ESPN

Jason Grey

  (2:59 PM)

Over/under on people who will send me football questions today: 15. Let's get to it...will focus a bit on some prospect questions that come up as a lot of people in keeper/dynasty leagues are wondering about some guys for next season I am sure...

Eddie, NYC

Hey Jason: If I can stand the hit in BA, C. Pena a better play than D. Lee the rest of the way?

Jason Grey

  (3:01 PM)

If we're just talking power stats, then yes, I do expect Pena to be better than Lee in that regard the rest of the way.

Avril (Canada)

Hey, hey Jason Grey, I don't like your rankings! No way, no way, Grady Sizemore's too low! Anyway, I was wondering which is your favorite OF for the rest of the way: Justin Upton, Jason Kubel, Denard Span, or Ben Francisco. Thanks, eh!

Jason Grey

  (3:03 PM)

Well, considering I didn't do the last round of rankings, the attempt at humor comes up short... That said, Span because of the steals edging Kubel. The amount Span has improved in the last year is kind of startling.

Leanne (DC)

Start Kuroda or James Shields tomorrow?

Jason Grey

  (3:04 PM)

I think Shields is the better matchup.

Ken (Waukegan, IL)

I'm reading the 'Relief Effort' section, and it's got me thinking about getting a solid middle reliever for the playoffs. Standard 5 categories for pitching. Closers are Sherrill, Gonzalez, and Hanrahan. I'm a little worried about Sherrill. Would it be a good idea to drop him for someone like Ziegler or Gaudin? (Trades not an option unfortunately)

Jason Grey

  (3:05 PM)

Hard to bet against Ziegler in this scenario right now.

Justin Duchscherer (Oakland)

What will my stats be from this point to the end of the season?

Jason Grey

  (3:06 PM)

4 Wins, 3.30 ERA, 1.20 WHIP...somewhere in that range.

Mark (MD)

How soon is Morrow coming back up? I'm ok that he'll be a starter, I just want him to come back up!

Jason Grey

  (3:08 PM)

The initial plan was for him to return for September, but he got knocked around a bit in his last start, so we'll have to see if that changes thing a bit. He's only stretched out to 50 or so pitches at the moment.

Andy (St. Louis)

What kind of results do you expect from guys like Kershaw and Price next season? Maybe you could compare them to a more established from this season as far as expectations? Thanks

Jason Grey

  (3:09 PM)

Very rough performance estimate...look at the rookie seasons of Hamels for Kershaw and Lincecum for Price.

Mike (DC)

Name Game! Kershaw, Jimenez, Danks. I need wins and I have an IP limit.

Jason Grey

  (3:10 PM)

Still going with Danks...not his fault his offense cant get him any wins...he's certainly pitching well enough to deserve them.

John, ny

Who do you see the Reds getting as the other players in the Adam Dunn deal? Micah Owings? Could they pull a Rick Ankiel-like turnaround with him and convert him?

Jason Grey

  (3:11 PM)

Yes, it definitely appears Owings is one of the players, but I don't see a conversion happening. The circumstances are a lot different.

Carlos Lee owner

Marlon "Where did you come from" Byrd is looking awfully tempting. Roll the dice?

Jason Grey

  (3:11 PM)

I wrote about this in Out of the Box this morning. Byrd or Milledge are perfectly fine options to fill an El Caballo hole.

Richard (SF Bay Area)

I've got 5 outfielders and 4 spots. Who's the odd man out today among Lastings Milledge, J.D. Drew, Hunter Pence, and Shane Victorino?

Jason Grey

  (3:12 PM)

Victorino left with back stiffness last night, so he's probably the guy you should bench in case he doesn't play today.

Ron (NYC)

Is Jorge Campillo the real deal?

Jason Grey

  (3:13 PM)

Not quite this good, but yes, the Mariners made a big mistake.

don (sf)

My man crush, Braun, is resting.Encarnacion, Kouz, Mike Jacobs, Mora, Ty, Adam LaRoche? Who is the best all around stand in?

Jason Grey

  (3:13 PM)

Hard to bet against Mora's post-break production right now.

Dave, Evanston

Jason: Do I pick up the "startling" Span and finally give up on Tavaras (I also have Rios and A-Rod for SBs)? Thanks for the help.

Jason Grey

  (3:14 PM)

I might given the rumors that Dexter Fowler will be given a chance to win the CF job when the Olympics are over.

Rancor (jabba's palace)

CATHCHER HELP! Napoli, shoppach, navarro, YadMo, suzuki...nonkeeper. Help me Mr Grey!!!

Jason Grey

  (3:16 PM)

Really depends on category needs, but I'd probably go with Navarro.

jay

Jason, what do you think of Volstad for the rest of the year in 12 team mixed?

Jason Grey

  (3:17 PM)

Risky, but perfectly acceptable play.

Norman (Brooklyn)

Does Sheffield really look healthy to you or is he just saying he is so he can play the field and not have to "platoon"?

Jason Grey

  (3:21 PM)

I've been down on Sheff since the beginning of the year, and I don't think his shoulder issues are ever going to be behind him. Yes, he'll run into a ball now and then, but it doesn't look like the same swing to me.

Jason Grey

  (3:21 PM)

Sorry, lost my connection there for a second.

Wayne (NJ)

What's wrong with Carmona?

Jason Grey

  (3:23 PM)

Can't throw strikes, and isn't getting lucky in leaving people on base - mechanics are all messed up right now, so I'm avoiding him.

barry (boston)

Does Scherzer make it back into the Ari rotation this year?

Jason Grey

  (3:24 PM)

I think that's the plan as soon as he gets stretched out again as he recovers from a bout of shoulder stiffness. I expect him to be the #5 for September.

Michael (NJ)

You always hear about the league catching up to people. I'm in a keeper league looking for sleepers. What two or three surprising pitchers this year have the best shot of keeping it up next year?

Jason Grey

  (3:26 PM)

Danks (or is that one too obvious?), Galarraga, Lannan come to mind off the top of my head.

Jason Grey

  (3:26 PM)

Just a hint, sending me your question 50 times doesn't help, even if you're from Frisco.

Jason Grey

  (3:26 PM)

A lot of Lowell questions:

Jason Grey

  (3:27 PM)

Strained oblique, MRI today, DL stint possible.

Mary (Georgetown, Wyoming)

Are Gamel, LaPorta, or Maybin worthy keepers in a dynasty league? And what are their ceilings?

Jason Grey

  (3:29 PM)

All of them. LaPorta could be Adam Dunn, Maybin a version of Mike Cameron, and Gamel maybe a slightly better version of Zimmerman

Paul (Wash)

Is Gallardo coming back in September?

Jason Grey

  (3:30 PM)

I highly doubt it.

Ham (NJ)

Hughes worth an add today seeing he may be starting next week?

Jason Grey

  (3:31 PM)

Maybe in AL -only play - I think we need to see him having some success before taking the plunge in mixed.

Adam: (Denver)

Speaking of Fowler what do you see in him at the major league level?

Jason Grey

  (3:33 PM)

I wrote earlier this season that I initially thought he was more of a fourth outfielder type but he's improved this year and I may have short-changed him, especially as he only just started switch-hitting a couple of seasons ago. Still, I don't like his swing from the left side, a little too loopy, but you can't count the guys with great athletic ability out (see Fred Lewis)

Tim (KC)

Is there any player that is getting screwed more by his team than Cole Hamels??? Both in run support and pay?

Jason Grey

  (3:34 PM)

Danks may have an argument.

Jason (seattle)

"the Mariners made a big mistake"...in the wide world of Mariners mistakes, doesn't that one rate pretty low?

Jason Grey

  (3:35 PM)

Considering they just released him and got nothing, and paid Silva $48 million, maybe not.

Jeff (Atlanta)

Will David Price get a callup when rosters expand? What's your take?

Jason Grey

  (3:36 PM)

Might happen even before then. The question is his role - could be the bullpen.

Steve (Ny)

Is Mike Adams a one year wonder from the bullpen?

Jason Grey

  (3:37 PM)

Yes, this is the same Adams that flopped as a closer in MIlwaukee years ago.

Mike (Ill)

Maybin's upside is only Mike Cameron??

Jason Grey

  (3:39 PM)

I think that's a bit more realistic, and it's not as bad as you think.. Remember, Cameron had a few years of .267 averages, 25 homers and 30 steals. Maybin's ability to make consistent contact is the questions. He can provide power and speed but the BA may be low.

Dave (Tampa)

Hey Jason, Are Salty and Garko fantasy has beens before they were fantasy stars?

Jason Grey

  (3:40 PM)

Too early to give up on either of them - might be sleepers for '09 in your league.

Expert Sage Advice Needed(Parts Unknown)

Really need your help. Free market guy here with trades but this one cause uproar in league. Guy battling for 1st traded with last place team Blackburn/VMart for Harden/Nathan. We keep 8, ML 11 team league. No picks were involved. Is this remotely fair? Can Vmart be justified as a keeper for next yr above the guys he was dealt for? Thx Jason

Jason Grey

  (3:42 PM)

I suppose it depends on how much you buy Harden staying healthy another year, but yeah, doesn't seem like a great deal.

James (Owensboro)

What about Jason Heyward....what would you say his upside is?

Jason Grey

  (3:43 PM)

Five-category fantasy stud.

Eric (Indy)

What is fantasy baseball's biggest comeback ever? I may have it beat this year!

Jason Grey

  (3:44 PM)

Best I've ever seen is 13 points down and 5th place with a week to go, and jumping four teams to win, with most of the production coming in the final weekend.

Adam: (Denver)

Dexter's splits vs rhp are all better ecxept for his percentages (most of them are close) With willy struggling There is no reason why he shouldn't be up now.

Jason Grey

  (3:47 PM)

Well of course, he's had like 250 more at-bats against RHP, I would hope so. The reason is not to rush him, especially as he still has some kinks to work out in his swing, but a late-season callup is certainly warranted.

suzanne

Fun with closer mathIn our 12team roto league (w/daily roster changes), we have room for 4 RP?s on our starting lineup. I?m in first place in the league (second place in saves) but there a few guys very close behind me. I am 13 saves behind first. For most the season I had Rivera, Soria, and B Wilson, which worked well. Recently I was able to pick up both C Perez and F Rodney. I now have 5 Closers for four spots and am curious what my best course of action is. Our trade deadline is well passed, I need to clear a spot to bring Maine of the DL, but I don?t want to help the guys chasing me in saves. My questions are:Am I better off dropping another player to make room for Maine (or part with on of these closers, if so, which?), keeping all five closers to both help me with saves, and keep them from hurting me on someone else?s roster?Second, is 13 saves a gap that I can make up, by the end of the season? I can take advantage of my fifth closer on most Monday?s and Thursday?s, as well as taking advantage of weather forecasts. The team I?m chasing in saves has Nathan, F Cordero, Lidge, Hoffman. What do you think?

Jason Grey

  (3:48 PM)

I'm not worrying about hanging on to Rodney. Long question - short answer.

Jason Grey

  (3:49 PM)

Seriously, the way that team has shuffled closers, Rodney could have a bad outing or two and be working the seventh inning by next week.

Don (Miami)

Max Scherzer threw 74 pitches on Monday. How did he look?

Jason Grey

  (3:51 PM)

Wasn't there for that one, but the reports I got were that velo was fine, slider looked good though inconsistent, and he barely used his change.

lt john allen stevens (istanbul, turkey)

jason, pls rank for keeper status for next season....bay, mclouth, granderson and hart. Thanks JG

Jason Grey

  (3:51 PM)

Thank you for your service. Hart is at the top of that list.

Matt (Atlanta)

Miami Herald reports Maybin up in September. Buy him as a viable option, especially for C.Lee and E.Long owners?

Jason Grey

  (3:52 PM)

I think he's going to have a ton of strikeouts, but could steal some bases. I think the current FA pool likely have some more appealing options.

Perry (Boston)

I've asked this question for the whole week and no one answers me. PLEASE HELP!!!! Name game: Pedro, Kershaw, Ubaldo

Jason Grey

  (3:53 PM)

Kershsw by a whisker over Ubaldo.

Adam: (Denver):

Will Casey Weathers be a factor in the Rockies bullpen this year?

Jason Grey

  (3:53 PM)

I think he's up in September, but not a fantasy worthy role, that may not be until next season.

Johan Santana (Flushing, NY)

"Is there any player that is getting screwed more by his team than Cole Hamels???"

Jason Grey

  (3:53 PM)

Well played. Sometimes we forget the obvious.

Jason Grey

  (3:53 PM)

Well played. Sometimes we forget the obvious.

Mike (Los Angeles)

Jason, are you watching any of the Olympic baseball? Any good prospects there?

Jason Grey

  (3:56 PM)

I am, but I've also seen most of these guys before. The starting pitching for Team USA (strasburg, arrieta, cahill, and anderson) is particularly intriguing.

Ken (Johnstown, Pa)

What do you think of Hunter Pence as a keeper for next year? Do you think he follows the Eric Byrnes or Corey Hart career path and breaks out next year? The low OBP scares me.

Jason Grey

  (3:56 PM)

More Hart than Byrnes. Too good a hitter not to get it turned around.

Jason Grey

  (3:57 PM)

Dave: I have two people from Frisco, apparently.

Dave (Cali)

I'm trolling for keepers and really like Nick Adenhart. How do you think he will do next year?

Jason Grey

  (3:57 PM)

Six ERA and mechanics are all out of whack. I actually wrote about himin out of the box today- check there.

Bruce (bronx)

rest of this year...span, milledge, butler?

Jason Grey

  (3:58 PM)

Milledge

Hamels and Danks

The question asked about pay as well, I think thats why you didn't mention Johan originally...I think Johan would still take his position, screwed or not.

Eric Wedge (Cleveland)

Who is going to get the majority of my save chances for the Indians?

Jason Grey

  (3:58 PM)

Jensen Lewis is 2-for-2 so that's a good start.

Jason Grey

  (4:05 PM)

Sorry guys, internet has been acting quirky for me so I can't run long today. Thanks for all the interest. I respond to comments in my columns, and I'll talk to all of you next week. I appreciate your taking the time out of your day.