Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:01 AM)

Hi kids... back from vacation and then the Super Bowl... good to be back. Nate is chatting at 3pm... If anyone feels like trying Fantasy NASCAR, you can play for free with us - we have a new way to play that is h2h like football.... anyways, as always, all subjects answered

Eric (Albany)

Who the heck is Nate Ravitz?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:02 AM)

Not me. He's one of our Fantasy editors / writers / analysts here... he's a long time fantasy industry guy, he's co-host of our podcast with me, and he has a bunch of really hot sisters. He's chatting at 3

brad (harrisburg, pa)

plain and simple: do you see Utley's hand injury from last season affecting him this season? (a la Hafner '07)

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:04 AM)

No, I'm not worried about Utley becacuse he was effective once he came back. Plus a decent chunck of Utley's value comes from bpoth position scarcity and speed, neither of which are effected by the wrist

Brick (Brooklyn)

Dude. I ate too many incredibly hot chicken wings on Sunday. I'm still in rough shape. I don't think my stomach will ever be the same.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:04 AM)

Hang tough brother.

Joe V.(St. Louis)

TMR--give me over or under on Sizemore this year. .285-30-85-30-125

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:05 AM)

I'll take the over on avg, HR and Runs...RBI and steals is about right

jason

is any of his sisters single

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:06 AM)

3 of the 4 are, yes, including the two hottest ones.

Adam (NY,NY)

Benefits more from their trade, Johan or Bedard?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:06 AM)

Bedard... Johan was already a crazy stud. Bedard pitching against the West instead of the East and being in Safeco? Love it.

Chad - Atlanta GA

Will Yovani Gallardo and/or Billy Butler turn into a star? I have been offered either Sizemore of Francouer for Gallardo/Butler in a 20 Team Dynasty League, 5x5 Roto.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:08 AM)

Yes, both will be very very good. That said, I still might do the deal. Sizemore is such a stud... you never know with pitchers and Grady is still pretty young

jason

could you sit me up on a date

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:09 AM)

No.

Eric (Tampa)

Matthew... Santana pitching in the NL? It's gonna be lights out for him. I predict a record setting year for Johan.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:10 AM)

I do too, actually. His career NL ERA is under 2 and WHIP is under 1. He gets to face a pitcher every 9 times and the Mets scored something like 87 more runs than the Twins last year. All that said,,, bedard benefits more from the trade, but yeah, no question Santana will be a monster and is a top 5 pick this year

Mike (San Diego)

R. Hill or K. Escobar this year?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:10 AM)

Escobar, but I've always loved him. I'm not objective on Escobar

David(DC)

What do you think of Stephen Drew's chances of bouncing back this year? He was more highly rated then Troy "Bath Water" Tulowitzki as a prospect.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:11 AM)

I like Drew... but wouldn't reach for him. SS is suprisingly deep this year, incidentally

Steve (NY)

Over .285 30 HRs and 125 runs w/30 SBs and 85 RBIs? That's like projecting Sizemore top 10 or maybe top 5!

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:12 AM)

What can I say? I like Sizemore.

Tim (KC)

TMR... does Hafner make it back to fantasy prominence?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:13 AM)

He has to. You know, he wasn't terrible last year. he wasn't what you paid for, but he wasn't terrible.

Nate, WA

Prince or Howard? Who are you picking and who has the most upside?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:15 AM)

I say Prince has more upside but both are studs obviously. I'd probably end up with Prince if given a choice

Ken (Tarzana, CA)

Bill James projects that Chase Headley will have the 6th highest OBP in the majors? Do you buy that?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:16 AM)

Who am I to argue with Bill James? That said... no, I don't buy it.

brad (harrisburg, pa)

are we gonna see a love/hate PRIOR to the season this year? i could really use it for my draft preparation.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:16 AM)

I'm writing it right now, actually. Took a break to do this chat, but our draft kit will be up (and FREE) this week - towards the end

Brian (Tulsa, OK)

Love or hate Yunel Escobar? Projections for him.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:18 AM)

Love. .300, 15 SB,75 runs

Scott (Ohio)

What do you expect out of Nick Swisher this year, could he hit .270 with 35HR?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:19 AM)

Yeah, he could, but my guess is he's closer to 30. the move to CHI helps but I don't think he'll have THAT kind of year

bill pgh

better keeper lose the round picked. Victorino or Byrnes both 17th round. Thanks

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:21 AM)

Love both but it's Byrnes and it's not close. Speed / Power combo - can't pass that up

J (NYC)

Hold off on the fantasy q's for a sec...how were the Superbowl partys?!?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:26 AM)

Overall, pretty good. Went to a P. Diddy thing on Wed night with Jemele Hill where Ben Roethlisberger told mehat he had heard he'd "had a pretty good fantasy year because I was cheap or something?" ... to which I replied "Yes, yes you did." Thursday night was Madden Bowl and EA Sports - that was great. Partied with Andrea Lowell. Friday night was the ESPN Party - that was my favorite... because you go to all these parties right and it's all about who you know and who you are... and obviously, the ESPN party is where I knew the most people and vice verse. Sat night was Playboy party. I'll just leave it at that. Sunday was the game and just fantastic...

victor monroe,la

Did you get to meet jessica simpson and tony romo?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:26 AM)

No.

Todd, San Diego

Now that his main competition for the Rays' 3B job is sitting in a Dominican prison, are you bumping Evan Longoria up a few spots?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:27 AM)

I think so... I just heard the story this morning so let's see what develops but yes, if I were drafting today... you'd have to bump Longoria up.

Terry (Philly)

Rollins, Reyes or Ramirez?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:27 AM)

Hanley

Bob (Cincy)

This is taking a while, they must have been good

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:27 AM)

Yeah, you have no idea.

Mike (Carbondale, IL)

Fantasy Golf or Fantasy Nascar?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:28 AM)

For me? golf. But I'm gonna get into Fantasy NASCAR this year

Love Me Some Prine (Mpls, MN)

TMR - Tough decision. Would you trade Fielder ($23) for either Kazmir ($9) or Smoltz ($10) and either CB Young ($8), Byrnes ($7) or Markakis ($12)? I have 5 CI right now, and with our keeper structure the deal would allow me to keep 9 players instead of 8. What do you think?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:30 AM)

If I could do it for two of the position players, I would. But I don't think those are amazing prices for the pitchers. Good, not great... Kazmir has yet to put it together for a whole season and Smoltz is not someone I would grab for a keeper league. And prince is only gonna get better

Diego ((Chicago))

Tom Brady or A-Rod?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:30 AM)

Brady

Joe (Whitefish, MT)

What kind of year are you expecting out of Andruw Jones?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:31 AM)

37 HR, .255

Ryan (San Diego)

Are you going to let your hate for Rivers subside after his playoff performance? What kind of numbers do you expect from him next year?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:32 AM)

Not really, no. It was never a question of skill. My hate for Rivers was based on his coach and his inconsistency - you know there are going to be games wherre LT goes off and Rivers has 180 yards and no TD

Brick (Brooklyn)

Jessica Simpson or Gisele?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:33 AM)

Jessica. I'm actually not a huge Giselle fan

Brick (Brooklyn)

We want daily podcasts!!!!

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:35 AM)

well, we're doing one today actually - as soon as I'm done with this chat ... and we did one last week about Santana and other baseball news. Daily will start up in March is my guess.

Tyler (Calgary)

How about some love for Eli. It must feel great to support someone for so long and finally see them justify it.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:36 AM)

LOL. Yeah, I dogeed him for a long time. And listen, I hate Belichick, as you know, so I was rooting hard for the Giants. Great perfomrance, amazing play... thrilled they won. Still won't draft Eli in fantasy next year. He still hasn't shown he can play at home, he still hasn't shown he won't go down in the second half, and there will be 12 QB I want more next year than him....

James (Lansing)

How are these short drunk peoples statements beating my serious question about the Tigers? C'mon Mr. Roto!!!

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:37 AM)

What do you want to know about the Tigers? They're loaded. You want all of them. End of story.

bill pgh

do you see byrnes stealing 50 again? 30 seems more realistic. thanks

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:37 AM)

I agree... 50 is crazy. 35 def, maybe 40. I was very high on Byrnes all last year... I believe

AL (NY)

i guess my fantasy baseball question doesn't compare to these intriguing gisele vs. jessica and super bowl party questions. maybe i can go to a people magazine chat and get my baseball question answered.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:38 AM)

Sounds like a plan, Al! Good luck.

Joe

Two of these three - Gallardo, Lincecum and J. Vasquez?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:39 AM)

I'd probably lose Lincecum, actually. Giants are going to be terrible.

Dan (RI)

AL is in the wrong chat. Tell him to go away.

Ryan (Milwaukee)

Who will have a better season after a change in teams, Mike Cameron or Josh Hamilton?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:39 AM)

Hamilton. Cameron having to miss the time at the start negates the injury concerns w/ Josh and Texas was made for Hamilton as a park

Ryan (San Diego)

Is khalil greene an undervalued shortstop? Do you see his production improving over last year's career season?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:41 AM)

No, I don't. Still too much of a free swinger for my taste.

James (Lansing)

I just wanted to know who you thought would have the most homers. Thats all.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:41 AM)

Cabrera

jason (chicago)

why did that many people care about the M*A*S*H finale in 1983?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:42 AM)

There were only 3 channels back then and no internet. Folks forget that. There was nothing else to do.

Mike (Carbondale, IL)

Where do you rank Geo Soto among catchers? Lower end starter...top #2?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:43 AM)

I like Soto quite a bit... I have him top 12 overall. So yeah, lower end starter

Frank

Does the catcher pool go 11 deep this year? I don't want to spend more than $1.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:43 AM)

yes, catcher is very deep this year

Todd (NYC)

Would you consider keeping Renteria, 18th round pick, over Tejada, a 4th rounder?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:44 AM)

yes, i would. In fact, I definitely would. Renteria is always underrated and you'll be able to get Tejada back around the 4th round this year if you really wanted him. Edgra is by the far the better value here.

Gray (Chicago)

Matt, I love reading about the same players every week. To that end, any chance we get a deep league chat someday?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:45 AM)

Well, I answer the questions that come up the most... ask a deep league question and I'll try to get to it... but the majority of folks play in mix leagues.

Mike (Edmonton, Canada)

Baseball draft kit up this week?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:46 AM)

Yep. Next few days - we're just putting finishing touches on it.

Jeff (Iowa)

Is that a diss against MASH?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:46 AM)

no, just why over 100 million people watched it

Joe

Tell Gray that you can only answer what you're asked.

Adam (NY)

Higher upside, Hillary or Obama?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:47 AM)

Upside? Have to say Obama.

Michael (Portland, ME)

Joey Votto: worthy keeper in an NL-only league?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:47 AM)

yes

Ted (Philly)

Being a Lakers fan, how excited were you about the Pau Gasol heist? Do you a title for them this year?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:50 AM)

Through the roof. Doing backflips. Can't tell you how pumped I am. I emailed Bill Simmons right after I heard and told him my Lakers were now going to take down his Celtics. He replied "If that deal had happened in a fantasy league, it would have been overturned." I have to agree with him. A real life Grand Theft Roto.... So very very happy. I expect Lakers to get to the Western Conf Finals and where they go from there depends on Bynum's and Gasol's health

Brian (Newmarket, NH)

Would you rather do what you do now (cover fantasy sports) or have become a player in your pfavorite sport?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:53 AM)

What I do now. Make no mistake, folks - I would love to be a pro athlete. But I feel like I am at the top of my game here... Lead fantasy analyst for the biggest and best sports company in the world.... I have an amazing job. And if I was an athlete, there's no way I'd be as successful as I am now... I'm too egotistical to not be as high as possible. But it's a great question...

Zach (PHX)

That was the worst question I've ever seen

Steve (Las Vegas)

I gotta run to work, Thanks for the chat, I'll enjoy the transcript later tonight...last question for me. Matt Kemp prediction if he starts, and if he platoons....when does he get a full time gig?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:54 AM)

Like a lot of folks, Love Kemp this year. Think he gets 3/4 of the gig. 18 HR / 25 SB

Dylan (PA)

What did you think of Super Bowl XLII

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:55 AM)

thought it was fantastic. amazing finish. one of the gittiest perfomrances I've seen.

Ben (SF)

I need help on my last keeper (I have A-Rod and Rollins). Braun, Grady or Peavy? Thanks!

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:56 AM)

Braun slightly over Grady because of 3b elig (this year at least) and he's younger

Alex (New York)

Juan Rivera- stud or stuck because of the logjam in the outfield?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:57 AM)

stuck. But definitely a good guy to take a flyer on in the last rounds of an AL Only draft

Brendan-Boston

Over under 12 wins for the following: Garza,Liriano,Lincecum, Lester, Hughes.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:57 AM)

Lester and Hughes over. The rest under.

Tyler (Calgary)

Deep league question, eh? Will I be happy if I wait and go with Salty as my catcher (only one can be taken, have to use all year) in my 27 team league? Please post so that Calgary questions out number Edmonton.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (11:58 AM)

no, because I'm not convinced they have him in the majors all year

Brian (Boston)

Why do people always preface keeper questions with "already have A-rod,Hanley, Utley, and Johan"? Stop lying or play in a league with 11 people that can fog a mirror.

Sam (Chicago)

How amazing was the Playboy party? Better than winning in Fantasy Football?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:00 PM)

No, not better. But it was pretty good.

Jeff (NY)

Can only keep 1, Kemp or Hart?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:00 PM)

Hart

Jack (Poughkeepsie, NY)

Is it too early for draft talk?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:01 PM)

Never too early... but I have to run now to do a podcast. Thanks for dropping by gang! Draft kit up this week!