ESPN

AJ Mass

  (2:58 PM)

Hey gang! Matthew's out in Arizona. I guess there's some big event going on or something. Anyways, I'll be here for the next 60 minutes to discuss fantasy MLB, NFL and of course, Bracketology 101. Any questions?

Matt (Marlton, NJ)

Both fantasy baseball and football: You experts always write about drafting in 12 team leagues. How would you change your draft strategy in an 8 team league? There are more out there than you think...

AJ Mass

  (3:00 PM)

With 8 team leagues, you not going to go nearly as deep into the player pool as a 12 team league. Therefore, there's far less positional scarcity. Get the best available talent each pick period and if you want to take a chance on a sleeper late, it's a whole lot easier to correct your mistake.

J. Seagull (Livingston, NJ)

Fear Rutgers! NCAA's for us!!!

AJ Mass

  (3:01 PM)

School spirit is one thing. Delusional ranting is quite another.

Dan (RI)

Matt, I can keep Gallardo, Lincecum and J. Vasquez for $10 apiece. Who would you recommend I let go? I was thinking Lincecum because it's a points league that values wins heavily. Thanks.

AJ Mass

  (3:04 PM)

Wins is one of the few categories that a pitcher can't control. Quality starts don't guarantee wins. Even on a good team. All three pitchers are in the same neighborhood, but I personally might Vazquez go.

Bill (Berkeley)

Who has more value for an AL only, 5x5 league - keeping Kendrick as a 15th rounder, or Kinsler as an 11th rounder?

AJ Mass

  (3:09 PM)

Kinsler is more valuable in my book. Kendrick's average may be higher, but I think Ian outshines in 3 of the other 4 categories.

Joltin (Dirty Dozen)

Corey Hart, Rusell Martin, or the boring but steady Konerko?

AJ Mass

  (3:10 PM)

Because of the steals at a thin catcher spot, I'd go Martin.

Brian (DE)

AJ, looking for your input to help evaluate a trade offer from a rival owner in my head to head, keeper baseball league. The main pieces to the deal are Sizemore, Granderson, and Rios. Could you please share your thoughts on these players and their value (current and future). Thanks bro.

AJ Mass

  (3:13 PM)

I think Rios is what he is, with not a lot of upside for future. Granderson is the hot "flavor of the month" name, but I still think Sizemore has the most upside for 2008 and beyond.

Allen: (Asheville NC)

Mr. Mass, 15 team 10 player keeper league. Salty, Soto or Suzuki as my #2 catcher? Tahnks

AJ Mass

  (3:15 PM)

In a 15-team league, Soto is the only #1 catcher of the three you've listed. To have him as a backup is advantage: you.

Nate, Wa

What's your projections for Manny this year and which round should he be drafted?

AJ Mass

  (3:17 PM)

Manny may hit 25 HR, because he gives no help at all in SB and he's well, Manny, I'd say 6th or 7th round.

Brick (Brooklyn)

Binghamton sits atop the America East! Do the bearcats make their first tourney and do they get to the 2nd round?

AJ Mass

  (3:19 PM)

Sadly, in conferences such as the America East, it only matters who wins three games in March. And since first round is in Boston, it may be difficult for them to even manage that.

Jim (Cambridge, MA)

Furcal: big bournceback or was '07 a sign of things to come? I know he was injured, but he's getting up there for a middle infielder too. Would you take him ahead of C Guillen (at SS) or M Young?

AJ Mass

  (3:22 PM)

I think he bounces back. 2nd half he stole 18 bases. But I take Guillen ahead of him.

Jdog (Washington, D.C.)

How big of a bump in value does Johan get if he goes to the NL with the Mets?

AJ Mass

  (3:23 PM)

He's already at worst the No. 2 pitcher in baseball. (You could argue Peavy at No. 1) - How much higher could his value go? Although, I dare say in AL-only leagues, he'll drop quite a bit if the Mets get him.

Evan (CT)

Who would you take second overall in fantasy baseball?

AJ Mass

  (3:25 PM)

Assuming that we're talking A-Rod at No. 1, I'd give the No. 2 spot to Jimmy Rollins, much as it pains me personally to do so.

Ryan (Boston)

Zimmerman or Gordan for this year and long term????

AJ Mass

  (3:27 PM)

For this year Zimmerman. Eventually, I think Gordon... but he's a long ways away from making anyone forget the name George Brett.

AJ's Brain

I think I totally lost it. I recommended Rollins at 2.

AJ Mass

  (3:29 PM)

It's those extra at-bats. 700 at-bats of .300 go a lot longer than 600 of .300 of say, a Hanley.

Mark: NY

AJ, who should get my last roster spot Sonnanstine ($2) or Snell ($7)?

AJ Mass

  (3:31 PM)

Lot of love around campus for Snell.

Judd (Washington)

Someone asked Nate about Casey Kotchman this mrning and while he admitted Kotch may be a sleeper, he was not very optimistic. In this new lineup, could you see Kotch approach a .300-20-100 line?

AJ Mass

  (3:33 PM)

I think your numbers look like more of a "best-case" scenario. Casey's got to work on a swing that still hits the ball on the ground far too much for a power hitter. 15 HR is more realistic.

Ed (J'ville)

With the emergence of Bradshaw, is B. Jacobs a good keeper in the 3rd round (12 team league)?

AJ Mass

  (3:35 PM)

Bradshaw has provided a nice change of pace, but there's nothing to suggest he'll take the job from Jacobs next season. Jacobs will be a 1000 yarder again and yeah, I'd keep him.

Joe

AJ, you have to admit that you are out on an island on many of your predictions and projections. Do you take any abuse in drafts and/or auctions?

AJ Mass

  (3:38 PM)

Everyone is looking at the same numbers. It's all in how you choose to interpret it. I don't get a lot of abuse from my peers because they understand the angle I approach the analysis from. They may not agree, but they're smart enough not to cast the first stone.

Dan (NJ)

Why do so many of you at ESPN have Reyes ranked at #3? With Rollins you get about 20 fewer steals, but much better stats in the other 4 categories. Am I missing something??

AJ Mass

  (3:42 PM)

Since I just put Rollins at #2, I think I'm in the clear in this accusation... I have Reyes as #12 hitter overall right now. But some people value steals more and the value that trading Reyes during the year when you've monopolized that category as a factor in his value. Others look to the power numbers and see an upward trend, which would increase his value. Or positional scarcity.It's a "whole universe" view versus simply saying "A or B. I'll take A." which is where most of the complaints come... when owners look at the debate from that angle.

Art (Durham)

What do you do all day? The fantasy homepage isn't exactly overflowing with AJ Mass content. I call for more!

AJ Mass

  (3:44 PM)

LOL! We're hard at work on the MLB Draft Kit... and even though it hasn't posted yet, it will be soon. Plus, I've been in these here chats two or three times a week while the cats are all away. Thanks for the support!

Frank (Boston, MA)

AJ - how can you say Rios does not have alot of upside? He's just turning 27, was a top 10 prospect in all of baseball coming up, was #15 in baseball in total bases last year, and is capable of 20-25 SB to boot.

AJ Mass

  (3:47 PM)

I don't think Alex can do it for a full season. Look at his first half numbers versus his second half numbers over his career. Huge dropoffs. Either pitchers figure him out, he fails to make adjustments or he just gets tired. Whatever it is, he IS 27. I'd expect this sort of progress from a 23 year-old.

Al

But, you have a man-crush on Juan Pierre, so you must value steals as much as anyone,

AJ Mass

  (3:49 PM)

I do value steals, but I'm not blind to the fact that Juan had as many HR as I did last season.

Evan (CT)

Where do you see Albert Pujols landing?

AJ Mass

  (3:51 PM)

Will he go in the 1st Round in most leagues? Absolutely. Have I gone on record as saying I personally am not going to be the one who takes him? Yes.

brad (harrisburg, pa)

plain and simple: your best "value" picks on draft day so far. (lovin the Rollins pick)

AJ Mass

  (3:55 PM)

Brad, that's a hard question to answer - because value picks in a draft are relative. If Player X goes in the first round in my draft, but falls to you in your draft in Round 5, that's a great value... vice versa, and it's not so much. Players I like more than most? Probably Phillips, Byrnes, Torii.

AJ Mass

  (3:55 PM)

We've got time for just a few more.

John (Lakeland)

Pick one to keep: Cano (cost 5th round pick), Hamels (6th), Rios (6th), Carlos Pena (10th), Gallardo (10th), or Rowand (21st)?

AJ Mass

  (3:56 PM)

Pena in the 10th certainly jumped out at me.

Jacob Joseph Richland Center, WI

Do you think brett farve is going to come back? I think so!

AJ Mass

  (3:57 PM)

Once more into the breach? Yes, I think he'll give it one more try.

Paul (Colorado Springs, CO)

AJ,It could be argued that any position player on the ROX team could put up good stats..even a 2B at the 7/8 hole. Who do you see winning the 2B challenge in Colorado; Nix, Giles, Barmes, Stewart, or Baker?

AJ Mass

  (4:00 PM)

The job is Nix's to lose. They brought Giles in as a mentor to him. Should provide a nice bit of speed.

AJ Mass

  (4:00 PM)

Time to run gang... but fear not, we'll be back tomorrow at 3pm for another hour of fantasy chat. Thanks for all your questions... see you then!