBs, and 20-25 overall.

Chris (Orlando)

Really keep Bynum? You think he'll be back to full speed even when he does return? I was thinking they'd rest him for the playoffs and therefore was about to drop him. Hold him? REALLY?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:27 AM)

Obviously depends on who you can get for him. But he could easily play a full month of the season.

Ari G (305)

Please rank the following rookies: Bruce, Rasmus, Maybin. Thanks

Nate Ravitz

  (11:27 AM)

1. Bruce 2. Maybin 3. Rasmus

Joe (Billings, MT)

Nate, who are your SP sleepers for next year? Anybody that I should target currently in the minors beside Kershaw?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:33 AM)

Kershaw is a full year away (or more) from being a big league contributor, so it depends on when you need the payoff. For SP sleepers, I like Bonser, Owings, Wolf

Geoff (NY)

MBIII not only had a career high in carries, but a career high in yards as well on Sunday. I think hes a RB1 next year, your thoughts?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:34 AM)

Yes. I ranked him No. 5 or 6 in my year-end Instant Replay column.

Pat (NJ)

When are you guys gonna wake up and start providing us with some fantasy baseball content? Rank these outfielders: Byrnes, Wells, A. Jones, Bay, Hideki, Young and Hart. Anyone else you see in this tier?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:35 AM)

We're awake! Lots of baseball content on the fantasy baseball home page. Draft Kit is coming in about 2 weeks. I'd rank them 1. Byrnes 2. Bay 3. Wells 4. Hart 5. Matsui 6. Young 7. Jones

Chris (Baltimore, MD)

You don't think the play calling and the Defense had more to do with the Skin's late season resurgence more than the switch from Campbell to Collins?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:37 AM)

There were many factors. But Collins had 5 TD passes and a 106.4 passer rating in 4 games, and Campbell had 12 TD passes and a 77.6 rating in 13 games. Some give Campbell a mulligan because he's played only 21 games so far, but I never liked him to begin with, so it's easy for me to bury him now.

Vinny (nyc)

Nate - In a points league that devalues SB's, is Tulo right up there with Reyes/Rollins/Hanley?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:38 AM)

Yes.

Steve (NY)

Is that Delmon Young or Chris Young?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:38 AM)

I assumed Chris.

Geoff (NY)

Just a follow up, would you keep Jamal Lewis in teh 6th or Barber for a 4th round pick? Thanks for taking my questions Nate

Nate Ravitz

  (11:38 AM)

Barber.

Ryan (PA)

Hey Nate, if it isn't to much trouble could i get your opinion on my 13 team dynasty league team. We get to keep our entire starting lineup every season. I am clearly looking to hopefully compete in 2009 and hopefully dominate for a couple years. Do you think I am taking to much of a risk or should this team be able to compete in a couple years? C-Johjima, 1B-Teix, 2B-Utley, SS-Tulo, 3B-Gordon, OF-Delmon, Kemp, Rios, Bruce DH-Kendrick SP-Sabathia, Verlander, Hughes, Cain, Lincecum. Thanks

Nate Ravitz

  (11:39 AM)

OK, let me try to tackle this. That team looks very solid. I'm not a huge Hughes fan, but I'm very high on Kemp and Kendrick to break out this year and Delmon and Bruce within 12-18 months.

Mike(NY)

How do you feel about Anthony Reyes and Wandy Rodriguez as possible breakout canidates this season, '07 James Shields esque?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:39 AM)

One word: No.

Cory(DC)

Should Kerry Wood be drafted in standard 12 team mixed?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:40 AM)

Probably, but only in the last two rounds.

Jon (NJ)

Would you keep Maroney for a 2nd or Ronnie Brown for a 3rd round pick? Or just dump both?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:41 AM)

I would not keep Maroney in Round 2 but would keep Brown in Round 3.

Dan (NYC)

Does King Felix finally put it together this year?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:41 AM)

65% likelihood, although Stephania thinks he's a major injury risk. There will be an article on that in the Draft Kit or shortly thereafter.

jake (indy)

would the falcons drafting mcfadden in the first round followed by colt brennan in the second round be a silent jackpot for them? especially considering the potential.

Nate Ravitz

  (11:42 AM)

I'm not high on Brennan as a pro prospect. He's just OK for me. And I don't believe in drafting RBs in the top 10.

Steve (NJ)

Nate, are you buying or selling TMR's take on Cameron-to-Brewers as a good 4th outfielder in a mixed league? I'm thinking sell, here. Too many good producers in the outfield.

Nate Ravitz

  (11:43 AM)

Selling. He's not a top 48 outfielder for me.

Todd (Milwaukee)

What are some key fantasy-related storylines to watch in spring training this year?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:44 AM)

Partial list: 1. Cubs closer 2. Liriano's return 3. OF/3B for the White Sox 4. Pedro

Craig (MPLS)

See if you agree. I list these guys as overvalued: HanRam, JRoll, Braun, D. Wright (barely), Maggs (#1 overvalued), Torii, Beckett, Haren, Papelbon, Ellsbury, Carmona (#2). Not comprehensive. Who do you see as overvalued?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:45 AM)

I'll answer in order: slightly, no, yes, no, slightly (people realize Maggs won't do that again), slightly, yes, no, yes, yes, yes

Tim (denver)

in a new 5x5 keeper league, where should Tulowitski go?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:46 AM)

Top 75 or so.

Jim (Albany NY)

Will Delmon Young and Alex Gordon breakout this year??

Nate Ravitz

  (11:46 AM)

I think yes on both.

Steve (NY)

Is Hunter Pence a top 20 OF this year or do we see a major drop in his BABIP?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:47 AM)

I'd rank him around 25 or so.

Steve (NY)

The #4 shortstop only top 75 in a keeper? Are you serious? He's a 4th rounder!

Nate Ravitz

  (11:48 AM)

I have him 6th among SS for '08, behind the big three as well as Jeter and Guillen. And SS is actually pretty deep this year, so there's no need to overpay.

Adrian (Minnesota)

Dont take a running back in the top 10 because its too tough to judge them, or because the position is too deep?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:50 AM)

Because it's just not a good value when there are so many Westbrooks, Parkers, Jacobs, Barbers, and Grants out there. Obviously, I'm not saying I'd NEVER take a back in the top 10, I just don't think it's the best place to invest so much cap dollars in.

Jack (Chicago)

Will Brandon Wood have value in 2008?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:50 AM)

Very little.

Lee (Tempe)

can we get at least 3 bball questions? Is calderon a top PG? I cant get a top 10 PF/C in my league everyone says I value him too high, what do you think?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:51 AM)

I don't answer many hoops questions because that's not my game, but it seems to me that you're valuing him too high.

Jon (Boston)

Define "Break-out", like a Braun type of breakout? or a Corey Hart type breakout?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:51 AM)

The latter.

Cory(DC)

No way Tulo is a 4th rounder. Look at the depth at SS with guys like Renteria, Guillen, Young, Tejada, Furcal maybe Hardy.

Nate Ravitz

  (11:52 AM)

Exactly. Renteria is arguably not a top 10 SS, and he hit .332 with 87 runs in only 124 games last year.

Drew (Richmond, VA)

In order who are you're top receivers next year? (1 through 7)

Nate Ravitz

  (11:53 AM)

All of my top 10s are in my wrap-up Instant Replay column: http://sports.espn.go.com/fantasy/football/ffl/story?page=InstantReplaywk17

Nate Ravitz

  (11:54 AM)

If you don't want to click, WRs are 1. Moss 2. Owens 3. Wayne 4. Edwards 5. Colston 6. Fitz 7. Steve Smith

Steve (NY)

Before you guys continue to trash Tulowitzki, the original question was in a keeper league. That context is very important.

Nate Ravitz

  (11:55 AM)

I think I missed the keeper portion of it, but that bumps him up only 10 picks or so. 4th round is still way too early.

Ben (Sydney):

Based on the end of the regular season and the playoffs so far, have you noticed any football sleepers for next year?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:56 AM)

Potentially Sproles as the backup to LT when Turner leaves. David Garrard. I'm sure I'm missing a bunch.

Ryan (PA)

Nate, thoughts on Michael Turner for next year. I took a flyer on him this year in my keeper league. Also I will have the first pick in my supp draft next season. Is Ryan Grant worth $75 in a $350 cap league?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:57 AM)

That sounds about right for Grant. A tad high, but I guess you have to account for inflation. I was way wrong on him. I think Turner might be overvalued next year, but he's still a good keeper.

Jim (Albany NY)

Do we all remember a rookie Shortstop for Rockies that had a great rookie year and then simply vanished? What is his name?? Clint Barmes

Nate Ravitz

  (11:58 AM)

Tulo was a much better prospect than Barmes all along and is a better player. Hey, podcast listeners know, I love Double-T, but a lot of fantasy players (even experienced ones) overrate the importance of position scarcity, and/or don't notice when a position that was once shallow is now deep.

Ben (SF)

You say that Braun is overvalued. What do you think his stats will be?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:01 PM)

Something like .295-30-100 with 15 steals. He'll be outstanding, just not a guy who delivers more than you "pay" for. He's just not going to hit .450 and slug over .900 against lefties again. That will be the big difference.

Nate Ravitz

  (12:02 PM)

On that note, I'm off for a week. Check out TMR's chat at 3:00 pm. Thanks for the questions.