James Quintong

  (3:02 PM)

Good afternoon, everyone. This is my first time at this, but I'm ready to take on your questions. So let's get this going.

Matt (Des Moines)

How do you feel about Aaron Harang, Brett Myers, and Dustin McGowan as the top 3 starters for my 12 team, H2H league? Bonderman, Greinke, and Wainwright are the other guys on my squad...

James Quintong

  (3:04 PM)

That's a nice top three. I really like Harang, and Myers and McGowan are ready for bigger and better things this season. I even like Wainwright and Greinke behind them. This looks like the type of pitching staff that you can build on the cheap and still get solid production.

Kustow (Hollywood, CA)

Hey James, what do you think about have Ryand Howard and Dan Uggla on the same team, given they both strike out so often. (atleast last season)

James Quintong

  (3:07 PM)

If your league counts strikeouts as a category, then you're in trouble. Otherwise, I don't have too much trouble getting potentially 70 homers and 200 RBIs from those two positions. The batting average could be an issue, though, so you'd have to find help to back them up.

Zach (Thornton, Colorado)

How do you feel about Evan Longoria? Do you think he'll make the opening day roster at 3rd base? I drafted him as my only third basemen and am getting a little worried.

James Quintong

  (3:10 PM)

I think he's got a lot of promise (20-25 homers) and probably should be the starter on Opening Day. However, I'd definitely try to find some help behind him, especially if it's a mixed league. There are going to be some ups and downs, and it'd be nice to have something slightly more reliable just in case.

Rob: (Minneapolis, MN)

What do expect from Yunel Escobar? I picked him up because he qualified for multiple positions, but everything I have read about him is very positive. Thanks.

James Quintong

  (3:13 PM)

I picked him up in one of my NL-only leagues last year and he was a godsend. The multiple positions help, but I'd also be realistic with the expectations. He should be in the .300 range again with the potential for double-digit homers and a little speed. He's great for NL-only leagues, but maybe just so-so for mixed leagues.

Jay CT

When Bruce eventually plays full time, what numbers can you see? Who does he compare to?

James Quintong

  (3:15 PM)

Maybe Ryan Braun? OK, maybe that's a bit much, but I wouldn't be surprised if he gets similar numbers to Josh Hamilton last year, maybe slightly better. He's got a great ballpark, but who knows what Dusty Baker has in store for him.

Tim (claremont)

Do you think Johnny Cuento is worth a pickup if he is in the reds rotation following his strong spring? What do you see as his potential this year and beyond that? Would you drop him for Parra or McCutcheon in a dynasty league where everyone is kept?

James Quintong

  (3:18 PM)

And to continue on the young Reds theme, Cueto would be worth watching in NL-only leagues for sure, but obviously keep your expectations in check because he is a rookie. Many say he's like Pedro Martinez because of his build, but that also scares me. I am curious as to how Dusty Baker will use Cueto; hopefully he won't overuse him right away. I don't know if his small frame could take such abuse. The upside is there, if he's brought along slowly enough and not rushed.

Abe (manhattan)

hey, If i took speed with my first pick (reyes) who should i take for my second out of ichiro, Carlos lee, beltran and Teixeira? Can u rank em?

James Quintong

  (3:20 PM)

If you were like my colleague AJ Mass, he'd probably say Ichiro. But I'd definitely beef up my other stats at that point, and those last three guys are all great second-round picks. In order, I'd probably go Lee, Beltran, Teixeira, Ichiro.

Craig (ATL)

where would you take Billy Crystal in a ten team mixed 5x5?

James Quintong

  (3:22 PM)

Unfortunately, he's only DH-eligible, so he's a mid- to late-round pick at best. Maybe just after fellow aging superstars Jim Thome and Frank Thomas. Hey, he at least worked the count to three balls.

Michele

Good luck on your first chat! Which combo do you prefer and why- Berkman and Victarino or Reyes and Swisher. I already have Troy Tulowitski. Thanks and keep up the good work

James Quintong

  (3:25 PM)

Tough call there, although it's hard to pass up Reyes and his speed to go with potentially a bigger season for Swisher. Nothing wrong with Berkman and Victorino, but having Reyes is the main thing for me. And if need be, you've got a nice trade chip in Tulowitzki.

Joel ( Roscommon MI)

Hi James, I can keep one of these guys and want your advice on which one... Harang ($23) Chris Young ($18) Sheets ($16) or Jeremy Guthrie for a buck. ($270 cap auction league) Thanks !

James Quintong

  (3:28 PM)

Guthrie for a buck is definitely the way to go. He definitely declined in the second half last year, but that doesn't mean he's going to be a total bust this year. While I like Harang and Young, you might be able to get them at lesser or similar prices again at the draft.

John (Niagara Falls)

What are the odds that Ian Stewart gets 350+ ab's in Colorado this season?

James Quintong

  (3:30 PM)

Right now, I'd take the under. Garrett Atkins is entrenched at third, and I'm not totally sure Stewart can win the second-base job right away. I'd definitely like to see Stewart get the opportunities, but he's got a lot of competition around him.

Bill Hall (Mil)

My stats this year, more like '06 or '07?

James Quintong

  (3:31 PM)

Can I hedge and say in between? I don't think 35 homers is the norm, but something in the 20-22 range wouldn't be crazy, especially that he's back in the infield.

Todd (Pittsburgh)

James, welcome aboard. I traded for Harang a few weeks ago before I remembered the Dusty Baker factor - any overuse worries for 2008?

James Quintong

  (3:34 PM)

Well I just wrote a piece today about Dusty Baker's effect on the Reds this year, and while I don't think I'd be too worried about Harang this year, it might be an issue down the line. Harang is already a workhorse, but the question will be if he's going to have a bunch of 120-130 pitch games. Plus, he's at least a little bit older, so maybe it won't be as much of an issue, compared to some of the youngsters on the staff.

Jon: (Chicago, IL)

I'm starting to regret picking Carlos Pena as my 1B. I just don't know if he can get the power he had last year. What do you think? Thanks.

James Quintong

  (3:37 PM)

Pena was a highly regarded prospect for a number of years before he ended up bouncing around the league, so at least some people knew what potential he did have. With that said, it's hard to think he'll be a 40-homer guy again, but he should be back in the 30 range again.

Adam (LA)

James, I need your help picking my final OF in one of my deeper leagues. The guy I currently have is Travis Buck but guys like Luke Scott and Matt Diaz are available in the free agent pool. Who would you rather have?

James Quintong

  (3:40 PM)

I actually like Scott out of that group. He's got some pop, and there isn't much else in the Orioles lineup. He could quietly produce solid stats. Diaz should provide a great average again, but I'm still concerned the Braves want to continue using him in a platoon role.

Jay (NY)

Is Felipe Lopez going to be an everyday player in Washington?

James Quintong

  (3:41 PM)

For now, he probably still will be. But he'll need to produce if he wants to stay that way. I think he can, but I'd be very wary of him.

Brendan (DC)

James, I need AJ to suage my fears that my team has too much speed! Do you think AJ's speed strategy has any merit or did I grab TOO MUCH SPEED: Soriano, Crawford, Hart, Pierre, Weeks, and Jeter!!

James Quintong

  (3:44 PM)

At least you've got some guys like Soriano and Hart, who should provide a lot of pop to go with the steals, so you're not short-changing yourself that much in other categories (or at least making up for Juan Pierre's lack of power). Besides, with all that speed, you've got nice trade chips if you need to fix other categories later on.

HellzBellz{Hatboro,Pa.}

Why all the hype on Billy Butler in K.C.?

James Quintong

  (3:47 PM)

I wouldn't necessarily call it a lot of hype, but Butler is turning just 22 next month, hit for decent power between Triple-A and the majors last year. If anything, he's a good complement to the Alex Gordon talk last year.

Victor - Pitt. PA

Hi James! In our H2H 10 Team League I waited on catching and went with Towles very late. Now that we're up and running, B. Molina and Salty are waiver wire available. It is a Keeper League and I'm in good shape in the Homerun department, but could use some help in AVG. Should I stick with Towles and his potential upside, grab Benjie or Salty, or might you have another idea! Thanks so much, & welcome aboard!

James Quintong

  (3:50 PM)

Even in a keeper situation, you still have to play for this year, and Molina is probably the best bet overall, even in that awful lineup. I wouldn't mind having both and playing matchups, though.

Bill (Berkeley)

Not to nitpick, but Billy Butler is a bit different than Alex Gordon last year. While the power numbers weren't really there, he hit .290 in over 300 MLB at bats last year. That's a far cry from a player going from AA straight to the majors.

James Quintong

  (3:53 PM)

Oh absolutely. Butler sorta sneaked up on some last year, but now he's a more known quantity. Butler and Gordon could be a nice duo in years to come in Kansas City.

Barry (boston)

Can you rank these starting pitchers: Hughes, Snell, J.Weaver, and Hudson?

James Quintong

  (3:56 PM)

Hudson, Snell, Hughes, J. Weaver. I'm not sold on Weaver right now, while Hughes could be in for bigger things soon.

Alan (Richmond, VA)

JQ, I hate drafting for saves until late and it usually works out ok... who can I snag after the 15th for my H2H league and "get by"? What about Sherril?

James Quintong

  (3:57 PM)

Sherrill is not a bad choice at all. Someone has to get saves in Baltimore. If you need to draft saves guys now, you could even look to Troy Percival and Eric Gagne -- I've picked up both in the late rounds of drafts.

Patrick (Seattle, WA)

In honor of Horacio Ramirez's recent pink slip, I was thinking about starting an anti-fantasy league, using negative stats rather than positive ones. For a 4x4, pitching is pretty easy: L, BS, ERA and WHIP. Hitting is tougher. I was thinking CS, Ks, OBP and either LOB or GIDP. What do you think?

James Quintong

  (4:01 PM)

I've actually done an anti-fantasy league in the past, although it was a total points affair, which got a little odd to track. I like the categories you've got, probably going for LOB over GIDP, but I'd have to think about that. You could even make it 5x5 by adding innings and at-bats -- meaning you've got to be horrible and get regular work to win the league.

Larry (atlanta)

please rank: Shields, Felix, Kazmir zambrano

James Quintong

  (4:03 PM)

I'll go Felix, Zambrano, Shields, Kazmir. The first three are pretty interchangeable in my mind, while Kazmir lags way behind. Felix has the most upside of the group, though.

James Quintong

  (4:03 PM)

That's all the time I've got for today. Thanks for all the great questions and making my first chat a good one.