Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (2:59 PM)

Hi kids... Let's get it started... as always, all subjects answered...

Reggie (Orlando)

Fukudome: probably not going to hit .500 this year; would you look to deal him early? Would Tulowitzki be too much to ask?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:00 PM)

I would... He certainly looks healthier than I thought he would be - I don't expect the speed or power to continue at this rate... if you coul d get Troy, I'd do it in a heartbeat

Anne Hathaway (LA)

Matthew, thank you so much for all the support over the last couple weeks. The feud with Megan Fox has taken its toll, but knowing that you're in my corner has pulled me through this tough time. Next time you're in LA, give me a call and we can meet up for a quick game of Madden. I will wreak HAVOC on you (in Madden).

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:01 PM)

If only this were slightly true

Joel (Boston)

Plain and simple TMR, Justin Speiers or Scot Shields?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:03 PM)

I say Shields. Scoscia tends to go with guys he trusts, veterans, etc... and Shields has done it effectively before...

Todd Wellemeyer (St. Louis)

Am I for real?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:04 PM)

Not yet. Of the Cards pitchers, I like Thompson the most and believe in Lohse the least

Carlo (Omaha, NE)

TMR, I'm a little worried about Smoltz's health. I feel my staff is solid without him but am having trouble coming up with his value. Can I get names of 5-10 players you think I could rightly shoot for in a 1 for 1? Thanks a bunch Berry!

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:07 PM)

i'm not. Smoltz has pitched over 200 innings each of the last 3 years. As for value, hard to say, because I tend to devalue all pitching. But he's a lower tier #1 starter. So, a upper echelon hitter... Aramis Ramirez types

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:08 PM)

To SS in NJ... Yes, we have planned to bring that feature over from the old site, but it's taking longer than we thought it would. Wish I had a time table for you, but I don't...

Gip, Bloomingdale, N.J.

Love/Hate: Mark Reynolds or Joe Crede as a free-agent pickup for the hot corner?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:09 PM)

Reynolds! Just shot a fantasy thing for Baseball Tonight on it. After last night, Reynolds nows has 11 HR in his last 143 at bats (dating back to last year, incl the playoffs).... That's one every 13 at bats, a crazy pace. He gets 500 AB, he hits 38.

Dave Bush (Milwaukee)

I had a bad first start. Why do you fantasy types love me so damn much?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:10 PM)

I've never liked you. Nate and Karabell were on your bandwagon but they have both dropped off. They liked your undelying numbers and your WHIP

Tyler (Nashville)

Bigger fantasy impact this year: Bonds or Bruce?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:10 PM)

Bruce

Shaun(NYC)

Think Scheff can steal another 15 to 20 bags this year?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:10 PM)

NO

Sarah (Greenville, SC)

I am wondering if Thompson is a good pickup. Would you give up Rauch, Garza, Oliver Perez, Buehrle, Accardo or James Shields to get him?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:11 PM)

Yes, he's a good pick-up... no, I wouldn't drop any of those guys for him

Jeremy (New Orleans)

Nice NYP interview. Fox over Hathaway (but Kardashian over both) Quick trade question?? Giving M. Young (tex) and E. Byrnes for J.J. Hardy, N. Markakis, and Kelly Johnson. I have Ichiro, J.D. Drew and Nady as other outfielders.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:13 PM)

Thanks. You're nuts on KK. Bleah. Don't do the trade. Hardy and KJ are fine, but not much better than what you could find on the waiver wire in a mix league, which clearly this is.

Tom (New York, NY)

Torii Hunter, sell high, or is what he is?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:14 PM)

Nah, he's legit. Playing on grass, he's healthy, in a good division... he's 20/20 easy

Jessica Alba (LA)

Just because I'm pregnant, I'm not good enough for you? Jerk.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:16 PM)

Hah! Long list of women who call me jerk, Jessica. Join the crowd.

bob (houston)

enjoyed the article you posted about yourself. are your screenwriting days behind you? you should do a baseball movie. what is your favorite baseball movie? comedy and serious

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:20 PM)

never say never, but at the moment, I have no plans to get back into that and haven't written anything like that in over a year. Fave baseball movie? Hmmm. Field of Dreams is tough to beat. Probably that for serious. Comedy? Major League and Bull Durham, though original Bad News Bears has to make any list

Ronan (Ireland)

Do you know who has taken over from Sam walker in Tout Wars documentary ?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:21 PM)

I do. I don't know if I am allowed to reveal it or not.

Tom (NJ)

You still have faith in Hunter Pence?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:21 PM)

YES

al (DC)

mark lowe, scot shields or john rauch?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:21 PM)

Shileds, Rauch, Lowe... in order of skill set. You can never predict opportunities...

Andy (IN)

Here is the answer for your debate. Megan Fox for 30 minutes Hatheway for 30 years.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:22 PM)

I assume you are talking about conversation. And I agree with you. What could I talk to Megan Fox about for more than a half hour?

Sal (CT)

D-Train or C. Villanueva?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:23 PM)

When the question is D-Train or... the answer is always the other guy. Unless it's Barry Zito.

Willy (ATL)

Next time you talk to Ms. Bell will you ask her to update us on Alou. Also, is Lastings Milledge the real deal? He sure looks like it so far.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:24 PM)

I will pass that on. She'll be on the podcast on Friday. but I'll shoot her a note for her next blog as well. Yes, i am starting to come around on Lastings. He's not this good, but better than I initially pegged him at.

Stephen (Lewisville, NC)

Hathaway all the way!

William (Denver)

What feature was SS in NJ asking about? A free agent watch list?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:24 PM)

Something like that, only better

Jason (CT)

Should I regret thinking Adam Dunn will hit 40 HR for the third year in a row?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:25 PM)

No, because it would be the 4th year in a row. And he's had at least 40 for 4 straight

Mike: Chicago IL

Matt: name game: Manny Parra or Ian Kenndey? i will have to drop one when Lackey inevitably comes back. Thanks, you're the best and down with Pod Vader.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:26 PM)

Parra

Mike ( Rhode Island...it's neither a road nor an island...discus

You drinking the Daisuke bathwater yet? Name game: Daisuke or Smoltz or Wainwright? Thanks TMR

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:26 PM)

No on Dice-K. I rank them Smoltz, Dice-K, Wainwright (due to Dice's K's and win potential)

Jon (Columbus)

Should I regret drafting an all Berry outfield? (Hart, Markakis, CB Young)

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:27 PM)

So far it's looking pretty good, wouldn't you say? I wasn't as high as others on CBY however... still worried about the avg

Patrick (Houston)

Is this the beginning of the end for Rich Harden?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:27 PM)

NO! I believe!

Thesis Jim (New Haven, CT)

TMR... I'm in your division in the Man's league and you and Nate haven't really chosen sides like you did for the football version of the league. What do you say? Can I get a TMR endorsement of my team? If you check my roster, I believe I have one of the (if not the) best hitting teams in the league and threw ERA and WHIP out the window in an effort to stockpile raw numbers in Ks and Ws. Obviously, my pitching staff crapped the bed and didn't come through with that Ws thing this first week, but I should be able to sneak the saves category against anyone who punted those, so I'm not that stressed about my pitching holding me down. All in all, in this election year of '08, it'd be silly for a superdelegate such as yourself to support any of those losing candidates. Also note, I cited you first in my thesis and did NOT cite Pod Vader. Thesis Jim in '08!!

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:28 PM)

Yes, Thesis Jim. You have officially gotten my endorsement. I will announce on tomorrow's podcast. Congrats

Carlo (Omaha,NE)

Berry, Smoltz's neck really doesn't bother you at all? Far be it from me to challenge you, but even Ms. Bell thinks it could be a nagging problem. No cut and run though? Thanks!

The one sane chick you date this year (XXX-992-44XX)

Need the most FAIR 1 for 1 trade (of for P) verlander or Webb or bedard or haren or hamels or zambrano for Soriano or Rios or Beltran.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:30 PM)

I edited your number in case that's an actual number, thou I highly doubt it is. All of those guys are studs, so it just depends who the other person wants. If it were me, I'd deal Haren. You'd be selling verlander low.

Eric (CT)

You could talk to Megan Fox about CD3 and maybe even show her all of the funny parts of the movie.... but then again you'd have another 27 minutes to kill.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:31 PM)

Well played, sir. Well played.

Chris (Orlando)

Someone in my league just dropped Brett Myers, should I be rushing out to put my waiver in? How good will he be this year?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:31 PM)

Good enough that he should be owned in every single league. That's insane

MJ, Ohio

TMR: Can you let us in on where ESPN hopes to take fantasy sports in the next few years?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:35 PM)

Well, not in any specific sense. I oversee our content. I work with two others who oversee games and business respectively. We work with a lot of talented, passionate people about fantasy every day on many big ideas and various ways to serve our fans. I feel we were better, more robust and complete in all our offerings in 07 vs 06 and will be in 08 over 07.... and will continue to evolve... I'm always happy to hear suggestions for my area or to pass along... Just know that it's important to everyone at ESPN, from the very top of the company that we continue to serve our fans the best possible way. That's not corproate bs. Folks really believe and preach that here. But with a compnay the size of ESPN, things take time. So we're proud of what we have done but feel there is much more we can do. How's that for a specific generic answer?

barry (boston)

This is a boring question, but the answer is very helpful. Can you rank these starting pitchers: Snell, Billingsley, Wainwright, Weaver, and Cueto?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:37 PM)

Snell, Wainwright, Cueto, Chad, Weaver.

JJ (NYC)

Hey, I have noticed that small tweaks and features have been added each week for the fantasy league pages. Will this continue all season? I love the new features.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:38 PM)

I will pass your compliments on. All season? Probably not, but our games group is very dedicated and passionate and responsive to feedback.

Carlo (Omaha)

Man Berry, you post my question yet leave it alone once a 'female' posts a question with her number....ouch!

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:41 PM)

Sorry - that's my fault. Answere but it didn't take. Anyways, you asked about Smoltz' neck, saying even Stephania was concerned. And my answer is no. He's a avery samrt, veteran pitcher, who knows his body and how to treat it. He's been very durable and he has insisted he's fine. If he wasn't, he wouldn't risk it in April.

Jordan (CT)

Do you need an assistant?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:41 PM)

Yes

Brett (LA)

TMR, who do I pick? The cheerleader Amber? Or the bionic-woman Daisey?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:42 PM)

For you it's Daisy. For me, it's Amber.

Timmy (DC)

Start Cueto tonight?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:42 PM)

YES

Steve (PA)

I read in one of the articles yesterday about how one scout loved Kuroda's command. What are your feelings on him?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:43 PM)

Not crazy about him. Not a strikeout guy, he's a groundball pitcher. LA was 5th worst in fielding % last year. better real life than fantasy

al (DC)

Do you really need an assistant? I have Anne Hathaway eyes (i'm told)

Mike (Lansing)

You said you needed an assistant last time, are you legit? Where do resumes/etc. get sent?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:44 PM)

LOL. We have to post any jobs here... you can always check the jobs at espn link at the very bottom of ESPN.com. I am looking, yes, and will probably mention something on the podcast once we are ready to post the job.

Grand Master B (Chicago)

Tell me one joke you contributed to MWC that you're most proud of...or that we might remember.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:46 PM)

I pitched a story like this once.. it wasa round the time of Kathie Lee Gifford's show scandal. "What if Al finds out all the shoes at Gary's shoes are made by immigrant children? So he goes to investiaget to blackmail gary but finds out the immigrant children still make more tha he does?" That turned in "Children of the Corns" which I co-wrote. Came out pretty funny.

Dan (San Jose)

Im in the mood....yes, that mood.

Kyle (Louisville)

Will the day come when they integrate fantasy into Baseball Tonight? It's already my favorite show, they might as well make it better....I bet Gammons, Olney, Kurkjian would be great to talk fantasy with....

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:47 PM)

Yes, they already do, We're just getting started, but I'm doing a "Fantasy Baseball Minute" every M-Sat on BBTN except Friday - Stephania is doing one on those days.... And yes, those guys are all great to talk baseball with. They can talk about it all day long...

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:49 PM)

That's too long to post, but I appreciate the feedback Dan in Baltimore. I will forward along to the appropriate folks...

Jay (Sterling, MA)

So tell me if I'm right. Your probably sitting in your office, having Nate fetch you coffee, chatting about Fantasy baseball, getting paid for it & most likely have multiple baseball games on TV in front of you. Is that about right?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:50 PM)

Nate fetches me Diet Coke. But otherwise, yes

rick (ny)

Can man live on bacon alone? Also, Jason Bay... draft day mistake, what do I do now?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:51 PM)

Patience. On the all bacon diet sweeping the country and Bay's hitting.

Bartolo Colon, Minor Leagues

Here's some feedback for ya, you suck!

Ari (Miami)

Randy Wolf a nice spot start tonight @ SF?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:51 PM)

yes

Brad (Philly)

Seriously, the Mets are collapsing this afternoon like it's Sept. 2007. I love it!

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:51 PM)

LOL

Ari (Miami)

How much time of your day do you actually have to spend in the office on a regular basis? Randy Wolf a nice spot start tonight @ SF?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:54 PM)

I start my day at 7am or so... doing research and writing notes / the script for my my First take and Fantasy Focus online shows (they need time to build grpahics, etc) I get here at ESPN at 8:30am - first thing I do is record the podcast. Then make-up, the online show, First Take, write the script for BBTN, and then deal w/ whatever needs to be done: column for dot com or mag, chat, meetings, answer email (internal, not fan), shoot the BBTN segment.. I usually leave around 7 pm

Shaun(NYC)

Eric posted his list of guys going 20/20 this year....would Pence and/or Patterson be on your list?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:54 PM)

Pence yes - I said so in my you heard me. Patterson no

Dan (NJ)

Tell Brad (Philly) to win something before he talks trash

Brian (Chicago)

When you go to the bars, do people recognize you and buy you drinks for saving their fantasy leagues?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:55 PM)

Recognize me? Yes, sometimes. Every once in a while they will offer to buy a drink, but usually they just want to ask a piece of advice, get a picture, shake hands, whatever

Jim (Philly)

Matt - Swapped Chris Young (OF) for Lance Berkman. Good move??

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:56 PM)

Yes, very much so

Robert (Fayetteville, GA)

Joe Saunders has now pitched back to back 8 inning 4 hit performance to open the year. Is he worth a pickup in a 10 team mixed league?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:56 PM)

In that size league? No, not yet. he still doesn't strike anyone out. But he's solid. Not this good, but solid.

Ari (Miami)

Wow, that's intense. But obviously it makes all the difference in the world when you love what you do.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:57 PM)

Yes, it's more work than folks realize. But it's also the greatest job in the world, so I can't complain. I am very lucky.

Matthew (Philadelphia)

Remind Dan (NJ) what state he lives in

Mike (Boston)

When you go into a bar, do you give people back any money they paid to see CD3?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:57 PM)

I would but no one actually saw CD3

Ben (Baton Rouge, LA)

Will Clayton Kershaw give me anything this year?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:58 PM)

Yes, I think so. Look at Lincecum's numbers from last year... that's a fairly good barometer

Chase (Holland, MI)

Berry, gimmie a speedster to add to my bench, I just traded away Bourn...Nyjer, Pierre, Rajai, or anyone else??? (and yes, Gomez is gone)

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:59 PM)

Any of those. Also Brin Bocock or Eugenio Velez (esp. Velez) and maybe Clete Thomas in DET until Curtis comes back

Rob (Lawrence KS)

ROCK CHALK, JAYHAWK, KU!!!!

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:00 PM)

I just threw up a little.

Ari (Miami)

I have one problem with the podcast (other than the Fox-Hathaway ongoing debate), you & Nate always agree on everything. And you often change your opinion on a player or a deal after he speaks up, whats up with that?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:00 PM)

I will answer this tomorrow on the podcast.

Ray (Dayton, NJ)

Im going insane with this Dodgers outfield. I own Kemp but Ethier is available. Any ideas?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:01 PM)

Anyway you can add Either w/out cutting Kemp? Clearly he's the better guy right now, but long term, Kemp will have better numbers this year than AE

Brad(NM)

Should we start ANY pitcher facing the Giants this year? Seriously TMR..if you took the mound against San Fran I'd start ya.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:01 PM)

yes and yes

Jason (Atlanta)

favorite casino/hotel in Vegas?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:01 PM)

Palms / Hard Rock / Madalay Bay are all up there. Love PURE nightclub though

Matthew (Philadelphia)

The podcasts are done first thing in the morning? That's why you sometimes sound like you just woke up.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:02 PM)

Only sometimes???

Ted (NY,NY)

FYI, Stephania Bell cursed John Lackey as well. Was asked a question about his health the day before he went on the DL, she responded that nothing was wrong and he was a fine, durable pitcher....nothing like a good curse!

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:02 PM)

THAT'S HILARIOUS

Jason (Va_

Joe Blanton and Kotchman for Cueto? Getting Cueto

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:02 PM)

YES

Ronan (Ireland)

Does Pod Vader need an assistant ?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:05 PM)

He has too much help as it is. Okay, gang, gotta run. Meeting at 4, so i am already late. Thanks as always for coming by - be sure to download the podcast - much witty repartee