Keith Lipscomb

  (3:01 PM)

Good afternoon, everyone. Let's start it up.

Dustin (NY, NY)

Hey Keith...love your insight! So just how bad is a labral tear of the hip joint? Is there any reason to believe that we will be seeing Caron Butler return anytime before the playoffs? Basically, would you cut him or just conitnue to play the waiting game?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:03 PM)

I'm no doctor, but anytime I see the word "tear", it's not good. I wouldn't drop him just yet, unless you are in danger of missing the playoffs, but keep an eye on the latest news, because even when he comes back he may not be anywhere close to what he was.

Craig ( PA)

5x5 H2H $260 cap league...Who's the better last keeper? Vazquez ($8), R.Hill ($7), Chamberlain ($5), or Bucholz ($5)??? Only other pitcher I'm keeping is Harang ($10).

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:05 PM)

I think you've got to go with Vazquez or Hill here, because they are the surest things and the price is similar anyway. I'd go with Vazquez, but it's really close.

Steven(MO)

NBA question! Should I drop Ronnie Brewer in a 10 team league?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:06 PM)

Probably, Steven. Brewer's best quality is his steals and in a 10-team league, I'm sure there are better players to be had out there that can help you in more categories.

Doug (NYC)

Hi Keith...who would you rather have in an AL only 4x4 keeper league...Cano or Carlos Guillen?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:08 PM)

In a keeper league, it's easy since Cano is so much younger.

Brandon (San Diego)

Keith: I saw on mlbprospectnews.com that Luke Hochevar has looked awesome so far this spring. I know he's a former #1 overall pick. What do you think about him as a sleeper?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:12 PM)

Certainly a sleeper candidate for a couple reasons, in my opinion. 1.) The Royals don't have a great starting rotation, so he could wind up beating out a guy like Kyle Davies, sure. And 2.) The Royals will be bad again this season, so the team may take this opportunity to see what they've got and throw him in there. Even if he doesn't make the rotation out of spring training, he should get his chance at some point.

Patrick Cabot AR

We are having a big debate with scoring in h2h league when it comes to pitching. Some people want L put in to hurt people who have more pitching than others. I think era does that, plus putting L in just makes W pointless. What do u think is the best scoring cats for pitching.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:14 PM)

I agree that ERA can be an equalizer, however, the only way to assure that no one gets a major advantage in a category like strikeouts is to cap the number of innings your team can pitch for the season. I don't think adding losses serves the same purpose, but I do understand why that became an option.

Scott(PA)

What is your opinion about punting K's and Wins?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:18 PM)

I'm never a fan of punting TWO categories, Scott. By doing that, you're putting yourself in a really tough spot, basically forcing yourself to be in the top 3 in every other category, which is unrealistic to expect. I can see not being CONCERNED with wins, because they are tough to predict, but punting them? I wouldn't personally do that. Saves are an easier category to punt, because you can still get lots of Ks by drafting setup men who pitch a lot of innings and who have nice WHIPs.

Cory (Austin, TX)

Who do you like out of this group from here on: Earl Watson or Hakim Warrick?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:19 PM)

Provided they're both healthy, no doubt Watson, because Warrick is only strong in a couple categories, whereas Watson is capable of helping you in assists, steals, and will at least contribute in the other categories, too. FG% is the biggest concern with him, of course.

Joey(TX)

Pick up Blatche?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:24 PM)

You know, Joey...Blatche has really disappointed me while Butler's been out the past 10 games. His overall stats aren't terrible: 10.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 1.1 spg, 1.4 bpg in 29.9 minutes, but he's been so streaky that he's much better for roto than for head-to-head play at this point.

Lee

Is Kaman playing Friday?...He has been hit with nagging injuries and the flu...would you try to sell him now?...

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:25 PM)

While I expected Kaman would take a step down in the season's second half, I still expect him to deliver solid value when he gets back on the court. I almost always listen to deals for players, but I would make sure I got value for him.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:26 PM)

And to answer whether he'll be back on Friday, I haven't heard anything that definitively says so. Still playing the waiting game, unfortunately.

Scott, IA

Hey Keith, really need some help. Could you rate these OF's for this year and the future? J. Upton, Bruce, Kemp, Maybin, and Rasmus. Is there much difference between them? I am drafting sat. for a dynasty league where we keep our entire roster, so I can afford to wait a year or two for these guys. Thanks.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:29 PM)

They all should be pretty solid, but you're right ... it's hard to tell the difference between many of them at this early stage in their careers. Obviously, Kemp is most likely to help you now and he's solid. I really like the possibilities Upton has, so I'd put him next, followed by Rasmus, Bruce and Maybin. But I could easily be swayed to change that opinion as I see them perform this season.

Rizzo ( WI )

Would you trade Camby or hold onto him ? I usually lose assts, but win boards and blocks. Camby for Nash or Camby for Deron fair ??

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:32 PM)

Well, after watching Yao go down, I can see why you would immediately start thinking that it's about that time that the Camby Man could also have the injury bug bite him. Because of the value Camby brings in those categories, I think you could get one of those point guards for him, particularly if the owner of Nash and/or Williams needs boards/blocks.

Jason (Va)

Keith- A LaRoche or Pedro Feliz, round 24 now. Mike Schmidt predicts 30-100 year for Pedro, thoughts?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:36 PM)

Well, I'm glad Michael Jack has so much confidence in Feliz, but I certainly don't. I would still take him over LaRoche simply because I think he's more likely to get more ABs this season, since LaRoche is no guarantee to supplant Nomar at 3B.

Eric (Fort COllins CO)

Do you think Hart's potential 25/25 numbers justify picking him with the 44th pick in a draft?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:39 PM)

I'm assuming this is a mixed-league draft, but yes those numbers would justify that pick, even if you see him a bit further down on some draft cheat sheets. I like Hart this season to do at least what he did last year, if not a bit more.

Barry (NY)

Hey Keith, do you think Gerald Wallace will come back and provide some productivity down the stretch despite his recent concussion? I could use help in rebounds and blocks - would Dampier be a decent fill in for the rest of the year if Wallace sits out the rest of the season? Thanks

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:42 PM)

Unfortunately, four concussions in four years makes Wallace a big question mark. The team is just going to wait and see how much he improves each day and go from there. If you're in a 12-team league or more, then Dampier is likely one of the top options on your waiver wire and at least should be able to help in those two categories. Keep an eye on how the team uses Jamaal Magloire, though, since he could eventually eat into Damp's minutes.

Bobby (Hollywood, FL)

Bobby (Hollywood, FL) My friend Marty traded me Lance Berkman, and I gave him Mark Teixeira as part of a package. How screwed am I?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:43 PM)

Well, the fact you said "as part of a package" concerns me, since Tex and Berkman are very close in value, so a straight up trade would have been fair on its own.

Elias (LA)

Any help on what to expect from Suns players not named Nash/Amare for the rest of the season?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:47 PM)

What concerns me about how the Suns have played since getting Shaq is that they are getting fewer possessions per game and just don't have that same flow. No surprise there to me, since it's hard to run with Shaq in there. I think Grant Hill takes a hit because of this. He was getting a good share of his points in transition and on drives. Shaq gets in the way. I think Boris Diaw is the only player besides Nash/Amare that sees his value rise and even he'll be streaky.

Jon (Boston)

About Bobby (Hollywood) question.. how concerned are you about Berkman?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:51 PM)

Anything related to the abdominal area does concern me, but since it happened now, a month from the season opener, I am going to count on the team to be smart here and guess they'll make sure he's ready for the real games. But if he plays and has a setback in, say, mid-March, then I'll be more concerned about him for this season.

Mike (Albany, NY)

Keith: Great Chat, Thanks!! Who do you draft as #2 catcher, G. Soto, JR Towles or C Ruiz and why.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:53 PM)

I like Soto the best of the three, but I don't expect him to hit over. 300 or anything like that. I think .270 is a reasonable expectation, though...12-13 homers, 65 RBI.

Enrique Texas

Is there any news on Elton Brand. Thanks for the info.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:55 PM)

Nothing concrete, as the team is giving the "he won't return for a while" answers when asked about Brand's return. I'm guessing mid-to-late March. And I'm less optimistic he's going to be a huge help in the fantasy playoffs as time goes on, but I'm still hanging onto him in one 12-team league I have him in. Like you, I'm waiting for someone to set a target date, so at least I can make a more educated decision on him.

Bobby (Hollywood FL)

The full trade was Tex and Figgins for Berkman and a 9th round draft pick..any thoughts on this before the crabs eat me?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:57 PM)

Well, if we're just talking draft value here, I don't think you got the better part of this deal. But I don't think Figgins is going to do what he did last season, either. I would put Figgins in the 50s or 60s on my list, while others have him much higher. I like pop from my corners.

Sean (LA)

Is Peavy worth keeping over Sizemore or Papi?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:58 PM)

You may know how much I favor hitters over pitchers, but Peavy is one of two guys I'd consider keeping over Grady and Papi. I'd still keep one of the hitters, probably Sizemore since he can contribute in all 5 cats, but Peavy is only behind Santana on my pitcher list.

Trey (SD)

Speaking of Figgins, he is 2B eligible in my league, where do you rank him amongst 2B?

Keith Lipscomb

  (4:01 PM)

Wow. Well, that would change my chances of taking him. I would probably put him 5th or 6th, behind Utley, Phillips, Upton, Cano and probably Brian Roberts.

Erik Bedard

Am I worth picking over hitters like Ordonez, Hart, Figgins, etc?

Keith Lipscomb

  (4:02 PM)

Bedard's certainly worth taking ahead of any of those guys, just because he's a top-5 starter, in my opinion.

JP (NY)

What does the fantasy term "in a vacuum" mean?

Keith Lipscomb

  (4:04 PM)

Basically, it means "all things being equal", but I'm not a big fan of the term, because rarely are all things equal when you go to make a selection in your draft.

Cory (Austin, TX)

Kurt Thomas. Any thoughts? He put up decent numbers in less than 14 minutes on Tuesday. How will Pop use him?

Keith Lipscomb

  (4:06 PM)

Kurt Thomas is a much bigger addition for the Spurs in reality than in fantasy. He can defend the post, rebound, block a shot here and there and shoot a decent percentage. But because the Spurs are essentially a 3-man fantasy team (Duncan, Ginobili, Parker), I'm staying away from Thomas.

Keith Lipscomb

  (4:07 PM)

That's all the time I've got for today, but thank you for the strong questions. Good stuff today, and I'll see you next week.