James Quintong

  (3:02 PM)

Good afternoon everyone. Lots to get to today, especially after the big deals yesterday at the deadline. I'll start off with some baseball, but I'll definitely field my share of football questions as well.

Rufis, Silver Bay, NJ

what do i do with Pierre? am i a dum dum if i hold him?

James Quintong

  (3:04 PM)

Let's start with one of the post-Manny questions. Pierre and Ethier appear to be fighting for the one spot left over with Manny and Kemp taking the corner outfield spots. I think Torre will stick with Pierre for a bit, and he still has value with his steals, even if he's not playing every day.

Red (Fraggle Rock, CA)

Long term-Andy Laroche or Ian Stewart

James Quintong

  (3:05 PM)

I think Andy LaRoche's value is helped a bit moving to a more favorable home park (although most parks are more favorable than Dodger Stadium), but I still like Stewart a bit more if he can keep his job in Colorado. But that's a big if.

Seth, (West Bloomfield, MI)

Teixeira or Bay? 1st place in 11 team AL only 5x5. 1st waiver priority. Already have Giambi, Pena and Butler at 1B, 3B and DH. OF is Ichiro, Hamilton, Markakis, C. Gonzalez and Lind.

James Quintong

  (3:07 PM)

Hmm, good question. I like Teixeira over Bay overall, but it will depend on your needs, since Bay can give you a little speed. I think you probably need a tad more help at the corners (especially in the average category).

Kevin (CT)

Should I cut ties with Cueto? I recently traded for pitching since I have the best offense, but not so good pitching. That ERA kills me... and its not like he has an overwhelming amount of strikeouts.

James Quintong

  (3:09 PM)

I wouldn't call 116 K's in 129 innings not overwhelming -- that's over 8 K's per 9 innings. But if you're in a mixed league, you can be OK in dropping him if you can find the right hot guys on the wire to stream in based on matchups, etc.

Marty (Toronto)

Since Manny has power to all fields (including "gap" power") perhaps he won't be hampered as much by the move to Dodger Stadium. Agree?

James Quintong

  (3:11 PM)

I don't think the move will affect a whole lot, but there could be a slight downtick in his numbers based on the park, and even a little based on the lineup around him -- although it's not like Jacoby Ellsbury, for instance, has been helping out a lot lately.

Rick (Fort Worth)

What is the latest on Adam Wainright? Starter or closer??

James Quintong

  (3:13 PM)

Lots of questions about Wainwright and his role when he comes back. I think he returns to the rotation when he comes off the DL. He's been too good there this year, and I think the Cardinals can figure out the Izzy/Franklin/whoever at closer. Heck, the Cardinals could even trot out Chris Perez as closer if they fall out of contention.

Mark (NYC)

Is Anibal Sanchez worth a roster spot in a 13 team roto league? I could drop Scott Olsen for him.

James Quintong

  (3:14 PM)

I'm not a big Olsen fan, so I might make the move. However, I don't think Sanchez will be consistent enough this year to be a huge difference maker.

Kerry (NY)

INJURY HELP, I'm one of the unfortunate sufferers of the Tim Hudson injury, should I drop him for Myers, Kennedy or Snell? If so, which one? Thanks a lot.

James Quintong

  (3:16 PM)

Ugh. Those options don't excite me, despite the fact that I've owned a bunch of them. I guess Myers would be my first choice if desperate.

Seth (NY, NY)

Is Chris Davis for real? I am in a tight 5x5 league race. Saves could be a turning category. I have been offered Sheets and Wagner for my Howard; or Davis for Wagner. My Offense is solid so I can stand the hit there. Which deal do you think is better?

James Quintong

  (3:18 PM)

I like Davis, although getting Wagner for him would be an interesting deal. Depends on how close the saves race is.

Kevin (CT)

Any word on Liriano getting called up anytime soon?

James Quintong

  (3:19 PM)

There are reports out of Minnesota that the Twins could call him up soon and cut Livan Hernandez. It might even be this weekend. Liriano is getting closer and closer to returning, that's for sure.

Rob (Boston)

Someone just sent me this trade: I get pettite and Ludwick and they get Ichiro and Volquez is tht a bad deal and should i give him Verlander or Gavin Floyd instead of Volquez?

James Quintong

  (3:21 PM)

I don't think it's a terrible deal. Ludwick is playing better lately, and we were actually discussing Ichiro's possibly declining value here in the office this morning.

Pranto (Jugaville, Maine)

Can we ask football questions too?

James Quintong

  (3:22 PM)

Yup. In fact, I'll field a few here, then get back to some baseball.

Ragan (Philly)

We're having our draft early this year because one of the owners is being shipped off to Iraq next week. That said, how the heck do I value Favre if nothing substantial happens by noon tomorrow? Do I take a flyer on him in the middle rounds, only grab him if he's available late, or just let him be somone elses problem??

James Quintong

  (3:24 PM)

At this point, I'd say just take a flyer on him late in the draft, and only if you've already got a couple of QBs on the roster. He'd be a good, but not great, fantasy prospect depending on where he actually plays.

Joe (NJ)

Keep McGahee or Grant? Will Grant's holdout cost him some PT or is the B. Jackson talk just to make him settle on a contract?

James Quintong

  (3:25 PM)

I like McGahee a bit over Grant, so that would be my answer. The holdout doesn't really change my opinion of him as a keeper.

John (WI)

Could you see Rudi Johnson bouncing back this year similar to how Clinton Portis did last year? They are in similar situations (Betts and Watson supposedly stealing carries) and both have good track records prior to the down year.

James Quintong

  (3:28 PM)

It's possible, but Rudi's yards per carry took a big dip from 2005 to 2006, and that was before he had the injury-plagued 2007. Portis' YPC zoomed way up the year before he got hurt, and he still performed a bit the year he was injured. For what it's worth, people still considered Portis pretty high even heading into last year. I don't see the same with Rudi this time around.

Jason (OH)

I have the #2 pick in a PPR league. Assuming LDT is gone do I take Westbrook, Peterson, or Jackson?

James Quintong

  (3:29 PM)

I'd go with Westbrook, especially in a PPR league. Lots of production catching passes out of the backfield there.

HD (NY)

Football Keeper (sorry baseball fans). I notice ESPN has my three possible keepers all ranked pretty closely. Which of the three would you personally keep and why (safe bet, potential, etc.). Holmes, Welker, or K Winslow ??

James Quintong

  (3:31 PM)

I'd probably go Winslow, Holmes, Welker, but yeah, they're all pretty close. If it's a PPR league, Welker might move ahead of the pack, but only slightly.

Lee

Hey James, I'm in the 2nd yr of my keeper league and I have the last (10th) pick since I am the reining champ...this is a 1 PPR league...would you go WR-WR since the avaiable backs are gonna be the ones that don't catch much?

James Quintong

  (3:33 PM)

If you've kept a top-flight RB, then WR-WR might not be so bad. However, I'd have to see who's still available at that spot. PPR does improve the value of receivers, but only to an extent. A very productive RB would still be of some use early on.

Scott (Chicago)

Footballl question...Turner or Jacobs? Love Jacobs O-line, but worried about splitting carries. Thanks.

James Quintong

  (3:34 PM)

I think I'd go with Jacobs, especially if it's for my second or third back. I guess i want to see what Turner can do first before committing to him. For now, I won't get terribly concerned about the Jacobs' potential time-share. But my answer could change as camps go on.

Mike (LA)

Obscure question of the day...Roddy White's value now that Atlanta has a QB who can throw?

James Quintong

  (3:37 PM)

I don't think it changes a whole lot. Matt Ryan, or whoever is in at QB, will still be a bit shaky, but White has done just fine with such a situation last year. The main thing, though, is that teams will definitely be keying in on him a lot more since he has established himself as the guy.

Matt (Atlanta)

Hey James- Who do you like for a Mid-Tier WR out of the choices of Ward Driver and Coles.... Thanks!

James Quintong

  (3:38 PM)

I like Driver out of those three, although I've been a huge Ward fan over the years.

James Quintong

  (3:38 PM)

OK, back to baseball ...

Kimbo (NYC)

James, please, will someone tell us who the Pirates closer is? I've been asking all week. Should I drop Grabow and pick up Yates?

James Quintong

  (3:41 PM)

Right now, I'm not sure even the Pirates know who the closer is. Yates got the save on Tuesday, but that's all they've had in a while. My colleague Eric Karabell thinks newly acquired Craig Hansen could be in the mix pretty soon too. I don't trust Grabow a whole lot, especially with 8 homers in 53 2/3 innings.

Kyle Farnsworth (NY...I mean Detroit)

What are the chances I become the closer in Detroit...and would I keep the job when Todd Jones comes back?

James Quintong

  (3:42 PM)

He's got a chance since Fernando Rodney hasn't inspired any confidence. If Farnsworth could pitch like he has in his last days with the Yankees, he could keep the closer's job even if/when Jones returns.

Harry: (Dover)

Back to baseball please. Saves scramble question...I just picked up Craig Hanson, i already have both Embree and Casilla. I also just pickup up Farnsworth. My roster will be illegal on Monday and I have to drop 2 of these guys. Who should I hold on to?

James Quintong

  (3:44 PM)

Even though I said Hansen could be in the Pirates closer mix, there's no guarantee that will happen. Heck, who knows what his role will be overall. So he's out. I say keep Farnsworth. Then keep Casilla over Embree.

Alex(Chicago)

Who do you like out of Peralta, Jeter and Tulo the rest of the way?

James Quintong

  (3:46 PM)

If you need power, then it's Peralta. Tulo has really heated up after the break, but while I don't think he'll be hitting at a .400 clip the rest of the way (as he has been since the break), he could be helpful in average.

Tim (IL)

When is the target return of Chipper and will he become productive again for the fantasy stretch

James Quintong

  (3:48 PM)

While I think Chipper wants to return as soon as his 15 days are up, the Braves make take their time with him -- possibly mid-August or a tad later -- since they're pretty much out of the race. He'll be fine when he returns, but it may be a while. For what it's worth, Omar Infante has played well in his place and could be worth a short-term pick up.

Joe (DC)

You mentioned Ichiro earlier and it seems like he isn't running anymore and will be a .300 rather than .330 hitter the rest of the way. Am I crazy to think Figgins is the better bet the last 2 months and will match him in AVG and have 2 or 3 times as many SBs?

James Quintong

  (3:50 PM)

They could be at least even going down the stretch. I'm not a big Figgins guy (mainly because he's burned me in different ways in the past), but yeah, he'll probably run more, not to mention score a few more runs with a better lineup in front of him.

Robert (San Diego, CA)

Which Matt would you like for the rest of the year - Matt Cain or Matt Garza?

James Quintong

  (3:53 PM)

I like Cain slightly more over Garza, if only because he's got a tad more consistency. Garza has recently alternated between lights-out and mediocre outings. Not sure you want that at this point in the season.

Dave(KC)

Someone dropped Petitte in my league after his rough start yesterday. Worth my waiver priority?

James Quintong

  (3:55 PM)

Sure, he'd been pitching well before yesterday, and the Angels seem to have both the Yankees and Red Sox's numbers.

Dave(Frisco)

Is it time to bail on Bedard? It sounds like he has bailed on the Mariners. I own both Bedard and Wainright and am considering cutting one or both and using the roster spots) to stream start the rest of the way. I guess I could hold one and keep him on the DL but keeping both is not such a great idea. I'm wasting a roster spot. Should I keep the faith or cut bait? Thanks.

James Quintong

  (3:57 PM)

Keeping one of them on the DL isn't a bad idea. I think Wainwright might return before Bedard does, for what it's worth. If I had to keep one, I'd keep Wainwright.

Kai (ottawa)

Question about the Chris Youngs. How do you see CBY finishing, and what's Chris's (SD) value the rest of the way?

James Quintong

  (4:00 PM)

The Padres' Young looks to be the same as we saw before he went on the DL -- he'll rack up his share of strikeouts, but only stay in for about 6 innings at most and won't get as many wins as you'd like. The D-backs' Young has slowed down a lot in the power department, but the average has picked up a bit. Maybe another 5-7 homers and about a .250-.260 average doing forward.

James Quintong

  (4:01 PM)

OK. That's all the time I've got for today. Thanks for the questions. Hopefully I can get to more football questions next week.