Keith Lipscomb

  (3:01 PM)

Hey everyone! Hope you enjoyed a Thursday afternoon without me last week. But I'm back to bother you for an hour today. What's on your minds?

David (Dallas)

Keith Time is of the essence. Gotta make a quick decision. King Felix off the DL. Who to drop? Harang (wish he'd go on the DL quick) Parra does he still fit in Brewers rotation?) 12 Team Mixed H2H non keeper league Thanks!!

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:03 PM)

Hi David. Well, as I feared, something was physically wrong with Harang, and although I haven't heard back on the MRI results, I would be very surprised if he avoided a DL stint. If you've got to make a quick decision in a non-keeper format, I'd keep Parra, because I fear Harang could be hurt worse than he's willing to admit. Just a hunch.

Joe (Detroit)

Keith, 2 parter today - Are football specific chats coming back without Scott Engel? And what impact does Adam Jones dropping his "Pacman" nickname have on fantasy football?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:06 PM)

Yes, Joe, there will definitely be some football specific chats in the near future, so fear not. And IDP-leaguers everywhere are refusing to drop the Pacman, so it's not being felt yet in fantasy circles! :-)

Suzanne (Oak Park, IL)

Any serious reason Maine was pulled after 4 2/3 today?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:07 PM)

As far as injury, Suzanne, no. He had thrown 109 pitches, and even though he had allowed only 2 hits, he walked 5 and his 8 strikeouts also jacked up the pitch count. Not a great day for him, despite the stat line not looking too shabby.

Mike (Chicago)

Hey Keith, could use some help. In need of BA and targeting Ichiro. Is Harden enough to get him, or would ESantana be mroe fair?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:09 PM)

As is the case with all trades, it really depends on the owner you're dealing with. There's no question that Harden is a fair deal if he continues his healthy run. The question is whether the owner that has Ichiro feels comfortable enough with Harden going forward to pull the trigger.

Matt (Raleigh)

Do you expect the usual big numbers from Adam LaRoche in the second half? Drop Francoeur for him? Thanks.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:10 PM)

Matt, I really do expect them. The past two seasons he's been an absolute beast in July and August. And although I do think Francoeur will get things turned around, I'm willing to go with LaRoche's recent history.

Eric: New York, NY

What are your thoughts on Denard Span?? Does he (OBP .426) have a chance to take the CF job from Gomez (OBP .298) after Cuddyer comes back??

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:13 PM)

I guess you'd have to say he has a chance, but I really don't think Span will keep this up. I actually got a chance to see a lot of him since he played a couple seasons in New Britain and he's not necessarily a great on-base option, either, despite the early returns. I think the Twins will give Gomez every chance in the world to stay up.

RYAN HOWARD

I am laughing all the way to the buffet line at every tom, dick, and harry that bailed on me earlier in the year...imagine the stats I would have right now if I was hitting .275

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:16 PM)

I'm laughing with you. I remember people asking if they should trade Howard early on, and I think you know what you're getting with him. Lots of homers, RBIs and strikeouts. Sure, I'm surprised he's still down at .230, but it just goes to show you how you have to be patient with the known quantities.

Jon (Chi-Town)

What do you think of a Kinsler for Utley swap? I desparately need the RBIs. Does it pass the smell test?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:18 PM)

I would definitely take Utley over Kinsler, even knowing you'll lose out on steals. I don't think Kinsler hits .335 all season, whereas it's possible Utley hits .335 from here forward. Hey, it's possible, so go for it.

KillJoy, The Hamptons

Does my persistence payoff or annoy you??? I was stacked at OF and really weak at SP?.Here is the deal I just did: I got Longoria/Edison V. for Miggy/Milton B./ H. Matsui. It leaves me with Hamilton/Ichiro/Ankiel for my 3 OF?s (w/ Doumit as a reserve OF). My questions are?.did I give too much up for Edison and which player would you suggest I grab?DeJesus, Hermida, Delgado or Edmonds? Thanks!

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:22 PM)

I'm difficult to annoy. I know you all love fantasy, and it's hard to get to as many questions as I'd like. Time will tell on that one, really, because I love Cabrera the rest of the way, but after that, you gave up an injured Matsui and a player in Bradley who has been pretty healthy so far, making him a sell-high guy. It's hard to get value for him because of that. But both Longoria and Volquez are great, so if you got what you wanted, then you should be happy. And I would grab either DeJesus or Hermida, not the other two.

Todd (MPLS)

Tejada or Rollins for the second half? I own Tejada and am thinking of trying to acquire Rollins. Your thoughts?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:23 PM)

No question, I like Rollins more...but you'll have to give up more than Tejada to get him, I'm sure.

Steve(Ma)

Keith, today I heard Street might get traded. If so will he close elswhere and also who do you see next in line for saves with the A's if he is? Thanks

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:26 PM)

Yes, I've heard his name thrown about, too. I would think only a team seeking a closer would deal for him, but you never know. And while Santiago Casilla hasn't been too sharp since returning from the DL, I think he would be a solid candidate, but remember Alan Embree did the job while Street was out last season, so he'd have to be considered an option as well.

Rob (Miami)

Your thoughts on SP Kuroda for the second half of the season? whip and era?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:29 PM)

I think we're seeing the Kuroda many expected to see overall. He'll get hit around occasionally, but should be pretty steady overall. I think his ERA may be closer to 4 the rest of the way and the WHIP may jump a tad, too. Let's say closer to 1.30, which is still passable. But don't expect anymore 11-K games like against the Cubbies.

Tim (Chicago, IL)

This morning, Karabell said he expects a big second half from Clay Buchholz, better even than Joba Chamberlain. Agree?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:31 PM)

I'm not willing to say he'll be better than Joba, but I do think they'll both have solid second halves. I'd still rank Joba ahead of Buchholz, although slightly.

Fred (Albany)

With all the rumors of closers getting traded, many new closers will come about. Should we be de-valuing current guys with the likely influx of available closers? Would sending Lyon out for a solid SP like Ervin Santana be wise? Thanks.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:33 PM)

If I can land a strong SP in exchange for a strong RP in a deal, I'm usually willing to do so, knowing that saves always come into the league somehow. It's a lot more unlikely that an SP will come out of nowhere to have a major impact like someone who suddenly becomes a closer can, in my mind.

Jay (Rye Brook, NY)

Hi Keith, points league question, please. I want to pick up Buchholz but am worried he won't pitch again until Tuesday after the all star break and I don't want to have an non productive spot that long, will the bosox do that to him or will they stay in rotation?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:35 PM)

Well, every year there is someone (or 2) in each rotation that doesn't pitch in the short week after the All-Star game. So, if you really want Buchholz, you'll have to grab him and deal with it. Because I'm sure someone else will grab him and "take the hit" for one short week in a head-to-head format.

louis lipps - pittsburgh

what up keith? i am back---bay or mclouth? ianetta or bengie molina?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:40 PM)

Tough call on those, Louie! It's amazing how similar Bay and McLouth's numbers are, and maybe I'm just a McLouth fan, but I'm going with him over Bay the rest of the way, although obviously history would say otherwise. And with the catchers, I'm going with history and playing it safe and sticking with Molina, although Iannetta is really showing what many thought he would last season.

Brad (Nashville)

Most saves for the rest of the year: Marte, Gonzalez, Kobayashi, or Corpas?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:41 PM)

Out of those four, I think I'd go with Marte. He's got the job and has less competition for the gig the rest of the way than the others, really.

Jake (VA Beach)

Tatis just homered again, GRAB him - haha. Should we think about selling high on Justin D?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:45 PM)

I think you should trade The Duke for Tatis right now! haha Seriously, I think it's obvious Duchscherer's value can't be any higher than it is now. Yes, he'll come back to the pack some, but I'm not surprised he's pitching this well. He's a very good pitcher. My biggest concern with him is that he's never been asked to throw this many innings at the big league level. And it's been 5 years since he's been asked to throw even 150 innings in a season. If you can get something you like back, it might be worth it, but I think I'm just going to hang onto him and see how far he can go with this (unless I get blown away with an offer, of course).

Michael (Tucson, AZ):

Keith! I certainly missed you last week - no one else to chat fantasy hoops with. What do you think of Kevin Durant this year? Is he a surefire keeper in a league where 56 players are kept? Do you like him, Bynum, or Turkoglu in a vacuum?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:48 PM)

I really do like Durant to make a jump this season, and even though I didn't rank him all that high in our initial rankings, those will change greatly by the time we do them against later this summer. They were done before free agency and there was some guesswork when I did them. I'd rather have Durant than the other two in a keeper format, to answer your question, but they are all in a similar tier for this season, I would agree.

Brett (MO)

Is Alexei Ramirez a top ten 2B in the second half?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:52 PM)

Off the top of my head, I'd say he might wind up just on the outside of the top 10 ... no question Uggla, Kinsler, Utley, Phillips, Pedroia, K. Johnson and a 2B-eligible like Upton are better. I know I'm forgetting a couple more, so I'd say he's just outside the top 10.

Joe (Sacramento)

Hey Keith, many experts forecasted David Wright would be the fantasy MVP. Do you think it's still possible?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:54 PM)

Of course it's possible. Remember how ridiculous Wright's second half numbers were last year ... something like .364-15-55-15, if I remember right. I'm sure he'll be just fine the rest of the way.

Ron (NYC)

Is Haren a top-10 SP? Better option than Dice-K?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:56 PM)

I really like Haren, because of his consistency. It's really nice to know what you're getting from your starters. Yes, I know the D'backs aren't hitting, but wins are a crapshoot for the most part anyway, so if you can count on a quality start almost every time out, it's hard to beat that. I definitely like him better than Dice-K.

Nick (Sioux Falls)

What do you think about trading mo. rivera for uggla? need homers, have four other closers?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:59 PM)

Well, you've got to give up something to get something and both players are having great seasons. If you've got a major strength in saves and don't need Mo, then it sounds like it works out for you. I expect Uggla to slow down, but he's a nice power-hitting 2B and should be able to help you in that category. Throw Mo's name out in your league and see what pop other owners are willing to part with.

Brad (LR)

Your call on trading for Izzy a while back kinda hurt me but I'm asking this anyway.... C.Headley or A. LaRoche manning your CI in an OBP? My seemingly endless patience with Harang has come to its end. Replace him with Kuroda, Baker, or Slowey from here on?

Keith Lipscomb

  (4:05 PM)

Yeah, you never know how badly someone is hurt and I didn't have a good read on Izzy. Sorry my advice hurt you, Brad. It's obvious that Headley's OBP is going to be close to his BA, so LaRoche is a better option in that category. And even if he winds up with slightly fewer HRs and RBIs, the 50-point difference in OBP will be greater. I'd have to go with LaRoche there. And as far as replacing Harang, it's between Baker and Kuroda for me. Kuroda's more likely to go deep into games, but Baker's K/9 will be more friendly.

Jeff (Chicago, IL)

Hey Keith, was offered ManRam and Peavy for Holliday, Cueto, and B. Wilson in a 5x5 non-keeper. Your thoughts?

Keith Lipscomb

  (4:08 PM)

You're giving up the best player in Holliday, but I'm not convinced Cueto will come off the roller coaster ride anytime soon. If you can afford to give up the saves Wilson is providing, it's not a bad deal. Peavy's a nice upgrade on the mound and Manny will continue to do what he does, just with a lower BA than Holliday.

Mitch ( NY)

SO u like kuroda better then Slowey?

Keith Lipscomb

  (4:10 PM)

It's a close threesome of options, but yes I do ... and the reason is that I feel Slowey's opposition on the whole hasn't been as tough as Kuroda's, and that's just my feel from watching them pitch this season. It's very close, so maybe you see things very different, which is why it's fun to chat sports.

Keith Lipscomb

  (4:11 PM)

I like Slowey more long-term, but not necessarily for the rest of the season.

Keith Lipscomb

  (4:11 PM)

All right. I have to get back to work, but thank you for the questions. We'll do it again next Thursday! See you then.