Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:02 PM)

Hi gang. Lots of questions / complaints / etc from my rankings yesterday i am sure, so let's get to it. As always, all subjects answered. Bring it on.

Willy (ATL)

TMR, you are the only one I can trust. Hafner, buy low or lower expectations?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:04 PM)

Sadly, lower expectations. The power will come, the average won't. Last year's numbers are what to expect, not 2006

Juan Pierre (Dodgers)

When will I play everyday on this team. Have they not noticed I have stolen 10 bases already not to mention batting over .300?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:05 PM)

Yeah, I've been beating the Pierre drum since the start of the season. he won';t play every day, but he will play enough to steal 40+ bases and hit for a high average, just like he does every year.

MJ, Ohio

Over/Under on variations of the following post today?: You ranked Player A over Player B?!?!??!! You're an idiot!

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:05 PM)

Based on my mailbag and ESPN Conversation (beta!) posts? Couple of thousand.

Ken (Starkville, MS)

Name game: Napoli, Mathis, Johjima, Clement (assuming he'll get catcher eligibility)

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:06 PM)

Clement over Johjima but you have them ranked correctly otherwise

Pete(Columbus)

Matt Kemp behind Burrell and Beltran? Is that because you're not solid on how many ABs he gets? a +.300 avg and 20/30 is gonna rate him higher then both those guys at the end of the year period.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:08 PM)

Love Kemp and I ranked him fairly high. I believe in Burrell in a big way - contract year, look at his second half last year and not convinced Kemp's power is totally legit. Think he gets 20 but not much more.

Ian (Hartford, CT)

Care to revise your Scherzer man-love? Or will he still be da bomb shizznizzle?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:09 PM)

No, I am sticking by Max. His defense didn't help him at all and a lot of the hits were seeing eye single types. Jamie Moyer got a lucky double that hit just inside the chalk for crying out loud. He still struck out over a batter per inning...

Random Dude Andrew

Now that your updated major league rankings are out, any updated thinking on the value this year for minor leaguers: Headley, Pearce, Kershaw?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:10 PM)

Kershaw ahead of Pearce, behind Headley

Ian Snell and Dustin McGowan

Wow, you really dislike us after the first month. WTF?

Dan (Iowa)

You ranked Eric Byrnes over Carlos Guillen. Your an idiot!

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:12 PM)

Worried about D Mac's bullpen. But I still believe - I just generally devalue pitching overall because it's so readily availabl;e - you can always stream and spot start. Yeah, Snell just has looked awful and it's not a good team. Byrnes and Guillen are a bit similar in the power / speed combo but Guillen has been injured this year and has Comerica. Byrnes is middle of the order for best offense in baseball

Charlie (Syracuse, NY)

Did you ever purposely write up some hot scenes for Kelly Bundy just for your own S&G's?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:12 PM)

No.

Robert (Livingston, nj)

Give me this, Berry, did you think no one would see your eye-roll on the Schwab when he c-, I mean roster-blocked, your Rasner choice on Sunday?? Now, tell me this, should I consider trading Cueto, Hudson, or even Jesse Carlson for Verlander? (we count holds)

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:14 PM)

My eye rolls are meant for all to see. I have a good relationship w/ Schwab. All in good fun. I'd deal Carlson, you bet. You can find holds guys

tom(fl)

Dan "the idiot" in Iowa really has no clue what he's saying. Byrnes is better then Guillen as Guillen has always been an overrated player.

Matt (Chicago)

Guillen has been injured? He missed 1 game.

Discrete, the streets

Two weeks ago, you said there were ten pitchers you would trade C.C. for. Still stand by that statement?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:15 PM)

yeah, I do. He's not the same guy as he was last year. He's had two good starts - that's it. One vs KC, one vs the NYY, who are among the worst in MLB vs. LHP.

gary sheffiled's mom(Tampa?)

I just dropped my son in favor of Andre Ethier. Bad mother or bad fantasy player?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:16 PM)

Bad Mother. Sheff is a much better hitter when in the filed than as a DH and Either's power hasn't come around like it did in the spring. Nate and I discussed this mornign on the podcast

John (Atlanta)

C'mon now - the Talented Mr. Soto is not worth a higher ranking than #107? Seriously - you'd take Mauer over him? I can understand an argument for VMart, Martin, or McCann ahead of him, but not Mauer.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:18 PM)

Honestly, it's just the youngness of Soto. I like him a lot - he was on my pre-season Love list - but he is on pace for 33/132 and a .352 avg. And since the rankings were from that day forward, you get none of what Soto has already done.

Erik (ATL)

When are we gonna get to see the new TRUM?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:19 PM)

Tomorrow. I'm gonna take some of the conversation and my mailbag rankings reactions and answer them.

Vladimir Putin (Moscow)

Are vou going wacky for Wladimir? Vare You?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:20 PM)

This made me laugh. He's a power guy with a bad batting eye. So yes, I like him in the 20 HR / .240 avg area

Fred, Jacksonville

What's the deal with Shaen Hill at No.151 of your revised rankings? Cut Derek Lowe or Rich Hill for him?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:21 PM)

Yeah, I'm getting a lot of questions on Hill. He's just one of those guys I believe in. He was lights out before getting injured last year and has been solid so far. I expect him to improve. I'd cut Rich hill, yes.

Mike (NYC,NY)

How come you don't cover fantasy racing? How many Big Mos do you think Earnhardt eats after each race?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:23 PM)

What are you talking about? We cover racing really well- Chris Harris, Mark Garrow, Scott Engel.... we have really robust Fantasy Racing coverage. I don't do it because there's only so many hours in the day and frankly, I don't know nearly as much as those guys do about it.

Bob (Gramm, AR)

When someone posts something like "Your an idiot," do you simply post it without comment figuring the awesome level of intellect on the other end is self-explanatory?

Derek (Conjunction Junction)

*Recites in head* Well every person you can know, And every place that you can go, And anything that you can show, You know they're nouns. ... Okay... I'm grammatically prepared to challenge your rankings. So here goes: What logic did you employ when ranking Micah Owings ahead of Ervin Santana? Santana has better stuff, he should produce a similar number of wins playing for LAA, and he hasn't been blown up recently by San Diego and the Mets!

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:25 PM)

Not convinced on wins - Arizona's pretty good and while I like both guys quite a bit, felt Owings was the safer bet considering Santana has done this before - teased with brilliance only to fall apart. Not to this extent but we've seen it before.

David (Frisco, Texas)

So are you saying that cutting Lowe and Snell for Hill and Cueto was a bad move? I just did that today. I don't understand your rankings. Do tell!

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:26 PM)

I like Hill and Cueto more than those two, yes.

Yin (NY)

Do you enjoy these chats? Tell us the truth.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:27 PM)

Mostly, yes. Sometimes they get a bit tiresome - lotta same questions - but generally, I enjoy them. Gives me a chance to interact and I get a little (not a lot) but a little more freedom than i do elsewhere

John (NYC)

So Snell is droppable now? Man oh man.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:27 PM)

Depends on size of league. But in a 10 team mix? Yes

Ted (Ohio)

Are you a believer in Edison Volquez? His control was better last time but his next start is against the cubs.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:27 PM)

Yes, very much so

al (DC)

Drop Snell for Rasner/Olson?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:27 PM)

No

jack (vegas)

how good is kotchman? breakout year?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:28 PM)

Pretty good and yes. Upper part of the mid - tier

ss (nj)

You're not gonna like this..Separated at birth, TMR and Ty Wiggington? Check any of his pix! Looking to tweak my roster with a need for speed -- drop a cooled-off Jayson Werth for Scott Podsednik, Coco Crisp or Ryan Ludwig?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:30 PM)

I will. Yes, I would drop Werth for Pods now that Victorino is back

Raffer (Reston, VA)

Rumors today that Uribe will be cut. Will Ramirez take over?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:30 PM)

Him and/or Ozuna but I hold out hope that Danny Richar comes back soon

Tyler (Calgary)

Mighty Max (I call him Mighty Max) over Tiny Tim? So it ain't so Matthew...granted Scherzer burst onto the scene but Lincecum has done absolutely nothing since he came up to the majors to suggest that he is anything other than a superb pitcher. Scherzer had a good start to his season in the minors, but look at Lincecum's first four or five starts, how do you get better than that and he was in the majors for it. Plus Scherzer's role with the team is indefinite, there are many out there who are convinced he'll end up with 10 or less starts and the bulk of his time spent as a middle reliever; while this may not be true it is certainly something that needs to be considered. What ever happened to not chasing wins? Who has continuously told us not to get over excited about the hot rookie du jour? I know you like to give advice beyond the obvious, but please tell me Scherzer has some incriminating photos of you...

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:31 PM)

All fair points and. It's not that I don't like Lincecum, it's just what do you believe and Max had better minor league numbers than Tim and SF's team and bullpen vs AZ's is what put Max over the top for me.

Marc (Philly)

Do you like Jonathan Sanchez for the rest of the year?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:32 PM)

Yes, very much so.

Cody Philly

TMR congrats on the Emmy, I have to admit I thought you were crazy about the Anne Hathaway debate but after seeing trailors and pictures from the Get Smart movie this summer the debate is over.

Gary (Mt. Laurel)

Just wanted to let you know that I ran into Paul Hogan the other day and kicked him in the nuts. Nobody disrespects my TMR.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:32 PM)

LOL!

Damon (Poplar Bluff, MO)

Really enjoy your work and you are right on on the Hathaway/Fox debate (but not by much). However, due to your prediction of 35HR for Garko this year and others for a rebound by Hafner. I'm stuck with two very underperforming tribe members. Any hope that these two get better or am I forced to make a deal for a 1b?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:34 PM)

Patience with garko and Hafner, esp for power.

Rick (DC)

Would you drop Rich Hill in a 14 team H2H league to activate Scott Rolen off the DL or pick Butler off of waivers?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:34 PM)

I'd pick up Butler.

Tim (Bama)

So Scarlet Johansson is engaged. Can we have a brief moment of silence for this solemn occasion?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:35 PM)

( )

Tony (Clinton CT)

Position doesn't matter....Hawpe or Helton for rest of season?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:35 PM)

Hawpe

Aaron (NYC)

Connor Jackson...man crush candidate?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:35 PM)

Definitely

Jeff (Iowa)

Yeah, Tim, we all thought you had a chance.

Andrew (Chicago)

Is it true that the minute I trade A. Soriano he will hit 30 and steal 25?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:35 PM)

Yes. Could you give us a heads up when you do?

Corey (Seattle WA)

I can't figure out you and your pitchers. One day you say you don't like pitchers who walk people, next day you don't like guys who don't strike people out. Then you rank Javier Vazquez (4K:B) behind Wang and Verlander?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:37 PM)

What's confusing about that? I like guys who strike folks out and don't walk anyone. Like every rule, there are exceptions. Javy's been up and down over his career and CWS are terrible.

The Tasty Mr. Potato Head (Your Pantry)

Why no Ian Stewart for Rox? He's got to be better than the scrubs they are trotting out in infield now right?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:38 PM)

You'd think so but maybe they don't think Stewart or Atkins can handle 2b.... If I had a bench spot, worth a flier

Hank (Tempe)

TMR: Break down Furcal vs. Rollins moving forward

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:39 PM)

I had J Ro as a top 5 player before the season. Since the rankings were from that point on (not taking into account the previous stats) who do I think has a better year? I'll stick by Rollins. He's going to be 100% healthy - Stephania has no concerns - and that's a very good Phillies team

Paul (Lincoln, Neb.)

Since you devalue pitching, would you trade a second-tier starter like Marcum or Maine for Matt Kemp, depending on need, of course?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:40 PM)

YES

INJURY HISTORY

Will Howie Kendrick show up at some point this week?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:40 PM)

Yes - he's already hitting a little

Nick (Cleveland)

Just so you know Lincecum had better numbers than Scherzer in the minors. Lincecum went 4-0 in 5 starts with 46 strikeouts in 31 innings with only 11 walks. Scherzer had 38 k's with a 1.17 era. I'm not sure where you got your info from.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:41 PM)

Max had 38 K in 23 ip. With only 3 walks.

Willie (Vegas)

Ervin Santana for J-Rollins yes or no?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:41 PM)

If you can get Rollins, in a heartbeat

gary sd

How didn't Blackburn make your list?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:42 PM)

Other younbg pitchers I like more and I do think Liriano comes back in the second half. But I do like him.

Greg (Boston)

Garret Olson legit?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:43 PM)

For AL Only... yes. Stil a few control problems but I am a fan. but he's probably a year away still.

Jon (Chicago)

Is there a guy you have on (virtually) every team? If so, who and why? Also, what are your thoughts on acquiring Carlos Lee for Sheets and "flavor of the week" Scherzer?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:44 PM)

Yes - the folks you would expect. Max is one. McGowan. Soto. Braun.

Jay (Cleveland)

Rankings - What?!?! You have Casilla and Joba ranked but no Broxton? What gives? and where is bath water Tulo? Don't break your ankle getting off of Tulo's bandwagon.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:47 PM)

Yeah, the thoughts there are that I think Street gets injured or hurt and I'm betting Casilla gets gig. Could be Foulke or DeVine, but I say Casilla. Joba has to make rotation at some point. If they had stayed healthy, I would stand by my he won't be in rotation but I think they have to at some point. Broxton is terrific but so is Saito so I think his role stays the same. Other two will have role changes I believe

C Benson (Chicago, IL)

When do we get to see the staff rankings?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:48 PM)

I don't know. I assume they are being worked on now. I'm guessing they all looked at mine too and they will be less controversial.

Willie (Vegas)

Originally from Maryland and I know this is way off the subject, but how bout those Skins! What a draft! Jim Zorn has us ready to be an offensive juggernaut!

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:50 PM)

Yeah, I'm secretly optimisitic. Antwaan Randle El was up here for a round of interviews and I introduced myself, told him I was a huge Skins guy and asked him about Zorn. He's really happy. Says Zorn's doing all the right things and he's excited.

Corey Hart

Anyone see my power I seemed to have lost it

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:50 PM)

Patience. You didn't start to really hit until June of last year

Jeff, Huntington WV

How do you feel about Mark Reynolds? Does he keep it up, or flame out like all of you so-called girlfriends?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:51 PM)

Big Reynolds believer. Have been since last year

David (DC)

Javier Lopex has NOT really been up and down in his career. He was great in Montreal and now in Chicago. He just couldn't handle playing in New York, and it took a recover year in Arizona before he was right again. I've drafted him two years in a row MCUH later than he should have gone, but people seem to fix on the one bad NYY year as the guy that he just _is_.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:53 PM)

Actually, his ERA in 2006 was 4.84. In CHICAGO. Going into this season, he had had an ERA over 4 in 3 of the last 4 seasons. That's a lot of excuses for a guy and it was three bad years in a row (NY, AZ, CWS '06)

Pat (chicago)

Who is this Lopex guy and should I take a flier on him?

Mike Lowell

How many homers you think I will hit this year Mr. Berry? I nearly had two last night, was it enough to convince people to put me on their roster??

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:54 PM)

20

Pete (Columbus)

Thoughts on Adenhart tonight? He was pretty bad his last start but I'm inclined to write that off b/c it was on 3 days rest.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:55 PM)

Too many walks in Triple A for me. I'm not convinced he's ready yet

Dan (San Jose)

You seem tense...how bout a massage?

Reggie (Orlando)

How terrified should I be about the A-Rod news?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:56 PM)

It's not news, it's speculation - so let's be clear on that. You can be a little concerned. I took the most extreme view point.

Mark (NYC)

I hate fantasy analysis, it is YOUR fault that "Jenny in accounting" can win fantasy leagues......My wife sits at home all day, reads what you write and grabs free agents all day. She doesn't even know what position they play or who they play for. Then she wins. Makes me sick.

Chad (New Buffalo, MI)

Should I carryover Holt or B Marshall?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:57 PM)

Holt, but it;'s very close.

stev (NEW YORK)

VOTTO OR HERMIDA for POWER NUMBERS

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:57 PM)

Hermida

Garrett (Austin)

Any chance Cedric Benson's scuffle in Texas was a result of the cops being disgruntled Cedric Benson fantasy football owners?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:57 PM)

100%

Mark's Wife (NYC)

If you spent less time on the secretary and more time on the computer you could beat me, honey.

Jeff (Iowa)

My wife works all day. I love her.

Mark's Wife (NYC)

Mark, if you're online why not just go pick up some free agents now...And don't be expecting any "analysis" tonight after that comment

Dan (San Jose)

I'm making myself a peanut butter and matthew berry sandwich...in my mind.

Jon (San Diego)

Rankings aside, what does your gut tell you: Greinke over Marcum for this season?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:59 PM)

Actually, I say Marcum because of team and K's

Dan (San Jose)

People always ask what my favorite berry is. Straw? Black? Blue? Boisen? Huckle? No, I say. Matthew.

Chris (Philly)

Hermida or Ankiel?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:59 PM)

Ankiel

Matt (Syracuse)

Seemed a little low for Wagner? He's been lights out. Any reason?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:00 PM)

he's old - worried he gets hurt.

Jenny Accounting

Mark, you wouldn't win anyway. Your offense is impotent.

Tim (laredo,TX)

Is Rich Harden worth picking up when he get's back from rehab?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:00 PM)

definitely

joseph (MA)

thoughts on delmon young? final line?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:01 PM)

15 / 12

Anne Hathaway

Me or an Emmy?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:01 PM)

The Emmy is for a lifetime. How long do I get you?

Brad(PA)

Francoeur for Buerhle? good deal or aim higher?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:02 PM)

good deal if you are getting Franc

Jackson (Philly)

Mark, I feel your pain. Fantasy sites are blocked where I work. My girlfriend has picked up Soto, Scherzer, Volquez, McLouth, and Quentin due to these ass clowns! She STILL doesn't even know who McLouth plays for!

Matt(NJ)

Hey TMR love the chats. Just wanted to ask you if you still think Ankiel will hit over 40 HR this season? And would you rather have him or Sheffield or Justin Upton?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:03 PM)

Ankiel, Upton, Sheff in that order. And yes on Ankiel

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:03 PM)

Okay, gang.. I gotta run. Thanks as always!