ESPN

Jason Grey

  (3:01 PM)

My first ESPN chat...so we'll see if I manage to break the system.

Jamie (Olney MD)

Jason - Who do you like, in order, as a short-term add: Tony Gwynn Jr, Angel Pagan, David Murphy?

Jason Grey

  (3:02 PM)

Gwynn for the steals upside...and even when Cameron returns as the 4th outfielder. He changed his swing a bit this spring and is quicker to the ball.

Scott, IA

Hey Jason. I have a logjam at OF. In a 12 team Dynasty Points league where we keep our entire roster I have Dunn, Hart, C. Young, Hermida, Kemp, J. Upton, and Garko at Util. Dunn scored the most points by quite a bit last year. Do you think the rest of the guys would be all right if I try to trade him? If not who should I look to get rid of? Thanks.

Jason Grey

  (3:04 PM)

You're carrying a lot of risk there, counting on three young guys to come through in a big way, but there's enough depth that if you get a good deal I'd consider it. The question is, does Dunn have the most trade value out of those guys in your league?

Matt (Fort Collins)

Hey Jason...read about you in Fantasyland and you came across as fairly smart. Is that book fiction or non-fiction? Also, at what point to I think NEXT year will be Alex Gordon's year?

Jason Grey

  (3:06 PM)

The fairly smart part...that was fiction :-) Seriously, it's non-fiction, though every character/player in the book was exaggerated a bit into more of a caricature. As far as Gordon, patience...it my not be THE bustout year for him but he should do fine.

Lee

Hey Jason, Suzuki or Ramon Harnandez?

Jason Grey

  (3:07 PM)

Hernandez...more certain and more power, but I do like Suzuki as a cheap catcher play this season.

Michael (Portland ME)

More likely to make a difference in '08: Bruce or Headley?

Jason Grey

  (3:08 PM)

Headley, because I think he will ultimately get more playing time. He's a .300-20 HR hitter waiting to happen

Mike (CO)

Jason, love your stuff. You think that Milledge is a 25 HR guy this year with 15 SBs? I think he can do some great things at the 2-Spot ahead of Zimmerman.

Jason Grey

  (3:09 PM)

Thank you...I'm a fan...I love his bat speed and ability to turn on the ball. Those are lofty expectations, but it's certainly in the realm of possibility.

John (NY)

Jay Grey...D o you think Kurt Suzuki continues to run this season? Top 12 Catcher from here on out?

Jason Grey

  (3:10 PM)

In my clipboard today...possible he swipes 10

Justin ( Boston )

Is E.Velez worth a bench spot in 12 team H2H? Do you see him getting enough playing time to make an impact...he didn't start the last two games. Thanks!

Jason Grey

  (3:11 PM)

Good question...if he plays he will steal.. I have to think he gets some time at some point given the rest of the infield. There are worse players to have on your bench in 12-team leagues

Lee

Clayton Kershaw - this year's Gallardo?

Jason Grey

  (3:12 PM)

#1 pitching prospect in the minor leagues right now, and he's close to ready for prime time. That says it all. I have a feeling he'll be in the rotation by June.

Jason Grey

  (3:13 PM)

Lots of questions on Bannister - I have been watching it, and will give the scouting report in a column shortly. This is as good as I've seen him in a while. One start does not a season make, however.

Jason Grey

  (3:14 PM)

Lots of questions on Volquez - I will refer you to my deep sleeper column from last Saturday in which I talked about him. Great potential but can he throw consistent strikes when the bell rings? Not sure he's a mixed play for me yet. NL - definitely.

Kevin

Do you like Rickie Weeks this year? He just homered.

Jason Grey

  (3:16 PM)

Didn't have a good spring, and still needs to show he can play a full year, but 20/20 is reasonable.

Jon (Toronto ON)

No one is talking about Hunter Pence. What are your projections for him this year? He's high on a lot of people's rankings but receives no love in the chats.

Jason Grey

  (3:17 PM)

I've been on Hunter Pence since the AFL 2006, and bid $89 of my $100 FAAB in one mixed league when he came up last year to ensure his services. Plenty of love here. Enjoy the ride.

Mike (New York)

cueto or parra in a mixed league?

Jason Grey

  (3:17 PM)

Excellent question, Parra by a nose for now.

James (Work)

Jason- Really loving your articles and insight. Took J. Upton as my 5th OF in a keeper league. What do you see him producing this year and the next 2?

Jason Grey

  (3:19 PM)

.260, 20 HR, 10 SB is doable, with obvious upside beyond that.

Jason Grey

  (3:21 PM)

Lots of questions on Fukudome. Wrote about that in today's clipboard. I don't think that swing produces much more than 15 homers, regardless of #1 on Opening Day. What he will do is hit doubles, post a good OBP and play plus defense.

Jason Grey

  (3:22 PM)

Lots of McLouth questions. The only question about McLouth this preseason was the fact they were going to give Nyjer Morgan a chance to win the job, which he didn't, but with full-time play, McLouth can go 20/20.

Al (Philly)

Right now Dice-K is on pace to start 81 games for the Red Sox. Isn't that a little overboard?

Jason Grey

  (3:23 PM)

He once threw 256 pitches in a high school game, so no.

Horton (whoville)

where is this "clipboard" you speak of?!?

Jason Grey

  (3:24 PM)

Posted now on the fantasy baseball home page.

Mike ( Atown)

Jeter or Carlos Guillen...really that much of a difference between the two?

Jason Grey

  (3:25 PM)

About $5-$6 worth of difference in a 12 team mixed league. I'm not convinced Guillen is going to be running this season.

Dave (Boston)

Is FukuDoMe the greatest sports name ever? You can say it to your woman and she can't get mad!!!

Jason Grey

  (3:26 PM)

We have a pool as to the first Cubs player that slips up on live television and pronounces his name a different way, because believe me, they are.

joe (philly)

need to know now...can't wait for the article (but i promise to read it!), should i drop Guthrie, Gorzy, or Garza for Bannister???

Jason Grey

  (3:28 PM)

I might consider Guthrie...I wouldn't argue with that.

Jason Grey

  (3:29 PM)

Burnett will be lights out for however long he pitches. Anything over 150 IP should be considered a bonus...but it is a contract year for him (he can opt out)

chad, chicago

when you say "lots of questions" how many is that actually?

Jason Grey

  (3:30 PM)

I have 200 I haven't even had a chance to look at yet.

jon

drop owings for bannister?

Jason Grey

  (3:31 PM)

No. It's just one start, and I still like Owings over the balance of the season.

Tony (CA)

Hey Jason, welcome to your first ESPN chat! You think that Hamilton can go 40 HRs and 115 RBIs? Thanks!

Jason Grey

  (3:33 PM)

Hamilton could switch to pitching in the ninth and close a game and it wouldn't surprise me. Seriously, he's that good. I do want to see him do better against lefties though. Still, that doesn't seem to stop Brad Hawpe so I'm nitpicking.

Haden (memphis)

A guy in my league dropped Aaron Rowand. Should I drop Milton Bradley, Randy Winn or Kotchman for him?

Jason Grey

  (3:34 PM)

I'd take Rowand over Winn in a second.

Sam (Waco, TX)

I'm in a deep auction league - I ended up my draft with 4 Dodgers - Martin (who was a keeper of mine), but also Loney, Ethier and Kemp. Any thoughts on getting 4 of my 14 offensive players from the same team?

Jason Grey

  (3:35 PM)

That doesn't concern me. I got a lot of Mets when I wrote about the "Mets Gambit" strategy...production is production.

Ryan (NYC)

Hey Jason, you are crushing this chat session. Keep it up. Do you think Hardy can put up last years numbers?

Jason Grey

  (3:36 PM)

Darn, I was hoping for "demolishing" but I'll take it. .265, 20 HR is about what I had pegged for Hardy.

Jason (Atlanta)

Jason, just wanted to say that I've enjoyed your stuff immensely. Of all the fantasy writers to join the ESPN crew lately, you seem to offer the most insight (to my mind anyway). How do you feel about R. Zimmerman?

Jason Grey

  (3:37 PM)

Love him, loved all the talk about the wrist injury this preseason because it made it easier to get him. If I let others spend for Wright, Atkins and Ramirez, and get Zimmerman cheaper instead I'm fine with that.

Michael (Portland ME)

25/85 too much to expect from Austin Kearns?

Jason Grey

  (3:39 PM)

Absolutely not. We have a support group for past Kearns owners that never saw the year he was supposed to have. Direct all inquiries to me. Now that I don't own Kearns anymore, watch what happens.

Bob Hibbing, Minn

AL standard roto. Should I drop C. Quentin for N. Blackburn? Thanks

Jason Grey

  (3:40 PM)

Yes, I'm a big Blackburn fan, and Q's playing time is in trouble.

Shaun(NYC)

Think Boof being in better shape translates to a good year? Please rank him, Volquez, and Micah.Thanks

Jason Grey

  (3:41 PM)

I take Boof out of those three, and put him on my sleepers list that the staff did. He looked ok in his first start, and I think he'll get better.

sarah

Jason, you are thrashing this chat and are much more attractive than TMR. what do u think of maybin this year. hook up some details...

Jason Grey

  (3:42 PM)

This is how you get your question posted among the hundreds I'm getting. It's also my new sig line for my email. Maybin's bat is not ready for prime time. My writeup of him in the draft kit says it all. Too many whiffs. He will steal if he plays in the bigs though.

Sam (Las Vegas)

Do you think Matt Berry is crazy?

Jason Grey

  (3:43 PM)

Are you trying to get me fired?

Chris (Baltimore)

IF Gagne loses the closers gig, who do you see being next in line to close?

Jason Grey

  (3:43 PM)

Covered in today's clipboard. Hint: might not be Turnbow, but too soon to tell. Yost had some interesting comments after the game.

Adam (Boston)

Juggling my 3B, OF and U spots. Should Iwamura be starting over Feliz, Ankiel, Guillen or Adam Jones?

Jason Grey

  (3:44 PM)

I'd start him over Feliz.

Bob (Chicago)

Bourn or Taveras?

Jason Grey

  (3:44 PM)

Still Taveras, but it's close. I'm a Bourn fan.

Joe(NJ)

What do you expect out of Andrew Miller?

Jason Grey

  (3:46 PM)

K's but a poor ratio and low win potential. Endgame pitcher in NL leagues if you're short on strikeouts. Still needs to throw consistent strikes.

Kevin (NJ)

How would you rank these 2B given Johnson's leg injury: K Johnson, Polanco, Aaron Hill? Thanks!

Jason Grey

  (3:46 PM)

I ranked Hill ahead of all of them at the beginning of the season.

Dwight (Scranton, PA)

Who is more droppable in a 12-team H2H Keeper league, Quentin or Dukes?

Jason Grey

  (3:46 PM)

Quentin.

Dan (NJ)

Any faith in Bergmann out of Was? Useful in a 5x5?

Jason Grey

  (3:47 PM)

Yep, he was in my "super sleepers" column from Saturday. NL 5X5? Sure.

Matt Kemp, LA

Should I be starting in fantasy?

Jason Grey

  (3:48 PM)

Considering most people paid $20+ plus for you, I would hope so. Patience Matt, you'll get your 500 Ab's

Bob (Toledo)

How many bags do you think Victorino will steal this year? 50 unreasonable?

Jason Grey

  (3:48 PM)

I think so. 35-40 sounds right and I'm sure you'd take that.

Feliz

NO LOVE???

Jason Grey

  (3:49 PM)

.250, 20 HR - there's some love.

Ryan (New York, NY)

Rank the following: Hermida, McLouth, Nady, Ethier.

Jason Grey

  (3:50 PM)

That's my order, provided Hermida stays out of the trainer's room, which is not of to a good start thus far.

cueto

projections??

Jason Grey

  (3:51 PM)

ERA around four, sub-1.3 Ratio

Matt Berry (Bristol)

My character was not exaggerated. I am ROTO! I wrote Crocodile Dundee III! Watch it Grey!

Jason Grey

  (3:52 PM)

I once advocated strongly for Dan Reichert as a quality pitcher. We all have our skeletons.

SprungOnSports (Long Island)

What do you think of Soria in his 2 appearances this year and where would you rank him among closers?

Jason Grey

  (3:54 PM)

As underappeciated as any closer in the game. Would have spent $20 or under in an AL league without hesitation.

Brad (Philly)

Hey Jason, should I use my top waiver spot on Cueto or wait for Kershaw to be called up? Thanks!

Jason Grey

  (3:55 PM)

Tough question. I'm going to go the patient route and wait for Clayton. Better team, better park, better pitcher.

Bodhizefa (Chapel Hill, NC)

Jason! We miss you and congrats on the ESPN gig!Now, down to business. What's the scouting report on Alexei Ramirez right now? Speed? Power potential? Batting average? Upside?

Jason Grey

  (3:57 PM)

Great to hear from you Bod. The upside? .300, 20 HR, poor OBP, 10 steals. Eligibility at 3 positions. In mixed leagues I have him on reserve if I can.

Jason Grey

  (3:59 PM)

Lots of Cordero questions. I'll defer to Stephania on that, because we won't really know until he tries to throw again after the cortisone shot.

Jason Bay ('Burgh)

Am I toast?

Jason Grey

  (4:01 PM)

Not yet. I think you'll have a good season after the off-season knee surgery.

Jason Grey

  (4:01 PM)

I've been told I can stretch a tiny bit, but not go overboard, so I'll go to 3:15 ET.

Daryl(Nebraska)

Is Adam Jones worth owning as a 5th OF?

Jason Grey

  (4:02 PM)

Yes. Simple as that. 5th OF are all about upside. If he doesn't pan out, you grab someone else off the waiver wire in mixed leagues.

Jim (Seattle, WA)

Drop Bettencourt, Broxton, or Neshek for Rauch in hopes of saves?

Jason Grey

  (4:03 PM)

I'd drop Neshek for Rauch if saves were the only goal.

Bob (Chicago)

Would you drop any of these pitchers (Meche, Gorzelanny, Buehrle) for any of these (Kershaw, Cueto, Bannister)?

Jason Grey

  (4:03 PM)

Not at the moment.

james (lincoln, ne)

Will does Rasmus(StL) make the majors? Is he droppable in keeper league?

Jason Grey

  (4:04 PM)

It would shock me if he's not up by mid-season...and no. He'll be the NL version of Markakis.

Jason Grey

  (4:05 PM)

Lots of interest in Bonds. Unless he's willing to come in for league minimum or close to it, I just don't see it. Even then, it might be a stretch. You never know when an injury could change things though.

Matt (Winsor Locks via Albany)

Would you be concerned if Harang, Chris Young, and Felix were your top starters in a shallow league?

Jason Grey

  (4:06 PM)

No. Hope that helps.

Max (Ankeny, IA)

Swisher or V. Wells? Thanks

Jason Grey

  (4:07 PM)

Wells b/c of the better BA and likely double-digit steals.

Joan (Silver Creek)

Willits or R. Davis?

Jason Grey

  (4:07 PM)

Davis, better chance at PT

Larry; Appleton, WI

Should I look to deal dice-k and shields in a package for a #1 starter to team with felix hernandez? I have lincecum, mcgowan, and gallardo on my roster as well. i start 5 pitchers (i have corpas and soriano as closers)

Jason Grey

  (4:08 PM)

I would argue you have a #1 on your team already, perhaps two. You have five fine starters and a good backup.

Seth (Lansing, MI)

what is your preferred league setting? roto, H2H, daily, weekly, # offensive starters, # starting pitchers, # bench spots

Jason Grey

  (4:09 PM)

I've always been a standard 5X5 roto weekly transactions kind of guy, but I play everything.

Steve (kansas)

Projections for McGowan?

Jason Grey

  (4:10 PM)

Earns $10+ again, regardless of league format.

Tony (CA)

Trade Shields for Victorino and Milledge?

Jason Grey

  (4:11 PM)

I love Shields, but that might be hard to pass up depending on who those two OF replace.

Jason (Cleveland)

Thoughts on Howie Kendrick in an XR league? ride his line drive bat? or look to trade up?

Jason Grey

  (4:11 PM)

I want Howie Kendrick in any league. Can I draft him in an NL keeper and hope he gets traded five years down the road?

Kevin (Minneapolis)

In a 4x4 with R, SB, OBP, and Total Bases, how would you rank these free agents?Nick Johnson, Corey Patterson, Jayson Nix, Jason Bartlett?

Jason Grey

  (4:12 PM)

Johnson, Patterson, Bartlett, Nix

Bob (DC)

Who is the better $1 option in an NL-only league, Pelfrey or Looper?

Jason Grey

  (4:13 PM)

Pelfrey, but it's closer than you might think, sad to say.

Bob (Chicago)

Would you rank these 2B like this...Kinsler, Pedroia, Polanco?

Jason Grey

  (4:13 PM)

Yes.

Corey Hart (Mil)

I just stole 2! OH BABY!

Jason Grey

  (4:13 PM)

Man Love!

Dave (Phila)

ERvin Santana, marcum, Bonsor, Ubaldo Jimenez, D Cabrera - which two would you pick up - they're all risky but I need some help at SP.

Jason Grey

  (4:14 PM)

Santana and Bonser

Jason Grey

  (4:15 PM)

OK. guys three more. I really appreciate all the interest. I have hundreds of questions in the queue, and I will be here every week.

Hank (NYC)

Your thoughts on Slowey?

Jason Grey

  (4:15 PM)

The new Brad Radke. That's a good thing.

Rick (NY)

Hey Jason - Ok, I'm trying to decide between Shields and R. Hill. What do you expect from both as far as production and health for the year.

Jason Grey

  (4:16 PM)

Shields by a nose.

Jason Grey

  (4:17 PM)

Last one - Clay Buchholz projection fot this season:

Jason Grey

  (4:18 PM)

3.80 ERA 1.30 Ratio 14 wins, and almost a strikeout per inning. Thanks everyone.