Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:03 PM)

Hi kids. No doubt there will be a lot of questions about my rankings and everything else... as always, all subjects answered. Let's get going...

Matt Leominster, MA

Is it time to cut the cord on Paul Konerko, or stash him away??? And how safe is Aaron Laffeys job now?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:04 PM)

Depends on how deep your league is for Konerko.... I DO think he comes around - he traditionally starts somewhat slow... and Laffey is fine, esp w/ Westbrook on DL. It was one bad start, AT Texas of all things.

Josh (Lincoln, NE)

Our favorite body spray commercial spokeswoman is going to be in some movies coming up!

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:05 PM)

As well she should be. Put me down for two tickets. Whatever it is.

Brandon (NY)

Ben Francisco- is he for real?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:06 PM)

To an extent - the skill set is, I'm not convinced the playing time is

Sam E Tucson AZ

After seeing your fantasy minute this morning on ESPNews it's save to say "David Letterman called and he wants his hair style back" Do you like Ian Stewart for THIS year?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:07 PM)

Ouch. Yeah, I definitely need a haircut. Yes, I like Stewart in NL only or deeper (15 team) mix leagues. That's about it.

Joe (San Diego)

Better 'stache: Giambi or Jerry Crasnick?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:08 PM)

Crasnick

Jorge, NYC

When was the last time you even spoke to a big-league player?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:09 PM)

Current player? Well, I talked to Posada, Utley, Hanley and Torri Hunter in the pre-season at our commerical shoot. Spoke to a bunch of football pros at the NFL Draft... Why?

Mark (Dallas, TX)

Matthew, which one of these pitchers is rosterable for the rest of the season in a shallow H2H: Wellemeyer, Kuo and Campillo?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:10 PM)

Campillo

Hulk Hogan (Miami)

Is Prince going to start eating meat soon? He is killing me

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:10 PM)

What are you talking about? He's been on fire this week! Even stole a base last night. He's fine.

Corey (Ohio)

Is Rowand for Real or is he a Sell high candidate?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:10 PM)

For real

Tom (New York, NY)

Adam Wainwright was cruising last night up until that grand slam he gave up to Jason Michaels. Over/Under 15 wins and 3.50 ERA on Wainwright?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:11 PM)

Under on both

Dan - San Jose

I love eating meat.

Goose (Chicago)

TMR, any chance we can have a chat focusing on deeper leagues? Sure everyone has their own definition of a deep league, but maybe avoid ARod, Peavy, top 150 players for example.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:13 PM)

well, I'll try. But it's tough - our ten team mix league format (the standard game) is by far the most popular and that's the majority of questions I get ...i try to sprinkle a few in but the majority of the audience play in shallow leagues

Mike from Denver

Who finishes the year with more Home Runs, Jay Bruce, Carlos Quentin, or Joey Voto?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:13 PM)

I say Quentin, actually.

ss (nj)

Hopefully, not your typical pain-in-the rear question. Picked up Jay Bruce from day one in a 5x5 ESPN roto league and have certainly enjoyed the ride. Got a solid outfield with or without him but can use some infield help. Would you take Carlos Guillen, his position flexibility,and hemmoroid-free stats the rest of the season for Bruce?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:17 PM)

Rather have Guillen, yes. Have him about ten spots higher on my current rankings. But I think you can get more value than that for Bruce.

Antonio Venezuela

berry great fan, but the other day in your fantasy focus you were talkinh with Anthony Mormile, and you play the name game with cueto, and you said you like him better than smoltz, but in your recently 340 ranking you put smoltz way better than cueto, could you explain this. An also you wang better in this rankings than in the previous ones, but he is pitching a lot worse, do you really think is this a correct prediction

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:20 PM)

It's about the rest of the seaosn going forward, so yeah, I think Wang rebounds now with A Rod back - more run support, etc... As for Cueto / Smoltz... I personally never pay for saves and just play the waiver wire - I rarely draft closers at all unless it's avery deep league... so I'd prefer the upside of Cueto to a very good closer in Smotltz. But from an overall rankings perspective, you have to have Smoltz ahead of Cueto. Does that make sense?

Bob Ma

Orlando Cabrera is ranked high in your rankings, are you looking at a big 2nd half for him ?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:22 PM)

Yeah, I think so. I know some folks will discuss gambler's fallacy with this thoery, but my thinking is that most ballplayers with a long track record - O Cab, Jeter, Tex, etc.. will eventually do what they are supposed to do. So since those guys have not yet done what they normally do, I believe the majoruty of their production is still to come. In other words, if you have two guys that are gonna hit 20 home runs in a year and you're drafting today - premise of the rankings - you'd rather have the guy who has hit only 3 (and has 17 left) than the guy you has 10 (and only has ten left).

Taz (NY)

When is America's sweetheart returning to fantasy focus?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:23 PM)

Thursday, I believe is when Paul Severion returns to host Fantasy Focus - the daily online video show.

Travis Hafner (Mendoza-land)

Will I ever come close to the production of a few years ago? I don't feel like I am even worth owning right now.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:24 PM)

I don't think so, no. I think you're done....as far a being an eltie fantasy player

Come on Berry, take a stab

Who am I? Last 2 starts. 1-0, 14IP, 10 hits, 3 runs, 8K/1BB, .79WHIP (hint: the stats came against ATL and Hou, two really good offenses)

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:26 PM)

Hmm. I'll bite. Manny Parra?

Patrick (Boston)

Name game, A. Miller, J. Campillo, or Ted Lilly for the rest of the way?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:26 PM)

Campillo, Lilly, Miller. But like all 3.

David (Oakland, CA)

Is Duchscherer for real? Seems like everyone believes in him except for his injury history. Barring an injury, can he keep this up all year?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:26 PM)

I think so, yes. Very much so.

Chris (boston)

Over/Under final stats - MATT KEMP - .290 17HRs 75Rbis and 26SBs?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:27 PM)

Over

Another Jay Bruce Trade

Other league owners are finally throwing out semi-ridiculous trade offers... in a mixed-OBP, I think this is the best.. Sizemore/Joba for Bruce/Felix... do I have to take this-- I love Bruce!

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:28 PM)

I'd do that deal.

John (Detroit)

Better upside: Chone Figgins or Furcal

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:29 PM)

I'm always wiggy for Figgy. You know that

Jorge Cantu vs. Pedro Feliz (MLB)

Who wins, why and by how much?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:29 PM)

Feliz for power, Cantu for average

David (Frisco, Texas)

I know you are going to have to field a 1000 questions about how 5% of your predictions didn't come to fruition. Doctors and Lawyers would kill for that winning percentage. Literally. I think you should write an article about how fantasy baseball has saved the MLB. Five years ago, MLB was on it's deathbed. Today, fantasy baseball has single-handedly revived a lost sport. Nice job flag bearer. As for a question, do you really think that Byrnes has become fantasy liability? Your rankings seem to imply that he is done for this year. Time to drop or shop?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:32 PM)

Thanks. Yeah, just read the conversation pages on my rankings.... but you know what? That's the great thing about fantasy. It's a passion based hobby and everyone has an opinion... and we get to see who is right on the "field." The criticism comes with the gig and it's a great gig. It's when they don't care you're toast. And yes, I'm really concerned about Byrnes and two torn (not strained) hammys. We'll see, but if I were drafting today, I wouldn't touch him except as a deep flyer

Brad (CT)

Oldest woman you'd hook up with?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:32 PM)

How old is Raquel Welch?

Nicky T (NJ)

When is Stephania going to tell me about Big Papi? And how many of her teams is he on?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:34 PM)

Stephania is on vacation this week, actually. Planned a long time in advance.... But an excellent question.

Michael (Tucson, AZ):

Matt, I like the way you make bold predictions and then stick with them, even if they seem to be getting derailed (as opposed to most writers, who come up with a myriad of excuses to absolve themselves). One question about your rankings though - what's with Tim Lincecum's relatively low ranking? He has been ridiculous this year and the Giants offense has performed better than most thought, which should help keep his win total above 10.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:37 PM)

Yeah, I might have been too low on Lincecum... I devalue pitching overall, I'm still concerned about his bullpen and offense and he was inconsistemt last year. No question - amazing talent - just worried about him from a fantasy perspective being able to keep up this pace. So that was the thinking.... Starting today, what does he do? I mean, I do have him as a top 20 pitcher.... I just rank pitchers low overall because, as I noted in the open, pitching is readily available in a 10 team mix.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:37 PM)

Probably got the most questions about that one

Alan (Orlando)

We are half way through this chat and no one has even asked a Smoltz question. He and his new delivery gave up two runs last night. Your thoughts?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:37 PM)

Not worried

Critic (Your Rankings)

Well not all of them. I'm just wondering about Bergmann. He's been solid over four good teams this month and he didn't even make your top 340. What do you really think about him?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:38 PM)

That he's not legit

Hazel Mae (unemployed)

I could be a good stand in for Stephania...

US SUPREME COURT (US of A)

Yeah, that's right - we had fantasy baseball's back yesterday. You all owe us one.

Baby Matthew

Must eat brains!

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:39 PM)

I don't even know what that last one means but it made me laugh

Hank (Maryland)

Did you like Sex in the City?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:39 PM)

Why is someone named "Hank" asking me?

Cory (Minneapolis)

How do you feel about Alexi Casilla from here on out?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:40 PM)

I like him - said so when he was recalled. Very legit speed and hit well in the minors last year

Ralph Chicago

Hello TMR! I download and listen to fantasy Baseball everyday to my ipod. You didn't talk about either of these guys starting today. I can start one or the other today. Should I start Masterson for Boston or Campillo for Atlanta? Thanks!

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:40 PM)

Campillo. A little nervous about Justin against (can't believe I am typing this ) the red hot Rays

Curious

Who wins in a fight between Joba and Jay Bruce vs Godzilla, Mothra, King Kong, and Bigfoot?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:41 PM)

Clearly Joba and Jay Bruce. The only thing - and I mean the only thing - that can defeat those two is Ditka.

Andrew (Providence)

Matthew, I have your next sitcom: Sex in the CT. It would be about your love life in Bristol, Conn., or lack thereof.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:42 PM)

Every episode: 22 minutes of me at a bar with Nate, drinking and talking about how awesome LA is.

Scott (Duluth)

Is Kelly Johnson for Jay Bruce fair? I would be benching Melky and using Ray Durham to fill in for Kelly.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:42 PM)

Depends. If you are getting Bruce... yes.

Jared (Philly)

How about answering a baseball question instead of all this garbage...Start Garza @ Boston...Garza or A. Cook for the rest of the year?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:43 PM)

Garza for rest of year, but wouldn't start him tonight

Rick (Houston)

Why do you have Tex ranked so high? What kind of numbers do you expect from him the rest of the season?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:44 PM)

Discussed this very subject on today's podcast. You'll have to download AND listen

Dan (San Jose)

Your next sitcom should be Sex in San Jose!

Paul (NY)

You can't ignore me forever....I demand you explain the source of the inside information you have on Julio Lugo -- he jumped 150 spots and landed in your top 100???

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:49 PM)

Very simple. He's hitting well this year (.279 on the season) and Boston is running. Only 3 teams in MLB have more SB than them. He's avg around 30 steals each of the last 3 years and has hit 22 points higher after the AS Break the last 3 years... so that's the thinking, along with the pos scarcity of SS

Matt,mpls

Back to cook for a minute. Can he win 14-15 games and post an ERA around 4.20?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:49 PM)

Yes

Jennifer (Brooklyn, NY)

Help a girl out who has to read this after work. Would you drop I-Rod for Miguel Olivo? I need some production out of that catcher slot. Who comes back first Furcal or Barmes?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:50 PM)

No, I would not. Furcal is back first I believe

Ross (Baton Rouge)

Your name and picture are in the wrong spot on the fantasy baseball homepage. You should be found under "Fantasy Baseball Tools."

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:50 PM)

Well played, sir. Well played.

Rick (SD)

Big Unit - thoughts on his start tonight?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:50 PM)

Love it.

John (MD)

Best of the worst closers - CJ Wilson, Fuentes, Borowski, Todd Jones?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:51 PM)

I like Wilson the best there, then Joe Bo

E (DC)

Did you notice the phenomenon of every woman dressing like a cast member of Sex and the City last weekend? It was so bad I kept introducing myself as Mr. Big at my local bar and managed to get a cosmopolitan spilled on me.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:52 PM)

They don't make Cosmos in Bristol.

Sid (Brooklyn, NY)

Why do you have Kendrick ranked so much higher than Weeks? Doesn't Weeks have him beat everywhere but avg?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:53 PM)

Yeah, but the avg is so significant. And Kendrick has been hurt... I expect Weeks to GET hurt....

Matt (West Hartford, CT)

They make cosmos in West Hartford, your missing out on the babes....

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:53 PM)

depends on the night and location in West Hartford....

John (White Plains, NY)

Randy Winn reaching 15HR - 25SB, true or false?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:53 PM)

True on power, false on SB.

Mets Fan (NY)

No Pedro ?'s - should he be owned in a 10 team roto league? I know he's an injury risk, but when he's out there will he be solid?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:54 PM)

yes, he needs to be owned in every league based on upside alone

Jack (Pitt)

Approximately how many "your stupid"s do you think you're going to receive in response to your newest rankings?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:54 PM)

how many or how many more? Usually tops out in the 200-300 range

Ned Yost (wi)

You got no info on Bill Hall, admit it, youve been dodging the question this whole chat

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:55 PM)

what questions? I get like 3000 of them and only see ten at a time... His power is legit and his avg will come up

Dan (San Jose)

You should write a movie about me called "Dan In My Life"

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:56 PM)

another good one!

Simon (los angeles)

Any openings in bristol for a stat/fantasy focus loving ucla grad?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:56 PM)

entry level? maybe. send me a resume.

Paul (Lake George, NY)

Are you standing by your 15-15 for Bruce or has your opinion been swayed by his hot start?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:57 PM)

standing by it. In fact, I say he's a sell high. Look at what Justin Upton did his first two weeks.... fairly similar

Joe (Weston)

Please discuss Coco Crisp

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:58 PM)

As a person? Genial. As a player? About to see a rise in value now with Papi out. I like him, esp if you need a little speed.

Joe (Miami)

As an incoming Syracuse freshman this fall do you have any advice of things that I should and shouldn't do to help me pick up women there, I say should and shouldn't because of your current relationship status.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:59 PM)

"Want to go to Chuck's? I don't think they card there.

Ken (Sterling, VA)

I have no questions...just want to see my name in print.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:00 PM)

DONE!

Spencer (Fishers, IN)

What should I do with Vlad? Who should I target for him?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:00 PM)

I think he's a buy low. Look, he's no longer VLAD... but he's better than he has shown...

Tom (NY)

Is Rich Hill worth a bench spot over Jerjjens or Danks?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:00 PM)

No

Jim (Chicago)

Joe's leaving Miami for Syracuse?????? Am I missing something?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:01 PM)

Ssshhhhh!!!

scott PA

what did the muckety mucks think of your sweater

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:02 PM)

They enjoyed it. Meeting went very well. Thanks for downloading AND listening!

Dave (Va)

How do you think the Milwaukee closer situation will turn out?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:02 PM)

Torres has more saves than Gagne at end of year, but Gagne gets his gig back at some point....

Jay (Fla)

Chad Tracy or Ian Stewart?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:03 PM)

Chad Tracy

Bill (Saint Louis)

People keep trying to get Hanley from me. I am willing to sell but need a 3b or LF. Any idea who I should target. Wow what a horrible open question.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:04 PM)

A Rod. That's pretty much it

Fred (East Lansing)

Crips or Winn?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:04 PM)

Winn

Danny (WI)

Are you afraid that some day you'll become a muckety muck?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:04 PM)

No chance of that

Fran (Syracuse)

Uncle Bobo please don't come back

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:04 PM)

Hilarious to about 12 people.

tim, nyc

who to replace papi? Garko, Casey Blake, Cantu, or Jacobs.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:05 PM)

Jacobs

Chris (Cuse)

When the Cuse is in the house.......

Good Grief!

Start Kevin Slowey or not? How many different ways do I have to ask the question?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:06 PM)

Yes, really like Slowey tonight. Discussed on First Take today. He's been terrific in month of May and Orioles terrible on the road

Corey (Ohio)

Is Jay Bruce a Sell high guy in a NL-only Keeper League?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:06 PM)

no, not in a keeper league.

Bryan (Portland)

Who's more worth a roster spot, Carlos Gonzales or Homer Bailey?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:07 PM)

Carlos, though I think he's a better real life player than fantasy player this year. But I'm not sure Homer is ready for prime time just yet... spot starter and would not start him on Thursday

Todd (minneapolis)

QUICK ONE (actually two) Start Harang @ PHIL? Campillo home vs. FLA?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:08 PM)

Yes and Yes

tim, nyc

trade Ervin for Verlander?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:08 PM)

Rather have Ervin

MY LAST TIME ASKING

What do you think of Alexei Ramirez?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:09 PM)

I've discussed him many times before, especially when he came up first... really like him

Ben (Charlotte)

You should do an entire TRUM of emails and postings from Dan in San Jose.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:09 PM)

Hilarious idea. Not enough folks would get it, but very funny.

allen (derby city)

The joke about you being under the "tool" section of fantasy baseball was pretty funny, but then again i laughed at it when Nate said it on the Podcast months ago.

Moe

So, were you right about Manny Parra? I was thinking of adding him and dropping Meche?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:11 PM)

Huh, I don't know what the answer was. Probably not. But yes, I like Parra

John (St Louis)

Assuming both Buchholz and Joba are in the rotation on June 20th, who do you like better?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:11 PM)

Clay. Better team, bullpen and will be able to go longer.

Signs the World is Coming to an End

Two things in life I thought I would never see, a TRUM devoted to Dan in San Jose and TMR in the Wall Street Journal.

Last One

Drop Bergman for Campillo

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:13 PM)

YES!!

Kevin (Manassas)

Don't know if you care but the answer to the WHO AM I is DAVE BUSH. Go Brewers.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:14 PM)

I'll be damed. Nice. Still not touching him.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:14 PM)

Okay, kids. I gotta run... thanks for stopping by!