Scott Engel

  (2:59 PM)

Good afternoon everyone! Fire away with your fantasy questions, including offseason fantasy football and fantasy racing!

Adam (NY,NY)

Better 08 keeper, Bedard or Webb?

Scott Engel

  (3:03 PM)

You really cannot go wrong with either guy - both are in the prime of their careers. Nothing at all against Webb, but I will give the slight nod to Bedard, a four-category staple who should be a top guy no matter where he plays

Eric (Albany)

You have the #2 overall pick. Assuming A-Rod goes #1.....who are you picking #2?

Scott Engel

  (3:07 PM)

It would be very close between Hanley Ramirez and Jose Reyes if Ramirez's shoulder didn;t give mild concern, so I would rather go with Reyes even in light of the bad finish last year

mike cincy

you are an angry guy

Scott Engel

  (3:08 PM)

No - just serious about fantasy sports. I am happy go-lucky to those who know me, and I am a strong family man who also loves playing Madden

Gray (Chicago)

Do you think any of the double Casey Kotchman hit last year will be HRs this year? Is .300-25-90 that far out of the question with regular ABs?

Scott Engel

  (3:11 PM)

I don't think Kotchman quite has the classic power of some other guys at his position, but you should still be happy with the production you get from him if he's what you have as a returning keeper

mike cincy

i just got madden for the Wii, this is my first time playing it on any level. Man is it fun!

Scott Engel

  (3:12 PM)

I have Madden '07 for the Wii, but I got '08 for the 360 - Next-gen graphics are amazing on that system!

Jack (New York)

So it would be a smart move to pass up Pujols at #2? Last year in my league 4 people passed up A-Rod and I was glad to take him. Wouldn't that be the same case with Pujols?

Scott Engel

  (3:14 PM)

I don't think it's crazy at all to pass on him, especially with the elbow issue. He could land on the DL at some point, and I would rather take Reyes with the second pick

Jerry (Portland, OR)

Thanks for the chat Scott. Ian Kinsler a top 5 second baseman in your opinion?

Scott Engel

  (3:18 PM)

Maybe in an AL-only league, but not a mixed format - his batting average did drop last year, but I am expecting more improvements this year - he's still quite good even if not top 5 overall

Brian (DE)

Along the lines of the Sizemore question, where do you rank Rios amongst mixed league outfielders? Does he make your top 15?

Scott Engel

  (3:21 PM)

He proved he is for real last year, and I have always been a big Rios backer - looks like will stay in Toronto for now, and he would make the back of my top 15, I believe

Train (OAK)

Hi Scott, Fielder, Howard, Tex and Ortiz will all be kept in my league. Pujols worries me so I am thinking about leaving him to someone else. Would it then be best to grab one of the next couple of quality 1B (Berkman) or wait and get a Pena or Konerko? In other words, after the top 6 1B do you see anyone standing head and shoulders above the rest? And should I scrap all that and make a move for Pujols given that the rest of the best are kept? (9 team league) thanks!

Scott Engel

  (3:24 PM)

The position has always been deep, and last year was no exception - you can wait if you toss Pujols back and still get very good power - you can certainly concentrate on other positions early in your draft or with your highest bid in the auction, but don't wait too long

Bill (Berkeley)

I think you're underestimating Kinsler. He might just miss the cut in a mixed league, but in an AL only league there really aren't any other options that provide 20/20 potential. Cano will give you a better average and Brian Roberts will chip in more steals, but Kinsler will contribute in at least 4 categories.

Scott Engel

  (3:28 PM)

I am not disagreeing with you at all - in an AL-only league, he certainly stands out even more - but if use can use BJ Upton at second in your league, he certainly deserves prime consideration as well

Scott Engel

  (3:31 PM)

Top 10 Fantasy NASCAR drivers - Gordon, Johnson, Stewart, Kenseth, Edwards, Junior, Edwards, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Bowyer,

Joe (Billings, MT)

Scott, followup question on Pujols. I have him at $50 in an auction league ($325 cap) and not much for options on the wire. Should I drop him and try regrabbing him for less money or hold him and hope for the best?

Scott Engel

  (3:32 PM)

I would try tossing him back and see if you can get him for a few bucks less - even if you lose him, there are a lot of other quality options at the position in any league

Jason (Utica, NY)

I've got Grady, Howard, and Arod as my keepers. Do I shoot for two studs to anchor my staff, or fill positions in weak areas?

Scott Engel

  (3:34 PM)

I certainly, at least personally like the idea of gettingt he two studs to anchor the staff - I think you can let the weaker positions fall into place for the remainder of the draft

Jack (New York)

Which Justin Morneau could we expect this year? The guy who won MVP or they guy who dropped his batting average to .275? Which round should he be taken?

Scott Engel

  (3:37 PM)

Morneau could see less time against lefties this year, but the power numbers should still be eexcellent eeven if it's not quite on par with his MVP campaign again - I have seen him go in the latter half of the third round in some early mixed-league drafts

Gino (Bronx)

Assuming he stays healthy, what do you project for Sheffield this year?

Scott Engel

  (3:39 PM)

Supposedly, he's making great progress in his recovery - but that doesn't assure anyone the risk won't go away - still, his numbers should be at his usual levels when he is available

Zack (Boston)

Scott, do you think Hawpe will replicate/improve upon last season or was it a career year?

Scott Engel

  (3:42 PM)

At best, I could see him getting close, but probably not any better. he doesn't hit lefties well,a nd it remains to eb seen if and how that situation will be addressed

Beau(Wisconsin)

for the Next Fantasty Draft what should i have a QB Tom Brady Or Eli Manning

Scott Engel

  (3:43 PM)

Manning is hot now, but one outstanding four -game stretch, while it does boost his valeu closer to the top 10, doesn't put him anywhere an elite guy like Bardy, who will be a top two selection overall in many yearly leagues

Benjamin (Middletown, DE)

Major let down for Prince Fielder this year coming off 50hr season?

Scott Engel

  (3:47 PM)

I can't see any solid reasons for a falloff - in fact, some fantasy experst think he could actually top what he did last season by a slight margin

Tyler (Iowa)

while its true Morneau didnt hit lefties well last year, I doubt that it will have much of an effect on his ab's against them. The twins have no one else to play there and Justin plays great def anyway

Scott Engel

  (3:48 PM)

Very true, Tyler, good points. No matter what, without comparing him to his best year, he is still a fine pick early on

Jack (New York)

Thanks for answering all my questions. I just got one more. Do you think this is Markakis' breakout year. Is it possible he goes .300-30-120 with 20 stolen bases?

Scott Engel

  (3:51 PM)

Those numbers are very close to what he delivered last season - he seems to be a second-half player so far, and if he can start better this year, he can go over 20 homers and officially reach 20 steals

Clyde (Boston)

Guerrero's health an issue?

Scott Engel

  (3:54 PM)

Everything seesm to be positive right now. recent reports from the AP had Guerrero saying he is almost fully recovered. Barring any setbacks, it seems reasonable to expect a healthy Vlad in 2008

Gino (Bronx)

Not that I don't appreciate that answer, but was looking for actual numbers. He stole 22 bases last year but I don't think that's usual.

Scott Engel

  (3:58 PM)

The steals last year for Sheffield seemed over usual range last year, and I'd certainly expecta dropoff from that now that he is 39 and health is more of an issue. I think he can hit .260 with over 20 HR and just above 10 steals

Corey (Seattle)

Is Rich Harden's career over? Is he even worth picking up?

Scott Engel

  (4:00 PM)

You have to like what he gives you when he is healthy - so just take the chance on him knowing the usual risks and be prepared with fallback options

Joe, Soon to be Baseball commish...

Starting a baseball keeper league. How many keepers should we have in a H2H 5x5 mixed? Most people want 6 or 7. And who are your top 10 players?

Scott Engel

  (4:05 PM)

I think six is fine - sounds good to me, especially since the player pool is deeper in mixed - my personal top 10: A-Rod, Reyes, Wright, Pujols, Rollins, Utley, Hanley, Johan, Utley, M. Cabrera Thanks a lot everyone!