James Quintong

  (3:02 PM)

Good afternoon everybody. I'm here to take your questions. Lots of baseball as usual, but I might be able to sneak in a few football questions as well.

Matt (LA)

James - Oswalt and Brett Myers numbers look astonishingly similar. Which would you rather have? Which is a better bet to turn things around?

James Quintong

  (3:04 PM)

I've got both of these guys together in a couple of leagues as well, so I know that feels. With that said, I think Myers may be the better bet slightly over Oswalt. Even pitching in Philly, I think he'll get the homers back in check. Oswalt has been hit hard in a few starts, and it's hard to really pinpoint what's going on with him.

Kerry (NY)

As one of the sufferers of the V-Mart injury, I added Jesus Flores as a semi-replacement. My question is: should I add Clement (who doesn't have Catcher eligibility in my league yet) in hopes that he will soon get that eligibility and be better than Flores? He's got 5 more starts til he's eligible. How long will it take him to get those 5 starts you think?

James Quintong

  (3:06 PM)

I think Clement will be a fine choice from here on out. It looks like the Mariners are making him the regular catcher (with Kenji Johjima playing first or DH), so he should be eligible in all leagues within a couple of weeks. The Mariners don't have much more to lose, and I think Clement will be fine in a somewhat lower-pressure atmosphere now.

Brad (Cincinnati, OH)

is it time to let Chris Carpentar go? I have been stashing him with my DL spot. But I have someone else i put in DL now and gain a starter (Wandy).

James Quintong

  (3:07 PM)

It looks like Carpenter ran into some issues in the minors the other day. I think at this point, it's tough to keep him around. Even if he does come back, it may take him time to regain his form. Besides, you might be able to get him back later on. Best to use your DL spot on someone else.

Mark (NY)

Someone dropped Aaron Harrag in my league, should I use my #1 waiver for him? I know he's been bad but I don't think he should have been dropped.

James Quintong

  (3:09 PM)

It would depend who else is available. Until yesterday's bad start, he had looked respectable in his other losses, still racking up K's but often suffering from bad run support. I would roll the dice on him, since I don't think he's that bad.

Matt (Caddo Mills, TX)

Mike Gonzalez and Brian Fuentes are available in my league. Should I drop C.J. Wilson and pick one of them up? Or do you think it's worth riding it out with Wilson?

James Quintong

  (3:10 PM)

Tough call. Right now, you might as well ride out Wilson, because neither Gonzalez nor Fuentes seem like sure bets going forward, either. Gonzalez is just back from injury, so his durability is a question, and there are rumblings that Fuentes could get dealt at the trade deadline, and whoever gets him isn't making him a closer. Wilson does feel Eddie Guardado closing in, but at this point, it's too uncertain on any of the three.

Markus (NYC)

Carlos Marmol: Just a freakishly rare outing last night, or something we should worry about?

James Quintong

  (3:12 PM)

I wouldn't be terribly concerned just yet. But just keep an eye on him since he has had issues with his command before he became the reliever we know. I think it's just a minor blip; it happens to even the best of them.

Jonesy, Arvada, CO

James, it's down to the wire and you're my last hope! Sit or start Beltran this weekend at Coors, where his splits are terrible? Alternatives are Hermida, Bourn, Adam Jones...

James Quintong

  (3:13 PM)

I'd still take a chance on Beltran. I'm not terribly sold on any of the other guys in his place.

Sal (Fresno State)

Hey James, what do you think of Cliff Lee? In a keeper league would you trade a "young" stud like Chris B. Young for him or is Lee a one year wonder?

James Quintong

  (3:15 PM)

I was a big Lee fan for a few years before he hit the skids last year and was demoted, so seeing him rebound is a nice surprise. I think that trade for Chris B. Young isn't terrible, and I think Lee can still keep it up -- although obviously not at the rate he had early in the season.

Frank (Worcester)

Rather have Iwamura or Aviles at MI the rest of the way?

James Quintong

  (3:19 PM)

I'm still not sure what to make of Aviles, although he tore up the minors this year and has kept it up in the majors. I don't know if I have enough info on Aviles to choose him over Iwamura, who's steady but unspectacular for fantasy purposes.

Raj(NC)

Do you think I should keep Ichiro in an outfield spot or eplace him with fukodome or Ludwick?

James Quintong

  (3:20 PM)

Depends on what you need (like HRs and RBIs), but I'd probably stick with Ichiro. If you're desperate for power, Ludwick is the guy. Fukudome hasn't done as much fantasy-wise as you might think.

Sam (San Francisco)

Hey James, Happy Friday. Just gave up Kazmir and Jay Bruce for Ryan Braun in a keeper league. Did I overpay?

James Quintong

  (3:22 PM)

I think you did because Bruce and a healthy Kazmir would probably have more value than just Braun, who is really good. Braun is probably better than both in the long-term, but not combined (at least not right now).

Corey, Boston

Hey James, start Ervin Santana in philly tonight? The matchup doesnt seem particularly favorable but I would hate to miss out on a dominant performance. Thanks!

James Quintong

  (3:24 PM)

I'd be a little leery, but sometimes you've got to gamble. I think Santana has gotten over his home/road woes. Also, Santana is 7-2 with a 2.90 ERA at night vs. 1-1 with a 4.88 ERA during the day.

Freddy (Elm Street)

Is it completely unsafe to trade for C.Zam right now... what the worst that could happen, miss a couple starts? Also, should I feel bad about dropping Ian Stewart in a keeper? I am in win now mode, and could maybe use the roster spot...

James Quintong

  (3:26 PM)

It's definitely a risk with Zambrano. He'll probably miss at least one start, beyond that is still up in the air. I'd wait a little before making a move. As for Stewart, he's now iffy even for keeper formats. I'm trying to figure out what to do with him in my own keeper league, since he's not showing a lot at second and could be sent down soon. There may not be room for Stewart in Colorado at this point.

Nick, Boston

Mr. Quintong - start Volquez tonight against the Yankees? Sort of a gamble, but Volquez has been so so good. Thanks!

James Quintong

  (3:28 PM)

No need for the formalities, Nick. But anyways, it might be worth a gamble on Volquez. I am curious to see what he'll do in his first start in the Bronx, especially since he'll be back there next month for the All-Star Game. Remember, Josh Banks kept the Yankees in check yesterday, so anything is possible.

Tom (NY)

Has Lilly turned the corner and is he a viable #3 or #4 starter in a 13 team mixed league?

James Quintong

  (3:31 PM)

I think he has. He's been solid this month and I was high on him heading into the season. He's fine in a league of this size. ... Of course, as I'm responding to his, he gives up a homer to A.J. Pierzynski. Ah well.

Matthew (ATL)

I hate Jered Weaver with a fiery passion and am about to pull the trigger on dropping him for Guthrie. Care to stop me?

James Quintong

  (3:32 PM)

I'm not a big Weaver fan, either, so I won't stop you. Guthrie has gotten some awful run support, but his other numbers have been solid.

Trey (VA)

Gave up Hunter for Harden. Too much for such a high risk guy or jackpot if Harden stays healthy?

James Quintong

  (3:34 PM)

You pretty much said it right there. Hunter's power is down slightly, but everything else is in line. With that said, a healthy Harden probably outgains Hunter.

Bobby (Denver, CO)

Cano or Y. Escobar from here on out?

James Quintong

  (3:36 PM)

Cano slightly over Escobar, because I know Cano is a better second-half player, and there's a bit more upside compared to Escobar overall. But it's really close.

brad (new york)

I can get harrang or volquez in a trade, should i be going after volquez or is harrang going to return to form?

James Quintong

  (3:38 PM)

I think Volquez will cost you more in trade, and I think he'll come down a little. I think Harang will rebound, but yesterday's start worried me. However, it's a great time to buy low on him as well. Volquez probably will be better than Harang going forward, but the difference won't be as much as the difference in players you'd have to give up to get them.

Name Game (MLB)

Better player this year/stats: CLEMENT vs. BLALOCK....

James Quintong

  (3:40 PM)

Let's go with Clement. Blalock still isn't back from his wrist injury, and in recent years, he's tailed off badly in the second half.

Dave (Orlando)

Traded Bruce and Bedard for J. Vazquez and V. Guerrero a week ago...I feel like I did good, but some assurance would be nice! Thanks!

James Quintong

  (3:43 PM)

I'm not totally sure. I'm getting more concerned about Vlad and what he'll do this season. It's actually a wash compared to Bruce at this point. Vazquez is solid, but Bedard has more upside, even though I'm not a fan of the M's lefty (who might not even be in Seattle much longer).

Luke (Corona, Ca)

Help me please, I am scraping the bottom of the barrel...Borowski, Guadardo, or M. Gonzalez...who ends up with more saves?

James Quintong

  (3:45 PM)

I don't think you're scraping the bottom of the barrel. I think Borowski is the best bet for saves still. Guardado may beat out C.J. Wilson, but we don't know just yet, and Gonzalez will get his saves, but it's still way up in the air.

CJ (Detroit)

No football love today?! I pick last in a 10 team/2-QB start league. Should I take Peyton if he's still there at 10? Also, what RB do you think I should target at 10/11?! Thanks!

James Quintong

  (3:47 PM)

I said I'd take some football questions. So here goes. In a two-QB league, yeah I'd definitely target Peyton. In a 2-QB start mock draft I did the other day, Peyton and Brady were gone by pick 10. Romo might've even been gone by then. As for the RBs, I guess guys like Portis, Barber and Gore would be around at that point.

Ned: Washington D.C.

Haven't we had enough Clement questions this week. How bout giving some love to Ludwick. Do you think he's for real? Is Ludwick and Howie Kendrick enough to land a stud like HamRam??

James Quintong

  (3:49 PM)

I think Ludwick is for real for this year. He was looking good in limited time last year and he's just continued from there. He's been a great $1 player in one of my NL-only leagues, that's for sure. Despite that, I don't know if that's enough to get Hanley. I want to like Kendrick more, but the injuries are killing his value.

Lorelei (Los Angeles, CA)

Time for the name game....Bruce, Sheffield, or Byrnes (once the last two come off the DL, of course)?

James Quintong

  (3:51 PM)

Still going with Bruce. Not sure when either returns or if they'll be that great right away.

aaron

Shields and Markakis too much to give up for Hanley?

James Quintong

  (3:53 PM)

Tough call, but I think that's fair. It depends on what Shields will do the rest of the year. Otherwise, I think it's fair.

Paul (Minn.)

Will Delmon Young hit a 2nd homer?

James Quintong

  (3:54 PM)

Eventually. When, well, I'm not sure about that.

Adam Wainright (STL)

Would you hang onto me?

James Quintong

  (3:55 PM)

Definitely. I don't think he'll be out too long, and he's been solid all year.

tom b (Pittsburgh, PA)

Santiago Casilla, Good to go or will fail to show?

James Quintong

  (3:56 PM)

I think he'll be fine coming back, and he might even be in the mix for saves if Huston Street gets dealt.

Shaun(NYC)

Seems like Ryan Grant is being undervalued in drafts. He was a beast last year and even w/o Favre, that offense has some very nice weapons. Thoughts?

James Quintong

  (3:58 PM)

I guess there's the fear of the unknown with Grant, in that we're not sure if he's a one-year wonder. He's done enough to merit a starting back spot, but I guess it's a matter if he's an RB1 or RB2.

Desperate for an answer (suicide nation)

All I need is one 3 words from you, Hawpe, Quentin, Bay, How would you rank these 3 going forward the rest of the season? THANK YOU!

James Quintong

  (3:59 PM)

Bay, Quentin, Hawpe

Nick (Santa Paula, CA)

What's up, James. Love the chats. Is there any word on Butler coming back? He is murderinging the PCL right now.

James Quintong

  (4:00 PM)

I'm not sure. It looks like the Royals are in no hurry to bring him up for whatever reason, which is silly. But if he keeps this up, they'll have to get him back in there.

cody (alaska)

start hochevar tonight against the giants?

James Quintong

  (4:02 PM)

As a spot start, it might not be a bad idea. The Giants are still a mediocre offense and he's pitched better recently.

John--NYC

Start Cain vs. the Royals tonight?

James Quintong

  (4:03 PM)

And to counter that, Cain is an even better choice against the Royals. Might be one of those 2-1, 3-2 games. (Of course, now that I've said this, look for a 12-11 slugfest.)

James Quintong

  (4:03 PM)

And with that, I have to head out. Thanks for all the questions. Have a good weekend!