Scott Engel

  (2:59 PM)

Good afternoon everyone! Thank you for joining the Monday fantasy sports chat! Be glad to take your questions on fantasy football, racing, AFL and of course, baseball.

Dan (nyc)

Votto for Volquez, who wins that trade?

Scott Engel

  (3:00 PM)

I think if it fits both sides in terms of need, there's no reason to question anything about it, really. Both players have a lot of upside

Derek (Fayetteville AR)

Should I trade Berkman since he has started the season on fire? I'm looking to get a struggling David Wright. What do you think?

Scott Engel

  (3:01 PM)

Wright is not going to struggle much longer. In fact, his owner may not be willing to part with him. If you can get him, go for it.

Jason (Northfield)

Scott, Do you play The Show on PS3? if so what's your handle?

Scott Engel

  (3:02 PM)

I play it to the point where I am addicted. Best video game I have ever played. E-mail me and I'll give you my gamertag.

Chris (NJ)

Should I stop trying to sell-high on Joe Saunders? And what about my buy-low attempts on C.C.?

Scott Engel

  (3:04 PM)

If no one is going to take Saunders, keep him and enjoy the results. If you can't acquire Sabthia, maybe you have to ask the owner who he is willing to take on your squad.

Gerald (Alabama)

What do you think about Frank Gore next year? Will DeShawn Foster make him better?

Scott Engel

  (3:11 PM)

Foster could certainly help keep him fresh. Better for Foster to be in that role, too, since he has less chances of getting hurt. I like Gore as a fourth-rounder, No. 2 guy next year

Norm (Chicago,IL)

You're the BEST...I don't know why people say you aren't, but i find your insight to be topnotch.

Scott Engel

  (3:15 PM)

Thanks Norm, nice to hear - different people prefer different experts - I am just glad to be doing this. I am a big Kiss fan and they are always thankful for where they are, and I follow that mode of thinking. Without you guys, I would not be here

Jesse (St.Louis, MO.)

C.Benson or M.Forte?

Scott Engel

  (3:15 PM)

Forte - he is one of my sleepers right now and has already looked good in minicamps

Steve (Denver,CO)

GOOD Deal: Ryan Church for Matt Kemp?

Scott Engel

  (3:16 PM)

I would rather have Kemp, even though Church is showing us he is better than expected.

Jeff (Iowa)

Scott, should I trade David Wright for Braun and Figgins? Figgins is 2b-elibible in our league, and would replace Aaron Hill. Thank you.

Scott Engel

  (3:18 PM)

I think you should keep Wright. I have alot of confidence in him and would not be trying to move him. You may end up regretting it.

Zach Rastall, Marinette, WI

How long have you been a fantasy expert?

Scott Engel

  (3:20 PM)

I have been writing fantays professionally for 12 years and go far back as strat-o-matic and All-Star Baseball (with the spinners) from Cadaco as a kid.

Shawn

Michael Young for Putz? Will Putz be dominant again this year?

Scott Engel

  (3:21 PM)

I have a lot of confidence that Putz will be just fine. If you can effectively replace Young in your lineup, I would do it.

Mike (Hartford, CT)

Scott, I have had 2 starting pitchers go down, Gallardo and Smoltz, and I recently traded Verlander for Sizemore. But now a team once flush with starting pitching is in need, so I picked up Jurrjens off of the waiver wire for some help. Fortunately, I do have 2 shortstops (Furcal and Rollins). Should I think about unloading one of them for a starting pitcher? What should I look for in return? I have been offered Sabathia straight up for Rollins. What's your take.

Scott Engel

  (3:23 PM)

Wow, way to go to get Sizemore. I think once Rollins returns you may be ablr to get more for him or Furcaal, and I would stand pat for now

marco (boston)

Scott, I took your advice weeks ago and traded B Lyon for Billy Butler. Butler has been a dissapointment thus far and has been riding my bench. Should I be patient and stick with him?

Scott Engel

  (3:24 PM)

I don't think you will rgert trading Lyons, and with a lot of season left, you still have to be patient on Butler a bit longer

Dan (San Jose)

Ervin Santana sell high? I am trying to package him and Zimmerman for Chipper...too much?

Scott Engel

  (3:25 PM)

I would actually stick with Zimmerman, and keep Santana and continue to enjoy good results

nicky(brooklyn,ny)

I'm saddled with Verlander.Should I Deal him for greinke?

Scott Engel

  (3:26 PM)

If the Greinke owner is willing to do it, I would make that deal, personally

james (Mass)

http://sportsfreakers.blogspot.com/2008/04/introduction-to-man-crush.html Do you have any fantasy baseball mancrushes?

Scott Engel

  (3:27 PM)

Nate McLouth, Brandon Webb, Johan Santana forever, Derrek Lee

James (Norman, OK)

Somebody in my league dropped Sheffield. Is it even worth it to take a chance on him?

Scott Engel

  (3:29 PM)

In a mixed league, I would not drop a solid player who is doing well to add him, but if you have the room, it certainly cannot hurt to at least put him on the bench for now

Erik (ATL)

Thoughts on Brett Myers? He looked better last night. A sign of things to come, or an over-matched Giants team?

Scott Engel

  (3:30 PM)

Actually, bith. I think Myers will be pretty reliable the rest of the way, and there will be more matchups that should work in his favor occasionally

Jason (VA)

Scott- Francoeur for Verlander? my hitting is worse than my pitching. Do you think Verlander is hurt? I hate dealing an everyday player for a 5th day starter

Scott Engel

  (3:32 PM)

I have no inside info on Verlander and there are no real indications he is hurt. I hate making that type of deal, too. I would not do it, personally

Chris (Saratoga, NY)

Drop Rich Hill for Cueto or Bonderman?

Scott Engel

  (3:33 PM)

I think you have to keep Hill, but get Cueto by dropping another player if you can. Mario Soto has been working closely with him and I expect more impressive performances ahead.

Sean (Maine)

do you think ryan howard will turn things around? do you think for this season that he still will be able to hit 45 homers and get 120+ rbis?

Scott Engel

  (3:34 PM)

I do expect a turnaround, yes, but I would temper my overall expectations just below those numbers

Dave (Bethel, CT)

D. Anderson and Portis for LT and Santonio Holmes in a dynasty keeper league? I already have Brees, AP, Westy as my studs

Scott Engel

  (3:37 PM)

I really don't see why you need Tomlinson with all those RBs, and I would try to just get one WR in a one for one move if you can

John, nyc

What's with Carlos Beltran? He's a human wasteland for me right now...

Scott Engel

  (3:39 PM)

The knees worry me, as he is just not generating the kind of drive or power on th eball we suually see - it's not affecting him in the field , really, but you won;t get proper return on him in a trade and may just have to be patient

Mark (Dallas, TX)

Scott, should I quit my job and dedicate all my time to winning fantasy championships and earning money?

Scott Engel

  (3:41 PM)

If you ahve a familto take acre of, obviously no. I wouldn't stop earning income, either. Yet I would go all-out in my free time if you want. I have other hobbies, though, you can't get fully consumed with it. You have to keep a healthy balance

Andrew (NYC)

Will Mad Max stay in the rotation after Davis comes back or is he destined for middle relief town a la Joba the Hutt?

Scott Engel

  (3:42 PM)

We can't be sure yet, but you will just have ot hold onto Schrezer, anyway. There is no real reassurance there

Ron (OH)

Kiss should be thankful for where they are because they completely suck.

Scott Engel

  (3:45 PM)

Music is all about taste and opinion and yours in no more valid that anyone else's John. If they were not a quality act they would have not lasted this long. Thanks, and good luck the rest of the fantasy season.

john, nyc

Hunter Pence walk-off blast last night...fluke or a sign of things to come?

Scott Engel

  (3:46 PM)

I still believe in him. I think it is a sign of things to come.

Terry (Philly)

Kiss rocks. Hope that they tour in the US soon...

Scott Engel

  (3:46 PM)

Join me in NY Terry and we'll see them!

Frank (Medford, MA)

KISS rules. If you don't like grown men in makeup spitting blood while playing bass guitars shaped like axes then you are just not a real man. That is a FACT

Kurt (NYC)

Verlander + Howard = Killin me. Subtract one via trade or ride em out?

Scott Engel

  (3:47 PM)

Get rid of Verlander if you can get a taker. Keep Howard.

James NY

What sell high pitcher gets me Cueto? Lowe or Marcum? Should I start Jiminez tonight?

Scott Engel

  (3:48 PM)

I would keep Marcum. And I would not start Jimenez, a risk.

Jimbo (NC)

I'm cursed with the Sabathia/Verlander combo. I thought I had the best staff on draft day. Which would you rather hold on to?

Scott Engel

  (3:50 PM)

Again, I would get Verlander if I could, but I would still be patient with Sabathia

Chris (Oregon)

So since you guys are taking Football questions now....I'm sure you'll take Baseball, Basketball and Hockey questions in September-December, right?

Scott Engel

  (3:51 PM)

Sure - in the all-sports chats we take any questions at any time.

John, nyc

So you think Shawn Marcum is legit? Will he keep it up all year? Better than Bannister?

Scott Engel

  (3:52 PM)

Yes, I certainly think he is legit and we are already starting to see the Bannister dropoff

Josh (Sheboygan, WI)

I've got Cederick Benson in a keeper league, would now be a good time to cast him away? (sorry)

Scott Engel

  (3:53 PM)

I think if you get rid of Benson you will not end up regretting it

John (Herndon, VA)

Englemeister, after terrible luck in last year?s draft, I need to keep 3 of these in a 2RB/2WR format, but only one is obvious. Help! B. Favre, S Jackson, T Henry, T Jones, K Watson, W Welker, B. Engram, W. Welker, D Clark

Scott Engel

  (3:55 PM)

That's Engel, thanks :) Jackson is a monster, you have ot keep him, plus Welker, but I would toss all the others back and keep the draft choices

Shaun(NYC)

What about the "other" Adrian Peterson? Everyone keeps talking about the Benson/Forte situation. AP did a decent job at RB last year.

Scott Engel

  (3:55 PM)

Yes, he did, but he is not an ideal starter over the long term and I am liking Forte as I said.

Cedric Benson

I pity the fool that had me a in keeper league

Frank (Medford, MA)

John from VA you gotta keep T Henry! And Favre of course.

Scott Engel

  (3:57 PM)

Frank is appearing all week ... LOL

Bill (Harford, CT)

KISS Alive never leaves my car CD player! Out of Jon Sanchez, Jurrjens, and Greg Smith in my mixed league, who is my best replacement for long gone Gallardo?

Scott Engel

  (3:58 PM)

I like Sanchez, but I am a bigger backer of Jurrjens over the long haul. The live version of Deuce alone makes that album pure magic

Joel (Roscommon MI)

Will the Broncos produce a 1500 yard rusher this year ?

Scott Engel

  (3:59 PM)

I don't think they have one on the roster.

Nate M. (Pittsburgh, PA)

I am not loving the fact that everyone keeps saying I am due to fall off! I am a five-tool player I tell you, don't trade me!! It's like that JOURNEY song....."Don't stop, Belieivinnnnnn....."

Scott Engel

  (3:59 PM)

I am totally with that line of thinking. I am a full believer in McLouth

bob (houston)

you should redo your picture with your face painted like gene simmons

Scott Engel

  (4:00 PM)

Nah, like Ace Frehley - LOL

Jack (Covina, CA)

You mentioned All-Star Baseball (Cadaco). Who were your favorite player disks back then? I liked Tony Oliva and Rico Carty, to name a couple. Too bad pitching didn't factor into the game some...

Scott Engel

  (4:00 PM)

Stargell and Birdie Tebbetts.

John, nyc

I like the combo of Barber and Felix Jones in Dallas. What kind of fantasy impact will Jones have this year, and how will it affect Barber's stats?

Scott Engel

  (4:02 PM)

He can really be what Julius Jones never turned out to be in Dallas, and I expect a slight drop in TD totals from Barber. Thanks a lot everyone!