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Jason Grey

  (2:59 PM)

Hey everyone, hope all is well - a lot of questions, so I'll try to get to as many as I can.

mike (redondo beach , CA)

Seriously.. What is up with Francisco Liriano? When can we expect him back and how effective do you see him being the rest of the season?

Jason Grey

  (3:02 PM)

I like him if he's back up in the rotation and not the bullpen, as the Twins have mentioned. Yes, there's supposedly no room, but Livan isnt setting the world on fire. This supposed grievance talked about by his agent may have the opposite effect, but he has 0.50 ERA in his last five starts. He's ready to return, but we'll have to see the role.

Michael (Hyde Park, NY)

How many hrs will Troy Glaus finish this season with? More power from him or Chris Davis from here on out?

Jason Grey

  (3:02 PM)

My guess is Glaus finishes with about 25 or so, and that strictly in terms of homers, Davis has more for the balance of the season.

Owen (NYC)

Hey Jason. Top 5 guys for saves in the second half who are not currently closers. Thanks!

Jason Grey

  (3:04 PM)

Cheating slightly...Putz, Corpas, Isringhausen, Jim Johnson, maybe Tyler Yates (if Marte is traded - Capps isn't due to return until end of August barring some setbacks, so that could give Yates some save chances for a month, but a lot has to break right) - that's off the top of my head...

Matt (Manchester, CT)

Who's looking like the better keeper, Kinsler or Holliday? Also, is Cole Hamels worthy of keeper status in a league that only allows you to keep one pitcher max?

Jason Grey

  (3:05 PM)

Kinsler, more valuable now, especially based on the replacement level at the position, and a Holliday trade this year or next year blunts his value. Kinsler is either the first or second most valuable player in fanatsy right now, depending on if you play 10 or 12 team mixed.

Jason Grey

  (3:05 PM)

Oh, and I wouldn't have an issue with Hamels.

Matt (Manchester, CT)

What can we realistically expect from Ryan Zimmerman for the rest of the season?

Jason Grey

  (3:05 PM)

.280-285 with maybe 6-10 homers. shoulder injuries can be tricky, but I am optimistic.

Adam (Wausau,WI)

Why is Carlos Gomez not stealing bases like he was the first month of the season?

Jason Grey

  (3:07 PM)

Well, he's not getting on base as much. He's still going a third of the time he's on first base, he's just not getting as many opportunities to be on first. He's walking less, striking out more and his BA continues to drop. You can't steal first base. He's running when he does get there.

Brian (Chicago, IL)

Would you trade Jimmy Rollins for Miguel Tejada and Felix Hernandez?

Jason Grey

  (3:09 PM)

Unless I really needed Rollins steals, yeah I'd probably do that. How much are those bags worth to you? By the way, did you know that Rollins is 25-for-25 on the basepaths this season?

Lance (Chicago)

WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH BUCHHOLZ?!?!?!

Jason Grey

  (3:10 PM)

A little mental thing going on right now more than anything. Too much nibbling, not enough relying on his stuff. I'm hanging in there, and I think we'll get good results over the final couple of months.

Barry Zito(San Francisco CA)

Am I worth a start this week or should I be benched?

Jason Grey

  (3:11 PM)

I don't even want you on my roster - - not even in NL only leagues.

Alex(Chicago)

Jhonny Peralta-flash in the pan month or finally doing what was once thought he would do?

Jason Grey

  (3:12 PM)

He's never going to be a high OBP guy, but he's a legit .270 hitter with 20+ homer power. He's done that twice before in his career and will do it again this season.

Rebecca (RI)

Are your Zimmerman 2nd half projections worth dropping Alex Gordon for?

Jason Grey

  (3:13 PM)

Zim should be slightly better, though it's really six of one, half a dozen of the other. Zim's bating average advantage is slightly ahead of the few extra steals Gordon will put up. Probably comes down to personal preference, and how much you need BA help.

rick (ny)

Hey Jason, what's up with Posada? Will he come around, or is the shoulder starting to affect his bat too?

Jason Grey

  (3:14 PM)

With 36 year old catchers with a lot of miles on them, I tend to err on the pessimistic side.

David (Leon, W. Va.)

Sounds funny, but Oswalt or S. Baker the rest of the way?

Jason Grey

  (3:16 PM)

Not funny at all - Baker, who has been absolutely stellar since returning from his injury. I actually just overpaid for him in an AL league because I needed SP badly.

Lance (Chicago)

How about Kuroda? Was his last outing just a bump in the road? Also would it be worth it to drop him and pick up David Price right now? Or is Price worth dropping anyone and everyone right now?

Jason Grey

  (3:18 PM)

Although I love Price, have Cueto/Kershaw/Scherzer taught us anything this year? It's also possible Price has a bullpen role. Kuroda is what he is. When his splitter is finding the strike zone and breaking well, he's on. When it's not, he isn't, and it varies from start to start. I probably still hang on to Kuroda for now.

Sam (Cleveland, OH)

Karabell was very high on Velez today in his blog. Would you drop Rickie Weeks for him?

Jason Grey

  (3:19 PM)

I like Velez as well, but he's trying to at least become Rickie Weeks, so I'm not dropping the actual article for him.

Chris (Madison, WI)

Can you give me a list of speculative closer grabs before the trade dealine? I have Franklin, Rauch and Marte and am thinkin I might need to keep my eyes open ;)

Jason Grey

  (3:20 PM)

Like I said before, if George Sherrill is traded, Jim Johnson likely gets a look in Baltimore. Marte is heavily on the market, and Yates is bad, but the rest of the bullpen is equally bad. If Corpas is out there, he's likely slotting back in now if Fuentes is dealt.

Steve

Is Brett Myers worth a pick up?

Jason Grey

  (3:21 PM)

I'm being cautious and avoiding him in mixed leagues for the moment.

Erik Bedard (Sea)

Do I provide my own with any value the rest of this season or just headaches?

Jason Grey

  (3:22 PM)

The latter. The over/under for amount of starts he will make over the balance of the season may be six.

Jon (San Diego)

James Quintong's excellent "Oldies But Goodies" column did not mention Mike Mussina. Are you high on Moose? Strat him against the Twins?

Jason Grey

  (3:23 PM)

JQ does fine work. Remember that deal I just mentioned when I overpaid for Baker, Mussina was involved in that overpayment, and I was the one getting him back. Sooner or later you have to see if the guy is going to keep getting it done. Ill be writing about this on Saturday, how sometimes vastly overpaying to get what you need is sometimes the right move.

Evan (New York)

Who would you start tonight: Nick Blackburn or Chris Volstad?

Jason Grey

  (3:25 PM)

I might prefer Volstad based on the matchup, though I like Blackburn better for the balance of the second half.

JAmes (Richmond Virginia)

Do you see Matt Joyce of the tigers getting much playing time over sheff and thames?

Jason Grey

  (3:26 PM)

Probably not, though there is the chance he's on the good side of a platoon split with Thames. He's also reportedly being offered around in trade as well.

Jon (San Diego)

Sorry, I'm not clear on your answer on Mussina? You ARE high on him?

Jason Grey

  (3:28 PM)

Yeah, I kind of butchered the wording on that one. I just did a deal where I vastly overpaid for starting pitching and I got Baker and Mussina back. (my other choices over Mussina were Laffey or Litsch so it wasn'a tough call). I wouldn't say I'm exactly high on him, but I did actively seek to acquire him when I was desperate, for what that's worth. I realize I probably made the waters even a little more murkier.

Chris (Boston)

What's the deal with Yunel Escobar? How long should I wait on him? Do you think he is a valuable SS for the 2nd half?

Jason Grey

  (3:29 PM)

Given the uncertainty of the depth of the shortstop pool, he can provide some value. He finally started taking BP again and looks to return this week, so that's a good sign.

john (philly)

Is BJ Upton going snap out of this funk or what?

Jason Grey

  (3:31 PM)

Been a rough month, will get better, and at least he's still stealing bases

Eric (Philly, PA)

Cahill, Braden or Gonzalez with more value this year in fantasy?

Jason Grey

  (3:32 PM)

Braden, only because I really don't see either of those guys in the bigs this season barring more injuries - maybe Gio in Sept. - and Braden may not have much value at all, even in AL leagues

Steve(Boston)

5x5 league with OPS. HARDY, TULO, or TRACY rest of the way? Thanks

Jason Grey

  (3:33 PM)

Hardy

Sean (Killingworth, CT)

Jason. Can you explain the Nelson Cruz situation in Texas. Will he get a callup for Byrd/Boggs? Is he a tradeable commodity now? Or will he just have to settle on being the MVP of all minor league baseball?

Jason Grey

  (3:35 PM)

I think the team would like to move an OF at the deadline, preferably Byrd, and that might open up a spot. Cruz has gotten this reputation now as a AAAA hitter after failing in his short big league stints, and that's sometimes a tough perception to overcome. He certainly would appear to deserve a look. I don't see him as being a tradeable commodity, but it's possible.

Scott (White Plains, NY)

Jason, what do your scouting instincts say about Verlander: Buy or sell?

Jason Grey

  (3:36 PM)

I've been saying buy since the beginning of May.

Joe (MA)

with the new bush/mcclung arrangement, does bush pitch out of the bullpen at all, and do you think he keeps pitching well at home or do you see this throwing him off rhythm? also, two starts for josh johnson now - what do you think? how would u rank those two guys plus guthrie?

Jason Grey

  (3:38 PM)

Staying away from both Brewers pitchers in this arrangement. I like Johnson better than all of them at this point, though it's close with him and Guthrie,I prefer JJ's upside.

Steve

Izzy now has no chance of getting the closer job back. Am I right?

Jason Grey

  (3:41 PM)

I wouldn't rule it out at some point based on one outing. I think in an ideal world, LaRussa wants him back in that role if he can do it.

Will (St. Louis)

Lyon, Fuentes, or Marte: Who is not going to be a closer sometime soon?

Jason Grey

  (3:42 PM)

Marte...heavily sought after in a trade and even if he isn't traded - Capps will be back in a month. Marte is more coveted by Fuentes than some teams. I think Lyon is fairly safe. He was really good for a really long stretch before this weekend bump in the road.

JH(VT)

I'll give this one more try... Renteria doesn't seem to be turning the corner. Drop him or Jose Guillen for Tulo, Aviles, Hairston Jr., Garciaparra, Scutaro, Miles, Aybar? Please help I really need the advice.

Jason Grey

  (3:43 PM)

I'd take a chance on Tulo over Edgar for the balance of the season.

aaron(chicago)

What's up with Rollins? Will he pick it up and return to his old self?

Jason Grey

  (3:44 PM)

Sure the hr are down a bit but the SB are up. Rollins is someone you shouldn't have any worries about.

lyle (jacksonville)

Evan Longoria: sell high?

Jason Grey

  (3:44 PM)

No.

Mike (San Diego)

What do you think of Joba in a long term keeper league? Will he ever be a top 5 starting pitcher?

Jason Grey

  (3:45 PM)

He has the ability to be if his health holds up. He'd be a prime pitching candidate for a dynasty league.

Tim (Los Angeles)

Josh Johnson, buying or passing?

Jason Grey

  (3:46 PM)

I love to take a chance on upside, and JJ's stuff was legit pre-surgery, so if you can afford to take the risk, I would in a mixed league. Command might still be a bit iffy in terms of consistency, though.

Steve (MA via East Hartford)

Any reason that Danks stunk on Sunday or was it just a random bad game?

Jason Grey

  (3:46 PM)

Just a random bad game as far as I'm concerned. I don't think it was anything to worry about. Some days you just don't have it.

Jay (LA)

Hey, Jason...help a brother out on his lunch break...With Kerry Wood going to the DL (doesn't that sound familiar)...which DL'r do I cut...Bedard, Wainwright or Carpenter...or better yet, should I cut them all?

Jason Grey

  (3:47 PM)

I really am having trouble seeing big fantasy value for Carp over the balance of the season. Maybe for 09

Buck nasty (Chi-Town)

Jayson, I know what you are talking about with the "overpaying" thing. I gave up C-Jax and Victorino for Carlos Pena cause i didn't need the steals. Think you could project Pena's totals for the rest of the year?

Jason Grey

  (3:48 PM)

.260-12-40? That might be a touch high, though.

Jarrett (Flemington, NJ)

Thoughts on the rumors of Tex going to BOS for Youk, Masterson and a B-level prospect? Would his fantasy value go up in a move to the AL mid-year?

Jason Grey

  (3:49 PM)

I think it's just that, rumors. Just because the Braves ask for something doesn't mean Boston is remotely likely to accept. There are some talent evaluators that think Boston wouldn't deal Youk for Tex straight up.

Jason Grey

  (3:50 PM)

...given the contracts, relative production, defense, etc.

tim ,nyc

Iannetta or Clement rest of the season?

Jason Grey

  (3:50 PM)

Excellent question. Iannetta, but it's close.

Ace

Jason please give me some insight on Marcums return from the DL and if I should drop Greinke to pick him up??? Thank you

Jason Grey

  (3:53 PM)

Word is the elbow is in good shape, but I think it's enough of a factor to probably hang on to Greinke. Their production should be fairly similar for the balance of the year, but Greinke might be the safer bet.

Clayton Richard (Chicago)

Hey I just got called up to pitch againt the Rangers tomorrow night! How do you think I'll do for the rest of the 08 season?

Jason Grey

  (3:55 PM)

Never really been a fan of you as a prospect....you did pick up a slider this season, but I don't think as a sinkerballer you have enough stuff to merit a look right now.

Trade Help

Urgent!!!! Should i trade B. Phillips for Pujols, I have Cano as a replacement. It is a H2H league.

Jason Grey

  (3:55 PM)

I would.

Clement (Bummsville)

I strike out so much, and Ive been overmatched and cant hit lefties

Jason Grey

  (3:57 PM)

Yes, how silly of me. 35 games is enough to base a complete evaluation on. Never mind the minor league performance, the fact that a catcher with 25-30 homer potential is a very valuable commodity, and the fact you destroyed left-handed pitching last season. Let's just dismiss you already.

Jordan (Lexington KY)

Do you think Homer Bailey is going to be a blown prospect if he already isn't?

Jason Grey

  (3:59 PM)

I think Dana Eveland, Gavin Floyd, John Danks, and Edinson Volquez have all shown us this season not to be too quick to give up on top pitching prospects in their early 20's. I do think Bailey does need a change of scenery, though. I don't think Floyd would have done what he has done in Philly, for example.

Jason Grey

  (4:01 PM)

Time for 3 more...as usual I have 1500 in the queue, so if I didn't get to yours, it's just because I don't like you and hold a grudge against you and everything you stand for.... I try to get to as many as I can that have general appeal.

Jason Grey

  (4:03 PM)

A lot of Bourn questions....yeah, he's probably droppable in most 10-team leagues, but the guy replacing him is Darin Erstad - doesn't instill me with a lot of confidence. I'd stash him on reserve if I could.

Michael Bourn (the bench)

I just dropped me for Jhonny Peralta. Good call?

Jason Grey

  (4:03 PM)

For example, this is something I would do.

Justin Duchscherer (Oak)

How do i finish the season?

Jason Grey

  (4:04 PM)

ERA will be in the low-threes, which still gives you value down the stretch. I trust you a lot more than I trust Joe Saunders.

Taylor Teagarden

Am I going to be playing everday?

Jason Grey

  (4:05 PM)

Nope, you're going back down shortly. You were just a short-term fill-in while other guys were banged up. Long-term you're going to be a solid offensive catcher. I think you're back down in time to head off with the Olympic team. Thanks everyone, I'll be back on Wednesday, same time.