Keith Lipscomb

  (3:01 PM)

Good afternoon everyone! Hope you're all doing well today. Let's talk fantasy.

Dan (DC)

Keith, please help: Manny Parra or Scott Baker. Who helps most in a 5x5 roto for the rest of the season. I can only take one.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:04 PM)

If every game for Parra was a home game, it would be an easy choice. He's the new Wandy Rodriguez. But since I'm assuming you'd want to start him every time out, the safer option is Baker, who will provide a better WHIP and shouldn't hurt your ERA, even if he doesn't help it. Parra obviously has more upside, but I guess I'd play it safe here.

JJ (Albuquerque)

Loaded with closers at the moment, Torres, Morrow, Rauch, Borowski, and Street. Looking to make a move for K's, which closer would you move?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:06 PM)

Well, I think you have to hang onto Street and Rauch, because I don't see anyone taking their saves from them at this point. Morrow is just nasty and even if Putz does come back and get his job back eventually, it'll still be a while. So, it's between Torres and Borowski for me, and you might be able to get more for Borowski since there is no one challenging him for saves (even if they are few and far between). Keep in mind, of course, that you will get more by dealing the others, so that makes a huge difference to me.

Ken (Waukegan, IL)

With Fuentes most likely on the move to a new team and new role as setup man, would it be worth it now to drop him for Izzy? Also, thoughts on Harang's poor performance today?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:09 PM)

Ken, I'm just not sure about Izzy getting it all back and returning to his "normal" self. I'd like to at least see him pitch a few times before I would do anything like that. While Fuentes may be traded here in the next month or so, I think I'd keep him and enjoy the saves he's getting. And as far as Harang goes, I really don't know what to think. I thought his last start against Boston was going to be his turning point, so I'm puzzled. I just hope all those innings haven't taken their toll on him. He's been getting hit lately.

Joe (Detroit)

Eric Karabell always refers to you as "underrated" ... where are these so called ratings and how can we raise yours? That being said, should I worry about Bradley's health going forward, or is this just a minor injury and not a precursor to something bigger?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:13 PM)

Eric's the only one to even care enough to "rate" me, I think, so I just hope that chats are as fun for you as they are for me. It's good to chat with informed fans of the games I love. As far as the Game Player goes, I think you always have to worry about his injuries, because they constantly pop up. But you know that if you own him, you've got to keep your finger on the pulse of the waiver wire. Supposedly, he'll be OK even though he's not in the lineup again, but I'm always worried about him staying healthy.

JH(VT)

I've been alright with Renteria at SS, but Aviles and Tulo are both free agents. Do I scoop one of them up instead of Renteria?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:15 PM)

I would grab Tulo now, even though he struggled to start the season. I'm not buying the soph slump thing. He stole a base in his last rehab game, which is a great sign to me. I think he's a great guy to have going forward.

Tim (DC)

Nice little outing from Joba today, eh?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:16 PM)

Not too bad, but I'd still like to see him be more economical with his pitches. But you have to love the K's and I think the WHIP will be pretty good overall, too. But if he can't work at least 6 innings, he won't win that many games.

Curtis ( New Jersey )

What do you make of Marcus Thames? That's a hot bat he's swinging, but does it keep for the season or just a flash in the pan?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:19 PM)

We've actually talked about that a bit in the office today and to me, he's a flash in the pan. Sure, he's got great power potential, but he's just so streaky I don't enjoy owning him. Gotta ride him while he's hot and get off. He's also hitting righties better than ever before, so I'm not sure he can keep that up (even though, to be fair, he's uncharacteristically struggled against lefties). He's not a whole lot different than someone like Russell Branyan, really. I think he's better, but not that much better right now.

RicK (DC)

What are your thoughts on Jeff Clement? Drop Pudge for him?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:21 PM)

Yeah, Rick, I would. Pudge just isn't what he used to be, and Clement was tearing it up again after he got sent down. Is Clement a 4-A player? It's possible, but I'm willing to take the chance that he has a better run this time around and shows off some of his power potential.

alan boston

do you see Chris Davis having a fantasy impact this year?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:24 PM)

It's still a bit hard to say at this point, Alan. I want to see how this Hank Blalock thing at 1B goes, but Davis sure is quite the power prospect. He's so young that I'd be cautious about expecting much from him so soon.

Jeremy (Waterville)

Are you on the same page as other ESPN staffers in that Liriano will make an impact this year?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:25 PM)

Yes, I am...and he could be back up very soon, Jeremy. Will he be the Liriano of old? I don't think so. He won't strike out as many guys initially, probably, and will have more bouts of inconsistency, but he's really seemed to straighten things out in his past few starts in the minors.

Jordan (Toronto)

Who has a bigger fantasy impact from her on out Longoria or Headley?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:29 PM)

That's a strong question, Jordan. I want to say Longoria, because I think he's in a better situation to drive in runs consistently, but it could be very close. Headley is the real deal and the Pads so badly need him to be a run producer -- much more than the Rays need Longoria to be. I'll go with Longoria, but I would like to have either one of them on my team.

Todd (MPLS)

Good Sell High/Buy Low??? Give up Alexei Ramirez and Nick Blackburn for Adrian Beltre?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:30 PM)

If you're talking for this year only, I would do that. Beltre is a noted 2nd-half monster and I expect him to do it again. Although I like Ramirez long-term, he can't provide what Beltre can. I'm not sure if you'll find anyone to do the deal, but give it a shot.

Andrew (Philly)

What are your thoughts on Iannetta? Similar value to Clement?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:32 PM)

They could wind up being very similar. Obviously, from what we've seen Iannetta is the better choice, and he's always got that ballpark to fall back on, too. But it's hard to ignore Clement's power possibilities at the position, isn't it?

Michael (Boston)

Pick one: Gaudin, McClung, Campillo

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:34 PM)

Well, Gaudin's not starting so that sways things a bit. I'd take Campillo over McClung for sure, and I'm not even that big on Campillo. I'm waiting for him to get figured out, but who says it'll happen this year? If Gaudin were guaranteed a turn in the rotation each time around, I'd take him.

Boomer (STL)

What do you expect from Jeff Francouer for the rest of the season?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:37 PM)

I definitely expect the average to come up some...even if he doesn't do what he did last season...I think he should hit at least .275 the rest of the way and I'm not convinced he's a home run guy like two years ago, but I still think he can hit 20 and drive in 100 runs.

Justin (Windsor, Conn.)

Who has the most value for the remainder of the year: Chase Headley, Raul Ibanez or Josh Willingham?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:39 PM)

Well, Willingham's back is enough to scare me away from picking him out of this threesome. And I'm going to have to go with age over beauty and take Ibanez over Headley the rest of the way. Ever since his solid early start, Ibanez hasn't been all that great. I think he hits another hot streak in the near future.

Todd (CO)

Do you see Marcum keeping up this pitching the second half of the season?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:43 PM)

Well, I don't think he'll have a 1.00 WHIP or an ERA under 3.00 for the season, but he'll still be a big help to your WHIP, because that's how he operates and he'll still help you more than hurt you in ERA, too. Hopefully, he'll get some wins since he's been unlucky so far in that department. I don't see any reason he can't finish at 3.40 with a WHIP in the 1.15-1.20 range, which would still be great value for what you paid.

Brian (Philadelphia, PA)

Please give me a realistic spin on Chone Figgins and Mig Tejada.. if you could trade for one TODAY, which, and why???

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:46 PM)

It really depends what you need, in my opinion. If Figgins can keep his legs strong, I still think he can get to 35-40 steals. I really do. And I think he's now a legit .300 hitter, but remember you'll get no RBIs. I think Tejada should continue to do what he's done -- nothing more, nothing less, so that's why I say it depends what you need.

jason: (Austin Tx)

meche after the all star break? is he worth an add?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:49 PM)

Certainly. Just take away his April numbers, and he's been a very solid SP this season. He should be on someone's roster for sure.

Alex (MO)

Now that Jay Bruce has come back down to Earth, what kind of numbers do you see him producing this year?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:51 PM)

I'm not going to change my original thoughts on Bruce based on recent play. I think he should finish with 15 HR and 15 SB. And I expect he'll bat in the .290 range.

Brian (Omaha, NE)

AJ Burnett got killed again today...8ER's in 5 innings. Any hope he can turn it around? I never thought Milwaukee was that tough of a match-up...

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:54 PM)

If nothing else, Brian, I'm here to give you hope in the form of career splits. Check out his post-All-Star numbers in the past few seasons. He's been better and right now, his ERA would be a career-worst. I don't think that will continue.

JH(VT)

Time for the name game. Weaver or Liriano from here on out?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:54 PM)

I'll take a chance on Liriano there, JH.

Bradshaw (TX)

Killed? Talk to Ian Snell, that guy is a walking massacre! What do I do with this guy? Any hope for a second half rebirth?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:56 PM)

I'm not as optimistic on Snell, because he's really only had one good season, so I don't have as much to go on in terms of being positive. Watching many of his games doesn't help, either.

Alex (MO)

No-No Alert: Dave Bush through 7 innings.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:57 PM)

Thanks for that, Alex...It's always good to keep people in the loop!

Paul V (Round Rock and Texas)

Keith, ever thought of putting an eyepatch on your profile pic? Just an idea. What's your idea on whether or not to keep Homer Baily in an NL-Only Keeper 10 team league now that he's been demoted to the Minors?

Keith Lipscomb

  (4:00 PM)

It might actually improve my appearance, Paul, so I'd consider it! haha I'm assuming you don't have any reserve spots in your league, because if you do, you can still hang with him. But I agree that he just doesn't give you any confidence that he's progressing. Control is lacking, he's not fooling anyone and if you don't have the space, I can see why you'd drop him.

Anthony (OH)

Drop Laffey and pick up Liriano?

Keith Lipscomb

  (4:00 PM)

Definitely.

Steve NY

Is Brett Myers ever going to return to his usual self? He has 79K but the ERA is killing me. So is he ever going to return to top form?

Keith Lipscomb

  (4:03 PM)

He's been very hard for me to figure, Steve. And while I think he gets better from here on out, I'm not sure if it's a major improvement. He's actually been better in the first half of the season for most of his career, so I can't give you any positive splits on him. He simply has to stop giving up bombs. That would be a good place to start.

Dave (Ohio)

Drop Adam LaRoche or hold out for a strong second half?

Keith Lipscomb

  (4:05 PM)

Dave, if you've waited this long on him, then I think you owe it to yourself to see if his usual second-half tear happens again. He hits about 50 points higher in the 2nd half during his career. You can wait another month, right?

Keith Lipscomb

  (4:05 PM)

And I'll sign off with the fact that Lyle Overbay led off the 8th with a triple off of Bush, so the no-hitter is over.

Keith Lipscomb

  (4:06 PM)

Have a great day everyone!