Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:10 PM)

Hi kids... Been a while. As always, all subjects answered. Let's get it on.

Ed (

Hi Matt, you da man! Please rank these SP'ers as far as your expectatations for the rest of 08: Harang, Oswalt, Bedard...

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:11 PM)

Yeesh. I'll say Oswalt, Bedard, Harang. But i'm not counting on any of them,

Joe (MA)

would you start slowey tonight? also, as a tulo owner, should i keep guzman around in case of frequent days off (daily league), or can i just cut him?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:12 PM)

No, bench Slowey at NYY.... and if you can keep both, do it. If not, I'd cut CG... it's mostly batting average, which in a daily, spot start type league will have a negligible effect

eric (pittsburgh)

Hey Matt! got an interesting one for you... which side you taking for the rest of the year... bengie molina and tulo or victor martinez and tejada?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:12 PM)

Gimme Benji and Tulo. Is V Mart even alive?

Tom (trumbull,CT)

Name game: Ian Stewart or Jarrod Saltalamacchia?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:13 PM)

Stewart

Matt, Leomister, MA

What will come of the fresh off the DL Rafael Soriano? Will Gonzales continue in the closer role until he starts to become shaky? Who's value is more long term?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:14 PM)

Gonzo is the guy you want

Keith (Birmingham, AL)

My friend Jarod keeps ribbing me about having Ryan Grant (he's my keeper from last year...free agent=10th round). Could you please inform him that Ryan Grant will average 150 yards, 2 TD a game?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:14 PM)

I will not, but I do think Grant has a big season and I personally have him as a top 10 RB. Do people still say "ribbing?" Are you and Jarrod friends in the '50's?

Jon (Chicago)

Urgent!!! I'm in a huge bind! I'm a Posada owner and there is really absolutely nobody on waivers to pick. R Hernandez,Snyder,Ianetta, all those guys are already owned. I just picked up Yadier Molina, but I'm thinking I might be better off leaving the position unoccupied. Your thoughts?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:15 PM)

Yadier is #10 on the player rater for the year at C, so yeah... Yadier

Nick (Greenwich, CT)

Hey TMR..FOOTBALL IS FINALLY HERE! How do u see the running game in Seattle turning out? Who will get the most carries?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:16 PM)

I hate the SEA running game. Julius is the guy you want but remember, Seahwaks had only 9 rushing TD last season... no better than a #3 RB

Richie (SF)

Name game: Bedard, Baker, Garza, Liriano?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:16 PM)

In order: Baker, Garza, Liriano, Bedard (because of the injury)

Mike (Nashville)

Bengie Molina has given me next to nothing for a while and my team is plummeting in HR's and RBI's. Would you drop Molina to pick up Ianetta if those two categories were all you wanted? I'm not too worried about BA.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:17 PM)

Yeah, I would. Ianetta's been terrific since the begining of June

Jason (Arizona)

What do you think about Kevin Smith getting the majority of carries for the Lions?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:18 PM)

I agrre that he will and think he will be a good #3 and a so so #2. Decent sleeper

Mike (Boston)

So you got a divorce because you wanted kids and she did not...shouldn't you guys have talked about that before hand?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:21 PM)

We did. We got together when I was 25 and she was 23. At that time, we were both like "yeah, we'll have kids someday..." cut to many years later and he career was going very well as was mine. I didn't want to be the guy to say you must quit your career and raise our kid and I wasn't going to do that... And neither of us wanted to have a nanny raise the kid. She wanted to travel and see the world for the next two-three years - tough with kids and I really didn't. There were other factors but that is the jist of the problem. No wrong or right answers - just different needs and wants and bad timing

Tripp (GA)

I started your boy Ubaldo this week instead of the recently KO's Greinke. Tell me I'm not crazy. Anne Hathaway forever...

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:21 PM)

Wish I could, brother... Ubaldo is at home... Thanks for the ANNE love however

tom (portland, or)

Who takes Wagner's saves and is he just day to day?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:22 PM)

He's just day to day. Don't sweat it. Probably Sanchez but I wouldn't bother

Lorf (Providence, RI)

What are your opinions of the spork? I look at it like the knuckleball, unique but capable of surpassing the normal utensils/pitches.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:22 PM)

Agree

harold (akron, oh)

Bedard or Wainwright for 08?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:23 PM)

Wainwright - he'll be back sooner

Ben (Charlotte via Columbus)

Is Marmol worth a pickup? Someone just dropped him.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:23 PM)

Yes

Brad, NJ

Hey MB, does the Shockey trade help or hurt Colston's value this year?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:24 PM)

Think it helps slightly... if it hurts anyone, it's Bush, as Brees now has another legit target for dump off passes under pressure. Colston will still be a stud #1 WR

Spencer (MA)

Berry!? On the video fantasy forward today 7/23/08 you were talking about Matt Joyce and how he is playing every day because "Mags" is on the DL? Mags had a day off yesterday and he's played in FOUR games since coming back OFF the DL July 17th? Explain please or you will lose credibility. For me at least....

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:26 PM)

Yeah, I misspoke and we didn't catch it until after the taping was over. I meant that he's been playing every day since getting the call WHEN mags went on the DL. My bad. The fact remains - Joyce can hit.

Ryan (NY)

3rd pick in my league, 2 qb ppr league. 1st year we are doing a keeper league, whos the pick, AP(if he's there) SJAX or Westbrook? Thanks, its killing me every day I switch

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:26 PM)

PPR? Westbrook and it's not close

Your 4th Grade English Teacher

Matthew, please address all the errors in the ESPN Fantasy Magazine, thank you.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:28 PM)

Well, I don't edit the magazine so I can't speak for those that do, but while a few typos are not ideal, people are human, mistakes happen, none of the typos effected the content or analysis, which is top notch. And was nominated as best draft kit last year by FSTA.

Mark (Boston)

Hey, I bet you'd be pretty upset if you lost credibility with Spencer (MA)... he's probably a really important guy.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:31 PM)

Actually, I am. It was a dumb mistake - I misspoke. I don't care if folks disagree with me all they want - that's the nature of it. And I am bound to get calls wrong - nature of the gig. But my info needs to be rock solid and part of public speaking is making sure what you say is what your brain is thinking. That's all on me.;

Your 5th Grade English Teacher

"Affected" is what you wanted to use there.

Balloon Burster (Reality)

You can't hide behind your Emmy's and FSTA Awards forever ya know...

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:31 PM)

I know. Just one more week....

Steven (Toronto)

Is Welker still a PPR stud this year or should I sell high on him (keeper league)?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:32 PM)

Still a stud.

Dan (San Jose)

No, Matty, I'm all on you!

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:32 PM)

I've missed Dan from San Jose

John (Seattle)

Who would you rather have for a DL spot...Wang or Carpenter???

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:33 PM)

Carp. Wang is done

Big Ben (Pittsburgh)

Keeper question: Big Ben as an 8th rounder or Welker as a 12th rounder? Non ppr. Thanks!

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:33 PM)

Ben

90210 (Beverly Hills)

Did you cry when Dylans wife died?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:33 PM)

Didn't we all? And his Dad. Both times.

Steve (Philly)

Hey Matthew! Is there more skill involved in fantasy baseball or football? I think football is definitely more luck based in that every year a handful of players dominate.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:34 PM)

Baseball and it's not close.

Bobby (Mobile, AL)

You cutting any of Harang, Bedard, Carmona, Burnett to pick up Hudson?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:34 PM)

I'd cut Harang or Bedard, yeah

Come on Already

We've got you for a limited time. Stop answering nonsense and get to some good fantasy questions. You no doubt have 1000 in your queue. And yes I realize the irony of my sending athis non fantasy related comment in.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:35 PM)

Welcome to my chats

Another Ben from PA (from...PA)

Colston or Andre Johnson this year?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:35 PM)

Andre though I like both

Alex, LA

Peyton w/ his surgery or Romo? who would u take 1st?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:35 PM)

Romo. Did you know that there were 7 weeks last year that Peyton threw 1 or 0 TD's? 7!

Mike (PA)

Love the Love/ Hate Column Matt. I know we shouldn't draft kickers and defenses to the end of the draft but is their any defenses and kickers you Love/Hate??? Also do you think off field issues will hurt Lynch and Marshall value

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:36 PM)

Thanks Mike. I do like SD and MINN's D. No kickers. Not worried about Lynch or Marshall.

brad (harrisburg, pa)

you still feelin' MJD this season? he was absent from you L/H.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:36 PM)

Yep.

Chris (Ashland, Ore)

Lemme simplify: Would you prefer Mike Turner for one year and Ryan Grant for five years -OR- Grant for one year and Stewart or Mendenhall for 5 years?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:37 PM)

Turner and Grant

Another Ben from PA (from...PA)

Thanks for the info, Matt! Glad to see ya back in the chats.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:37 PM)

Aw shucks Ben. It's great to feel the love.

Anyone over 17

Just stopping by to let you know we've stopped reading your work. What a dweeb. Not that we'll find out, but maybe you should try coming across as someone who deserves the title of ESPN's Director Of Fantasy rather than as somenoe who comes across as Simmons minus anything interesting. And Simmons is a shell of himself.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:42 PM)

I disagree on Bill, actually. I thought his stuff on the NBA Finals was great and that's coming from someone who hates the Celtics and loves the Lakers. As for the title, I think your interpretation of what I am supposed to is different than mine or my bosses. My job was / is to be ESPN Fantasy's biggest advocate, both externally and internally, specifically as it relates to content. I believe ESPN Fantasy content has taken great steps forward in the writers we've added, the promotion and platforms we've gotten on and our integration inot our game, which is 100% free with Free Live Scoring. It's really a great game experience - different than when you tried it last I am sure..... And the fact that you are so bothered that you decided to submit the same question a bunch of times tells me we're doing okay. People are never passionate (with either love or hate) things they do not care about. So thanks for caring about ESPN Fantasy Sports!

DAVE (RI)

what are your thoughts on Anibel Sanchez ?? worth an add ??

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:42 PM)

No

Dupree (OH)

what is your take on palmer's comments concerning the buckeyes?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:42 PM)

Loved them

John (NF)

Should I trade Jones-Drew and a #1 pick in a keeper league for Colston? Already have Addai and SJax at RB but am seriously weak at WR.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:43 PM)

No, MJD straight up for Colston is fair. Adding a #1 makes it unbalanced. Worse case, you keep him. People will get desperate for RB and then the offers will be upped. I'd wait and see what shakes out WR wise in your league.... people will be chasing RB early.

John Boy (Cincy)

I have a chance to get Pence for Howie Kendrick. Do you see Hunter turning it around this year?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:44 PM)

I do.

Von Mays (Eagle Hill, AK)

Respect

I'm over 17 and I'm reading you:

Rank 'em from here on out: Polanco, A. Casilla, A. Ramirez, K. Johnson, M. Alives or the sleeper E. Velez????

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:45 PM)

Ramirez, Aviles, Casilla, Polanco, KJ, Velez

Steve(boston)

ROLLINS FOR VOLQUEZ AND CAIN?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:45 PM)

If I am getting Rollins, yeah

Rod(Reading Pa)

ESPN will not be a great fantasy site until they start offering fantasy games with something better to play for then a tee shirt.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:46 PM)

I'd rather play free... I play for enjoyment and pride, not money or anything else. And they ARE nice t-shirts.

Mike (NJ)

From here on out at catcher...Suzuki or R. Hernandez?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:46 PM)

Ramon

Ben (NY)

My buddies and I are so excited for the upcoming fantasy football season, we already held our draft lottery. I wound up with the second pick. In a point per reception league, assuming LT goes #1, do I take Adrian Peterson?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:46 PM)

I've been fairly consistent here: Westbrook!

Hmmmmm

You seem cranky today....and defensive. What gives?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:47 PM)

Really? Hmm. Feel fine.

Eli (Portland, Maine)

Lighting Round....Arron Miles or Yunel Escobar for second half?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:48 PM)

Yunel. I still believe

Josh (Lincoln, NE)

Yeah, but you hate Peterson

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:48 PM)

I DO have him at 4....

Frank (SF, CA)

Heard Kershaw is being called up again. Worth a roster spot?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:49 PM)

Only in a NL Only. Not mix league

Mike (Hoboken, NJ)

With Shockey getting traded where does he rank in your Top-10 of TE's? I see him 4th behind Gates, Winslow and Witten.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:51 PM)

I disagree. Also rather have... Gonzo, Clark, Cooley, Miller and Scheffler. He's in the owne Daniels range.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:52 PM)

Owen

Joe (MD)

Matt, I'm a little curious about what preference you give stats in fantasy. Granted fantasy can be won by luck, but it can also be lost by over-thinking. In setting a lineup for a weekly league, would you give preference to home/road splits, righty/left splits for a hitter, last 2 weeks or month? Each statistic can make a convincing argument to the point where it seems "chance" and Harvey Dent would be best suited to rule fantasy.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:54 PM)

I examine all those for boderline starts, not for no brainers. It's very true that you can overthink and use any stat you want to make your point whichever way you want. Ultimately... You do the research and make the call yourself

Steve (Cincy)

Ankiel...think he'll make your call for 40 home runs? Keeper?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:54 PM)

It's looking godd

Tom (Rochester)

seizmore for bay and fukudome good deal?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:55 PM)

No. Fuku is not that good from a fantasy perspective

Ben (NY)

On the topic of Shockey, does Kevin Boss now become a top ten TE? Does Steve Smith (NYG) become a viable option as a third WR?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:56 PM)

Boss is just outside the top 10 but a solid sleeper / bye week guy. No on Smith

J.J. (CT)

Hey TMR, I was watching the movie 'Outside Providence' when I noticed that the Dean from Brown looks almost exactly like you (minus the bowtie). Just wondering if you ever saw it and if not, check it out. It's funny unlike Podvader.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:56 PM)

Never seen it. Good to know however.

Rob (State College)

Matt's back!! Would it be improper to say I'm all tingly?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:57 PM)

You hear that, Dan?

Kev (NYC)

BE HONEST! What are your current rankings in the leagues you play in

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:59 PM)

I honeslty couldn't tell you... I'm in lots and I go weeks without checking many of them. I suspect I am in last or near the bottom in some and at the top in others. ESPN doesn't pay me to win leagues. They pay me to give advice....

Susan (FL)

what do you think about chris volstad

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:59 PM)

Not this year

Jeff (Chicago, IL)

Matt, you ROCK. Why do people even bother reading your chats if all they're going to do is complain? I hope this blurb bothered them actually!

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:00 PM)

The day folks stop complaining is the day I no longer have a gig,

Marc (Philly)

More saves from here out, Morrow or Putz?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:00 PM)

Morrow.

Matt (ATL)

what's your projection on Gore this year, under a Martz offense ?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:03 PM)

1300 yards and 10 TD. You look at what RB under Martz have produced and they are not eye popping... Gore is NOT Marshall Fualk, the 49ers are not the Rams and this year's Issac bruce ain't Torry Holt circa greatest show on turf. He'll be good but not great

Danny Noonan (Bushwood CC)

I'M SO DISAPPOINTED!!! YOU PARTICIPATE IN LEAGUES AND DON'T CHECK SOME OF THEM FOR WEEKS ON END. YOU'RE DOING A DISSERVICE TO THE OTHER OWNERS IN THOSE LEAGUES BY NOT CHECKING... NOT ADJUSTING ROSTERS OR CHECKING FOR TRADES. I HATE OWNERS LIKE YOU.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:05 PM)

Couldn't agree more. I always tell people that when I get invoted into leagues that I'm no fun to play with. They never believe me. Most of them are internal leagues for ESPN or external leagues promoting ESPN. But yeah, I totally agree.

Chet (La)

Why is no one talking about Maurice Morris as the starting RB in Seattle? I'm not saying he's going to put up MVP numbers, but he knows the offense and if J Jones struggles, which is somewhat likely, MOrris should get the bulk of the carries. Is Mo Morris a sleeper this year? Thanks

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:05 PM)

Because Morris got his shot last year and was terrible. If they believed in him, they wouldn't have gotten Jones and Duckett

Andrew James

Who is your top pick for fantasy basketball next year?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:06 PM)

LeBron. I have my hoops rankings up already on the Fantasy Basketball page

Rob (Mississippi)

Roto, have a football draft coming up, 3rd pick for me....give me your top 5 in order

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:07 PM)

LT, Westbrook, Addai, AD, S JAx.

Ryan , Philly

ok maybe this will work .. 1 word answer on francoeur?????? keep, drop, circle one please!!!!

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:07 PM)

keep expect in 10 team leagues. I believe still.... sigh.

Michael (AZ):

In daily transaction leagues, do you sit your slumping studs or let them work it out? I've been sticking with Crawford and A. Ramirez (Crawford not hitting and Ramirez 1 for last 23) but I'm seriously thinking about sticking Headley and/or Adam Jones into one of their spots.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:08 PM)

I try not to overcoach

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:09 PM)

Ok gang... that's all I have time for. Thanks for coming. Be sure to watch the SC special at 5pm ET today...Doing some FF stuff all week...