Christopher Harris

  (10:59 AM)

Good morning, everyone. Glad to be here, got 10 of 16 out of the Sweet 16 right (including Davidson), and all my Elite Eight are still around. So life could be worse. Let's get right to what I'm assuming will be a mostly baseball-themed session....

Keith (Rome)

I know there is varied talk on Evan Longoria, what he will really put up, or even start for that matter. Is it worth taking the risk to have him as my starting 3b?

Christopher Harris

  (11:02 AM)

Hi, Keith. The Rays have a decision to make on Longoria. If they're basing their organization on winning, they'll keep him on the big-league team from Day 1. If they're still focused on being tightwads and saving money, they'll send him down so he saves a year before arbitration. There's no question if it's just about baseball, he'll make the team. Joe Maddon said he could announce something as soon as today, so hopefully you can get that announcement before you have to decide.

Shaun(NYC)

Lot's of early trips to the DL for SPs....Please rank the following possible replacements.... Cueto, Parra, Ubaldo.

Christopher Harris

  (11:04 AM)

Hi, Shaun. In terms of ability right now, I would rank them Parra, Jimenez, Cueto. But there's very little guarantee Parra stays in the rotation beyond the first couple starts of the season. I might still draft Parra first, but that's a risk (as is his injury-prone nature). The safest pick would be Jimenez. And I'm not trying to say Cueto's terrible or anything, but he'd be third for me because he's really young, and he's in a terrible park.

Trey (VA)

I just took Eric Byrnes at 50th in my recent 14 team, H2H league. It's really the only pick I don't like, but I'm trying to talk myself into liking the pick. What're your thoughts on his season? Thanks

Christopher Harris

  (11:08 AM)

Hi, Trey. I'm probably not the hottest guy for Byrnes. Clearly, he's a five-tool threat, and 50 steals should never be scoffed at. I don't know if he reaches those heights again, though, especially if he's really the cleanup hitter. I wasn't crazy about the fact that at our early-January rankings summit, we ranked Byrnes 34th overall. But 50th? That's more like it. I think that's pretty good value.

Jeff (Atlanta, GA)

Hey Chris. I waiting until the 18th round to grab Howie Kendrick as my starting 2B in a 5X5 head-to-head league. What do you think about his chances on finally breaking out this year?

Christopher Harris

  (11:10 AM)

Hi, Jeff. I'm not a huge Kendrick fan, either, but again, I think getting him that late is very good value. I think Kendrick borders on the top 10 among 2B; I don't expect him to suddenly steal 30 bases (despite what Mike Sciocia says), and he doesn't make enough contact to hit .300 yet. But he's good, and getting him that late is fine.

Danny Boy (Miami-Dade)

I have the 5th pick in my draft tonight (12 teams, 5x5 rotisserie) Assuming 1-4 is Arod, Wright, Reyes and Ramirez, who goes 5? I'm leaning towards Cabrera, with consideration for Holiday and Utley.

Christopher Harris

  (11:13 AM)

Hi, Danny. Lately, I've been making the argument for Holliday, just because I consider him to be the safest non-ARod guy in the first round. His home OPS the last two years has been well over 1.100, and they haven't moved Coors Field as far as I know. He won't hit .340 again, I'm betting, but he's coming off a batting title *and* an RBI crown, steals double digits every year, and is a lock for 35 HR and 120+ RBI. That's who I'm picking. But I can also make a strong case for Cabrera (the only chink in his armor is the league switch). Utley's great, I just don't have him in my top seven.

JP (Boston)

Now that Gomez has won the starting job, over/under on 30 steals?

Christopher Harris

  (11:14 AM)

Hi, JP. I'm going to say over, but of course, making the team in April and staying in the lineup every day are two very different things. Gomez has *50* steal potential if he gets on base...he's that fast. But I think he's going to have OBP problems right away, and I'm not going to be surprised to see him hitting 9th if he's in that lineup after April. Still worth drafting, but still a risk.

Paul (Il)

Need Catcher help. Who is the better Catcer option for the year(Hernandez, Varitek, Towles, Snyder)? Ranks?

Christopher Harris

  (11:16 AM)

Hi, Paul. I like Ramon Hernandez most of the guys you mention. Yes, he's an injury risk, but most catchers are, and when he's right, he's a better hitter than the others. Varitek continues to be one of the most overrated players in fantasy, because he's a much better real-life player than fantasy player at this point in his career. I'd rank the four catchers you mention: Hernandez, Varitek, Towles, Snyder, with a pretty big gap between one and two on this list.

Bill (Chicago)

Hey Chris, who do you like better this year Ian Kennedy or Scott Baker?

Christopher Harris

  (11:19 AM)

Hi, Bill. He needs to be healthy, which at the moment he isn't, but I'd rather have Baker this year. I think 12 wins and an ERA in the lowish 4s is reasonable for him. With Kennedy, I just have a question about how safe his rotation spot will eventually wind up being, with Joba in the background. Seems to me that Kennedy is probably in the end only in line for about 120 innings or so.....

Ed - NJ

Just took ARod with the 1st pick...coming back around, do you think it is easier to take a starting pitcher since you have an assumed big advantage in the power categories? I am thinking Peavy if he is there, if not 2 more hitters. Am I wrong? 12 team, mixed 5x5 league. Thanks!

Christopher Harris

  (11:22 AM)

Hi, Ed. Peavy is a very nice pick in that sandwich spot, if he's still there. I'd take him. The bigger question is: if he's gone, do you reach for another pitcher in those two spots, or do you go with the best available? Honestly, I think I can justify you taking Webb there, too. I do have Peavy No. 2 among starters (Johan is clearly long gone by this point), but I don't have Webb *that* far behind him, and you have to wait so long, the worry is you'd have to go ace-less. In ESPN experts mocks I've been doing the past couple weeks, that hasn't been a problem, because we're all tuned against taking starters too early at the expense of multi-category hitting stars. But that's almost never the case when you're in your own "home" league...starters tend to come off the board too early. So I might consider Webb and the best available hitter.

SalPacino (CT)

Bengie Molina, top 5 catcher?

Christopher Harris

  (11:23 AM)

Hi, Sal. Not to me, he's not. I have him at No. 7. (Martinez, Martin, Mauer, McCann, Posada, Johjima)

Barry (boston)

Both Karabell and Berry are very high on Dustin McGowan this year. Would you take McGowan over Kazmir, Gallardo, Billingsley, or Lincecum?

Christopher Harris

  (11:25 AM)

Hi, Barry. McGowan has been the subject of a lot of love, and I've gone on TV and said he has the potential to be Roy Halladay with strikeouts. But if you're taking him over any of those four guys, you're drinking the Kool-Aid. Kazmir led the AL in strikeouts! I think all four of the guys you mention will generate double-digit dollar values for your team. I have McGowan contributing $7 or $8.

Karl (Chicago)

Hey Chris, for this year only, who do you like least: Sizemore, Rios, Byrnes, or Hart?

Christopher Harris

  (11:28 AM)

I just talked about Byrnes before, but he'd be my least favorite of these four guys. I think he'll give you 20 HR, 30 SB and a .280 average, which is absolutely nothing to sneeze at. But I don't think it compares favorably with any of the other three. Hart would be third on this list for me, but if I had a choice between Byrnes and Hart, I think the difference is that you're getting 30 homers (and maybe only 20 steals) out of Hart. Which makes him more valuable.

aaron: (springfiel, mo)

owner of the best outfield arm in baseball is _________?

Christopher Harris

  (11:31 AM)

Interesting question. I'm going to go with Michael Cuddyer. Threw out 15 baserunners last year. B.J. Upton deserves some mention, and even though he's going to play left for the Twins this year, Delmon Young has to be close. (The Twins may stink, but it won't be fun to run on their outfield this year.) Jeff Francoeur has to be close, too.

Chris (Prague, CZ)

Hi Chris. I had what I would consider to be a disastrous draft over the weekend. I simply could not afford good pitching and ended up with a staff of Smoltz, Vazquez, Randy, Billingsley, E Santana and Guthrie. Please either reassure me that it's not THAT bad OR suggest some sleeper SPs you'd be targeting off the wire. Thanks.

Christopher Harris

  (11:34 AM)

Hi, Chris. Well, Smoltz is hurting and probably going to start the year on the DL, which makes his status as your No. 1 guy a little shaky. But assuming he comes back all right, I think you're in OK shape. Smoltz (healthy), Vazquez and Billingsley are a very good top trio (not excellent, but very good). I'm not high on Santana or Guthrie, but they're not *awful*. It's tough without knowing your league size and who got drafted to definitively recommend free agents. Manny Parra could help for a little bit if he catches lightning in a bottle. It's possible Franklin Morales picks up where his great start left off last year. Those guys spring to mind.

aaron: (Springfield, mo)

I had always heard Ichiro, Vlad, and recently Fukudome in that discussion for best outfield arm...is my information outdated?

Christopher Harris

  (11:35 AM)

Ichiro didn't have great numbers last year, bu the's definitely in the conversation. I think the Vlad thing is a little behind the times. He didn't have as many runners run on him last year as some others, but he also didn't throw a high percentage out, or hold a high percentage, either. Good article on the 2007 version of this question can be found here: http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/best-outfield-arms-of-2007/

Roger (Hobbs NM)

Should I put Harden in my lineup this week even though he's facing the Sox?

Christopher Harris

  (11:37 AM)

Hi, Roger. My theory is: if you drafted Harden, and he's definitely going to make the start, he should be in your lineup. After all, you never know when his next start is going to be his last of the season. I own Harden in a couple leagues, and I'll use him this week. Hey, if he gets torched, he gets torched. This is the best time of year to take chances.....

Steve (MA via E. Hartford)

I have Pence, Hamilton, Markakis, and Kemp, but only two spots to put them in (Sizemore is locked in Center). Should I try to manage all these guys based on matchups or just pick two and stick with them?

Christopher Harris

  (11:39 AM)

Hi, Steve. Frankly, I hate having to manage hitters on a daily basis based on match-ups. It's a really hard thing to do. You might consider dealing one, eh? I think Markakis has to be in your lineup every day, too, and if I had to choose between Kemp and Pence right now, I'd probably pick Kemp in a *squeaker*. The right thing to do might be to try and trade Pence, then keep Hamilton in reserve. If he can prove he's healthy, he'll bring something nice in a trade, too.

Andy (Arlington, VA)

Now that gomez has won the starting job would you rather have him or owens?

Christopher Harris

  (11:39 AM)

Hi, Andy. I'd rather have Gomez.

Dwight! (SF)

Chris! Do you see big things from any of the "bounce-back" candidates? Bay, Burrell, Hermida, Quentin...

Christopher Harris

  (11:42 AM)

Hi, Dwight. I wouldn't say "big"...I like Bay best of that group, by a wide margin. The other three have their built-in limitations. With Hermida, it's all about health, but remember, his leg injuries mean he's probably never going to be the SB guy we were promised a couple years ago. Quentin has a mystery shoulder and there's an awful lot of candidates who could take his spot in the White Sox outfield eventually. As for Burrell...I don't really think of him as a bounceback guy...he's a HR hitter who hurts you in contact rates, and that's probably what he'll always be. Quentin is probably my least favorite here; I think the other three give you positive fantasy value.

Trey (VA)

I think I'm pretty strong everywhere except SS, being stuck with The Riot. It's a 14 team 6x6 with OPS as the extra hitting category. I have a surplus of OFs. The aforementioned Byrnes, Holliday, Rios, Hart, Cust, and Ankiel. Should I try to trade one of these for an upgrade at SS? Thanks.

Christopher Harris

  (11:43 AM)

Hi, Trey. Yes, I think that's a good idea. Especially in a league where power/average get accentuated (because you count OPS), Theriot doesn't measure up as a fantasy starter. You have some steals in that outfield, which would make up for the loss of Theriot's SBs; trade Hart or Byrnes and get a great SS....

Greg (Iowa)

With Kerry Wood pitching in back-to-back games over the weekend, do you think he has locked down the closer role for the Cubs assuming he is healthy?

Christopher Harris

  (11:44 AM)

Hi, Greg. I do. I expect Sweet Lou to make that announcement today. That doesn't mean Wood is the best pitcher in that bullpen; Carlos Marmol is. Whether or not Marmol gets a crack will depend on Wood's health. All I really know is that if I draft Wood, I darn sure better make sure I get Marmol, too.

Steve (Ithaca)

I followed the "don't pay for saves" strategy in a 12-team keeper league draft, and only ended up with Matt Capps now that it looks like Howry is out. Is Howry worth holding on to? I feel like my SPs are strong enough that I don't need the ratio help from MRs. Do you think Howry will get double-digit saves, and if not, who's a good FA target? Fukumori?

Christopher Harris

  (11:46 AM)

Hi, Steve. First off, I like Matt Capps a lot, so that's good. Next, I don't feel too worried about this situation. No, I don't think Howry gets you double digits. Yes, I do think Fukumori probably has a better shot at getting closer duties at some point. So go ahead and make that move. Just remember: closer situations *always* fluctuate. You are going to have opportunities to pick up guys who are completely unexpected at this point, especially in a mixed league, who can get you saves. It's the category I'd feel *least* worried about having a deficit in coming out of your draft.

Alex (NY, Ny)

Hey Chris, beltre and joe blanton too much to give up for zimmerman? what can u expect from these players?

Christopher Harris

  (11:48 AM)

Hi, Alex. Yeah, honestly, I do think that's a little much, and I'll tell you why: I actually kind of like Adrian Beltre this year. Not *super* like. But given Zimmerman's broken hand this offseason (he should be fine, I know), and given Beltre having an underrated '07, I don't think the gulf between them is *that* wide. I don't think it's Joe-Blanton-wide. I think I'd hang onto the two you have and see how things roll to start the year.

Harris(NYC)

AL draft last night and got stuck with Callaspo as my STARTING 2B. Any sleepers out there i could target. Thought id get Alexi Ramirez but he went for $4. Thanks

Christopher Harris

  (11:50 AM)

Hi, Harris. Given that Callaspo and Ramirez are gone in your league, there probably aren't a lot of guys I can mention who weren't drafted. You're probably going to have to make a trade if you want a full slate of ABs out of your 2B role. But maybe the right thing to do is just see how things roll for a couple weeks. The good thing about having Callaspo in that spot is that he won't *hurt* you with a crummy average. (Granted, he's not helping you, either.) In single-league universes, sometimes you have to roll with a really weak starter or two. (I have Josh Barfield as my Middle Infielder in AL-LABR, for heaven's sake.)

Graval Baehr (Cincinnati)

Hi Chris, How do you feel about Josh Hamilton?

Christopher Harris

  (11:51 AM)

Hi, Graval. Very positive on Hamilton. The big question with him is going to be health, but if he's really the Rangers No. 3 hitter, behind Michael Young and ahead of Milton Bradley (when *he's* not injured), that's a pretty interesting ballpark for Hamilton. I like him a lot.

Nick (Greenwich, CT)

Hey Chris. If you could own one Nationals pitcher, who would you pick and why?

Christopher Harris

  (11:52 AM)

Hi, Nick. Well, at the moment it still probably has to be Chad Cordero, simply because he's the favorite for saves, at least until he finally gets traded. After that obvious choice, I'd have to say Shawn Hill. Good ratios in decent number of innings if he's healthy, which of course is never a sure thing. Jon Rauch is an interesting name to keep in mind, because he'd inherit the closer's job if Cordero gets dealt.

James (NYC)

Chris- Can you elaborate on your pick of Gomez over Owens? I'm making that exact decision now. Thanks.

Christopher Harris

  (11:57 AM)

Hi, James. Sure. Well, they both seem to be in line for their respective starting CF gigs, so there probably isn't a huge playing-time difference (like many presumed there would be earlier in the spring). I think Gomez is faster, first off. I also think he's a better hitter; I think he'll hit 10 to 15 points better. Neither is likely to do a *lot* of power-hitting, but Gomez certainly has a brighter *future* in that regard, so I think you're drafting more upside in HR and RBI, in case Gomez suddenly does the unexpected and makes a lot more contact in '08. And the fact that Brian Anderson had a really nice spring factors in my decision, too; if Owens winds up not playing well, Anderson could get another shot in center.... Those are my reasons, though I don't think it's a no-brainer, and if a person chose Owens, I couldn't fault him/her.

Ben (pgh)

Bedard, casue for concern? If I remember correctly he was slow out of the gates last year.

Christopher Harris

  (11:58 AM)

Hi, Ben. No, the only worry about Bedard I'm generally going to have is health, and he's supposedly fine. If he throws 200 innings, he should be fantastic. That's the question with him, though. I like him a lot.

Rita (Akron, OH)

What's the latest on Votto as a starter? Thanks!

Christopher Harris

  (12:00 PM)

Hi, Rita. Unless something happened in the last hour or so, I don't think there's really anything new to report...the Reds don't seem like they've made any decision about the Votto/Hatteberg situation. Votto hasn't hit well this spring, there's no doubt about that, while Hatteberg has been quite good. I still think there's a decent chance Votto gets sent down for a month or so, but in the end, he'll still wind up getting 400+ AB for the big-league club no matter what. I still like him, though I think you have to draft him only in the later rounds, not as your top 1B.

Joe (San Diego)

Real quick: Meche, Lester, Gagne or Kerry Wood to replace Lackey once he's put on the DL?

Christopher Harris

  (12:01 PM)

Hi, Joe. If you have closer issues, I think I'd try Gagne. He's been lousy this spring, and was lousy with Boston, but that's a pretty good team, and he's a closer. If you have to have a starter, I'd definitely take Meche over Lester.

Charlie (MN)

Rank these OFs: Hermida, Willits, Kubel, Crisp, Teehen. I have Hermida but am worried he will not be 100%.

Christopher Harris

  (12:02 PM)

Hi, Charlie. I like them in this order: Kubel, Hermida, Crisp, Teahen, Willits. Kubel needs to stay healthy, obviously, but this could be a very nice, under-the-radar season for him.

antonio(Miami, FL)

Please rank : B Butler, J Cust, RAnkiel, or CDuncan for a better UTIL for season? also a follow up to B Molina who is ahead of him at 6? Thanks

Christopher Harris

  (12:03 PM)

Hi, Antonio. I would go in this order: Butler, Duncan, Ankiel, Cust. And I think I did say No. 6...Johjima...

Brian NY,NY

Whats up with Kazmir and Liriano

Christopher Harris

  (12:05 PM)

Hi, Brian. Kazmir is sounding more and more like he's going to be OK. Won't make the Opening Day start, but should be in the rotation as soon as Game 5 or 6 of the season. Liriano is a dicier situation. He pitched four great innings yesterday, in what was supposed to be a make or break start for him, but now the Minny newspapers are speculating that he's going to be sent to Triple-A anyway for a few starts to work out the kinks. We'll see. We should get an announcement soon. Just because Liriano gets sent down, by the way, doesn't mean don't draft him. If you've been listening to me this spring, I've been telling you that most experts have him too high on their lists. But if you get him on the relative cheap, he's still a nice bounce-back candidate.

Christopher Harris

  (12:05 PM)

All right, everyone. I'm going to have to get going here. Rocks to break, and all that. So let's do one more......

Trey (VA)

I just read the Fathers sent Headley back down. I drafted with my last pick. Should I drop him for say, Elijah Dukes, and just wait for him to come back up or is he too valuable to let go on the wire if I have the bench spots for him? Thanks.

Christopher Harris

  (12:07 PM)

Hi, Trey. Very disappointing to see Headley go down. If the Padres hadn't been so stubborn with Kouzmanoff, and moved *him* to left field for winter ball and/or at the beginning of the spring, both guys would make the team. In the long run, Headley would make a better defensive third baseman anyway. As it is, Headley is going down to practice in the outfield for a month, but he'll be back. If you're in a league that's deep enough to have drafted him in the first place, I'd hang onto him. I think he'll be back sooner than later, and getting a few weeks of Elijah Dukes (would you even be starting him anyway?) probably isn't worth it.

Christopher Harris

  (12:08 PM)

All right, everyone. Thanks very much for coming. I'm sorry I couldn't get to more questions...there are literally hundreds. I'm sorry if it's frustrating...I wish I could get to more, but this chat room is going to evaporate soon. I'm very appreciative for all the interest, and I don't take this job for granted...it wouldn't be possible without your interest and support. So thank you very much for that. I'll try and do better next week. Until then, thanks again......