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Jason Grey

  (3:00 PM)

No TMR today, so you're stuck with me - let's make the best of it.

Greg (San Francisco, Ca)

Hey Jason, your advice is much appreciated. My question is, how much longer do you believe it will be until Cameron Maybin is called up?

Jason Grey

  (3:02 PM)

Injuries have a way of changing things, but I could see a scenario where Maybin spends most of the year at Double-A and gets a Sept. callup. If he does get called up it won't be to sit, but I think for this year it's best not to count on him for anything, and if he does get some PT, then consider that a bonus. Could open in CF in 2009, though.

JD (NJ)

Carlos Gomez and Joey Gathright have had pretty similar numbers over the last month. Would you try to move Gomez and then pickup Gathright?

Jason Grey

  (3:05 PM)

If you can get enough value for Gomez, sure, but Gathright's long-term PT is impacted somewhat by the return of Butler.

Joe (Philly)

What is your take on Laporta and Gamel? Would it be a good idea to scoop one of the two up given all the CC trade speculation? If so who?

Jason Grey

  (3:08 PM)

In single-year leagues, only if you really have an open space. I like them both, but their impact this season could be nothing. Trying to play trade speculations more often than not doesn't work out.

Aaron (Houston, Tx)

Can Chris Davis have the type of season to win fantasy championships?

Jason Grey

  (3:09 PM)

Davis is a legit 30-35 homer hitter in the big leagues eventually. The big thing is if Blalock returns after the ASB and Vazquez is still playing third well, what do they do with Davis? It's a high risk high upside play, b/c there is certainly a scenario where Davis is back in the minors in three weeks.

craig elkhart IN

who will the rockies next closer be?

Jason Grey

  (3:11 PM)

Yeah, they're giving a lot of money to Corpas, but it's hard to argue with the job Buchholz is doing in the setup role. I don't see Casey Weathers as part of the picture...yet, but he will be down the road, perhaps even as early as sometime next season.

JAy (MA)

Barmes or Hardy for the 2nd Half? Also do you have a couple of players you see breaking out in the 2nd Half? Thanks

Jason Grey

  (3:13 PM)

I'm going with Hardy...barely. A couple of players I like for the second half are Pence, Tulo, Kendrick and Clay Buchholz, just off the top of my head.

dan(Minn)

What is the latest news on the injury to Miguel Cabrera? We set our week lineups today and I am not sure if I should take the risk to play him. My only other healthy option to replace him in my lineup is Chase Headley. what do you think? Thanks.

Jason Grey

  (3:13 PM)

He's day to day but even if he avoids the DL it looks like he's going to miss a few games, so probably Headley is the safer bet.

Ed (Boston)

With Masterson starting to struggle in his last few starts is it time to pick up Buchholz in mixed leagues if he's available? Do you think he'd be a good fantasy pitcher going forward or is he more of a match ups guy?

Jason Grey

  (3:16 PM)

I covered this extensively in this week's insider clipboard. It's no conicidence the Red Sox altered Buchholz's rotation day at AAA to coincide with Masterson's. Buchholz has been lights out after correcting a flaw in his delivery where he was collapsing his back leg - I think the switch is coming at some point and Buchholz is a good play for the second half, potentially every start.

Joe (NYC)

Hey Jason, love your work. I lost Pierre and Byrnes in the past couple of days. I don't have room to stash both in my 11-team mixed roto league. Are both guys droppable at this point? Could you rank who YOU would rather hold on to? WW options are Polanco, Werth, Dukes, Crisp, Adam Jones, Clement, Headley and Chris Davis. Thanks.

Jason Grey

  (3:18 PM)

Good question, although Pierre's 4-to-6 week diagnosis is pretty sever, Byrnes could also be out a while with his hammy injury, so Pierre...barely....If you're looking for a repalcement option with some speed, Dukes, then Jones.

Billy (DC)

What kind of player do you expect Rasmus to be like in his prime?

Jason Grey

  (3:18 PM)

What Nick Markakis has been the last season and a half.

Mike (GA)

Do you think Liriano will be a useful pitcher in the 2nd half (ala Buchholz) or not?

Jason Grey

  (3:20 PM)

I much prefer Buchholz - Liriano's lack of consistency is troubing, and stems from having to repeat a new, altered delivery as a result of the surgery...He can, of course, be useulf, but there are likely to be good and bad days, and I think Buchholz can be more consistent.

Michael (Portland, ME)

You've got a gun pointed at your head, and have to choose between two OFs for a bench spot, Austin Kearns and Jason Michaels. What would you do?

Jason Grey

  (3:21 PM)

Kearns..there's at least a little bit of upside there.

Dave(Frisco)

What's wrong with Bruce? I own him on two teams and am concerned about his slump. I could pick up Gomez, Swisher, Huff or Hermida on one team and Hermida, Church, or Bourn on another. My gut tells me to ride this thing out. Should I stand pat or go fish? Thanks.

Jason Grey

  (3:23 PM)

He's just got to make the adustments back after pitchers started adjusting to him, he's good enough to do so. I do like the speed options of Bourn and Gomez, but only if you really need SB's in your league.

dave (boston, ma)

'sup grey? the people have a right to know; verlander or maine for the rest of the year/ league is wins, whip, and era. thx.p.s. why did i drop "the hoff" for fuentes this week? WHY!?

Jason Grey

  (3:24 PM)

Verlander. Verlander. Oh, and Verlander.

Butch (Pullman, WA)

Pick one please for the 2nd half: Wellemeyer, Jurrjens, Wandy

Jason Grey

  (3:24 PM)

Jurrjens - when in doubt I go with the best raw stuff. He's going to slide a bit but still be useful.

Hank (Ann Arbor)

What's up with Kuo? Is he worth holding on to? He hasn't pitched in a week!

Jason Grey

  (3:27 PM)

Kuo is a situational pitcher that works when the team really needs multiple innings, and their usage pattern will tend to be a bit more sporadic. With some of the issues the Dodgers have had in the rotation lately, I'm sure they are keeping him fresh in case he's needed for a long role. If you have him already, hang on to him.

Jason (Atlanta)

Is Jason Heyward in your top 10 prospect list for 2009?

Jason Grey

  (3:29 PM)

Top 10? No, but I do like him. Probably my Top 25.

Nicole (Queens)

Who gets more saves the rest of the way, Wheeler or Isringhausen? Who would you rather have right now?

Jason Grey

  (3:31 PM)

Wheeler, simply because of the nagging injuries that seem to be cropping up with Percival.

Stan (LA)

Assuming Jeff Clement starts hitting, is it worth thinking about trading Mauer so I can protect him in a keeper league?

Jason Grey

  (3:32 PM)

Yes, because I bet Mauer's worth in the trade market might be more than his actual value. I would think carefully before doing a deal, but exploring it doesn't hurt at this point.

Alexi Casilla (Minnesota)

What's a brother got to do to get noticed around here?

Jason Grey

  (3:35 PM)

Perform for a bit more than a month and a hald to make us overlook the poor stats of the last couple of seasons. That said, you're a 23-year-old with speed and the ability to make consistent contact against big league pitching, so yeah a bit more attention is warranted.

Nicco (Camden, NJ)

I just dropped Chris Young (AZ) in a 12 team mixed league. Was that stupid? Do you think Elijah Dukes will be able to fill some of the holes left by Young?

Jason Grey

  (3:37 PM)

Not a stupid move if Young isn't going to run.

Matt Holliday (Coors Field, Denver, CO)

With all the trade rumors indicating I might leave the cozy confines of Coors Field, in a vacuum would you trade me in a keeper league for Grady Sizemore?

Jason Grey

  (3:39 PM)

Yes, because Holliday away from Coors is not the same hitter, and Sizemore is the more valuable player the way he is playing now, just starting to peak.

Whoa (Nellie)

Did you just says dump Young for Dukes?

Jason Grey

  (3:41 PM)

I said it wasn't stupid. Dukes was one fof the Top 10 OF in terms of production in June, and Young's BA was offset last year by the 27 steals. If he;s not running, and his BA is still below par, all you have left is the HR. Young is better than this, but we're not seeing it right now.

Zach (PA)

Top 5 Prospects for 2009?

Jason Grey

  (3:45 PM)

Very, very off the top of my head, and in no particular order...Rasmus, Snider, Wieters, Price, and I'm sure Gamel has worked his way into Top 10 discussion at least. Yeah, I still believe in Rasmus...who is starting to heat up.

Alex (MO)

Can you give me some second half sleepers at second base not named Robinson Cano?

Jason Grey

  (3:47 PM)

Kendrick, Casilla

chris (baltimore)

I have morrow someone wants to trade me either chris young arizona or victorino phillies which one would you take?

Jason Grey

  (3:48 PM)

Neither, depending on if you really needed an OF and/or SB and who your other OF were...but between the two, Victorino.

3-legged Turtle

Thanks to your chats, I now realize there is someone slower than me!

Jason Grey

  (3:49 PM)

Battling some computer issues today- chat client running slow for me, so sorry about that - the regulars know I'm usually rapid-fire with the responses, but not today.

Mike(Utica,NY)

Saw Fernando Martinez play this weekend in Binghamton and he hit an opposite field homer on a changeup. Do you still like him and who do you see him being similar to?

Jason Grey

  (3:51 PM)

I don't like him as much as most other prospect-watchers. I think he's a legitimate starting outfielder for a winning ballclub, but I don't see him as a superstar.

John (MA)

Which 2008 Draftee (pitcher and position player) are you most looking forward to see?

Jason Grey

  (3:54 PM)

Arizona Rookie League has just started, so we usually get a good chance to see the first pro at-bats of some of the most recent draftees....so Buster Posey, Justin Smoak, and Josh Fields are all at the top of my list to see if they appear there.

Howie Kendrick (LAA of A)

I've shown no power, no speed,...nada in terms of Roto usefullness.So why am I a "second half sleeper?"

Jason Grey

  (3:56 PM)

Didn't you just give the reasons? You're also hitting over .300, which is quite useful. Isn't a sleeper someone who hasn't done much yet but has the ability to do so in the future?

Kool Aid Man (Oh Yeah!)

If I make a Jonathan Sanchez flavor, are you willing to drink it?

Jason Grey

  (3:57 PM)

I drank it last year, a tad too early as it turned out. Still like the taste.

Adam (sorry to ask so much)

So is Maybin no longer a top prospect??

Jason Grey

  (3:57 PM)

He's not in my Top 5 is all. I still like him.

Zach (PA)

Will Mat Gamel be worth the #2 waiver priority when called up?

Jason Grey

  (3:59 PM)

I don't think it's a foregone conclusion that he will be called up. Anything's possible, especially if an injury or trade happens, but he can't play 3B at the big league level right now, and perhaps not ever.

Jason Grey

  (4:00 PM)

Time for 3 more- can't get to everyone, but appreciate the interest - I'm back chatting tomorrow at same time in my usual slot....

Chris, Frankfort IL

I have Justin Duchscherer and Armando Gallaraga in a leauge of mine. Which should I try to deal, at all? Or with both be able to keep it up with room for slight mishaps here and there?

Jason Grey

  (4:01 PM)

Duke has a batter chance of keeping it up than Galarraga. Duke should backslide to an ERA in the low three area, which still makes him useful.

K

Best prospect for power and speed that could be called up by end of '09?

Jason Grey

  (4:02 PM)

With those parameters probably Maybin (but a lot of K's and low BA) or Rasmus.

Charlie Morton

Can I handle the Phillies tonight?

Jason Grey

  (4:03 PM)

I put him in the lineup in the beginning of the week in the 12-team H2H staff league, so I'm hoping right along with you. Thanks everyone!