Jason Grey

  (3:00 PM)

Hey everyone.....still gathering speed after driving from New York back to Bristol early this morning for the podcast (filled in for Berry), so likely typing slower than usual - lots of questions, let's get right to it...

aaron(chicago)

Why aren't your rankings included in the latest edition? Can you post them?

Jason Grey

  (3:01 PM)

An email snafu, I'll probably be writing about some of my observations/thoughts for my column on Saturday.

sparks( san marcos, tx)

what are your thoughts on Prince? should i deal him or stick with him?

Jason Grey

  (3:04 PM)

I am sticking with him. I think he's in line for a good second half.

Jackie T (Malibu, CA)

How many saves for Izzy going forward?

Jason Grey

  (3:07 PM)

There are rumbling he may get a chance at some save situations going forward, but if the over/under is 10, I'm pretty sure I take the under.

Fred (East Lansing)

Jason, I see that Adam Jones has been rated in the mid-200's in the Top 340 list. Don't you think he is being under-ranked in light of his consitently upgrading his offensive performance and beign moved into the #2 hole in a lineup that is producing runs? Also, do you see Carlos Gonzalez as a viable ML candidate in the 2nd half? Thanks.

Jason Grey

  (3:08 PM)

He hit something like .323 last month and .341 this month, and more power and speed are coming. I would probably answer yes to both questions.

Cheng (RI)

Is Saito done for the year? If so, how long of a leash is Broxton on?

Jason Grey

  (3:10 PM)

Pretty close - Six weeks at a minimum before re-evaluation which puts us into Sept. Broxton gets a very long leash but will do a fine job. A lot of his numbers were driven by a couple of poor outings if I recall correctly, including one in which he was very unlucky.

Tito (Boston)

Thoughts on Clay Buckholz for the rest of the year?

Jason Grey

  (3:12 PM)

If I was picking one pitcher with a five-plus ERA to turn it around in a big way in the second half, Buchholz is the guy.

Mikey (Orlando)

David Price...when does he get called up and what fantasy impact does he have? Tristan was ripping him this morning...

Jason Grey

  (3:14 PM)

The next edition of Fantasy Focus video (second half preview, not first half recap show) has me and Keith Law talking about that very issue and discussing all sides. Should be out later today or tomorrow morning at latest...

Jason

Both Chris Youngs....what do you expect from them for the rest of the season?

Jason Grey

  (3:16 PM)

Pitcher: He wasn't that great before the injury and I don't expect him to take big leaps forward now. We still don't know of any psychological impact, does it alter his delivery at all, does he fly open more? 4.50 ERA and some K's is best we can hope for. Hitter: He had a great second half last year, for those of you that buy into those type of things, and could hit .250 with 10 homers and 5 steals. The way he's swinging it's not wise to expect more than that.

Jason Grey

  (3:17 PM)

Lots of Tulo questions: I'm a believer for the last two months or so of the season. I believe he salvages things a bit. Too good a hitter not to.

Tarr (Orlando)

Do you believe in Josh Hamilton as a fantasy stud?

Jason Grey

  (3:19 PM)

Are we still questioning this? I think I had him #2 in my last rankings (and Kinsler #7 by the way), before this last set, because sometimes the fast starters are just legit. Is Josh going to drive in 90 runs in the second half? No, but he'll be just fine.

Ryan (texas)

Who is the long term catcher in Texas? Max or Salty? Thanks!!

Jason Grey

  (3:20 PM)

You could go with "neither" and say Taylor Teagarden, who will hit and is far better defensively than both of them.

Dave(Frisco)

Hey Grey! When Putz went down a second time this year I dropped him for Marte. While Putz was out, I heard rumors that Putz might not even get his closing gig back for awhile upon his return. Reviewing the new rankings, Putz is ranked higher than Marte. I'm a bit curious how that could be. Is there a general concern that Marte will be traded? Should I drop Marte and pick Putz back up? Izzy is out there as well but I figure he would be the third option in this group. Would you help me sort this out? Thanks.

Jason Grey

  (3:22 PM)

A lot of different dynamics here....Marte is indeed heavily on the trade block, and he won't close if he gets dealt. Putz may or may not get his job back, but it's reasonable to assume he could. Instead of trying to play the trade speculation game, I stick with Marte and get saves in the short-term and worry about adjusting on the fly later.

david (seattle)

would you trade saunders for ankiel if you needed hitters? or should i am for someone better?

Jason Grey

  (3:25 PM)

I would... All the indicators seem to point to Saunders coming back to Earth in a big way in the second half.

Ryan Church

Am I worth owning this year?

Jason Grey

  (3:26 PM)

I'd rather have someone that could be relied upon to play instead of being such a question mark.

Art (Charlotte, NC)

Manuel Corpas -- do you see him getting saves in Colorado? He's on the wire and I need saves badly. Any other closers potentialyl changing soon?

Jason Grey

  (3:27 PM)

I think if Fuentes does get dealt, which seems reasonably likely, Corpas has vaulted himself back into the role with his recent performance.

Chuck (Hershey, PA)

Jason, have you heard anything on the status of Escobar? He was to have a MRI on Monday.

Jason Grey

  (3:28 PM)

Inflamed rotator cuff, expected back shortly.

Alan (memphis)

The new rankings have Clay Buchholz ranked 55th among pitchers and 228th overall. i was expecting a little higher with all the hype about him rejoining the red sox. your thoughts on trading Bobby Abreu for Buchholz in a 20 team keeper league?

Jason Grey

  (3:29 PM)

No brainer for me in a keeper league.....and Buchholz's inconsistency is probably depressing his ranking value.

Jason (Mclean)

If Marte gets traded, who will be the new closer in Pittsburgh?

Jason Grey

  (3:31 PM)

Hmmm...Tyler Yates for a month until Capps comes back in Sept? Denny Bautista has that kind of stuff but can't throw strikes. The options are not appealing.

Jim (MO)

Are rookies-of-the-moment like Bruce and Headley better bets than middlin' guys like La Roche and Tracy?

Jason Grey

  (3:33 PM)

Good question, because it goes to the question of philosophy. I always want to give myself a chance to get lucky so when in doubt I choose the guy with the best upside as opposed to the safer play. That's just my personal preference. Sometimes it also works out that if the upside play doesn't pan out, the safer bet is still in the free agent pool.

Jonathan Broxton (LA, CA)

Would you take me for saves and ratios over guys like Hoffman, Fuentes, Gonzalez, Kobayashi and Wheeler?

Jason Grey

  (3:33 PM)

Yes.

Brian (Clearwater)

If you were the Rays, what players do you target on the trade market? Jason Bay? RP?

Jason Grey

  (3:35 PM)

I think they might go after an OF, simply because all the other teams are driving up the price of RP, and they have enough pitching that they could seek the bullpen help from within their own system.

Ricky (Houston)

Do you see Zimmerman having a significant impact on the second half? So far in AA 3 for 9, 2 2B, 2R.

Jason Grey

  (3:36 PM)

I think he'll be solid, but not spectacular - solid enough to be active in 12-team mixed.

Red (Fraggle Rock, CA)

Alex Gordon have a good second half?

Jason Grey

  (3:38 PM)

.250 , 7-8 homers, 4-5 steals - maybe more if we get lucky. He's opened up his swing a bit so the pop could be a tad higher.

barry (boston)

Will Arroyo turn it around in the 2nd half or will we get more of the same going forward? Would you rather have Arroyo, Gallagher, or D.Cabrera?

Jason Grey

  (3:39 PM)

Call me crazy...go ahead, I'll wait...but i'll take Gallagher....I really don't feel strongly about Arroyo either way, which I guess answers the question.

Bryan (Oxford, OH)

Thoughts on Asdrubal Cabrera's fantasy value? He is raking in AAA.

Jason Grey

  (3:41 PM)

Still don't see much for this year, even if he does supplant Carroll again or Blake gets traded...mild sleeper for '09...don't see pop or speed in the big leagues right now.

Scott, Groton CT

Jason, you're crazy..... like a fox lovin' gallagher in oakland for his first time through the league

Jason Grey

  (3:43 PM)

Good stuff, 55 on the scouting scale overall (future 3rd starter), good park, good defense, some unfamiliarity as you alluded to...a lot to like

Kevin (CT)

This guy from CT never gets answered just that other guy. Xavier Nady straight up for Ellsbury?

Jason Grey

  (3:44 PM)

I'm assuming you need steals in some fashion to go after Ellsbury, so yes.

david (oakland, ca)

Buzzer beater: rank em: Jacobs, Werth, Lind, Thames...?

Jason Grey

  (3:46 PM)

werth, jacobs, lind, thames...we're buzzer beating already with 15 minutes to go? Bad form.

Zach (PA)

Who do you like more: Carlos Gonzalez or Andrew McCutcheon?

Jason Grey

  (3:48 PM)

If I have to bet on one it's probably McCutchen - more upside. I've started to come around on his power potential.

Michael (Tucson, AZ):

Jason, been waiting all week to ask you this. Who do you like more long term, Chase Headley or Kevin Kouzmanoff? Number one reason for your choice (upside, position, steady, etc.)?

Jason Grey

  (3:49 PM)

Headley - bottom line is he can consistently hit .300 with 20 homers in the big leagues, which is slightly better than Kouz because of the average.

Bryan (Columbus, OH)

I know we've already seen a number of questions regarding Sean Gallagher, but I haven't yet been able to guage his value from them. Would you want him over Oliver Perez?

Jason Grey

  (3:51 PM)

Yes, I think he can outproduce Perez for the balance of the season.

Marc (IN)

Which of the A's young hitters is the most viable fantasy producer the rest of the season?

Jason Grey

  (3:51 PM)

Carlos Gonzalez

Jake (NYC)

Your top 5 prospects for 2009 please?

Jason Grey

  (3:53 PM)

As of now: Wieters, Price, Rasmus, Snider, Gamel.

Stickie (LA)

After Joba Chamberlain's so-so debut as a starter, should his owners anticipate a MUCH better second half?

Jason Grey

  (3:56 PM)

Let's ixnay on the oso-say....Chamberlain's eight starts: Good: 46 K's in 41 innings, 2.81 ERA... Bad: 1.4 WHIP, just one win...ok, maybe pseudo so-so...say that fast....yeah, I'm on the Joba 2nd half bandwagon.

Jim (Minneapolis)

Hi Jason, What do you expect from DAN HAREN for the rest of the year? 2nd half regression, or wicked-awesome stud?

Jason Grey

  (3:58 PM)

I know he had a rougher 2nd half last year, and there will be a little regression but still pretty close to wicked awesome, maybe wicked very good.

Jason Grey

  (3:59 PM)

Time for three more..I always appreciate the interest and all the questions, will try to be back to more of my usual rapid-fire self next week....

James (Detroit)

I need steals. I'm thinking about offering Cano and a closer for BJ Upton. Am I giving up too much?

Jason Grey

  (4:00 PM)

Depending on the closer, no.

mike ( wash )

Chris Carpenter have any value?

Jason Grey

  (4:00 PM)

no.

Alexei Ramirez (chicago)

Please talk about me

Jason Grey

  (4:01 PM)

I've been on your bandwagon since your first spring training game, and I own in you in multiple 12-team mixed leagues and don't plan on cutting you.

Ari (Miami)

Should I quit asking - Will Anibal Sanchez be helpful to fantasy teams come end of July?

Jason Grey

  (4:02 PM)

I don't see it in mixed leagues right now, short-term my preference is Josh Johnson if I had to pick one...different injuries, different recoveries. Thanks everyone, see you next week.