Keith Lipscomb

  (3:00 PM)

Another cloudy Thursday in ol' Bristol. Your questions can only brighten things up. Let's roll...

Steve Las Vegas, Nv

Would you trade Jake McGee & Travis Snider for Matt Kemp? Is that too much to give up...I really would like to add the guy, but I don't want to give up the farm

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:03 PM)

Literally, you would be giving up the farm, although we're still at least two years away from seeing Snider and maybe two years from McGee, too, for that matter. It depends on how much importance you're putting on winning now, Steve. I like Kemp, too, but if you can afford to be patient, I think I'd hold onto those two gems for now and maybe you'll get blown away by a better offer in the future.

Brandon (St. Louis)

Santana for Utley in a 5X5 roto keeper league?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:07 PM)

I like Utley and prefer stud hitters over stud pitchers, because I feel they are easier to predict than pitchers, particularly the wins category. I'd go with Utley.

Cory (Austin, TX)

What are your thoughts on Jarrett Jack? Three solid outings, but are there enough minutes for him to continue to produce as long as Blake and Roy are healthy?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:08 PM)

I think his performances will continue to be spotty, Cory. He's had some good stretches this season, as well as some rough patches. I expect that to continue, quite honestly. He's just not a top option on offense, so it'll be up and down.

Gino (Bronx)

your top five pitchers after johan and santana? would they be webb, beckett, verlander, haren, harang?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:12 PM)

I assume you mean Peavy to go along with Johan, Gino...so after that, I would go Webb, Haren, Sabathia, Verlander and Bedard right now.

Chris (Orlando)

Keeper ? Keith...Rios (6th), Putz (7th), C Pena (9th), F Carmona (9th)...or throw them back in.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:16 PM)

Most of those are guys are within a round or two of where I think they'd go, actually. Pena is the guy who you'd be getting at the best value, probably. Rios could go in the 4th or 5th, Putz in the 5th or 6th and Carmona in the 7th or 8th, so they are all pretty close in my mind. I see Pena as a 4th-6th-rounder in 10-team leagues...adjust accordingly if your league has more teams...if that's the case, you've got even better values.

Travis C. (Lake Highlands)

I've been holding on to Shaq, am I going to be rewarded now? How much do you see him playing/contributing?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:19 PM)

The playing part is the million dollar question to me, because when he plays, I think he'll do just fine ... 14 pts, 7 rebs and 2 blks. I know the team would like to get him on the court before the All-Star break, but that might be ambitious. And even if he does debut with the Suns next week, I don't expect him to get big minutes. If they are patient and let Shaq get closer to 100%, I think you will be rewarded with the numbers I mentioned. The key is Shaq staying on the court once he DOES return.

Lee

Hey Kieth, I just traded joe Johnson, AK, Cassel, and Horford for Baron Davis and Gasol - how did do?...

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:22 PM)

That's a decent deal, Lee. I think trading Cassell was a good idea. I'm not excited about his value going forward, particularly if he ends up in Boston where he won't have the opportunities to put up the numbers he has with the Clips. AK-47 has been all over the place this season, so you certainly gain more comfortable players to own. I like the deal for you.

Gip, Bloomingdale, NJ

I have the fifth pick in the draft in a 10-team points league where average does not count. However, wins are worth 15 points! I'm thinking Holliday or Rollins if available, but dare I take Santana who should be lights out in the NL that early?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:24 PM)

With the fifth pick, the opportunity to take shoo-ins like Holliday or Rollins is too tough to pass up in a points league for me. It's tempting with the 15 points for wins to go with Johan, but wins are so unpredictable, even on a team as good as the Mets, I'd wait to pull the trigger on a starter with such an early pick.

Rob (DC)

So what's your take on the Shaq-Marion trade? Who goes up in value, who decreases and who stays the same? I hapen to own both, not really sure what to do, except wait it out.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:28 PM)

Well Rob, I like what it does for Marion, because he'll be relied upon to score once again. He's having his worst scoring season since he was a rookie, so I expect him to average at least 18 ppg the rest of the way. Maybe his FG% goes down to th 49-50% range, but that's no big deal. I see him maintaining most of his other numbers, too. I already answered what I thought about Shaq going forward, so who else wins/loses? I think Dorell Wright is the biggest loser, because his opportunity goes away for the most part, since Wade and Marion will take a large number of the shots. Mark Blount is a winner, because he gets to remain as the starting center, where he's averaged about 15 ppg and shot 60%...I don't think he keeps up that pace, but 12 ppg is certainly possible. In Phoenix, it'll be interesting to see how D'Antoni lines 'em up, but I think Boris Diaw benefits in the short term for sure while Shaq is out. Amare's FG% will drop some with Shaq taking up space when he returns, but is still a stud.

Bart (Cleveland)

Yo Keith, it seems that people do not think that DWade will be affected by this trade, I see his numbers significantly improving with he and Marion terrorizing opponents on the wings and on the break. What do you think?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:30 PM)

Since I saw your question, I thought I'd address it separately. No doubt I think Wade will be AT LEAST as good as he's been, and I certainly see his assists going up and his shooting percentage slightly improving. In addition, I expect Miami will run more and with more possessions, Wade should be able to have some pretty big nights.

Chris (Toronto)

Hey Keith, I just traded Igoudala, Troy Murphy and Marvin Williams for D. Howard....too much, or good deal?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:33 PM)

I guess it depends on how many players you have to start, because you certainly put a dent into your depth. If you're only starting 5-6 guys, it may not affect you as much, but in many of my leagues, we start a large numbers of players and while Murphy and Marvin are hardly stars, I don't think I'd be able to pull the trigger, because I need numbers for all of my guys to win my weekly matchups. Definitely depends on the roster/starter settings for me.

Evan (Maine)

Does anyone know when Elton Brand is coming back?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:35 PM)

Still looking like late February at the earliest. I still think early March is the safer bet.

Barry (NY)

Any word on when KG will be expected to return? I was first place in my roto-league when he went down and my lead has been shrinking significantly since he got hurt.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:37 PM)

Well, he's not expected to play for the C's tomorrow night in Minny, but it sounds like he's close to returning, so keep hangin' onto that lead, Barry. Relief is on the way.

Randy (St. Paul, MN)

I just traded Ilgauskas for Mike Miller, fair trade?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:38 PM)

Not for the guy who got Z, Randy! :-) I think Miller will have a great second half. He's been outstanding as it is, but even better when he's option No. 2 on the scoring end of things. The 3-pointers make it an even bigger win for you.

Evan Longoria (California)

Hey Keith, where do you expect me to be drafted in a league with 10 teams?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:40 PM)

If I had to throw a round out on Longoria, I'd say early 20s right now. When your draft takes place and how much we've seen and heard from him this spring could easily change things, though.

Corey (Philadelphia)

Keith, any rookies out there right now making a fantasy impact on the waiver wire?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:41 PM)

The most popular rookie recently has been Juan Carlos Navarro, because of his increased (and consistent) opportunity in Memphis due to the Gasol trade. I can't argue with that.

David(DC)

This guy thinks I'm nuts not taking his trade; beckett, votto, drew for McGowan, Peralta, Kotchman, Ramus and Bruce. Can you please tell me im not nuts.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:46 PM)

I'm not sure which group you're getting, David...write back and I'll address it.

joe (barnegat bay)

Joe Mauer and Mariano Rivera for Yovani Gallardo and Albert Pujols? pujols owner in dire straits for saves and a catcher

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:50 PM)

That's an interesting deal, especially in light of Pujols' recent comments about the health of his elbow and the fact he will be less likely to play through the pain if it gets too bad this season. However, there's no question you're giving up the only top-50 (or maybe even top 75) player in the deal ... and Pujols is top 5 by most accounts. If you're really concerned about the elbow and/or have great depth at the position, then you can afford to do it. But straight up (and not knowing the rest of your roster), it doesn't seem you're getting enough back, at least in terms of where those four players would be drafted this season. Mauer's injury history doesn't excite me all that much, either. I like him, but he's someone I worry about staying healthy.

Corey (Philadelphia)

Who do you keep out of these three: Chad Billingsly, Matt Garza, or Cory Hart?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:51 PM)

I keep Corey Hart, who was very strong last year and I expect that to continue.

Scott (Los Angeles)

Is Ricky Davis worth having on a roster at this point? I am in a 16 team league. Sefolosha and Mo Evans are on the waiver wire and wondering if either of them would be better. Thanks

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:55 PM)

Being a Ricky Davis owner has been very difficult this season, I know. That being said, while Sefolosha has been great when Deng, Hinrich, Gordon, etc. don't play, I'm not sure he'll be any more consistent. I would stick with Ricky D until you see how things shake out with the Marion deal. Teams will be healthier after the break, and you'll get an idea of whether or not Thabo is going to get a consistent opportunity.

Lee (Tempe)

would you drop Foye if you needed more assists for someone like A. Daniels, Anthony Johnson or Telfair?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:59 PM)

Sure is tempting, isn't it? While Foye has been slow in regaining his form, given the options you offered, I'd stick it out with him unless you think the 4-5 assists those others will get you will really make a difference. Remember, Daniels is going to lose his starting gig soon and Johnson is so one-dimensional (and not even great at that one dimension).

Keith Lipscomb

  (4:00 PM)

One more before I run...

brad (harrisburg, pa)

plain and simple: is Byrnes legit? do u see 20-40 this year?

Keith Lipscomb

  (4:04 PM)

Brad, I love Byrnes as a player. Who wouldn't want someone who plays so hard? But I must say I'd be surprised if he reached 50 steals again. In fact, I think the 25 he stole in 2006 is closer to what you can expect. The 20 homers are legit -- maybe he even hits 25 this season, but 25-25 is more likely than 20-40 in my mind.

Keith Lipscomb

  (4:04 PM)

Thanks for the questions, once again, and have a great remainder of your week!