James Quintong

  (3:04 PM)

Good afternoon, everyone. I'll get to your questions shortly. I'll answer football if you've got anything, but I'll start with baseball.

suzanne

Who would you rather have for the rest of the season for saves and whip, Chris Perez or Fernando Rodney?

James Quintong

  (3:06 PM)

Rodney has looked good recently after a couple of early blips as a closer. I still don't trust him. Perez could still help in WHIP, even though his save chances are still way up in the air. In short, Rodney for saves, Perez for ERA/WHIP.

David (San Francisco, CA)

Who do you expect to be the interim closer for the mets?

James Quintong

  (3:08 PM)

I think Eddie Kunz should be the next guy to get his chance at saves. No one has really stepped up yet.

Dan (Traverse City, MI)

Would you want Liriano on your fantasy team? Too risky, a concern, a high reward? What's your thoughts?

James Quintong

  (3:09 PM)

Liriano seems to be fine for now. I wouldn't mind having him on my team, it would depend on who else you've got, obviously. But at this point, might as well go with the hot hand.

B (Philly)

Hi James! Juan Pierre's value now that Manny's arrived... is Pierre cut-able? Seems like he's not gonna get a whole lotta playing time. And quick Name Game for the rest of the season: Maddux, Galarraga, or Lannan?

James Quintong

  (3:10 PM)

Pierre actually looks like he'll get the bulk of time in center, so he's still worth having around. As for the last part, I'll go with Galarraga.

Doug (Woodbridge, CT)

I need to take Chris Carpenter off my DL, but can't decide who to drop: Jimenez, Baker, Buehrle, or Nolasco? (Other pitchers in free agency in my league: Maholm, Parra, Randy Johnson, Garza... SO SHALLOW, am i right James?)

James Quintong

  (3:13 PM)

I might lean toward Buehrle. It's tough, especially with how shallow your league looks.

jim

Will Brandon Morrow have any fantasy value the rest of this year?

James Quintong

  (3:15 PM)

It may be a bit of time for him to get stretched out to be a starter in the minors, so when he returns, he may only have a handful of starts left in him. If he's only going to have a few starts with a bad team around him, he probably doesn't have that much value in 2008. After that, though, is a different story.

Brad (Gadsden,Alabama)

What should I do with Travis Hafner?

James Quintong

  (3:17 PM)

I might just cut him now if you need the roster spot. He's slowly working his way back, but I'm not optimistic that he'll do much the rest of the season whenever he returns.

Joey (Miami, FL)

I'm in a league where we have to keep 4 players for next season. My options are Pujols (lock), Berkman (lock), Dempster, King Felix, Carlos Zambrano and Duchscherer. Which two pitchers would you keep? Also, with my team being out of the playoff picture for this season, is it worth trading a non keeper for Bedard to keep for next year?

James Quintong

  (3:18 PM)

I'd go with Zambrano and King Felix as keepers. I think Bedard (and most pitchers for that matter) are pretty risky, so I wouldn't target him.

Gregory (San Diego, CA)

If Giles goes to the Red Sawks, who will the Padres most likely get in return and will they have any fantasy value?

James Quintong

  (3:20 PM)

Giles blocked the deal, so he's not going to Boston. Even if he did, the Red Sox probably would've just given up a lower-level minor-leaguer for him.

Joe (MA)

tejada or tulo?

James Quintong

  (3:21 PM)

I like Tulo's upside the rest of the way. He's been on fire since the break.

worthington, Mn.

with SF Giants basically doing a youth movement in their organization, how long before they call up Nate Scheirholtz and would he be worth a roster spot on a fantasy team? thanks

James Quintong

  (3:24 PM)

Schierholtz is in Beijing for the Olympics, so he won't be available until September, most likely. He probably isn't worth a spot just yet in standard leagues, though. It'll depend on how much the Giants want to play their youngsters in September.

Jason (Chicago)

If you had to drop one of these guys...Bedard or Joba...who would you drop? And would you drop either one for for Nolasco?

James Quintong

  (3:25 PM)

If you need a healthy arm, Nolasco may work. I think Joba returns before Bedard at this point.

TJ (Windy City

What are your thoughts on Phil Hughs? Think he will make it back soon and will he be productive? I am thinking of grabbing him from the FA Pool. Or should I look at a Dave Bush or Jose Contreras?

James Quintong

  (3:26 PM)

I think Hughes still won't be back for a few more weeks and might be a tad rusty going down the stretch. The Yankees will try to be careful with him, so I'm not high on him for this year. Bush can be helpful (especially for WHIP) if you need the pitching help.

Barry (Philly)

Ian Kennedy: any value there?

James Quintong

  (3:27 PM)

Just like with Hughes, I'm not high on Kennedy this year, although if he can fare well against the Angels, he is at least worth another look.

Gregory (San Diego, CA)

I need steals like Matt Berry needs hair, Should I go for my man Fred Lewis or do I commit to Micheal Bourn and his crappy Batting average?

James Quintong

  (3:29 PM)

Lewis has more steals than Bourn since the start of July, and he obviously helps in other places more.

Dave (IN)

Who would you rather have? Gil Meche or Javier Vasquez?

James Quintong

  (3:30 PM)

Meche is the hotter hand, so I'd go with him. Vazquez is helpful in strikeouts, but has struggled elsewhere.

Drew (Cleveland)

Should i trade ichiro and Derrek Lee for Ludwick and Cantu?

James Quintong

  (3:30 PM)

If you need the power, sure.

James Quintong

  (3:31 PM)

OK, let's shift over to some football questions. I'll try to hit some baseball before we go, though.

Tony Romo (Dallas)

Am I nuts for wanting to take myself in the second round of my upcoming fantasy football draft?

James Quintong

  (3:32 PM)

Depends on where in the second round and your league rules. I probably wouldn't go that high on him in standard leagues, but I think he's a top-flight QB choice.

Kevin, Boston

Which Pats player value decreases the most this year and by how much as I am looking to take MOSS or Brady in top 5 and Welker and Maroney in top 20? Would you take Brady or Moss in top-Why or Why not? Thanks, Kevin

James Quintong

  (3:35 PM)

I wouldn't take Moss in the top five, although Brady would be on my radar in that spot. If it's a PPR league, Welker might be a top-20 guy, but that's stretching it. I don't think Moss or Brady will come close to matching their numbers from last season, but the dropoff (especially from a value perspective) might be bigger for Moss. He should still put up the stats but overall, it may not rank him among the elite RBs.

Jon (Boston, MA)

I know this sounds like a dumb question, but I swear it's not. In a ppr league, I can keep either Marion Barber or Braylon Edwards. Braylon outscored him last year in this format, but Barber was splitting carries. I have to go with the upside of Barber, right?

James Quintong

  (3:36 PM)

Barber's big thing was TDs, but the time share cut into his yards. It looks like he'll get the bulk of the carries, so he'll get the yards and the scores. That gives him the edge over Edwards.

Matt (Nashville)

League is throwing a fit as I traded Fitzgerald & Kevin Smith for Joseph Addai (and Bradshaw as a throw in). It was approved by the commish but is it totally unfair? Pairing Westbrook/Addai/Braylon together.

James Quintong

  (3:38 PM)

I don't think so, although Smith's performance is the big wild card in the trade. If Smith is good, it looks fine.

Tom (SoCal)

I have MaGahee and Jamal Lewis as my 2 RB's? Am I save with these 2 guys?

James Quintong

  (3:39 PM)

No, I don't think you're safe. I don't know if Lewis can repeat last year's stats, and McGahee already has some injury questions in camp. They can both produce, but it's a big if.

Rob (Sac-Town)

How do you think Javon Walker will do this season?

James Quintong

  (3:41 PM)

I'd stay away from him as much as possible. The knee injury still scares me, and his rather rocky offseason doesn't bode well the rest of the way. When Al Davis has to stop you from retiring, you know something is a bit wrong.

Brad (Gadsden,Alabama)

Is Aaron Rodgers a good fantasy QB reserve?

James Quintong

  (3:42 PM)

As a second QB, he should be fine. He's got a bunch of good weapons around him. The question is can he do it on a full-time basis. It's worth taking the risk on him as a backup fantasy QB.

Mike, Cleveland

How worried should I be about Steven Jackson's holdout? My understanding is Saunders' offense is complext and will take time to learn.

James Quintong

  (3:44 PM)

For now, I won't be too concerned, but if it goes on much longer, then it's something to keep in mind -- one reason you mentioned being the new offense in place in St. Louis.

JJ (Cali)

Will Willie Parker be a top 10 fantasy RB?

James Quintong

  (3:46 PM)

I wouldn't have him there this year, but he's not far off from it. The rookie Mendenhall could steal goal-line carries, at the least. Parker piled up the yards last year, but the lack of TDs was the reason why he didn't rank higher.

Lee

Looks like Harrison become the rare "superbust" to "supersleeper"

James Quintong

  (3:47 PM)

I don't know about that. Superbust, sure, thanks to the injuries. But I don't think he's going to have a huge bust-out season either. I am curious to see how Anthony Gonzalez will factor into the mix and take some catches away from Harrison.

Ryan (OKC)

James, I have AP and Westy at RB but have Shaub at QB, should I try to trade one of the RBs for a better QB?

James Quintong

  (3:49 PM)

Tough call. You could use an upgrade at QB, but I think it's hard to pass up the RBs you've got.

Peter (Montreal, Canada)

I'm anticipating picking between Steven Jackson and Brian Westbrook at 5. What do we do?

James Quintong

  (3:50 PM)

I'd go Westbrook over Jackson if I those were the choices available.

Cy (NYC)

there's an OP position this year that can replace the Flex spot. any player including QB qualifies. does that make it an automatic 2 QB league in standard scoring? does that mean QB's all around in the first round?

James Quintong

  (3:51 PM)

That's an interesting format, and I'm pretty sure there will be a bunch more QBs taken early, although it's not all QBs in the first round. Some of the elite RBs will go there too. However, scarcity becomes more of an issue at QB in this setup.

Frank (NY)

Who do you like more in a Longterm TD ONLY Keeper League: Matt Forte or Rashard Mendenhall?

James Quintong

  (3:53 PM)

I think Forte for now if only because he has a better lock on playing time.

James Quintong

  (3:53 PM)

OK, back to some baseball

Rebecca (St Louis)

Do you guys have a list of Kepper Rankings for baseball next year. I thought someone said that in a chat last week, but I could be imagining it.

James Quintong

  (3:54 PM)

Tristan H. Cockcroft has his list of Top 100 players for keeper leagues, which we posted today: http://sports.espn.go.com/fantasy/baseball/flb/story?id=3525205 I've had some questions addressing his choices, but it's best to let him answer those in his chat next week.

Mark (Maine)

James, I am as torn as a Sears Catalog in a 3-Holer. I need SB, Avg and Runs. I can get Reyes and Kemp for Holliday and O Cabrera. Still solid in the OF (Kemp, Beltran, Dunn, Hart). Just hate to give up the best player in a deal. Help me! Thanks

James Quintong

  (3:55 PM)

I like the Reyes/Kemp side of the deal if you need the steals.

tommy

Any chances Brad Ziegler will take over as closer this year?

James Quintong

  (3:56 PM)

I guess anything is possible, given how well he's pitched this year. But I still think the A's want to stick with Huston Street.

Steve

Is Brett Myers worth a pickup?

James Quintong

  (3:57 PM)

I think so, depending on the size of your league, but just beware that he has just seven strikeouts in 18 innings since he returned from the minors.

JJ (Cali)

Someone dropped CJ Wilson, will he be back into the closer role after his DL time?

James Quintong

  (3:59 PM)

Wilson might not be back this year at all because of his elbow injury. And there's a good chance he won't get that job back if he returns.

Bob(NY)

STREET and C. GUILLEN for NATHAN? I can put ZIMMERMAN or STEWART at 3rd, Make the deal? Ty

James Quintong

  (4:00 PM)

Yeah, I think I'd do that. Seems like Nathan is safer for saves compared to Street.

Joe from Kansas city

Would you rather have Kershaw or Ubaldo Jiminez?

James Quintong

  (4:01 PM)

I think I'd take Kershaw over Jimenez long-term.

Joe(NY)

James, tell me why I shouldn't drop Frenchy and pick up Span.

James Quintong

  (4:03 PM)

Span will help in batting average, but I'm not sure where else he'll contribute. Francoeur has been a bust all-around, though, so I guess he'll hurt across the board.

James Quintong

  (4:04 PM)

A couple of football questions to round out the chat.

Eric (Fort Collins CO)

I have the 12th pick in my 12 team draft. If McGahee and Grant are gone, can you justify taking Larry Johnson as a RB1 or should I go with Wayne and Brady if they are there?

James Quintong

  (4:06 PM)

Wayne/Brady? Is he riding around with Dave Chappelle as well? I definitely would go with Brady with one of those picks if he's still available. I might take LJ after Brady and before Wayne, and I still think the field of WRs is still somewhat strong when you'd have to draft again, compared to the RBs at that point.

James Quintong

  (4:07 PM)

OK, that's all for me today, folks. Have a good weekend, everyone!