Buzzmaster

  (2:50 PM)

James will be by at the top of the hour to take your fantasy questions!

James Quintong

  (3:08 PM)

Hey everyone. Sorry for starting off a little late here. We've got lots of baseball questions here, and I'll definitely touch on some football stuff as well.

Jason (OKC)

I saw that J. Broxton was ranked in the 280s in the second half rankings with some of the experts ranking him as high as 110 while several leaving him unranked altogether. Is this a case in which some were turned in before/after the Saito news? Where do you think he fits?

James Quintong

  (3:10 PM)

Yes, part of it was the uncertainty surrounding Saito's status when things were turned in. However, it's still a bit uncertain what he will do as the full-time closer in the next few weeks because he hasn't needed to be the guy for long stretches of time just yet. He does have the stuff, and guys like Ryan Franklin show you don't necessarily need to have the closing experience right away to rack up saves.

G.M. (Montreal)

Is Joe Blanton worth adding in an NL-only league?

James Quintong

  (3:11 PM)

In an NL-only league, sure. He's a decent enough pitcher to get a handful of wins with that offense in front of him in Philly. The ballpark does concern me a bit, though, but he's useful enough, especially in NL-only leagues where it's tough to find quality players off the wire.

Mr. Barry Lamar (LA)

Looks like Matsui's latest reports don't look so good...time to finally start packing my bags???

James Quintong

  (3:13 PM)

If you don't have room on your bench/DL, it probably could be time to shut down Hideki Matsui for the year. His injury woes could be one reason the Yankees took a flyer on Richie Sexson.

Jackie T (Malibu, CA)

Most saves from today forward: Izzy, Gagne, Morrow, Wheeler?

James Quintong

  (3:13 PM)

I still think it's Izzy, followed closely by Morrow.

Steve (ND)

Their numbers to date are similar, but going forward, should it be Kotchman or Votto? Thanks

James Quintong

  (3:14 PM)

I'm big on Votto, although mostly for the homers, especially in that ballpark. Runs and/or RBIs may not be as abundant in that lineup, surprisingly.

Pete (MN)

It looks like the Twins might make some moves to stay in contention. Do you think Liriano is worth picking up? Will he be a dominant starter for me?

James Quintong

  (3:15 PM)

Liriano is worth picking up, although I wonder how much the Twins will limit his innings as he continues to recover from Tommy John surgery. He could be dominant in stretches, then get shut down, or he could be dominant in a game, then leave after 5 innings.

John, Columbia

Start Buchholz tonight at LA?

James Quintong

  (3:16 PM)

Sure. I'm not terribly sold on the LA lineup. Worth a flyer.

JT (IL)

I'm having a tough time deciding between Nick Blackburn, Bretty Myers, and Sean Gallagher. I'm in last place so I'm looking for the most upside, which I'm thinking is either Gallagher or Myers...thoughts?

James Quintong

  (3:18 PM)

I like Gallagher slightly over Myers, although if you're in last place, either guy is worth a shot. There isn't a lot of risk, given your position, but the rewards would be great.

John (KC)

I'm in a 12 team keeper and I have the number one waiver. Who should I use it on during the September call ups? Mat Gamel, Matt LaPorta, David Price, and Andrew McCutcheon are all available. Also, should I save my waiver for one player in particular even if someone else is called up first? Thanks.

James Quintong

  (3:19 PM)

I think LaPorta and McCutcheon could produce the most down the stretch this year; however, LaPorta probably won't be up until after the Olympics. McCutcheon could come up if the Pirates deal an outfielder at the trade deadline.

Mike (IN)

James, I have Bedard and Wainwright in a non keeper and am wondering how much I'm going to get out of them this year...looks like Bedard's return was just pushed back and Wainwright just started long toss this week. There are guys like Harang (who might not be back for a while either), Parra, Liriano and Cueto available available as FA's. Do I make a move or sit tight? I need numbers now, but don't want to give up too much value to get them. Thanks

James Quintong

  (3:20 PM)

Parra would be worth picking up in the short-term, but not necessarily at the expense of either Bedard or Wainwright. Harang and Liriano are as much uncertainties with regards to their return as your current guys.

Karl (Chicago)

Does Volquez keep up this pace in the second half? Should I look to trade him now?

James Quintong

  (3:22 PM)

He's slowed down, relatively speaking, since his hot start, but he's still a decent pitcher going forward. I don't think he'll fall off too much, though, so you'd need to get a real ace (Santana, Peavy, etc.) or a really big bat to get the proper value in a trade.

Dan (San Jose)

Someone dropped Sonnanstine and Harang...either one worth the #1 waiver claim? Anyone else coming up who I should wait on (don't think so, but...)?

James Quintong

  (3:23 PM)

Unless you really want to wait on those rookies in the previous question. I like Harang, but his health is still a question mark. I don't think you'd be in bad shape with Sonnanstine.

Wesley(CT)

Hey James, in a keeper league, who has the higher value, Garza or Slowey? Who's better for this year and next year?

James Quintong

  (3:24 PM)

I like Garza a lot both now and in the future.

Mr. Barry Lamar (LA)

Thanks for your take on Matsui...question is, am "I" a better fit for your bench???....I might make left field "interesting", but that offense would be unstoppable...

James Quintong

  (3:26 PM)

Sure the offense would be better, and Johnny Damon, who should be back next week, would still be in left. Thus, as a DH, yeah, that's a lot better than Richie Sexson. But I guess there's way too much baggage to consider.

Travis (Boston)

Is Dontrelle Willis worth picking up in a keeper league? Even if I keep him as a bench player?

James Quintong

  (3:26 PM)

Umm no. For now, I'm hopping off the D-Train.

Fast Eddie (Ames, Iowa)

Rangers announced that Hank Blailock will return as a third baseman and Chris Davis stays at first. Any projected numbers for both guys the rest of the way? 10 hrs reasonable for Davis?

James Quintong

  (3:28 PM)

I can see Davis hitting another 10 homers, but with an average in the .220 range. Blalock isn't a great second-half guy, but he could hit about .270 with 6-7 homers.

john, nyc

What do you see from Fausto Carmona when he returns? Any sign of last year's great run?

James Quintong

  (3:29 PM)

I'm concerned about Carmona's ridiculously high WHIP. I don't think he'll walk as many people as he did before, so if he can solve that, then yeah, he can pick up a handful of wins with an ERA in the high 3's.

cheng (RI)

Is JD Drew a sell high? His first two months he hit 4 homeruns than came that 12 home run tear. Also, over/under for JD Drew hitting 20 homers the rest of the way.

James Quintong

  (3:31 PM)

I think it just took a while for Drew to find his groove. I like his potential for the rest of the season, but 20 homers the rest of the way is a bit much. Maybe another 10-12. He'll flirt with 30 homers, not 40.

Andrew (Phoenix, AZ)

Can you help settle an argument. I have a friend that feels that Jose Reyes is overrated. I argue that he may actually be underrated. Where do you land on Jose and his actual value versus his percieved value?

James Quintong

  (3:34 PM)

According to the ESPN.com Player Rater, Reyes is fifth overall, which is about right. He was awful early on, but as he was quietly putting up big stats while making a lot of noise taking umbrage with Keith Hernandez.

Justin (Boston)

I have both Upton's on my team. Would you start BJ or Justin the rest of the way (assuming Justin is healthy)?

James Quintong

  (3:35 PM)

BJ is the guy, whether or not Justin is healthy. Lots more steals, at the very least.

JOHN (IL)

Is Chris Carpenter worth picking up since he is returning soon?

James Quintong

  (3:36 PM)

I'm not sold on Carpenter this season as he comes back from injury. I'm on a wait-and-see attitude with him.

JASON GIAMBI (NY)

Am I going to lose playing time with Sexson coming in?

James Quintong

  (3:38 PM)

I don't see the 'Stache losing a lot of time, unless the Yankees are playing a really tough lefty. Sexson will take at-bats away from Wilson Betemit more.

Doug (bakersfield)

with Johan and Peavy not winning many games is it time to think about trading either of them

James Quintong

  (3:40 PM)

Wins are very fickle, so you can't get too caught up in that category with those guys. Johan actually had some run support issues early, but the Mets are turning things around. Depending on your place in the standings, I'd rather concentrate on dominating in three categories (ERA, WHIP, K's) then worrying about that fourth category. The wins will come around.

Joe (Baltimore)

Potential Closer Question. Since Zumaya came off the DL I've had him and Marmol taking up spots on my bench in a league that doesn't count holds. Who is better to hold on to in a dynasty league?

James Quintong

  (3:41 PM)

Despite the recent hiccups, I still like Marmol a lot now and in the future.

Lee (Philly)

Back to Blanton in an NL only (5x5, H2H) league. Would you use a #4 waiver priority to try to claim him if you had to drop either Myers, Pedro, Cueto, or S. Olsen?

James Quintong

  (3:43 PM)

I would drop Myers or Olsen (the K:BB rate scares me) for Blanton.

jobless (flint, mi)

Is chris ianetta finally the fantasy catcher that colorado had imagined?

James Quintong

  (3:45 PM)

I think so. He's finally getting his share of at-bats and playing well. I don't think he's going to be an elite at his position, but he's not going to be a major bust, like J.D. Closser or Jayhawk Owens.

can't read

I saw that "Potential Closer Question" and thought it read "Potential Carlos Quentin" and got my hopes up for nothing...

James Quintong

  (3:47 PM)

Ah well. For what it's worth, I think Quentin is for real and should keep up his stats in the second half.

Mike (IN)

Who produces more the second half? Giambi or Thome?

James Quintong

  (3:48 PM)

I think Giambi's resurgence is for real and like him over Thome.

Mark (Queen Creek)

What are your thoughts on Ankiel? Can he keep this up and have a really nice career change, or is the league going to catch up with him? Thanks.

James Quintong

  (3:51 PM)

I'm surprised Ankiel has kept the average at a reasonable level to go with the homers. That's why I think he'll be fine for the next couple of years.

Lenny (Columbia, MD)

Do you expect anything from Victor Martinez now? Drop Jeff Clement for him?

James Quintong

  (3:52 PM)

I'm way down on V-Mart the rest of the season. I'd hold on to Clement in this case. There's no rush to get V-Mart.

Rob (Miami)

Hello! Your thoughts on OF Kemp for the rest of the year? Will he continue to steal bases? Will he usually start even though Pierre and A.Jones will be back soon? Thank you.

James Quintong

  (3:53 PM)

Kemp should be fine the rest of the way, especially stealing bases. I don't think he's in danger of losing at-bats whenever Pierre returns. I might be more concerned about Ethier.

Ryan (Chicago)

If you are in first right now do you look to improve or are you looking to reduce risk?

James Quintong

  (3:55 PM)

It depends on your standing in certain categories. I'd try to keep improving in the counting categories to build out a further lead or to separate from the pack, but reducing risk would be worth it if there's a tight race in ERA or WHIP. I might not keep a high ERA/WHIP guy just to get more wins, for instance.

James Quintong

  (3:56 PM)

Taking a couple of football questions here for a moment.

Chris (Orlando)

Draft position dilemma...I pick #4 in a 12 team league and I'm sure my choice will come down between Brady and Addai (Peterson is a keeper)...WHO DO YOU PICK?

James Quintong

  (3:57 PM)

I probably lean toward Addai at 4. I'd be happier with Brady slightly later in the first round.

tony (chandler, az)

I have the 3rd pick in my fantasy football draft. Assuming LT and peterson go 1 and 2. Who should I pick w/ the 3rd pick??? Addai is a keeper and isn't an option by the way.

James Quintong

  (3:59 PM)

Depending on your league rules regarding points per reception, I'd go Brian Westbrook or Steven Jackson, with a very slight edge to Westbrook right now.

Andrew L (NYC)

We all know that Rookie WR's are not fantasy studs, and this year the crop seems especially bad (no 1st round WR's in the draft, remember?) Still, if you have to have one on your roster, who is it?

James Quintong

  (4:00 PM)

Ugh. I'd say no one, but if I had to have one, how about James Hardy with the Bills. He seems to be the guy consistently drafted late in a bunch of mock drafts I've done so far.

James (Findlay, OH)

Navarro or Ianetta the rest of the way?

James Quintong

  (4:01 PM)

I'll go with Iannetta the rest of the way, especially playing at Coors.

Patrick (Rye, NY)

Now that CC, Harden, Blanton are off the board, I think the next "big name" is Burnett. Any other less high profile names expected to be on the move that could help a team?

James Quintong

  (4:02 PM)

I can see Xavier Nady moving somewhere, which would then lead to Andrew McCutcheon coming up for the Pirates.

James Quintong

  (4:03 PM)

OK, I've got to wrap it up for today. Thanks for the questions and have a good weekend.