Scott Engel

  (2:59 PM)

Good afternoon everyone! Welcome to the Monday fantasy sports chat! Will gladly take your questions on offseason football, NASCAR, Arena Football, and of course, baseball.

Jonny Gomes, Tampa

Hey Scott, I am deep in pitching and somewhat weak at OF..with 1st waiver claim..do I pick up Cueto (and try and deal for an OF) or pick up Mclouth? Need your help....thx

Scott Engel

  (3:00 PM)

I think you have to fill needs first, and I like McLouth a lot, for both speed and RBI production. Cueto is impressive so far, but it's still early.

Richard, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Scott, In our league, wer're debating who the #1 pick should be! I believe it's L. Tomlinson, the other 9 people believe it's P. Manning & T. Brady. Your opinion Please!!!

Scott Engel

  (3:02 PM)

The debate only matters to the person who actually has that first pick. But with so many RBs tending to be unreliable, I feel safter choosing Tomlinson first overall.

scott engel fan (sf)

Hey Scott, I have Helton, Delgado, Youkilis and Nick Johnson. Would you trade Delgado for Michael Bourn. I need steals, but Im afraid Bourn can't hit, and will sit agianst lefties and move down in the order when Kaz gets back.

Scott Engel

  (3:04 PM)

I think Bourn will continue to get at-bats, and if you really need steals, he's a nice pickup. Delgado's hip worries me too. But read Karabell's blog on base stealers. You can get some of those one-category guys on the cheap, maybe even in free agency, so check what is available before you make the deal.

Ryan (NYC)

Hey Scott, should I look to deal Oswalt? I know his value is pretty low right now but I need a third baseman. thanks

Scott Engel

  (3:05 PM)

If you scout the rosters in your league, you can likely find someone who needs starting pitching. Oswalt is not what he was, but he is still good and has more trade value than you think

Bob Ma.

Will Keppinger keep his starting job for Reds - and what about a trade of Crawford and Oswalt for Holliday

Scott Engel

  (3:07 PM)

I think Cincinnati will find a way to keep him in the lineup pretty often, and you should keep him. If you still have steals and solid starting pitching left after making such a trade, I would do it

James (Hburg)

Hey Scott, right now I have Carlos Gomez and Raul Ibanez as outfielders on my bench. Should I drop one of them to pick up Justin Upton.

Scott Engel

  (3:09 PM)

I would not do that - You have ot keep Gomez, at least for now, and Ibanez is solid and will give you peace of mind

Chris (Hoboken, NJ)

Hey Scott... would you drop Richie Sexson for Bill Hall if you were deep at first base?

Scott Engel

  (3:09 PM)

Yes, I would, especially if Hall can fill other needs for you

scott (chicago)

do you like keppinger better than furcal?

Scott Engel

  (3:10 PM)

No, I like him as a fine stopgap, for teams like my own, where I had a hole in the middle infield at the beginning of the season, and he fills it nicely

Xavier (Seattle)

Hey Scott! You Rock! Gorzy has looked awful, getting shelled today for 7 runs/4 walks in 2.1 innings. And I remember last year he had some shoulder concerns. Is it safe to drop him for Parra or Villanueva or Blackburn or Westbrook? Or is it too early?

Scott Engel

  (3:13 PM)

I think it's a little early to panic on him, but I would also try to drop soomeone else and add Villanueva if possible

Jay (Bos)

Please Rank: J Upton, Hermida, Kemp, Ethier.

Scott Engel

  (3:15 PM)

I would go Upton, Kemp, Hermida, Ethier - I think you have to be patient on Kemp and you can't trust Hermida to stay healthy or Ethier to be reliable.

Matt, Raleigh

I am deep at pitcher with Santana and Webb leading the way...should I look to move one of them for some power or am I better off sticking with them in the long run?

Scott Engel

  (3:16 PM)

I have both of those guys too - and there is no way I am going to move either one of them

Bryan-MA

Scott, I need pitching and have been offered Sabathia and Gallardo for Morneau and Francoeur. Do I pull the trigger, or hold out for a better deal? Thanks..

Scott Engel

  (3:18 PM)

I really like you getting Sabathia, and I would tell the other guy you'll get back to him. Then you can shop for better trades or he can get antsy and up his offer a bit from Gallardo

Mike (DC)

What do you expect from Volquez this year? Has he finally turned the corner?

Scott Engel

  (3:19 PM)

You have to like he stuff, and he changes speeds well, but I don;t think he'll be regularly outstanding once the league warms up on him - he may look very good early, then some struggles later in the schedule

Stan (KC)

Hi Scott: 5th OF options, Please Help! Who's most productive rest of the way & you'd recommend getting: Ethier, Hall, Bradley, or Hermida? Thanks!

Scott Engel

  (3:20 PM)

I would like Hermida if eh can only stay healthy, but I have always liked Hall and think he will serve you best over the full season

Michael (Portland, ME)

who will end up being the better Marlins 3B: Cantu or Wes Helms?

Scott Engel

  (3:21 PM)

I have never been big on Helms, and Cantu has done a good job of working his way back.

Tony S. KY.

Should I be at all worried if I have the Cubs Pitching staff? They had 3 wins but should I try and get a new staff?

Scott Engel

  (3:22 PM)

I think it's too early to mae such a move and they should serve you just fine - I can;t imagine there is much better available on free agency

Craig (PA)

Is the flyin' hawaiin ever gonna fly again, or was victorino's last year a fluke?

Scott Engel

  (3:24 PM)

Again, as Jason Grey's most recent column points out (it should be framed on all of your walls this month) it is way too early to think a lot of what we have seen so far is any real indicator of what to expect over the long haul

Jordan (Peoria)

Would you trade McClouth, Morneau, and Saito for Nady, Howard, and Capps. I am deep in relievers.

Scott Engel

  (3:25 PM)

If you can get Howard, I would certainly do it.

Eric (Memphis)

Carlos Quentin has looked good so far. Would you drop Votto to pick him up?

Scott Engel

  (3:26 PM)

I have already dropped Votto myself, as he may not get enough playing time to satisfy me, and if he's the one you have to drop, yes, take the shot if it's a mixed league

SalPacino (CT)

C Gomez and Corpas for Clay Buchholz and Brain Wislon? H2H Lifetime Keeper League

Scott Engel

  (3:27 PM)

I would keep Gomez, especially for the steals.

Greg (Orlando)

Please rank: Eveland, Volquez, Villanueva, Parra?

Scott Engel

  (3:29 PM)

I would probably go Villanueva, Volquez, Eveland, Parra. I must admit I like Villanueva a lot.

Frank (SD)

Markakis or Francoeur?

Scott Engel

  (3:30 PM)

Whew, closets call of the day there, and you really can;t go wrong on either one, but I am going to give the edge to Markakis for final overall numbers

Beaker (Gainesville)

My OF is JAMMED with Sheff, Soriano, Matsui, Ankiel and McLouth (not even throwing Victorino into the mix). Can Ankiel and McLouth play every day? I figure I should think about that before trading either Sheff or Matsui. Or should I sell high on Nate and Rick?

Scott Engel

  (3:31 PM)

I would keep McLouth and Ankiel in there and see what you can get for Sheffield

Harvey (Greenville)

I have a mancrush on Cueto. Santana/Tavares for Cueto/Corpas/Crawford?

Scott Engel

  (3:32 PM)

I understand your man-crush, and you are not the only one - but I certianly would not deal Santana in any sort of move for him yet

Alan (Bronx, NY)

Too much OF speed. I have Victorino, Taveras, and Gomez. Who is expendable?

Scott Engel

  (3:34 PM)

I would say Taveras. I expect Victorino to be just fine, and like I said, I really like Gomez, even though he might hit a slump during the summer

Jack (Roanoke)

Sheff/Reyes for Zambrano/Fielder...thoughts?

Scott Engel

  (3:35 PM)

If you can afford to give up the great steals and need a starting pitcher, I would do it

Ryan- Boston

I have Wood as my closer, and Marmol on my bench,taking up a precious roster spot. Would it be hasty to drop him?

Scott Engel

  (3:36 PM)

I would not drop Marmol just for the sake of getting rid of him yet - there has to be someone solid you really need to make room for on your roster

Miller (Charlotte)

Dunn/Sabathia for Reyes/Sheff/Victorino?

Scott Engel

  (3:37 PM)

I would do that if you still have good starting pitching left after moving Sabathia

Tonnsen (Greenville)

Are Ervin Santana and Micah Owings for real?

Scott Engel

  (3:38 PM)

I do like Santana, but I think it is way too early to be anywhere convinced on Owings yet

MJ, Ohio

Scott, I have to drop one ESPN Fantasy chatter from my weekly schedule. Do I stick with you, the conservative curmedgeon, or do I go with AJ "too many pop culture references in a given chat" Mass? I'm thinking of dropping you.

Scott Engel

  (3:41 PM)

I really don't care if you drop me - maybe me and AJ will drop you! Many people find him very entertaining, and I can see why. See ya! :)

BIG AL (FAIRFAX)

Scott, your'e my man crush!

Scott Engel

  (3:42 PM)

Wow Al, thanks. It's nice to hear I am appreciated. But as Christopher Harris would say, you guys make this all possible, and I am grateful to you for being here as well.

Chaz (Scranton, PA)

Scott, better keeper, Brady for a 3rd round pick, MBIII for a 5th rounder, or Welker for a 13th rounder?

Scott Engel

  (3:43 PM)

Brady - if you toss him back in the player pool, you can regretfully watch someone take him in the first round of your next draft.

MJ, Ohio

Just kidding. Love and appreciate your work, Scott. What are your thoughts on Johjima this year?

Scott Engel

  (3:44 PM)

I know you are, and so am I. But I cannot answer your question as you are no longer on my roster of chatters.

Chris (NY)

Drafted Cantu (now Florida has Helms), do I pickup N Johnson, Keppinger or B Butler for him?

Scott Engel

  (3:46 PM)

I like Johnson as the most dependable of those choices over the full season, even though Keppinger will be good too

Erik (ATL)

Scott, I think Owings is the real deal. I think people are cautious about him as a young hurler because he's an under the radar kind of pitcher. Owings should have a nice year (especially as the #3 or #4 for the Babybacks). Tell Tonnesen in Greenville not worry, but not to expect ace numbers every outting.

Scott Engel

  (3:47 PM)

Thanks for your input Eric - glad to provide another perspective on Owings by posting your comments

Ron (NY)

Soto/Pedro for Halladay/Buck a good deal (getting Halladay)?

Scott Engel

  (3:49 PM)

No - why should someone take Pedro from you and give up Halladay? I won't endorse it, but you can go ahead and try.

Rob (DC)

Mixed roto 10 team league. I'm deep in the outfield and light in the saves, since I already have Marmol I was thinking about offering Fukudome for Wood to have those saved wrapped up. Thoughts?

Scott Engel

  (3:50 PM)

I think you might be able to get someone who gives you more peace of mind than Wood.

Matt (Hoboken, NJ)

Actually, I wondering about Johjima too, and I always enjoy your chats, Scott. I was thinking about dropping Johjima for Laird, but then I saw Laird batted .220 last year. I figure I'll just hold tight.

Scott Engel

  (3:50 PM)

Good idea, Matt. way too early to make that sort of move yet.

Bryan-MA

Ollie Perez, 200 K's?

Scott Engel

  (3:51 PM)

Don't think so - but he can be pretty good overall again, and I expect 13 to 15 wins

JKlipp (Milwaukee, WI)

Top 5 RB's before the draft? I think AD is WAY over-rated for fantasy purposes. He had 2 monster games, and disappeared for several. I like LT, Steven Jackson, Westbrook, AD, Addai.

Scott Engel

  (3:53 PM)

I think we saw promise from Peterson last year and more consistency will come with the second and third years. I go Tomlinson, Peterson, Addai, Westbrook, Jackson

bob (houston)

scott, you used to have no sense of humor. now you're almost TMR like. what happened?

Scott Engel

  (3:54 PM)

I think you never really knew me, Bob. :)

Joel ( Roscommon MI)

Time to field offers for Maggs or do I need to be a little more patient ?

Scott Engel

  (3:55 PM)

It's vere too early to field offers, but don't get lkowballed, and I would still get proper value in return for him based on preseason projections

Jim (NY)

Would you rather have marmol than lyon if you had other closers for saves?

Scott Engel

  (3:56 PM)

If I could stash Marmol and cutting Lyon would not hurt me much, it would be done

Dave (Boston, MA)

Is Aaron Rowand even worth owning in a 8 team league? Should I look for something on the wire? I have lots of power but very little in the stls dept. Or is Rowand to valuable to drop?

Scott Engel

  (3:57 PM)

In an eight teamer, I think there will be good speed options available on the FA list, so do what you must to fill categories of need

Jake (VA Beach)

Typing too fast Scott? Who are you more worried about - Bedard or Oswalt?

Scott Engel

  (3:58 PM)

I'm not worried about either one, because I think will Bedard will be fine and I no longer have great expectations for Oswalt

Gary (Mt. Laurel, NJ)

Scott, if you like Gomez so much, is Cueto fair value to get him in a trade?

Scott Engel

  (3:59 PM)

I think it's an upside for upside trade, and if you fill needs on both ends, it makes a lot of sense

Dave (SF)

The 4:00 games are about to start and we have to watch Benjie Molina not have anyone to drive home again! Should we subject ouselves to this all season, or are we better off with Laird, Towles, or Snyder?

Scott Engel

  (4:00 PM)

I would not cut Molina outright yet, but I like Snyder for th ecategories that may worry you abot Molina now, and get him on your bench

Jay (Sterling, MA)

Would you give up Abreau for Oswalt?

Scott Engel

  (4:01 PM)

I would do that - both guys ar enot what they were, but I would rather have the solid starting pitcher. Thanks a lot everyone!