James Quintong

  (3:01 PM)

Good afternoon, everyone. I'm pinch-hitting for Scott Engel, who's got a family emergency. Let's get to the questions as we head into the weekend.

Steve (Albany, NY):

Sell high on Chipper Jones or trade him straight up for another 3B?

James Quintong

  (3:02 PM)

There are very few third basemen I'd trade straight up for Chipper right now, and news of his groin injury (which doesn't sound too serious, BTW), could scare some people off. Chipper is the real deal, though of course he won't be hitting .400 the rest of the way.

andy (sf, ca)

edinson volquez for conor jackson, fair deal or who makes out better?

James Quintong

  (3:04 PM)

Interesting deal. I'm not sure where your needs are, but I think it's fair on the surface -- two young players really on a tear so far. Jackson may end up being slightly better at the end of the year, since I'm still a tad leery what Volquez can do on a regular basis pitching all those home games in Cincy.

Kevin (Topsfield, Ma)

JAMES I NEED YOUR HELP!! Who do I want for the rest of this year only- Burnett or Greinke?

James Quintong

  (3:06 PM)

I'm not the biggest fan of Burnett, but I'd still take him over Greinke -- at least for this year only.

Jerome (Calgary, Alberta)

I just dropped Snell for Ryan Franklin in a 12-team mixed roto league. Crazy?

James Quintong

  (3:07 PM)

In that size of a mixed league, not really. Snell has been a major disappointment, having owned him in a bunch of leagues. But hey, everyone chases saves, so why not Franklin. You can always try to get Snell later if he turns it around.

Tyler (Delaware)

TGIF James! What trade do you think is most equitable for both sides--Francoeur for Kinsler or Francouer for Weeks?

James Quintong

  (3:08 PM)

Equitable for both sides? Seems like Francoeur for Kinsler would be fairest. I'm optimistic Francoeur turns things around, although obviously, Kinsler has the better stats for now.

Dave( New York)

Should i drop Rafael Betancourt? Also, when's a good time to pick up Jay Bruce?

James Quintong

  (3:11 PM)

We're getting really close to the point where you'd drop Betancourt in shallow mixed leagues. The Indians are still giving him chances to close, though, but the fact that Kobayashi has finished up isn't good news. Joe Borowski will be back soon, so when there's a better timetable for his return, Betancourt can go. As for Bruce, if you've got some extra bench space, I'd say go for it. At some point, the Reds will have to turn to him with all the issues they've had with Corey Patterson, et al.

Jay (Philly)

Soto hit another homer today, he's got 8 on the season, batting .326 and has 30 RBIS. This can't possibly keep up, right? Sell high or enjoy the ride?

James Quintong

  (3:13 PM)

Let's enjoy the ride for now. Soto definitely had the capacity to hit like this based on his short stint in Chicago last year, as well as during his time in the minors. I think he'll get even better as the weather heats up, but I'd keep an eye out heading into the latter part of the summer -- as I would for most catchers.

Please Answer

I have never got a question answered but BIG TRADE..i have to give up carlos pena and roy halladay for prince fielder jurrjens and thome(who i would drop)..dont I?

James Quintong

  (3:14 PM)

I'm not totally sure if it's a no-brainer. I like Halladay a lot, although his K rate could give people some pause. I do think Fielder will turn it around, but Pena is still slugging homers (but not hitting for average). Jurrjens has been good so far, but can he keep it up all season?

Austin (Dallas, TX)

Is it just me or is Tori Hunter a very frustrating player to own? I know the numbers are always there at seasons end, but it seems like he always goes on cold spells and then has a great game or two just to even it out. I noticed his splits (home=.342/4/15/3 vs away=.244/1/7/0). Would you recomend sitting him in a week where he has all away games or am I reading too far into it?

James Quintong

  (3:16 PM)

It's a really stark contrast in splits, but aren't a lot of Rockies guys like that in the past? If I had better options, I might employ the home/road strategy, but I'd also have to factor what pitchers/teams he's facing instead as well.

Max ( LA )

Would you trade James Shields for Connor Jackson right now?

James Quintong

  (3:18 PM)

I think both guys will keep up their great starts, so in effect, it's a pretty even trade in my book. It would depend if you need the pitching or the hitting.

Alex Trebek (Culver City)

Hey James! With Pierre becoming an everyday player and Andruw Jones moving back to the 2 spot and possibly heating up, would it be wise to try to sell high on Kemp after his great run? Or keep him and have faith that talent will prevail?

James Quintong

  (3:19 PM)

I'm sticking with Kemp. I don't have a lot of faith in Andruw Jones going forward.

Nick (Glendale, AZ)

Adrian Gonzalez for Tim Lincecum - a fair deal?

James Quintong

  (3:20 PM)

I'd rather have Lincecum than Gonzalez.

Austin (Dallas, TX)

Rockies guys? I asked about Tori Hunter, what do you mean?

James Quintong

  (3:21 PM)

I just meant that you can't overthink the home/road splits too much, unless you've got the depth to replace Hunter when necessary.

Joe (Chicago, IL)

Need advice on Travis 'I can't hit to save my life' Hafner!!! Can he turn it into a respectable season? Is it time to trade Hafner/Sizemore for Helton/Crawford? Hafner has 1B eligibility in my league.

James Quintong

  (3:23 PM)

I'm losing a lot of patience on Hafner myself and would try to find a good deal if possible. That's not a bad one.

Scott (Boston)

From here on out, Nate "The Great" McLouth or Eric "Mister" Byrnes?

James Quintong

  (3:25 PM)

Even though there's a fear that McLouth might have a little J.J. Hardy in him (like my colleague Christopher Harris noted today), I still think McLouth is the best guy going forward. I wondered how much of a fluke Byrnes' past couple of seasons had been, and maybe we're getting the answer now.

Matt (NYC)

Hey James, I am currently using rickie weeks as my everday 2b in a 12 team mixed league. Aaron hill is on the waiver wire after his recent mini slump, should I make the switch? I can absorb Weeks' average to a certain extent because I obviously love his volume stats but i wasnt planning on him batting .200.

James Quintong

  (3:25 PM)

If you can absorb the average, I still think I like Weeks a bit more than Hill.

Gersh (NYC)

Hey James, both Casilla and Scot Shields were dropped in my league yesterday. Would you grab either of them with the former being injured and the latter not seemingly as dominant this season?

James Quintong

  (3:27 PM)

I don't know what Casilla's status is, although he was shaking his arm after giving up the homer yesterday. That's not a good sign. I'd take Shields and all his mileage, if you feel like you need a middle/setup guy.

Tony ( Los Angeles )

Hello James. Bill Hall Is aweful do you see a scenario where Braun moves back to 3rd base and LaPorta gets called up and plays in the OF?

James Quintong

  (3:29 PM)

The reason Braun is in the outfield is because he's awful defensively at third, so I don't think they'd want to move him back there. LaPorta is hitting well in Double-A this year, but I don't think there's any rush to get him up until much later this year.

Glen Quagmire (Quahog, Rhode Island)

Giggity Goo! Morneau/Granderson/Tulo for Manny/Ichiro/Hermida/Sherrill. Who wins?

James Quintong

  (3:29 PM)

I like the second half of that deal. Allllright!

Travis (Ilion, New York)

I've been offered Brian Giles and Mike Mussina for Ramon Hernandez and John Lackey. What should I do?

James Quintong

  (3:32 PM)

I'd pass. Lackey is back and did just fine in his first start. While my colleague Tristan Cockcroft says that the numbers may not bode well for pitchers coming off the DL, I'd stick with Lackey going forward. Mussina has been solid early on, but I'm leery that he'll keep it up -- or put up the innings that Lackey would.

The Riot ( Chicago IL)

How do you think I will finish?

James Quintong

  (3:33 PM)

Let's say the .280 range, but let's hope that stolen-base rate is better than 50 percent by year's end. 20-25 steals are nice, but not if you're getting caught that many times.

Lance Berkman (Houston)

Am I crazy to trade myself for Brandon Webb? I could use some help in WHIP and wins.

James Quintong

  (3:35 PM)

No, not really. And for what it's worth, I'm not sure the wins will continue at this rate, but neither will your stolen bases. Where did all that speed come from?

Mike (Calgary, Canada)

Hey James, sorry for writing this question so many times, but I just have to know. Who would you drop Snell for, A. Laffey, D. Cabrera, or E. Jackson?

James Quintong

  (3:36 PM)

Tough choice. First, I'd just bench Snell in that case. But if I had to rank them: Jackson, Laffey, Cabrera.

Doug(atlanta,ga)

I have a short bench and Bruce is still available. Should I drop either Hafner or Sheffield to pick him up?

James Quintong

  (3:37 PM)

No, not yet on either, despite their slow starts. It's still unclear when Bruce gets called up.

Fernando (Pembroke Pines)

A. Soriano hit two more HR today, could he possible have another 40+ HR year like he did with the Nationals?

James Quintong

  (3:39 PM)

Soriano definitely has the ballpark to do so, especially if he could hit 40+ playing most of his games at RFK. He's been a slow starter the past couple of years, but if he can stay healthy (a big if), there's a chance.

Shane (NJ)

Izzy is going on DL. My pitching has been atrocious lately... I need help with my ratios, should I grab Kuo or you like any of these starters better? Parra, Hochevar, Arroyo, E-Jax, Kuroda, or Contreras?

James Quintong

  (3:41 PM)

I usually prefer to go after solid ERA/WHIP guys in cases like that, especially when losing a closer. But I'd be interested in Kuroda off the waiver wire, at least compared to Kuo, and definitely all those other guys.

Marco

I can afford to trade an OF and am looking to acquire Aramis Ramirez. Who should I propose Markakis, Quentin or Dye? Do I need to add more to get him?

James Quintong

  (3:43 PM)

Sell high on Quentin maybe to get Ramirez, or trade Dye because he's got similar to stats to Ramirez (and that A-Ram will be better going forward).

Ben (Boston)

Am I losing in this deal? is Rollins back or should i be cautious after his layoff? i would give up D. Wright and F. Hernandez and D. Jeter for J. Rollins and M. Ramirez and T. Lilly?

James Quintong

  (3:44 PM)

Don't be concerned about Rollins after the injury. That's one heck of a trade, but I think it's not a bad deal for you.

John (Hopewell)

When Tulowitski went down, was able to pick up Renteria - who has promptly done his best Tulo impression (15/74 .203-7-0-5-1). Between the two, 150 ABs of below the Mendoza-line performance is killing my BA (and not doing much for my other stats). Stick with Edgar or look to the likes of Theriot, S Drew or (dare I say) Cristian Guzman?

James Quintong

  (3:47 PM)

It would depend on what you need. I wouldn't mind Theriot for the steals (when he's not getting caught), but otherwise, I'd just ride out Renteria and hope he gets over his woes. As for Guzman (since a few people are asking about him), I'm not sold on him hitting the way he has so far.

Big Bear (Parts Unknown)

I am in the fortunate situation where I own both Russel Martin AND Geovany Soto. I have a UTIL spot, but I should probably trade one of these stud Catchers, right? In a keeper league, which one should I shop around?

James Quintong

  (3:48 PM)

I'd keep Soto, since I think Martin and his steals are slightly overrated. You can even play up Martin's eligibility at 3B -- not like you'd want to play him there.

Brian (CT)

I am trying to make a trade for Utley and Berkman I offered Arod, Alex Gordan, and Eric Byrnes am I giving up to much or am I giving not enough or is it even

James Quintong

  (3:50 PM)

I'd probably do that trade. Gordon and Byrnes are a bit of a wash, and the A-Rod injury thing could go either way. But I'm sold on both Utley and Berkman.

Monica (New York City)

Should I be benching Hart for McLouth?

James Quintong

  (3:51 PM)

Yes. Ride McLouth for now.

Tony Stark

Chris Perez up for Cards! He worth a grab in NL Only?

James Quintong

  (3:53 PM)

If you've got the proper bench space, I'd definitely consider it. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets the closer's role this summer if Izzy doesn't come back. I'm not totally sold on Franklin as the closer.

Josh (Phoenix)

James, what's up brah? Quick one here for you. I'm getting tired of waiting for Miggy Cabrera. I *know* I should wait it out, but would you do Cabrera/King Felix for Johan/Atkins?

James Quintong

  (3:55 PM)

I think Miggy will turn it around, but that's a great deal to pull off right now.

Johnny Cueto

Am I worth starting today against a team that hasn't seen me yet?

James Quintong

  (3:56 PM)

Sure. The game is in Cincy, and he's done just fine there, as strange as that sounds.. It's the road that's the issue.

Ron (NY)

Expectations for Clayton Curveshaw.. I mean Kershaw?

James Quintong

  (3:58 PM)

He probably won't get called up until next month at the earliest, but might have a couple of good outings before being shut down much earlier than you'd like because the Dodgers want to limit his innings.

Gill (Chicago)

Quick trade help...what side comes out better; Tejada/Dunn/A.Hill or Carlos Lee/Kelly Johnson/Renteria?

James Quintong

  (4:00 PM)

I'd say the first side. I'm surprised that Johnson is now in somewhat of a platoon these days.

Perry (Boston)

My team is in 1st place in steals and last place in homers. Should i punt homers? I know people punt steals, but are homers too valuable to punt?

James Quintong

  (4:02 PM)

No, I wouldn't punt homers, mainly because homers also have a ripple effect on other categories like runs, RBIs and even average. The reason you can punt steals or saves is that you can beef yourself up in other categories to offset the loss. It's a lot harder to do with homers.

James Quintong

  (4:03 PM)

OK, guys. It's been great answering your questions. I hope to do more of this in the future. Have a good weekend, everyone!