Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:01 PM)

Good afternoon everyone! Let's get a-chattin'...

AJ Jolly, MT

In a vacuum / name game etc etc etc...Howie or Uggla?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:01 PM)

Dan Uggla. I like Howie Kendrick, but let's be reasonable...

Ted (St. Louis)

Trade Volquez and Doumit for Hamels?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:02 PM)

I think that entirely rests on who steps in for Ryan Doumit. I don't doubt his talent one bit, I merely doubt his ability to stay healthy all year. So it's fair, but I'd only do it if I had another good catcher on the roster.

Marc (Toronto, Canada)

Better closer for the rest of the year is Wagner or Putz?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:03 PM)

Billy Wagner. I think he's got enough left in that shoulder to get through the year. Not like J.J. Putz is any less risky in the health department. Besides the fact that closers on 100-loss teams have a hard time matching the save totals of pitchers on contenders. Yes, I've done the math. The statement is true.

St. Louis, MO

I could get Liriano if I dropped C. Buchholz, Baker or Jurrjens. Good idea? Who would I drop?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:05 PM)

I'd try to find someone else first if I possibly could, but forced to choose, I would let Clay Buchholz go. Though, to be fair, I don't think Buchholz's and Francisco Liriano's upside ranks as all that far apart. It's more that Liriano is on a monstrous roll in Triple-A, and the ballpark is pitcher-friendly. A slightly higher ceiling, perhaps.

Shannon (Knoxville)

Is something wrong with Utley and not just talking about the Mets series, it just seems like he has not been the same since beginning of June?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:06 PM)

I've noticed that too, Shannon, but remember, not every player can go on a triple-crown pace for an entire year. I don't think it's a sign that anything is wrong with him, it's more that asking him to be a .300-hitting, 35-homer guy in general is the smarter play. So I'd scale those numbers to remaining games and that should be your expectation. It's still awfully good.

Ari (Toronto)

Please tell us what you think of Josh Johnson, he looks okay today vs. the Cubs. Is he worthy of mixed league consideration - he has an AWFULLY tough schedule the rest of the way. Prediction?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:08 PM)

He sure has looked good in his first few starts back, though it's asking a lot for a guy coming off Tommy John surgery to be an elite arm. I'm thinking matchups/streaks guy. Better bet for next year than this, and stamina is a question. So in other words, decent NL-only bet. Only spot him in for mixed.

Marc (Toronto, Canada)

Any chance you're giving Volstad a start tomorrow in Wrigley? Also, what are your thoughts on him sticking in the rotation this year and over the next couple of years?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:10 PM)

I'm not starting anyone but the elite at Wrigley, if I have a choice. Bottom line, Cubs tear it up at home. I do think Chris Volstad is up for good, though. Good prospect. Probably a No. 3 type looking forward. Similar value to Josh Johnson for this and next year, I'd say. Good, not great, and you'll have to play the matchups.

George (Coram NY)

Tristan, I'm at work now, my friend (who sits right behind me) are discussing a trade. Who wins this deal? Roto league where the most important pitching stat is wins. J. Vazquez, Hamilton and 17th rd pk for J. Santana, Ankiel, and 8th rd pk.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:12 PM)

Wins, yuck. Johan Santana sure has been unlucky in the category, hasn't he? I think he gets better from here. Simply has to. I'd make that deal. The bump in the pick more than makes up for any possible loss in talent, and I don't think there's much of one there at all.

Bill - Columbia

Tristan - Who wins in this trade? Quentin for Harden and Hermida.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:12 PM)

The team that gets the two players. Rich Harden has great upside even if he's a health risk, and I don't think Jeremy Hermida will be much less of a fantasy option than Carlos Quentin with the exception of home runs.

Brandon Morrow (Seattle)

How long do I have left as closer?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:13 PM)

Plenty, depending on how well you pitch. But I do think this is going to be a tough role to hold, with J.J. Putz breathing down your neck. Smart play says 3-4 weeks.

Shaun (IN)

any B Knight info for the bbc game

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:17 PM)

Come on, Shaun, you can do better than Brandon Knight for Saturday, can't you? I like the Scott Kazmir and Rich Harden matchups an awful lot, for instance. Knight is really more of a journeyman experiencing a surprisingly good year in the minors than a decent prospect. I wouldn't pick him up, not yet.

Bill (Florida)

Tristan, who should i start tonight Volquez or Aaron Cook?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:17 PM)

Guess you didn't read my Daily Notes, which said I pick Aaron Cook as slightly better.

Brad (Mi.)

I'm surprised you think Hermida is close to Quentin (unless perhaps it'a keeper league). Anyway, Velez or Taveras for steals the rest of the way?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:18 PM)

Can be close. And I'm talking about today through season's end, which is really all that matters. I'm not crazy enough to say they're even in the same ballpark in year-to-date stats! As for the steals, I'd still go Willy Taveras. For all Eugenio Velez's speed, the old adage "you can't steal first base" is pretty appropriate with him.

Juan (Mexico City)

Great work Tristan!! Can you help me with my MI spot? Kelly Johnson is so inconsistant. Should I drop him for any of these players? (Renteria,J.Baker,Aviles,Iwamura,F.Sanchez,E.Gonzalez) Your thoughts?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:20 PM)

The first thing that pops into my mind looking at this situation is that Jeff Baker is an extraordinary matchups play; he's a must-start at home, must-sit on the road, unless he's facing a ton of left-handers. So I guess I'd grab Baker, and mix and match between him and Johnson.

Hal (Detroit)

Who would start tonight - Phillips against Cook or red-hot Baker against Volquez?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:21 PM)

Brandon Phillips at home.

Mike(Canada)

Keeper Question Garza or Cueto?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:22 PM)

Tough one. Johnny Cueto's ceiling is higher, but I think Matt Garza is in the better situation for 2009. I'm going with the Rays option here, unless we're talking a really long-term dynasty league.

David (DC)

Might Jeff Baker also be a consideration over struggling vets like Tejada and Kent?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:23 PM)

I'd say so, again, when the matchups call. And I have a feeling he'll be the pick ahead of Jeff Kent a heck of a lot more than over Miguel Tejada.

Andrew (Washington, D.C.)

Tristan, does this trade make any sense? First place team trades K-Rod and Pierzinski to last place team in exchange for Doumit and E. Santana. I don't see any benefit for the last place team except for some saves, while first-place team gains in all SP categories...

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:24 PM)

I don't think it's unfair. Francisco Rodriguez is a top closer. And I'm not at all on the bandwagon of making teams' decisions for them. If there's no clear collusion going on, let people have their fun with trades.

Bob (AZ)

Is Chris Davis going to keep getting regular ABs? Where would you rank him among LaRoche and Giambi?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:25 PM)

I think so, because if he weren't, I think he'd already have been demoted. Davis is on quite a roll, and I do think he'll hit for pretty good power the remainder of the year. Another somewhat matchups/streaks type, perhaps, but I'd probably go Jason Giambi first, then Davis, then Adam LaRoche, among first basemen.

Murph (Newark, NJ)

I'm in a very competitive league where a new closer is available for a few minutes. That being said, is it too early to pick up Corpas in anticipation of a Fuentes move?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:26 PM)

I do not think it's too early, especially not if your league is quick to snatch up new closers. I know most of my leagues are like that!

Jack (Mudsock, OH)

Hello Tristan, assuming Nady gets traded, what do you expect from McCutchen when he gets called up? Should I drop Jim Edmonds or Juan Rivera to get him? thank you!

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:28 PM)

I think he'll probably bat somewhere in the .260-.270 range, with his primary value coming in the stolen base category. It's good, not great, so I'd probably let Rivera go, but only once it's clearer that Andrew McCutchen indeed will get the call.

Quinn (NY)

Tristan, in my AL only league, we are allowed to add NL players at any time in anticipation of a trade. Do you know of any players that you might take a shot on by adding in anticipation of a trade to the AL?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:29 PM)

I don't want this to be construed as "he's going to the AL," but if I'm in a league with rules like that, I'd make sure Mark Teixeira is on my roster. Because of all of the players who could hop from the NL to the AL, he's got perhaps the hugest ceiling. Might also take a look at Jason Bay and Xavier Nady.

Steve (ND)

Pujols has 2 homers since coming off DL. Thats like 90 AB's or so. Could it be the elbow?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:30 PM)

Maybe, but the rest of his stats aren't troubling. He'll hit his groove soon enough, and once he does, you'll probably regret that you ever worried about him.

Mark (Raleigh)

Is Scott Baker pitching over his head? I've been offered Baker for Liriano - would you make that deal?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:31 PM)

Yes I would, even quicker than I could answer this question!

Doc. (Cleveland)

Your right Tristan, most leagues do have quick triggers on new closers! How would you rank the pending closers deserving of an immediate pick up?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:33 PM)

Well, the three situations that stick out as candidates to change in my mind are Baltimore, Colorado and Oakland. So looking at all the closer hopefuls, I'd probably add them as follows: Santiago Casilla (A's), Manny Corpas (Rockies), Alan Embree (A's), Jamie Walker (Orioles), Dennis Sarfate (Orioles), Joey Devine (A's).

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:34 PM)

By the way, since that was off the top of my head, I'm sure I might be missing someone. I'll toss 'em in as I think of them, but if you have a guy you want to ask about compared to those, do ask!

Watson (Chattanooga, TN)

THC: First, let me say how awesome your Wednesday Article was! I loved it! My only question is could you not expand a "winnable start" to include a 6IP 0R game pitched. Granted, if a starter hasn't given up a run through 6IP he will probably stay in the game. However, with teams like the Cubbies that want to protect a starter such as Rich Harden this could be a legit concern. Once again, I love this idea!

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:35 PM)

Thanks Watson, I appreciate it! Very interesting feedback, and that was a common suggestion in fact, that in addition to my 7/3 standard, that pitchers who go six innings and allow no more than two runs should also get credit for a "Winnable Start." I'll probably have more on the topic in a future column, and will certainly take a look at the 6/2 standard. The main reason I went 7/3 is I do think it's important to make starters work for their stats. Otherwise, the game might be far too stilted to starters.

Jack (Pitt)

Walker over Jim Johnson?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:38 PM)

I'm convinced that if the Orioles move George Sherrill, that's going to be a closer-by-committee situation, just like it was last year. Jamie Walker did do a decent job in that spot, and yes, I do see Johnson being a candidate to get some saves. Really, almost anyone from that bullpen could step up and roll with it.

Rob (TX)

As a follow-up to Watson's comment, I love the idea of using something other than wins. I put that out in my league already to vote on during the offseason. Would you mind expanding on why you'd use runs instead of earned runs? One of the reasons I didn't like wins is that the stat is beyond his control. Seems to me that unearned runs are the same type of thing.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:40 PM)

Rob, the debate of runs versus earned runs is a dicey one, and the problem I have with earned runs is that official scorers are way too liberal with dishing them out. I'm sorry, but in no way should we have a situation where a pitcher gets two outs, then a fielder gives up a one-base error, then the pitcher allows, say, 10 consecutive hits to give up seven runs, and all of those runs are unearned. That's ridiculous. With two out and a man on, even if you need to get "four outs" in the inning, I'm sorry, that's on you if you're the pitcher.

Matt,MPLS

McLouth for Webb fair?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:40 PM)

I wouldn't overturn that, but I'd rather have Brandon Webb of the two.

Mike (GA)

Ryan Franklin looks to be losing his grip on the closers gig. Drop him for one of the potential closers in waiting?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:42 PM)

He does? Because Jason Isringhausen hasn't looked all that much better lately. I wouldn't be so hasty. Seems closer-in-waiting questions are a big topic of the day, and unfortunately, the only thing I can say to everyone is that if you have the bench spots, take some speculative shots on setup men. Problem is, if you don't, you can't go making rash moves, letting a current closer go for a guy who might never close. That makes no sense. I know it's tough to take a wait-and-see approach, but that's just the way the position goes this time of year.

Sal (NYC)

Would you platoon A-Ram and Lowell if you had the bench space or is this a waste?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:44 PM)

I could see it considering how brutally bad Aramis Ramirez has been against left-handers and at home, but I look back to a year ago and he mashed lefties, and wasn't bad in road games, either. I have a feeling you're going to have him in there a heck of a lot more often than you will Mike Lowell. Nice luxury, rotating those two as you can, but I wouldn't hurt any other part of my roster to do it. A-Ram is the better overall player.

Ryan (PA)

You taking football questions? I have a tough decision to make tomorrow and was hoping you could help me out. I have the first pick in my supplemental draft tomorrow. We can pick anyone not being kept but at their price last season. It is a $350 cap league. Im torn between Schaub @ $1 or Grant @$64. I placed last and could use a RB with Turner. I have Cutler @ $42 who I could trade or drop if I do pick Schaub. Which would you go for?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:46 PM)

Sure, Ryan! I would keep Ryan Grant. I know it's a lot of salary, but that's less than 20 percent of your cap and I think most top-20 running backs should cost that much in the format. I'd probably just let Jay Cutler go (or trade him) and keep both Grant and Matt Schaub. If you're going to spend, you spend it on running backs, not quarterbacks. Bottom line.

whitney, ny

How much better is Carlos Lee than Adam Lind. I get CC and Lind for Carlos Lee and King Felix. Do i give up too much for CC?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:47 PM)

Yes. Carlos Lee is quite a bit better than Adam Lind, no matter how much sleeper potential I see in Lind.

BOB(NY)

TRACY or DAVIS? 5x5 with OPS. TY

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:47 PM)

Chris Davis, if only because I see a lot more matchups in his future that will be worth exploiting. For one, the Tony Clark trade cut into Chad Tracy's playing time enough that it'll limit his potential looking forward.

Dan Uggla

Did the All-star game shake my confidence whether I admit it or not? I'm now 1 for 24 since the ASG and just struck out with the bases loaded.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:49 PM)

Maybe, and there is the fact that Uggla is a sluggish second-half player historically. But I think the idea that a player would entirely go into the tank because he had a bad All-Star Game is ridiculous. Time heals those types of wounds. I think he'll be fine, even if he's a bit short of his first-half pace.

Todd: (San Diego, CA)

Drop Thames for Chris Davis?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:50 PM)

Well, for Week 18 I'm going to recommend Davis in a heartbeat. So that's what's in my mind right now, since I'm preparing the column for next week, and it's probably going to make me pick Davis overall. Marcus Thames has really been playing a bit over his head, especially in terms of homer-per-fly ball percentage.

Joe (NYC)

i have a tricky football keeper question: i can keep Brady in the 3rd round or Big Ben in the 12th and MB3 in the 5th or Ryan Grant in the 16th?? thanks.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:51 PM)

I don't think that's tricky. Tom Brady is a first-round player, period, and he's more reliable than Ben Roethlisberger. Keep Brady. As for the running backs, I don't think you go wrong either way, but considering Grant is cheaper, not much less productive and you spent the higher pick at quarterback, I'd go with the Packer.

Gabe (Teaneck, NJ)

Please help me out here--how is Manny Corpas in line for saves over Taylor Buchholz if Fuentes gets traded? To put their stats into perspective, if Buchholz went 1.2 IP in his next outing and gave up 27 hits, 4 BB, and 18 ER, then he and Corpas would have identical ERA and WHIP. Corpas is an inferior pitcher, no question.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:53 PM)

Sure he is, this year at least. But the Rockies paid Corpas future-closer money, and I think that's going to play a big part in their decision-making if Brian Fuentes is traded. Plus, Corpas has a 1.32 ERA in his past 14 appearances, so that'll help his case.

Paul - Downers IL

Keeper league - someone offered my Sizemore for Quentin - in first but could use triples and HRs. good Deal? danka baby

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:54 PM)

Certainly! I'd be all over that deal.

tirk (new orleans)

Lightning round: jair jurrjens worth starting every game in a 10 team mixed?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:55 PM)

I'd say he's pretty close. Maybe only a handful of matchups that should be avoided.

Lou (LA)

With more and more teams going to running back committees, does this make RBs in general less valuable?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:55 PM)

Absolutely. Really, I can't say it any better than with one word. The old "pick only running backs with your first three picks" idea no longer applies.

Ken (Detroit, MI)

Bucholz or Cueto in a keeper league?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:56 PM)

This year matters, and I trust Johnny Cueto better, I admit, accounting for that. But I do think Clay Buchholz eventually becomes the better pitcher, so if this year is entirely irrelevant to you, I'd be taking him.

Rod(Reading Pa)

Is Duchscherer this good and would you trade Hawpe or Kemp to get him if you need pitching help?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:57 PM)

This good? No. Very good? Yes. I keep saying I trust Justin Duchscherer's talent, I merely distrust his ability to stay healthy the entire year. I'd say it's not enough a concern that offering Brad Hawpe for him is a problem. Might be a steal, in fact. I wouldn't deal Matt Kemp for him, though.

The Fonz (upstairs)

Hey Mr. C!! You picked Davis over Larouche, Thames and Tracy earlier. Would you take him over Votto? Also, who do you like better between Lind and Bruce? Thanks.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:59 PM)

Sure, probably, though that's so very close. As for the outfielders, I'd probably take Jay Bruce. Higher ceiling, better ballpark, deeper offense.

Dave (King of Prussia, PA)

J Sanchez tonight?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (3:59 PM)

If you can deal with probably not getting the win, I say he's definitely worth starting.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (4:00 PM)

Well, that's all for today. Thanks for all your questions, and sorry if I didn't get to yours. Have a great weekend, everyone, and take care!