Jason Grey:

  (3:01 PM)

Hey guys, a lot of questions already in the queue, will get to as many as I can - let's get to it...

sparks( san marcos, tx)

Elijah Dukes...This kid can rake and run...Should i push Kemp and Chris young to the bench to add this "OG"?

Jason Grey:

  (3:03 PM)

Addressed this in yesterday's chat, saying Dukes for Young was not a stupid move. 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. He's reluctant to run.

Bob

No questions, just wondering...

Jason Grey:

  (3:04 PM)

Explore the space, man, explore the space.

James (Weeki Wachee, FL)

Hey Jason. Never had a question answered before. Maybe it's because I'm from Weeki Wachee. You guys are always referencing that a certain team hits lefties well or doesn't hit righties well. Where can I find overall TEAM lefty/righty, home/road etc. splits. It would be helpful when deciding which pitchers to add/start on any given week.

Jason Grey:

  (3:05 PM)

I know MLB.com has them.

Adam (Toronto)

Hi Jason... Quick question... how does one get to see just your player rankings..for the month and overall for the year ?

Jason Grey:

  (3:05 PM)

They haven't been published. Perhaps the next time the staff does that exercise we can see.

Cheng (RI)

Is Mike Gonzalez as valuable as all the analysts say? He won't pitch back to back games, but the Braves are never in the lead in the ninth to get save situations anyway. I'm considering dropping him (Saito and Morrow are my other closers) and picking up Harang.

Jason Grey:

  (3:06 PM)

If Harang is available out there, I'm dropping Gonzalez to get him if I'm fairly well covered in saves.

marty flemington nj

Would you trade for soriano. I've been offered sori for either tex, gonzo , hamilton or quentin. Which is my best deal?

Jason Grey:

  (3:07 PM)

I might consider Quentin, and probably Gonzo, the rest probably not.

Joel (Davis, CA)

A lot of people ask who they should use their waiver priority on. I wanted to clarify that in many leagues players aren't added to the player pool until they've played in a major league game. Thus, players like Pearce, Maybin, Koshansky, Wood, Bailey, etc are already in the pool because they played in the majors before. Based on that, who do you think will be called up this year that is worth using a waiver claim on for the long term (in a dynasty league).

Jason Grey:

  (3:08 PM)

Out of that list? Maybin easily. We could see him in September and he could be a regular in 2009.

JB (Margaritaville)

Hi Jason -- I know this is more a Stefania Bell question,but can you (or she) explain this injury? I didn't knowyou could do this! "Diamondbacks placed catcher Chris Snyder on the disabled list with a left testicular fracture. That's gotta be even worse than an anal fissure. Snyder was injured when he was hit by a foul tip last night."

Jason Grey:

  (3:09 PM)

I don't want to get into the details, but suffice it to say he is expected back right after the All-Star break so his DL stay could be the minimum.

Salem Oregon

With Joe Borowsky's era over 12 in save situations do you see Cleveland finally going to someone else soon? Kobayashi or Betancourt?

Jason Grey:

  (3:10 PM)

It's not like anyone really stepped up when Borowski was out, so the leash is longer than it would normally be, but Kobayashi has a chance to get back in there.

John (NYC)

Wow! Two days in a row with Jason Grey. This is like Xmas morning. Which side of Pence for Harang deal would you rather be on in a vaccuum?

Jason Grey:

  (3:13 PM)

All else being equal, I generally prefer the bat. It's close, but I think Pence gets some things figured out in the second half. I do think the talk about Harang's "Slump" has been overrated. He's pretty much been the same pitcher with poorer luck.

Norman (Brooklyn)

Hey Jason, how does one become a scout? Can you briefly point me in the right direction? Thanks.

Jason Grey

  (3:14 PM)

I really wish I had a better answer for you than "you have to know someone," but that's basically the first step. Try going to a minor league park and getting to know one of the scouts in attendance.

T.O. (M.)

It seems every time I play a new opponent in H2H league that player steels some points. Example Kents 1st sb last night and jj hardys 2 of season post midpoint. What gives?

Jason Grey

  (3:15 PM)

It's a vast conspiracy against you, your team, and everything you believe.

tom b (Pittsburgh, PA)

Thoughts on Hermida for the rest of season? Another strong second half or is he just a two bit player?

Jason Grey

  (3:15 PM)

I'm buying into a strong 2nd half from Hermida - too much talent there.

tom b (Pittsburgh, PA)

Who to pick up right now Wandy Rodriguez, or Clay Buchholz (?starting on saturday)? I have sp depth volquez, lincecum, sanchez, verlander, oswalt, and shields. There is nothing wrong with cornering sp market.

Jason Grey

  (3:16 PM)

Yeah, the word is Buchholz is going to switch places with Masterson on Saturday although that's not official yet. I much prefer Buchholz over Wandy for the 2nd half.

tom (Pitt)

Need good middle infielder. Please rank Iwamura, avilles, keppinger

Jason Grey

  (3:16 PM)

For now, as you did.

tdb (PA)

What should I expect from Konerko? Is he worth a bench spot? Please rank at first base for rest of season Huff, Hinske, Konerko, Butler

Jason Grey

  (3:17 PM)

.250- 10-12 hr maybe? I don't think it's going to be great. I think the wrist injury early has had some effect - but I still think I take the chance he bounces back strong over those other guys going forward.

Phil (SD)

I need a SP with Hernandez going on the DL. Can you rank these guys? Meche, Wakefield, Arroyo, Bush. Thanks

Jason Grey

  (3:17 PM)

Meche, Wakefield, wait for Felix to return shortly.

Greg (CA)

Justin Masterson just became available in my very deep 12 team H2H 5x5 keeper league. Is he worth picking up?

Jason Grey

  (3:18 PM)

I don't see it in 12-team right now. Even in a keeper league. Too uncertain.

willy(sc)

jason, i value your expertise so here's my question....trade proposals for "middle-tier" pitching haven't been successful...do i pull off a carlos lee or jhamilton for johan trade?

Jason Grey

  (3:18 PM)

I think you have to get some type of OF in return, I wouldn't do a one for one with those guys.

Nick (Sioux Falls)

What are our thoughts on ricky nolasco? Do you like him over Scott Baker or Aaron Laffey?

Jason Grey

  (3:20 PM)

Not over Baker, and I think there will be some stamina concerns with Nolasco in the second half, but this is kind of the pitcher we thought he could be before injuries set in. He's not way over his head.

Jason (Atlanta)

Do you have faith in Alexei Ramirez for the rest of the season? If you had him and Cano, would you dangle Cano to try and make upgrades, plugging Ramirez in?

Jason Grey

  (3:22 PM)

Yes, I would see what Cano could return on the trade market. That's just smart play. You should always be exploring options. In one of my leagues, I wasn't even aware John Danks was available to had until I started floating names around that I wasn't necessarily ready to trade, but wanted to see what the market value was. Needless to say, I had Danks in the lineup yesterday.

Jason Grey

  (3:22 PM)

I also had Charlie Morton in a 12-team H2H though, ugh.

Paul (IL)

CLAY BUCHHOLZ ALERT....would you drop one of the following for him: Mussina, Pedro, Izzy, Fuentes? Also, where can we read your/any scouting reports on players (20/80)

Jason Grey

  (3:23 PM)

My actual scout-type reports are not really publishable b.c they are filled with scout speak and not a great format, so I do what I can to distill it into a narrative in my Clipboard and Minor Achievements columns...I would drop Izzy for Buchholz.

Jay (Lake Havasu, AZ)

Would you rather have Harang or Danks moving forward?

Jason Grey

  (3:24 PM)

Very good question....I'm running with the hot hand, which is Danks but it's very close. I wrote about Danks taking the leap forward back in March in my spring training reports, so this performance isn't shocking me.

Evan (New York)

Will Scherzer be a starter in the second half?

Jason Grey

  (3:26 PM)

I think that's the plan, but he's shut down right now with some shoulder inflammation. It's not expected to be serious, but it needs to go away before he's back in action. That's why Petit is up in place of Owings and not Scherzer.

Jeremy (boston

buchholz or liriano over the rest of the season?

Jason Grey

  (3:26 PM)

Buchholz.

John (Tallahassee)

When can we expect Gamel, Price, and/or LaPorta to be called up?

Jason Grey

  (3:27 PM)

Neiher LaPorta or Gamel can play third well, which really limits their chances of being up this year, even if they deserve it based on offense. I do think we'll see Price at some point, perhaps even before Sept.

Scott, Groton CT

More valuable 2nd half: Cantu or Beltre?

Jason Grey

  (3:28 PM)

Belte, and I'm not sure it's very close. Beltre has been bringing the numbers across the board, and his BA is down only because of some some poor luck on balls in play.

Brian (Williamsburg, VA)

Trade or keep "the Duke"?

Jason Grey

  (3:29 PM)

I don't think you can get someone to believe in Duke enough to give you appropriate trade value for him, which means you probably just need to ride it out. Even if he backslides to an ERA in the low 3's - as he should, he's still useful.

andrew ny ny

ja happ coming worth picking up? HAPP vs Bolestar?

Jason Grey

  (3:29 PM)

In NL leagues only - and I prefer Happ over Balester at the moment, but it's close.

Bob (Youngstown)

Hey, Jason -- Any sleeper starting pitchers coming for my AL only league? I need help....

Jason Grey

  (3:32 PM)

Anyone the Twins or Rays might call up to fill any open spots in their rotation.

Brett Myers (PA)

Jason, I know you're down on me, but I'm gonna work it out and be back in the rotation post All Star Break. I used to be an ace and will be again!! Do you believe me?????

Jason Grey

  (3:33 PM)

Nope. At least not for this year. Let's see the velocity up first and then we can talk.

Brian, Vancouver, WA

For the guy who wants to be a scout, go to the MLB winter meeting as they have a whole room for getting jobs. You start in the minors and the pay is low but its a start. They even interview there.

Jason Grey

  (3:35 PM)

Scouting jobs don't come form there. The jobs they hire for in the minors are sales job, broadcasters, and other stuff to do with the team, almost all of which have some element of selling to it. Scouting-wise that's not necessarily your best bet.

Scott (Reno)

Dropped Morrow for Wheeler, please tell me Wheeler is the closer in TB.

Jason Grey

  (3:36 PM)

I'd much rather try and figure out why you would drop Morrow. Balfour closed yesterday b/c Wheeler had worked three days, but that doesn't mean Balfour won't get another chance.

Dave(Frisco)

I am the proud owner of Wainright, Furcal, and Putz. Danks is available in my waiver pool. Would you dump any of the three for Danks? Also, would you start Dice-K tonight? Thanks.

Jason Grey

  (3:37 PM)

Yeah, it's time to start getting worried about Furcal, and from the start I was expecting Putz to be out longer than first anticipated. I would dump either Furcal or Putz for Danks depending on your team needs.

Evan (Marlboro, NJ)

Dominique Canty or Vickie Johnson in a standard roto? Pondexter is my other guard, so I can't start both.

Jason Grey

  (3:38 PM)

I don't know, I hear that Canty has a wicked knuckleball.

Jason Grey

Im you. The future for Gio Gonzalez, Franklin Morales and Ian Kennedy hold...

Jason Grey

  (3:40 PM)

Hey Jason - you're looking great today. Keep up the great work! I have always seen Gio as a bullpen arm, I think Morales is hurt and his mechs are messed up, and I do like Kennedy. Morales has the biggest long-term upside as a potential #2 starter if healthy and mechanics in order. Kennedy can be a solid back of the rotation guy.

Fernando (Pembroke Pines)

Why the Stamina concerns with Ricky Nolasco?

Jason Grey

  (3:42 PM)

Because they were evident in 2006,, when he was last in the rotation, and not we have injuries he dealt with last year on top of that.

Jason Grey

  (3:44 PM)

Questions on Parra this week: not a bad play six of last ten starts one run or less...couple of clunkers in there. pretty good odds.

Nathan (ATL, GA)

Jason: Please give me your prediction. I have Kemp and Pena for one spot. I need power as much as steals and habitually pick the wrong guy to start every night

Jason Grey

  (3:44 PM)

I'm putting Kemp in there and letting him run with it.

Future Jason Grey

Jason do not drink the coffee brewed at 4:00 PM, you'll thank me later. Cordially, Future Jason

Jason Grey

  (3:45 PM)

This works better when it's faxed on my letterhead.

Jeremy Hermida

Me or Victorino here on out, all else being equal? Trade Campillo for Happ?

Jason Grey

  (3:46 PM)

I like you, but Victorino is the more valuable player....and I don't make that trade.

Ricky (Houston)

Yesterday you picked Casilla as one of your sleepers, would you have him over Bruce or Murphy this season?

Jason Grey

  (3:46 PM)

No, I was asked specifically for 2B sleepers, and picked him and Kendrick.

Jason Grey

  (3:47 PM)

Lots of questions on Francoeur in 5x5 - I'm not dropping him yet, but putting him on reserve if I can.

Dave(Frisco)

You didn't answer if you would start Dice-K tonight. Did I already hit my daily quota? Does this question count against me? Is that last question pointless?

Jason Grey

  (3:50 PM)

Yeah, forgot about that, sorry. If you have Dice-K, I think it's with the intention of starting him every time out, TB or not. And yes, I keep a list of who asks what and when, and you're on it. We're watching you closely.

Harris(NYC)

Better for next 3-5 yrs...Alexi and Max Ramirez or Adam Jones/Travis Snider?

Jason Grey

  (3:51 PM)

The latter two, by a significant margin.

SS (NJ)

Howie Kendrick or Eric Aybar? Is Kendrick just an empty batting average?

Jason Grey

  (3:52 PM)

Kendrick, there's at least 10 homers and 10 steals in there over a full year to go with the BA

NEVER HAS HIS ?S ANSWERED (out of my element)

Please rank these pitchers for the rest of the season: Weaver, Billingsley,Buchholz,Parra.

Jason Grey

  (3:52 PM)

Billingsley, Buchholz, Weaver, Parra

Gary (from Gary! Indiana that is)

Matt Garza for real?

Jason Grey

  (3:52 PM)

yes.

Back to the Future Jason Grey (Courthouse Square)

I need speed! Who gives me the most without killing me everywhere else: Tavares, Bourn, Gathright, Bartlett, Lewis?

Jason Grey

  (3:54 PM)

I want Bourn until we see how Taveras recovers from his quad injury.

Jay (MA)

Howie Kendrick is completely overrated by all fantasy pundits. He's all hype. When not hurt (which is rare) he does nothing whatsoever. Completely empty batting average.

Howie Kendrick Follow-Up

5 homers and 5 steals for the second half is AWFUL!

Jason Grey

  (3:58 PM)

I said at least....Kendrick is going to contend for a batiting title one day, and his "empty" batting average is worth more than people think it is. I put him as a sleeper, because there are a lot of people that think like that, and that creats a buying opportunity. If he stays on the field (granted, it's been an issue in his career) he's going to hit.

Jason Grey

  (4:01 PM)

Kendrick hit .360, slugged .571 and had an OPS of .969 in 1500 minor league a-bats. Yes, he's more of a doubles hitter, but there's pop there. Don't be quick to write him off.

Jason Grey

  (4:02 PM)

Have time for three more - stlill have 1000 questions I didn't get to, so I apologize if I missed yours. I do the best I can, and I appreciate you taking the time out of your day.

Pete - NY

Ive been sitting Rollins for Guzman in H2H and its paying off. What the hell is going on?

Jason Grey

  (4:04 PM)

Kudos for the bold move, but I would bet your luck starts running out.

Brian (Chicago)

Is there an Alex Rios power surge in the 2nd half?

Jason Grey

  (4:05 PM)

It's hard to see a "surge" when he's hitting 13% less flyballs and more on the ground this year. That's actually a pretty significant difference. Less balls in the air means less chances to leave the yard.

Dave (Philly)

Nobody's talking about Kevin Slowey. Looks like he's really developed this year. Is he on the level of let's say a Verlander or Carmona (when healthy?)

Jason Grey

  (4:07 PM)

I thought Slowey was going to emerge last year, but I was a year early. He's not on that level, but I've always compared him to Brad Radke, who had a solid career and was definitely a very useful fantasy player, and I think he can be slightly better than Radke. Thanks everyone!