Nate Ravitz

  (11:00 AM)

Hey guys. It's the light season in fantasy, so we can chat about whatever you want. Let's do it.

Lazy Guy (Boston, MA)

When is the next podcast from you, Matt and Pod Vader going to be available? If I don't have any podcasts to listen to, I actually have to do some work. That's no fun!

Nate Ravitz

  (11:01 AM)

We are actually recording today and it will be up by the end of the week. Weekly podcasts from now until mid-March. Thanks for being a fan.

Gray (Chicago)

Nate, do you expect any bounceback from Michael Barrett this year? He had been a top 10 C for three straight years and I think the trade/Zambrano incident probably affected his play. Will he get enough ABs?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:02 AM)

I think he should bounce back in terms of what he does, but the opportunity may not be there. The Padres are committed to Bard, so Barrett probably won't play more than 2-3 times per week if he stays in San Diego. But a trade would make him a lot more valuable, obviously.

Jeff (Charlotte, NC)

hey nate, just wondering when ESPN will have information regarding the 2008 Fantasy Baseball Season...when we can sign up and start drafting. Thanks

Nate Ravitz

  (11:03 AM)

Fantasy Baseball will be available for sign up in early-mid February. Stay tuned.

Eric Maki, Columbia, Missouri (Mizzou)

Nate, The Commish from Mizzou calling to see if you have recovered from the sever beatings you were given by mere mortals like myself, Durr, Hollywood Torrence, and others? Anyway, which rookie will have a better fantasy year; Clay Bucholtz from my Red Sox or Joba Chamberlin from the Empire? Ok let me know, thanks, The Commish (Eric Maki)

Nate Ravitz

  (11:04 AM)

Those names are but a distant memory. Kidding, I love Buchholz, and Joba still needs to prove himself as a starter in the majors. Easy call there.

Eric(DC)

Will Matt Diaz be the Braves everyday left fielder and if so is he worth a look in deep mixed leagues?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:07 AM)

I think Diaz deserves a shot to play every day, but I'm not 100 percent convinced he'll get it. Right now, he's borderline draftable in 12-team mixed leagues.

Steve (MA via E. Hartford)

Which two should be kept out of McCann, Victorino, Bedard, and Sabathia?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:07 AM)

I'd keep the pitchers.

Dan (NYC)

Nate, please rank the following SP's as long-term keepers in a dynasty league: Gallardo, Lincecum, McGowan, Billingsley, Morales. Thanks.

Nate Ravitz

  (11:08 AM)

I'd say 1. Gallardo 2. Lincecum 3. Billingsley 4. McGowan 5. Morales

Jackson (Philly)

Nate, need some help. I'm keeping a ton of hitting in my NL-only league (Pujols, Utley, Soriano, Phillips, Atkins, Pierre) but really need pitching help. Would deal Phillips for Harang?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:09 AM)

No, I wouldn't make that deal. I love Harang, but Phillips is too much to give up. I'd offer Pierre or Atkins.

Marc, Charlotte, NC

Nate, I am in a 11 team NL only auction league ($260). I have Peavy ($29) and Webb ($35) from last year. Is that too much $ to protect them both? I have offers for Peavy: Rich Hill ($8) or Y. Escobar ($2) and Milledge ($1). Deal the best pitcher in the planet or somehow afford both Webb and Peavy?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:10 AM)

I don't think you'll have much success building a team if you commit $64 to two pitchers, even if they are the two best in the league. I'd keep Peavy and deal Webb or thrown him back.

Tom NJ

In a h2h league that has Holds as a category, would you trade Placido Polanco and Heath bell for Brian Roberts? I could use steals. Thanks!!

Nate Ravitz

  (11:10 AM)

That seems fair to me. To be honest, I've never played H2H with holds.

Jack (LA)

Nate, how long until Jay Bruce is the player we all expect? 2009? Late 2008?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:11 AM)

Depends what you expect. He's not going to be a MLB superstar until 2010 or later, probably. But I'll be he's a No. 3 fantasy OF in 12-team leagues by 2009.

Kyle (OH)

NFL keeper league question--2 of the following: Portis, Lynch, Chad Johnson, M. Turner, Roethlisberger?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:12 AM)

Portis and Lynch for me. And not all that close.

Buck (SD)

How do you see the back end of the Twins and A's rotations shaking out?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:14 AM)

For the A's, my guess is that 9 or 10 pitchers make starts for them this year. After Blanton, there's no one you can count on. Braden could be a sleeper. He was unlucky (and bad) last year. In Minnesota, I think Baker and Slowey get the last two spots.

Frank (Milwaukee)

Nate, name three guys you expect to take over closer roles by 2009 that currently are not closing.

Nate Ravitz

  (11:15 AM)

Joaquin Benoit, Derrick Turnbow, and anyone on San Francisco not named Brian Wilson.

Paul T. (Cincinnati)

Which pitcher should I keep - Bedard or Haren? Bedard will K more but lost some tough 1-0, 2-1 games and this is a points league where losses are -5 and wins are 5 pts. Other owners think I'm an idiot for keeping Haren instead. Am I?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:16 AM)

I'd keep Haren. Bedard has marginally higher upside and considerably more risk.

Jason (Atlanta)

Most likely to break out this season...Cano, Gordon, or Zimmerman? And who are your top 5 "breakout" candidates to significantly improve on their prior stats?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:17 AM)

Gordon. Not a top five, but other candidates are Matt Kemp, Xavier Nady, Carlos Ruiz

Scott (Fort Wayne)

Nate, how do you think Brett Myers will fare heading back into the rotation? He's got big upside.

Nate Ravitz

  (11:18 AM)

Tough to say, but I'm inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt and project a No. 2 starter type season.

Brendan-Boston

Is Greinke worth keeping as a flyer with upside in a deep AL-Only league at $3. The 2nd half of the year he was pretty good.

Nate Ravitz

  (11:20 AM)

Yeah, that's probably about the max I'd keep him for, but he's worth the gamble for that price.

Scott, IA

Hey Tristan I have to keep 5 out of these 9 players. I am thinking about keeping D. Wright, Braun, Utley, Fielder, and Sizemore. The other 4 are Beckett, Hamels, Webb, and Hafner. Am I keeping the best 5? I will be picking second to last in the first round so I may be able to get one pitcher back. What do you think?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:23 AM)

I'll forgive you for calling me Tristan. I think you're keeping the right guys.

Kevin(FL)

Over/Under- 90r-15hr-15steals for Fukudome?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:23 AM)

I'll take the under on everything but maybe homers. 16-17 feels right there.

Mike(NY)

Do you expect V-Mart to keep his catcher eligiblity for another few years?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:24 AM)

Yes. Seems like I get asked that every week, but there's absolutely nothing from the Tribe to suggest they're considering a move.

Joe(SF)

When do the rankings come out?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:25 AM)

Our baseball draft kit, with rankings and lots of other goodies, will be available the first week of February.

Mike(Boston)

Over/Under- 40 steals for Bourn?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:27 AM)

I'd lean toward the over, but just barely.

Steve (NY)

Nate, is Miguel Cabrera a top ten pick and a potential #1 overall player this year with an Albert Pujols type season?

Larry(NY)

Are you not worried about Ethier and Pierre stealing at bats from Kempp?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:29 AM)

He's a top 10 pick, but he'd have to go something like .335-40-130 to be the No. 1 player. Is that possible? Sure. Likely? No.

Ted (Philly)

What do you make of Larry Fitzgerald's value if he's traded to either: Jacksonville Jaguars, Minnesota Vikings, or Philadelphia Eagles?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:30 AM)

Very good in all those places, though weakest in Minnesota. I probably keep him in my top 10 for WRs in Arizona, Jacksonville or Philly and move him down 5 spots in Minnesota.

Steve (NY)

Nate, not that I take it personally, but am I going to be forced to look at my lonely question with no answer the whole chat?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:34 AM)

Sorry bout that. I typed a reply, but having some connection issues and it got lost in cyberspace. He'd have to go .335-45-130 to be the No. 1 player in fantasy because he doesn't run at all. Possible? Yes. Likely? No, but he is a top 10 pick for sure.

Walt (Lanford)

I know you think Cedric Benson is the "Worst Starting NFL RB", but even if the Bears bring in another RB do you see Benson getting the Goal Line carries regardless?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:34 AM)

No. Why would he get goal-line carries? He's terrible in close quarters.

Adam (Chicago, IL)

Nate answered yours Steve...not Larry's.

Nate Ravitz

  (11:35 AM)

Sorry. More problems. To answer Larry, I am concerned about Ethier and Pierre taking time from Kemp, but he's still a breakout "candidate"

Brick (Brooklyn)

What is Victorino's ceiling? Poor man's Carl Crawford?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:36 AM)

Pretty poor man, but yeah.

Pat (DC)

Keep five from: Kazmir, Liriano, BJ Upton, Justin Upton, Tejada, Braun and Hafner.

Nate Ravitz

  (11:37 AM)

BJ Upton, Braun, Hafner, Kazmir and Liriano

Greg (Syracuse)

Nate, keeper league with 14 teams, I have D.Young, C.Young, J.Upton, Pence but I have to deal one, which would you deal, there salaries are all $5 except CB at $1. Thanks.

Nate Ravitz

  (11:37 AM)

I would deal Upton.

Scott, IA

Are there rumors of Fitzgerald gettings traded and for what?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:38 AM)

There have been rumors all season. He's looking for a new deal, I think.

Gary(Seattle)

Is Murton anything more than a platoon option still even with Jones shipped to Detroit?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:38 AM)

Probably not, unfortunately.

James (IA)

Nate, I have an auction Keeper question for you. Pick two from B Roberts (16), A Rios (12), J Peavy (27). I'm leaning toward Rios and Peavy because Peavy was so dang dominant and I think 2B is deep this year (my league starts 2 2B). Plust I know Utley, Roberts, Uggla and Pedroia will be in the draft. What do you think?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:40 AM)

I'd do the same.

Brick (Brooklyn)

Shouldn't you answer questions that ask "which one would you deal...?" with the answer "which ever you can get the best value for"?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:43 AM)

Sure, but people tend to get bored of that answer quickly.

Brick (Brooklyn)

Ryan Braun = Fernando Tatis. Write it down.

Nate Ravitz

  (11:44 AM)

I can't find my fantasy pen. And that's a fantasy

Bryan (Montclair, NJ)

Since ESPN loves the Upton brothers so much, what round would you take each of them, respectively?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:44 AM)

In a 12-team mixed league, I would take BJ in the third or fourth round and Justin not at all.

Tim (Lynbrook, NY)

Nate, What are your opinions of Scott Olsen in 2008?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:45 AM)

Decent bet for a bounceback. I liked him a lot heading into 2007.

Nate Ravitz

  (11:47 AM)

Guys, I'm sorry, but I'm just having too many problems connecting here. Please check in with AJ Mass at 3:00 pm today for more fantasy goodness.