Keith Lipscomb

  (3:00 PM)

Hey all! It's about that time...

John, Saegertown, PA

Keith what's with C.C. Sabathia? Do you think I should try to buy-low? or am I going to get burned?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:03 PM)

Well, it's safe to say that this is about as low as C.C.'s value is going to be ... or at least I think so. I haven't heard about any injury here, so I have to believe he turns it around.

Bruce (Jersey)

Hi Keith! With Chad Cordero throwing like my sister, is Raunch a better long term closer investment than Acosta?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:05 PM)

I've never seen your sister throw, but she could pitch in a major league pen if she can throw like Cordero. That being said, I definitely think Rauch is a better long-term investment. I agree that Cordero doesn't look right and I'm not a believer in Acosta and it's possible Soriano comes back soon anyway. Or that someone like Boyer gets a shot a closing in the meantime. Go with Rauch.

Jennifer (NYC)

Hey Keith, I've gotta start Verlander tonight even though Daily Notes guy warns against it, right?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:06 PM)

Verlander is an ace on many fantasy rosters, so no question I start him. And although the ERA is ugly so far, he's still limiting hitters to close to a .200 BA. He'll be fine.

Jake (Philadephia)

Keith, is it time to drop Frank Thomas? Gary Matthews Jr, Gathright, Gomes, Werth, Scott, Cust and David Murphy are among the FAs in a keeper league.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:09 PM)

Well, I'm going to guess that you drafted Big Hurt knowing that your UT/DH slot would be tied up and that you did it for the power numbers he could bring you, so I think he's just going through a mini-slump right now and expect him to have these ups and downs all season. I don't think any of the players you mentioned can give you the HR/RBI numbers Thomas is capable of this season.

kyle (Athens)

Last night a sign of things to come for Oswalt?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:12 PM)

I'd like to think so, and I remember saying last week that I'm sticking with him and still like him this season. Even if his strikeout rates continue to decline, I still think he can be an effective starter on a regular basis...He's just not the No. 1 fantasy starter he's been in past years.

Dwight Schrute Scranton, PA)

Question: I want Franceour; I have Delmon Young, which one is better?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:13 PM)

Right now, Francoeur is because Delmon's still got lots of room to grow as a player, particularly in terms of power. But by next season, Delmon could easily be the answer to that question.

Tim (DC)

Is Prince Fielder a perfect buy low candidate, or are there injury concerns?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:15 PM)

I haven't heard anything in terms of injury on him. And like Sabathia, I think you have to believe he'll get it going very soon. Definitely a buy-low option if someone in your league isn't the patient type.

Joe (Squarejaw, NY)

Should I be starting Soto over Russell Martin yet?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:17 PM)

If you're fortunate enough to have both, you could certainly start Soto until Martin gets going. While I still think Martin will have the better fantasy season, Soto isn't chopped liver anyway. While Martin may have gone a bit over his head last season (151 games as well), I'm not worried about him.

Harri in CT

Hi Keith, I am totally stumped between Marcum and Owings. Numbers so far are pretty even. Who has the edge?Thx!

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:19 PM)

I like Marcum a bit more for this season, but Owings certainly has more room for growth and he's quickly progressing as it is. Marcum is probably close to as good as he'll ever be. Owings definitely the better strikeout guy if you need them.

Steve(Boston)

Drop Parra for Pelfrey or Maddux? Also what role you see Morrow taking in Seattle? Thanks

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:22 PM)

I'd hang onto Parra as long as he stays in the Brewers' rotation. You'll have to deal with starts like today's where he can't find the plate occasionally, though. With Maddux, you know what you're getting, so if he provides you with more comfort, then so be it. I'll go with the possible upside for now. And Morrow should be a threat for saves until Putz returns, just because I'm not sold that Mark Lowe is the answer there. I doubt Morrow gets that shot right away, but if Putz misses extended time, Morrow could get a shot.

chris (seattle)

HELP! Trade Dye to get Liriano? deep league but I would be playing garret anderson or Euginio Velex everyday if I make this trade... my best pitchers right now are Lincecum / Brett Meyers.... what do you expect for the rest of the year from Liriano?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:24 PM)

I'd hold off on dealing for Liriano right now, because he's just not where he needs to be. That's normal for guys coming off of TJ surgery, though. If you can make that deal at the All-Star break, though, I think that would be best, since Liriano's arm should respond more favorably by then (if he doesn't have any setbacks, of course).

Justin(Worcester, MA)

Napoli or Kendall?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:25 PM)

Napoli...Kendall isn't for real and doesn't help in any other categories. I'd take the BA hit with Napoli.

Earl (Rogers, AR)

who do you like in a points keeper league: kendrick or kinsler?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:26 PM)

I absolutely love Kendrick as a hitter, but he just can't stay healthy, so Kinsler's the easy choice for me, because in a points league, you're not getting points per game. It's total points and Kinsler might be better even if you were using averages.

Steve (LA)

Thoughts on Sheffield for the year? A Buy low?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:29 PM)

Definitely a buy-low guy, simply because he won't hit .214 all season, he still takes walks and won't drive in one run every six games. Just don't expect anything more than he put up last season so you're not disappointed.

Ethan (Memphis)

Any way you start Longoria over C. Pena at util, short term or long?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:30 PM)

Long term, sure. But right now, I stil think Pena is a 35-37 homer hitter, and even if he only hits .260-.265, which is what I expect, he'll really help your power categories -- much more than Longoria will.

JDK (the ATL)

Lipsy, is Reynolds for real? Final stat line, please...

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:32 PM)

His power's for real. There's no doubt about that. I don't expect him to hit .279 like last season...I think .260-.265 is more likely, but I see no reason why he can't hit 25 homers and drive in 80 runs. I'm not sure when Chad Tracy will return, but it won't be easy to get his job back the way Reynolds is playing.

Michael (Tucson, AZ):

Last time, have a meeting! Keith, I'm revisiting an old basketball question that you already answered for me in midseason. Pick four keepers as of right now: Josh Smith (gotta be), Kevin Durant (dito), Elton Brand, Andrew Bynum, Jose Calderon, Hedo Turkoglu, and Andris Biedrins. Last time you said keep Calderon because of his position but the end of the year scared me.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:36 PM)

Michael, gotta admit the way the team handled the PG situation at the end of the season scared me, too. And the way Turkoglu played makes it a good problem to have. Calderon, I believe, is a free agent so where he ends up would be key to my thought process. If he stays in Toronto and has to share, I'd rather keep Bynum or Turkoglu.

Chris (Miami, Fl)

Is Jacobs for real? Would Huff and Bonderman be enough to get him or is that too much?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:37 PM)

Too much in my opinion, because I don't think Jacobs is that much better than Huff for this season. Jacobs has shown flashes like this before, but has yet to put it all together for a big season.

Joe (DC)

This may sound crazy, but who do you want in a keeper league: Kotchman or Papi?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:39 PM)

Yeah, I still think it's a bit crazy to consider Kotchman or Papi. Sorry, Joe.

Thayne (Toronto)

Longoria or Hawpe at the util spot? Bay/holliday/abreu are all playing better right now so i have them starting over Hawpe.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:41 PM)

I like Hawpe more for better numbers this season. But if you know the Rockies are facing a lefty, that's the perfect time to throw Longoria in there. Hawpe isn't much against the southpaws.

Josh ('Woody)

Cain or Billingsley, and will either be elite by season's end?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:43 PM)

I had Cain and Billingsley near each other before the season. I think Billingsley will work things out, but it hasn't been pretty so far. I don't expect either to be elite in fantasy until 2009 at the earliest. Both walk too many guys and Cain will have a hard time winning games in San Fran.

Erik (ATL)

KL, great chat, bro. Quick trade evaluation for ya. I'm in a 12 team, mixed league roto with just about every category counted positive and negative). I'm loaded at SP and feel I have a need at 3B (Keppinger does hit for enough power) and possibly a RP. I've offered A. Harang, M. Owings, and I. Rodriguez for B. McCann, B.Hall, and Joe Nathan. The other guy has Johan and Hamels as his best SP's. Do you think I offered him enough or if I'm properly filling his needs?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:45 PM)

Not knowing all the categories makes it a bit tough to truly evaluate, but I think you gave him enough, if you're really that loaded at SP. You upgrade at C and get a great closer. Saves always come into the league, so he could still be OK there, as well. Good luck!

Michael (Portland, ME)

Chase Headley or Colby Rasmus for this year? Who's the better keeper?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:47 PM)

I don't see how you go wrong with either in terms of keepers, but for this year, I'd say Headley's the better candidate, simply because the Pads could have injury trouble in the OF and Headley could find his way to the bigs sooner.

Pete (DC)

I need AVG badly. Is Brett Myers for Howie Kendrick fair?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:49 PM)

I don't like it, simply because of the injury concerns I have about Kendrick. I'd rather get someone I feel more comfortable about being in the lineup everyday, when I'm giving up an SP who is pretty consistent and durable.

Tom Tuttle (Tacoma)

Drop Konerko for C. Jackson?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:50 PM)

I still think Konerko will hit more homers than Jackson, but I like Jackson to hit for a better average, hit 17-18 homers and drive in 85-90 runs.

Rob (Miami)

Valverde just gave up another 2 run HR in the 8th inning (non-save opportunity, down 8-1). Should we begin to worry? Should I pick up Brocail or someone else to handcuff him? Thanks.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:53 PM)

I do think Brocail is most likely next in line if the 'Stros go in a different direction for saves, so if you can handcuff him, it wouldn't be a bad idea. Even if Valverde loses his job, I would expect him to get every opportunity to get it back.

Pedro (San Francisco)

A guy in my league dropped Cueto. Should I use my waiver spot (No. 5 in 12-team league) to pick him up? If I do, should I drop Meche, Lilly or Tony Pena?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:56 PM)

Yes, I think so. He may not keep pitching the way he has, but if he does, you'll sure look good. I'd probably drop Pena right now since he may not even be next in line if Lyon were to lose the closer's gig in Arizona.

brett (omaha)

16 team roto league - does Barmes have any value?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:57 PM)

He certainly does in a league of that size. Jayson Nix isn't exactly tearing it up and Barmes is taking full advantage of the opportunities he is receiving. If you can stash Barmes on your bench, definitely worth a pickup.

Alan (Orlando)

Valverde or Gregg? I need some relief

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:59 PM)

With those two, you may be using the word relief very loosely, Alan. :-) But right now, Gregg has a much stronger hold on the closer's job, so if you need a short-term boost, he's the guy.

Austin, Dallas TX

Hey Keith, Please help, Im torn between Ervin Santana and Way-Rod as a replacement to the Ailing-Escobar. Which one would you prefer?

Keith Lipscomb

  (4:00 PM)

I think you might get a 50/50 in the office here, but I like Santana more, just from what I've seen when I watch both guys pitch. Just for the record, both Ervin and Wandy pitch AT HOME on Saturday, so make sure you get them in your lineups.

Jay (irvine, ca)

Is Joey Votto the starter now? What do you think his stats will be? Between him and Laroche, I'm set at 1B right? Thanks.

Keith Lipscomb

  (4:02 PM)

Well, the way Votto's hitting, it's hard to take him out, which is very nice to see. Don't forget that Dusty's the manager, so I still wouldn't call Votto 'the starter'. And I'm glad to hear you're not concerned about LaRoche. You're obviously aware of his annual early-season scuffles.

Keith Lipscomb

  (4:03 PM)

My time is up for today, but thanks for the questions. See you next week!

Keith Lipscomb

  (4:05 PM)

One late note: Manny Acta has stated he won't use Cordero in tight late-inning situations until he gets his fastball back, so that means Rauch will get the chances there.