Scott Engel

  (3:00 PM)

Good afternoon everyone! Welcome to the Friday fantasy sports chat. Be glad to take your questions on offseason football, NASCAR, and of course, baseball.

Eric (Ohio)

Is Nick Markakis really only a .250 hitter now? Except for his occasional HR, he's been below average this year.

Scott Engel

  (3:02 PM)

I have confidence his average will rise. I know we are past the point of syaing someone is off to a "slow start", but I am expecting better numbers from Markakis the rest of the way.

Pete (NYC)

over under on Ankiel HRs: 30?

Scott Engel

  (3:03 PM)

I think he comes in under 30. He'll be streaky the rest of the way, but he'll hit more than 25 overall.

Stinky (NYC)

Hi Scott, I was expecting Lyon to have lost his job by now. Does Pena have any value in a non-holds league?

Scott Engel

  (3:05 PM)

I'm not big on Pena even if Lyon melts down at some point. He's got the stuff, yes, but I have heard doubts about whether he is ready for such pressure if he gets the opportunity

Mike (NY)

Scott! I was offered Phillips and Kazmir for Utley got to accept right?

Scott Engel

  (3:06 PM)

As much as I like Phillips, I would not trade Utley if I had him.

Jason (OH)

Vetoable? Volquez and Markakis for Santana?

Scott Engel

  (3:08 PM)

I donl;t think it's fair, but you must listen to arguments on both sides and see just more than the players involved - are needs being filled on both sides? If you suspect collusion, though, I'm with you on vetoing.

Chip(Arkansas)

Mclouth for real? or is now the time to trade him?

Scott Engel

  (3:08 PM)

I definitely think he is for real. I think you will regret it in the end if you deal him.

Ron (NY)

Any chance Jason Taylor gets traded to the NY Giants and further bolsters that amazing front seven?

Scott Engel

  (3:09 PM)

I don;t see why the New Jersey Giants would want taylor, really, and the pass rush is already outstanding, making it a great fantasy defense. Ron, you sound like the type of guy who calls WFAN :)

Aaron (Chicago)

Scott - I'm struggling at 1B in a deep mixed league - I've got Pena, LaRoche, and Votto...none of them is stepping up...who should I count on going forward? I can't keep holding on to all three of them. Thanks!

Scott Engel

  (3:11 PM)

I think Votto is going to figure it out, get hot in the second half, and you will be very happy with him

Big Bear (Parts Unknown)

Is this the year Laurence Maroney finally breaks out? I'm expecting BIG THINGS out of Kool-Aid Maroney.

Scott Engel

  (3:12 PM)

I believe so - he really improved as an inside runner late last season and I think he puts it together in 2008 over the full season and becomes a fine No. 2 fantasy RB.

Zach (PA)

Is Andrew Miller for real? Pick up in a 10-team keeper?

Scott Engel

  (3:13 PM)

In a keeper league, if he is available, you should certainly snatch him up. There will eb some bumpy spots, but also some very good outings this year, with even more promise for the future

Todd, CA

Is Miggy Cabrera a lost cause now that he got his big money? He hasn't really shown any signs of heating up. What do you expect from him for the rest of the year?

Scott Engel

  (3:14 PM)

He's got all the tools and he will get locked in at some point soon, especially when he gets a better handle on the new AL pitchers he is facing - I still stay patient on him

Boyd (DC)

Is it time to cut Hafner or keep him on the bench until he gets it going?

Scott Engel

  (3:15 PM)

You can't trade him, and as far as cutting him, only if you are in a mixed league of 10 teams or less. Bench him for now

Phil (Des Moines, Iowa)

A guy in my NL Only league has put Santana on the trading block. Is now a good time to buy low on him, or should I wait a week to see if he falls further?

Scott Engel

  (3:16 PM)

Go for him now - Santana is smart and crafty in addition to being very talented and some very good outings are certainly ahead

Tony (Brooklyn)

Hey Scott, Who has a better chance of becoming their respective teams closer sooner. Wheeler or T. Buchholz??

Scott Engel

  (3:17 PM)

I like Buchholz better, and think he has the stuff to earn more saves even if they got the job around the same time frame

james (Long Branch, NJ)

what's your analysis of mike cameron going forward. I have him and Chris young destroying my avg. and I'm not sure cameron is worth running out there when he runs through his recent hot streak. What are your thoughts?

Scott Engel

  (3:18 PM)

Cameron ha salways been a free swinger who can drain your average. You have to surround him with other good average hitters to feel comfortable with him

Bruce (st. louis)

why do fantasy "experts" love to overrate santana... In case you didn't notice he had a down year last year and he appears to be having another sub par year this year.... I'd rather own about 8 starters ahead of him

Scott Engel

  (3:20 PM)

H eis not a sdominant a sin the past, but he is still quite good. I didn;t "overrate" him - I merely said if he is available, you should make a play for him. Maybe he is not quite as dominant as he was a few years ago, but he is still very good.

Joel ( Roscommon MI)

Will I regret it if I trade Texiera ? Will he ever heat up ?

Scott Engel

  (3:21 PM)

I think he showed some signs in the series against the Mets that he may be about to heat up, so I would keep him for now

Joel ( Roscommon MI)

Scott, I never miss your chats, love the straight-forward advice. Who is the top fantasy TE this year ? Gates, Gonzo, Winslow or Witten ?

Scott Engel

  (3:22 PM)

Gates until proven otherwise. Winslow is going to be a very close second, though

Phil (Des Moines, Iowa)

Follow up to the Santana questions since it seems like a hot topic... What is an acceptable return for him in this market? Can you name an example of a random player I could trade for him?

Scott Engel

  (3:23 PM)

I think that is too general - you have to make sure you fill needs and get another top-level player for him. Don't deal him just because he isn;t as dominant as we expect him to be. He's still going to be quite good.

Dave (NYC)

Hi Scott. Who do you like better for the rest of the year, Milton Bradley or Jose Guillen?

Scott Engel

  (3:25 PM)

I like Bradley to finish with pretty good power numbers, but now that Guillen has woken up, I'll take him over the full campaign

Seth (FL)

Who gets more saves: Soriano (Braves) or mota/torres?

Scott Engel

  (3:25 PM)

I'm looking for Milwaukee to go with a committee approach, so I would take Soriano for now

Jason ( Des Moines, IA)

I was offered Harang for Sheets straight up, should I jump on it?

Scott Engel

  (3:27 PM)

I don't think you fill a need there, and whiel Harang's numbers suggest he will get more wins, I'd rather have Sheets while he is healthy

Dave (Denver)

Number two football keeper- Michael Turner or Laurence Maroney?

Scott Engel

  (3:28 PM)

Very close call, as neither is really proven as a full-time starter yet, but I will go with Turner, who will be a large focal point of the Atlanta offense

Justin ( Boston )

Hi Scott, I would like to get your opinion on Buchholz and if he will regain the #5 spot. Thanks!

Scott Engel

  (3:29 PM)

I believe as longa s he pitches well and the Red Sox remain a strong contender, Colon will stay in the rotation while Boston prefers not to rush its younger starters

Rob (NY)

Kershaw and Scherzer are both available in my 10 team mixed, which one should I jump on?

Scott Engel

  (3:30 PM)

I would go with Kershaw, and Scgrezer may be pinned in the pen for awhile

Zack (MO)

give me a break with the football questions

Scott Engel

  (3:31 PM)

Give me a break with the disrespect for others in this chat. We're getting closer to fantasy football season, and other people have other interests besides yours. Plus, this is a fantasy sports chat.

Rye (Statesville, NC)

Will Darren McFadden come close to being this year's Adrian Peterson?

Scott Engel

  (3:32 PM)

I don;t think so, but he will have some impressive outings. Okaland doesn;t have a line like Minnesota's and McFadden will find that to be an issue

Tim (Buffalo, NY)

Over Under Buffalo Bills 9-7

Scott Engel

  (3:33 PM)

Seven wins - and Lynch continues to improve as a fantays player while hardy becomes a top fantasy rookie

Sean (NJ)

Fantasy football is a year round game.

Scott Engel

  (3:34 PM)

Especially if you play in a keeper league. :)

Tim (KC)

Hey Scott love the chat... Football Keeper Question: (Only 2) Lynch, Turner, Jacobs and Braylon?

Scott Engel

  (3:36 PM)

Lynch will emerge as a top fantasy RB over the next two seasons, and Edwards has already arrived as a top fantasy WR

Kris (DC)

Mendenhall or Stewart? Redraft and Keeper

Scott Engel

  (3:37 PM)

I will go with Stewart - I think he will make a quicker impact and is going to be a TD demon, even more than Mendenhall

Brian (San Francisco)

In a dynasty league, how would you rank the rookie running backs? I have the #3 pick and am hoping to get Stewart.

Scott Engel

  (3:38 PM)

I think you can land Stewart there - I put him second behind McFadden.

Simon (Columbia, SC)

Scott, do you prefer football or baseball as a sport?

Scott Engel

  (3:39 PM)

Football is my favorite sport - but the Mets are my favorite team in any sport. Football is like lust, baseball is love.

Marc (Toronto, Canada)

Scott, are you a Santana owner? If so, are you looking to sell?

Scott Engel

  (3:40 PM)

Yes, I am. And no, I am satisfied for the most part and I'm realistic about expectations.

Jorge, NYC

Mets fans are the new Phillies fans.

Scott Engel

  (3:43 PM)

I've been a Met fan since 1968. I'm not a "new" anything.

Joel ( Roscommon MI)

Now that Marion Barber "got paid" do you see a drop off in his production, also with Felix Jones in the mix ?

Scott Engel

  (3:44 PM)

I expect much of the same - I think Barber will earn his money at least in the first 2-3 years and continue to be statistically inconsistent, but capable of big TD outings at any time

John : (Boston)

I SERIOUSLY need some expert advice here Scott . . don't know what to do, I'm in a 7x7 roto league and my hitting is carrying me, should I accept a Cole Hamels for Matt Holliday trade to solidify my pitching?

Scott Engel

  (3:46 PM)

Sounds like you really need to fill a need there - so I would do it.

Bob (Cincy, Ohio)

On my fantasy baseball team, I've got a few open spots. Is it worth using one of them on Liriano or Colon? I won't need to start either right away.

Scott Engel

  (3:46 PM)

If I had to choose and could stash one away, it would be Liriano

Patrick (Seattle/Minneapolis)

Oh yeah... Julius Jones: 1200yds/10TD?

Scott Engel

  (3:47 PM)

Too generous - Duckett is going to get a lot of TDs and Jone smust prove he can stay healthy - I say 1,050 and 6

Jason (Cleveland)

Contreras, Cabrera, or Mussina from here on out? Thanks Scott.

Scott Engel

  (3:48 PM)

I'm really liking Cabrera right now. Much safre than the other two, it appears

Jorge, NYC

Fantasy football is only about luck.

Scott Engel

  (3:50 PM)

You are certainly ill-informed, my friend. There is luck involved in all fantasy sports.

Adam (Iowa)

NASCAR question here: What's the deal with Reed Sorensen? He's gone downhill ever since Daytona... Is David Reutimann a better start than Sorensen at this point?

Scott Engel

  (3:51 PM)

Sorenson ha sbeen an enigma to me - and I would look to Reutimann for the better finishes

Jorge, NYC

No kidding. But fantasy football is ONLY about luck.

Scott Engel

  (3:53 PM)

You are way oversimplifying, and you seem bitter. Go outside and relax. It's a beautiful day here in NY

Tom (New Mexico)

Is it time to sell Chipper high?

Scott Engel

  (3:54 PM)

I wouldn;t move him if I had him. Don't mess with success.

Julio, NYC

Obviously Jorge is over-simplifying, but the fact remains that fantasy football is about 80% luck while fantasy baseball is around 10% luck.

Scott Engel

  (3:55 PM)

I see you logged back in with a different screen name, Jorge, to agree with yourself. Nifty!

Big Joe (Hamilton, NJ)

I can see what Jorge is saying. You can leave on draft day with the worst team in a baseball league and still win the league. In football if you lose one or two key players your season is over!

Scott Engel

  (3:58 PM)

I disagree with Jorge Julio. I draft for depth in fantasy football and work the free agent list to protect against injuries. Yes, there is a real element of luck involved, but you have no real shot at winning if you don;t pay attention. Themain point is, it's not ALL luck, or 80 percent, far from it.

Ross (MN)

That's not necessarily true, Big Joe. I lost my first round pick (Ronnie Brown) last year and still won the league.

Mike (SD)

A-Rod and change for Hanley and Phillips?

Scott Engel

  (3:59 PM)

I wouldn't move A-Rod unless I am desperate to fill some needs.

Jimmy (Rockville, MD)

Playing the waiver wire in football on a week-to-week basis is just as important in as it is in baseball on a day-to-day basis.

jason(hilliard ohio)

Is cc sabathia for aaron harang a good deal? CC has been terrible this year! Thanks

Scott Engel

  (4:01 PM)

Sabathia looks like he is starting to turn things around, so I would keep him. Run suuport has hurt him recently, I'm being patient

Matt (DC)

Scott, where do you think Steve Smith is ranked for non-keeper fantasy WR? Do you think his value hinges on the fragile arm of Jake "Day light come" DelHomme?

Scott Engel

  (4:03 PM)

I think his value hinges on the health of Delhomme and also DJ Hackett, who can be a great complement. He's top 10 in any format, though

Joe (Detroit)

why is beltran underperforming?

Scott Engel

  (4:04 PM)

I have to wonder if he is still fully healthy yet or has full strength. I'm looking for more of his production in the second half. Thanks a lot everyone!