Keith Lipscomb

  (3:00 PM)

Hey all! It's Thursday again, which means it's my turn. First of all, I'd like to bring back the final question of last week's chat which concerned keeping 3 players, which I quickly narrowed down to four (Brady, Addai, L. Johnson, Barber).

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:03 PM)

Since it was a buzzer-beater, I had to make a quick decision and after a week of thought, I'd like to change my keepers. Originally, I said I'd keep Brady, LJ and Barber, but after thinking it over some more, I'd keep all 3 RBs, because I can't imagine Brady will come all that close to 50 TDs again and having 3 stud backs is hard to stop, especially in leagues with a flex.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:03 PM)

OK, I feel better now...let's roll with your NEW questions.

Jeremiah, Denver

I would love to see the basketball get a little more love in these chat rooms! Quick question, Is Marko Jaric for real and would he be a good pickup to replace conley jr with?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:06 PM)

We try to do our part on hoops in here, so hope this answer works for you. I like Jaric more in the short-term, but Conley's the safer pick to get 30 minutes a night for the remainder of the season. If you think you can possibly get Conley back in a couple weeks, once Foye is back in the fold in Minnesota, then I'd do it in a second. Jaric's minutes have been played around with at times this season and that's without Foye as a factor. On the other hand, Memphis is committed to seeing what they've got with Conley.

Dan (RI)

Do you think that Rolen and Glaus are outside the top 15 at 3rd base?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:08 PM)

They very well could be, Dan. I like Glaus more than Rolen this year. I have him in the 14-15 range, while I have Rolen a handful of slots lower.

joe (alexandria, va)

Keep 2: Hanley (2nd round), Holliday (3rd), Bedard (13th)

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:12 PM)

Sounds like you can't go wrong there at all, Joe. No question that Bedard is great in the 13th, and even though it's only one round, I'll take Holliday over Hanley since I think it's more likely that he'll repeat his 2007 numbers, particularly in BA. But I'd like to have that problem, regardless.

Gino (Bronx)

In 5x5 league, who do you see having the best season Martin, Hert, or Konerko?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:17 PM)

I tend to favor well-rounded players, so although I like Konerko to bounce back in BA, I love the 20-20 that Hart can offer. I don't see Martin swiping 21 bases again, personally, but 12-15 would make him quite valuable still at catcher. It's close for me, but I'll go Hart, Martin, Konerko ,in that order, right now.

MT (TX)

B-Ball: Now that Salmons has been relegated to bench duty, which of these players would be a better overall help to my (or any) fantasy b-ball team looking for a SG: Salmons, Kareem Rush or Nate Robinson? Thanks

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:21 PM)

Yeah, it's unfortunate for those of us who have enjoyed Salmons' great numbers thus far, but I'd say Robinson's the guy here. His assists will be streaky, but he is slightly more well-rounded than Rush. If you need 3-pointers more, though, Rush is certainly the better choice.

Brian(Detroit)

Which 5 players would you keep? I can only keep them a max of 4 more years and do not need to keep them in 2009 if I don't want to. B.McCann, Derek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, Ichiro, Brandon Phillips, Peavy, Gallardo, M.Teixeira, F.Liriano. Thanks Keith.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:26 PM)

Since you don't HAVE to keep them in '09, I think you can wait on some guys to take them in the draft. So, I like Ichiro, Phillips, Peavy, Gallardo and Teixeira. The others will be able for you in the draft, I think. Liriano was the toughest to leave off for me, so he could easily replace one of the others.

Lee

Hey Keith, would you trade aldridge and felton for wade?...who would you rather have - aldridge or chandler?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:30 PM)

You know, Lee, I worry about D-Wade a lot. That body is not looking healthy and we know he'll keep getting beat around because of his style of play. If you're willing to take the chance that he could wind up injured again, I'd do that deal, especially if you can handle losing a frontcourt player like Aldridge. And I like Chandler more, despite the poor FT% and lower PPG ... because he's a much better rebounder and his FG% is among the best in the league.

Joe (San Diego)

top guys to AVOID in the first few rounds are:

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:34 PM)

I'm assuming you're talking MLB here, Joe, so here are a few guys that will likely go earlier than I'm willing to take them. It's hard to say AVOID in the first three rounds, because all of them are pretty good players, but I'm not as high on Chone Figgins, Brian Roberts, and -- to give you someone I saw go in the first round in a draft today -- Prince Fielder as others are.

Tom (NY)

Is it time to drop Shaq, I can grab McDyess?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:35 PM)

Yes, Tom, I think it is. It's just no fun playing the lame game with Shaq these days. It's nice to know your big fella's gonna play.

Andrew (Charlotte, NC)

Keith, I'm in 1st in my H2H Daily League an have been offered Calderon and Bogut for Billups and Horford. Would you make that deal, all else beeing equal.? having trouble messing with what works. Thanks for any Insight.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:39 PM)

I don't know in which area(s) your team may be lacking, but I'd have to strongly consider that deal, because you're upgrading with Bogut, while Calderon and Billups each have their great qualities that makes them relatively equal. I'm not as worried as others about Calderon losing time to T.J. Ford if/when he returns, because Calderon has simply been too good for even Sam Mitchell to cut into his minutes too much. I think Calderon will still get at least 30 minutes when Ford comes back. Bogut has been an absolutely monster this month and while he may not keep up this level, I do think his resurgence is for real. Horford is a what-you-see-is-what-you-get kind of guy, especially with so many teammates that need the ball in the ATL.

john (nevada)

where's the fantasy hockey chats?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:40 PM)

Hi John. Tristan Cockcroft, who chats on Thursdays at 11 ET, takes hockey questions and would be able to provide better insight than I would, to be quite honest.

ben (mckinney,TX)

Is Saltalamacchia a top 10 catcher?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:42 PM)

I don't think so at all, Ben. While his power potential is intriguing, I think he's closer to the 14-17 range.

Tim (Boston)

Keep 3 of 4: Corey Hart (lose 26th rounder), Hermida (lose 18th rounder), JJ Hardy (lose 20th rounder), Rich Hill (lose 15th rounder). Standard categories plus OPS

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:46 PM)

I'm a sucker for hitters in keeper leagues, Tim, so even though I like Rich Hill, to keep two quality young hitters in Hart and Hermida in later rounds (Hart in a MUCH later round) is too much for me to pass up. While you won't be able to get Hill so late this season, you'll still have the opportunity to get him in the draft. Check out how strong Hermida finished last season. Things are looking good for you with those two.

Dan (Baltimore)

Is it just me or does nobody else really think that Braun is overrated right now?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:49 PM)

I think it depends on where you'd be willing to take him, Dan. As great as he was in '07 -- and I love Braun -- there's no way he will torture lefties the same way he did (.450 BA, 1.480 OPS -- yes, 1.480). I think he's certainly an early second-round guy, maybe even late first-rounder, but I have a feeling I won't be owning him in any leagues this year, because someone will take him before I do.

Linas Kleiza

Who the hell am I, and am i roster worthy given Melo, Nene, KMart and their various issues?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:51 PM)

Kleiza is certainly worth owning while Melo's out, because he can shoot it -- and WILL shoot it. Since he can rebound a little and knock down 3s, he's worth it, short-term for sure. When Melo returns, his numbers will be a lot more inconsistent, because of the number of looks that AI and Melo demand.

Matt (Wynnewood, PA)

Howard or Fielder?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:53 PM)

I like Howard, Matt, but I've seen others' rankings with Prince higher. They are pretty close.

Mike(Atlanta)

Keith, I'm going to need steals, so should I take Figgins in the 6th round or try to steal Victorino in say the 11 or 12th?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:56 PM)

I'm not sure Figgins will last until the 6th round, Mike. Maybe the 4th or 5th, but doubtful for the 6th. But the 11th or 12th round sounds about right for the Flyin' Hawaiian.

Dan (DC)

Hey Keith. I was offered Okur and Artest for Jamison. I could use helps in steals, blocks, and rebounds. I could also substitute Granger for Jamison.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:59 PM)

Done deal, Dan. Jamison is a nice player, but I think Okur might be finally coming around. His rebounds have been really disappointing. And since you have Granger, that makes it an easy deal to make.

Gray (Chicago)

Will Ryan Braun be more valuable as a 3B or a LF this year?

Keith Lipscomb

  (4:00 PM)

Certainly 3B, since there aren't many players there that can do what he can do. But you're smart to think about what it could mean going forward in a keeper league, since he won't be 3B-eligible in 2009 if the Brew Crew remains healthy.

Lee

Hey Kieth, would you trade AK for josh howard or manu?...or would you keep him?

Keith Lipscomb

  (4:03 PM)

Yes, I would probably trade him for either guy, especially if you don't need his blocks. Both Manu and Howard are much better scorers and 3-point shooters, Manu has him in steals and Howard has shot the ball well and is a better rebounder.

Keith Lipscomb

  (4:04 PM)

Final question...

Brad (Denver)

Webb or Sabathia? Who has the better year?

Keith Lipscomb

  (4:07 PM)

Well, I think it's very close. C.C.'s in a contract year and has plenty of incentive to come back in his best shape. But I'll still take Webb, because I think it's possible C.C. won't be asked to toss 240-plus innings again. You tack on the playoffs and he was about 60 innings over his normal workload. We're splitting hairs here, but I'd take Webb, whose innings have always been around the 230 range.

Keith Lipscomb

  (4:08 PM)

Thanks for the questions, everyone. Have a great weekend and we'll see you next Thursday.