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Jason Grey

  (3:00 PM)

Yeah, I'm a baseball-only guy. While you're following your fantasy football teams, I'm scouting the Arizona Fall League, rookie ball, instructional leagues, and winter ball. But that said.... Have you heard about our free Fantasy Football with Free Live Scorng on ESPN.com? (I am nothing if not a company man.) Let's get to it.

Dennis Boston, MA

Jason, Who are some sleeper Sept call-ups that may be worth owning in 2009? Another keeper question... Which of the two would you prefer heading into 2009 Ryan Ludwick or Edinson Volquez?

Jason Grey

  (3:04 PM)

Good question, and one I will be addressing in a column on Saturday that I am in the process of working on. Basically, I'd be looking at some of the guys like Rasmus or Maybin or Bowden to see if they get the call to be stashed away. Not exactly sleeper I know, but for '09 value that might be where it's at. And Ludwick...

clay (long beach)

I was the "lucky" guy that traded for Kinsler days before he went down. I was then lucky enough to snag Alexei Ramirez (in a 12 team league he was suprisingly available). Not a bad trade-down right?

Jason Grey

  (3:04 PM)

I have been on Alexei since day one of spring training, and remain so. OBP isn't a category in most leagues.

Timmy (NJ)

Can I count on Phil Hughes for the rest of the season? How about Fausto Carmona?

Jason Grey

  (3:05 PM)

I don't think either of them are going to be factors in all but the deepest of deep AL leagues for this season. Wipe the slate clean and start '09 is what both of them need.

RJ(Pittsburgh)

Jason, what kind of ceiling does Alexie Ramirez have, and would he make a better keeper than VMart?

Jason Grey

  (3:06 PM)

Funny as it may sound, Juan Uribe circa 04 - a guy that can hit .280-.290 with 25 homers and maybe 10 steals.

Jason Grey

  (3:08 PM)

...and he may very well be depending on how many catchers you play and who else is likely to be protected at the position. V-mart may be someone you could throw back. Don't evaluate protections in a vacuum, but do it in relation to the potential available players in the draft at each position.

Tito (Seattle)

For the rest of this season, who do you like best: Votto, CDavis, CPena?

Jason Grey

  (3:08 PM)

Pena.

Xavier (Seattle)

Gut Feeling: Start Garza tonight? At home (good), versus the Angels (bad). Also, best Sherril replacement: Guardado, Lewis, or Perez? Thanks!

Jason Grey

  (3:09 PM)

I guess I would go Guardado...and yeah, I think I'd give Garza a run

don (sf)

Wasn't Wainright the Cards best pitcher? Why wouldn't they put him in the rotation?Also, is Mclouth "done" as a contributor?

Jason Grey

  (3:10 PM)

Comes down to what they feel they need, I suppose, and no I don't think so if his current illness is just a day to day thing...there's still stretch run value there.

scott (chi)

Hunter Pence. You were higher on him than most. I have him in a keeper, but his #'s sure aren't dazzling me. What do you see for the next couple years?

Jason Grey

  (3:12 PM)

Still am higher than most...I think he's going to be a very undervalued player for '09. Just as people jump on the bandwagon, that's the time he's going to start realizing his potential - that sort of thing. His numbers overall haven't been that great, but from a fantasy perspective they haven't been that bad either.

Joe (Squarejaw, NY)

Jed Lowrie stole my cousin's lunch in money in grade school. True story. Should I put my personal feelings for him aside and be starting him over Mark DeRosa at MI?

Jason Grey

  (3:13 PM)

I'm probably still sticking with DeRosa...I like Lowrie to try and cover some of the injuries a lot of mixed leaguers have been dealing with lately. I put him in this week for Longoria in a 12-team mixed, for example, and I actually started him over Casey Kotchman, my other option.

Jeff (San Francisco)

Pick 2 - Slowey, Maholm or Lilly for the rest of the year and why?

Jason Grey

  (3:14 PM)

Not Maholm only because the team has expressed their intent to limit him in September, so that makes the decision somewhat easier.

Dan (NYC)

When do you think Ramizez could reach that upside. Are you talking 2009?

Jason Grey

  (3:15 PM)

Sure, nor reason he can't, he's pretty much that player right now.

Scott (Phoenix)

Stick with Jorge Campillo down the stretch or pick up Aaron Harang? I need help in all categories, especially Ks.

Jason Grey

  (3:17 PM)

Sticking with Campillo, because I 'm still nol sure Harang isn't 100% and this i turning into a lost season for him. Baker's usage of him a couple of days after a long relief appearance in an extra-inning game is getting a lot of attention. I dunno if that had any effect, but Harang has not looked like himself since. His poorer numbers earlier in the season were just statistical fluctuation.

Josh (phx)

Sort of a fantasy question (targeting players)...last weekend Edmonds was being interviewed, and besides saying he finally felt healthy, he said that while on the Pads and the cards the last few years, he completely changed his batting style because of the big parks, and now in wrigley, has gone back to his older style. Is this common, to completely change an approach based on where someone plays, or is it just he's on a winning team and more motivated?

Jason Grey

  (3:18 PM)

Not common, I don't buy the motivation bit, and not sure I buy a lot of what he says. I think the health thing has more to do with it than he thinks. I'd have to look at tape but I don't recall seeing much different.

Joe (West Hempstead, NY)

Ricky Nolasco's for real. Y'all been warned.

Jason Grey

  (3:20 PM)

I wrote this in a clipboard column on August 4 , in a column on just him and Galarraga and how they were both the real deal: http://insider.espn.go.com/fantasy/baseball/flb/story?page=clipboard080804 --Also wrote it in this morning's Out of the Box column

Ray

Most unique category you've seen in fantasy baseball?

Jason Grey

  (3:21 PM)

Sacrifice Hits + Sacrifice Flies

Brad (FL)

Grey... Do Carpenter or Young return this season? If so do they make any impact?

Jason Grey

  (3:23 PM)

Carp supposedly to return in Tuesday; last night's throwing session went well....Young may be back in mid-Sept, but the bottom line is I don't count on either for any impact at all.

John NY

Need a replacement for Izzy. Which is the best choice? Adams,Rhodes,Pinto,bimel,Hineshaw,Ohman,Jason Johnson?

Jason Grey

  (3:23 PM)

Probably Adams.

Jeff (San Francisco)

What have you heard about Saito and if he'll regain closer status in LA this year?

Jason Grey

  (3:25 PM)

Last word was that surgery still hasn't been ruled out on his elbow, so I'd guess it's maybe 80% that he doesn't pitch at all again this season. Just don't bet on it happening.

Jenny (NYC)

Hey Jason, when will Scherzer be back and what do you think his role will be?

Jason Grey

  (3:28 PM)

Although Petit has pitched well, I think they'd like to see Scherzer in the number five slot and have been stretching him out to 100 pitches at Triple-A. He got up to 87 pitches last start and I believe goes again tomorrow. My guess is he's up right around Sept. 1 as a starter, but they haven't tipped their hand yet with Petit doing well.

Hank (Michigan)

How do you feel about Milledge or Lind for the rest of the year and for the next few years? Both have been impressive lately

Jason Grey

  (3:29 PM)

I like them both. Milledge has the higher ceiling and obviously the better potential fantasy value given the steals, but Lind and Travis Snider could eventually anchor the middle of that Blue Jays lineup. Lind is legit.

Jason Grey

  (3:29 PM)

...the jays just jerked him around quite a bit in his development.

Dan, Boston

Thank God you're BASEBALL ONLY! McLouth have anything left? Should I pick up Millege for badly needed SBs? Baseball in Arizona, what a gig!

Jason Grey

  (3:30 PM)

I've been running Milledge out every day in a 12-team mixed league all season. After a slow start, it's worked out well for me.

Tom (Danbury,CT)

Should we fall for the Melvin Mora tease of the past month?

Jason Grey

  (3:31 PM)

Even Doug Mientkiewicz and Geoff Blum have had big hot streaks recently, it happens. I'm not counting on it, the position is deep, but if you need an injury replacement or something and Mora is out there as a potential guy to get, then sure, roll the dice.

John (Portland, ME)

Lind or Pence the rest of the way?

Jason Grey

  (3:31 PM)

I'd go with Lind the final five weeks if I had to choose.

Michelle (super hot blonde)

I have Jason Heyward in my dynasty league. When will he get the call....Sept. 09? Who would you compare him too??

Jason Grey

  (3:33 PM)

I can see that, the Braves aren't shy about pushing their best prospects. Heyward is a legit potential five-category fantasy stud that may be in my preseason Top 10 next year, that's all you need to know.

tom, oakland

pick two for the rest of the year: carpenter, nolasco, verlander

Jason Grey

  (3:33 PM)

Last 2.

Norman (Brooklyn)

Adam Jones done for the year?

Jason Grey

  (3:34 PM)

Not officially yet, but he just started walking without a boot a day or so ago, so in all likelihood you're looking probably at the last couple of weeks at best, or they may decide there's no reason to push it.

Scott (Vermont)

AL only league. Which speedster would you rather keep for 2009 and 2010? J.Ellsbury at $20 or C.Gomez at $5? Thanks for chatting!

Jason Grey

  (3:35 PM)

Gomez. Too much of a price difference. I'd consider keeping both and trading the excess later. I don't worry about keeping "too many steals" - keep value and worry about balancing out the categories later.

aaron

picked up steward to replace kinsler. good deal?

Jason Grey

  (3:36 PM)

No problems with giving Stewart a run down the stretch.

Steve NY

IS SAMARDZIJA FOR REAL? IS HE GOING TO START OR WHAT?

Jason Grey

  (3:37 PM)

Not quite this good, but yeah - big improvement this year. Could be in the starting picture next season, absolutely. Not going to happen this year, though. Sean Marshall likely sees the spot starts if needed.

Tim(Atlanta,GA)

Name game- Jason Werth or Wladimir Balentine in a 5x5 12 team mixed league?

Jason Grey

  (3:37 PM)

Werth.

James (Detroit)

Think Wheeler keeps the job the rest of the way? I need a replacement for Wagner.

Jason Grey

  (3:38 PM)

Among the current options yes, but word is Percival could be back before mid-September. His injury does not require surgery right now.

Steve (NYC)

Jason, what do you think about Cueto? Some have compared him to Lincecum in his first year and I was wondering if I should roster him as a keeper for next year?

Jason Grey

  (3:39 PM)

I compared him to Snell, but he's a sleeper keeper in NL leagues for me, not mixed right now.

Wayne (Manhattan)

Lind or Span the rest of the way?

Jason Grey

  (3:39 PM)

Really depends on category needs - if you don't need the steals, Lind. Span will be more valuable, but that's only because of the steals.

Ron (NYC)

Thoughts on Randy Wolf? I am considering picking him up. Thanks!

Jason Grey

  (3:40 PM)

Don't. That was easy.

The Argonauts (on the Argo)

Hello Jason, I?m out of it and looking to upgrade my 5 keepers for next year. Who would you project to have the best 5x5 year in 2009? David Ortiz, Carlos Quentin, Adrian Gonzalez, Jason Bay, Garrett Atkins or BJ Upton?

Jason Grey

  (3:42 PM)

Again, strictly from a value standpoint - it could be Upton, but it's not the safest play. It's the one with the biggest potential return though.

Andrew (NYC)

Concerned about Howie Kendrick's recent slump? Worth dropping for Renteria, Aybar, Jose Lopez or Willie Harris?

Jason Grey

  (3:42 PM)

Nope and nope.

Paul (ND)

Can you rank these for the rest of this year? Carmona, Kershaw, Scherzer

Jason Grey

  (3:42 PM)

Clayton, Max, Fausto

Charlie (Syracuse, NY)

I've been hanging on to Blackburn and Slowey because they've been really good at home. I dropped Blackburn yesterday because the Twins have about 4 series in a row on the road but I am torn on dropping Slowey after how good his start was yesterday. Would I be better off hanging on to him and trying him out on the road or Jered Weaver who is free.

Jason Grey

  (3:43 PM)

I'd hang on to Slowey - Blackburn may not hold up into Sept, so I don't have a problem with that move. Wrote about Blackburn in my Monday clipboard.

Ryan (Pittsburgh)

Maholm has really made a name for himself this season. His stuff has obviously improved and he's striking more people out, but he's actually admitted to local press that he's trying to avoid throwing too many strikeouts because his stuff has been so good and pitching to contact is usually more efficient. That all said, if he pitches as well next year as he's pitching now do you think he'll rack up a reasonable number of K's?

Jason Grey

  (3:45 PM)

I wrote an extensive profile of Maholm in a clipboard a few weeks ago (if you're not an insider, why? You get the magazine and all you can handle of me five times a week on the web - you can't lose!), and we talked about this kind of stuff. Bottom line is yeah, he's still going to get K's if he keeps commanding the ball the way he is. It will be a byproduct of his stuff just being good.

Cindy (East Bay)

Is Konerko heating up enough to be useful rest of the year in the Util position? Looking mostly for HRs and RBIs.

Jason Grey

  (3:46 PM)

Eh. Not excited. Hitting and hitting with authority are two different things.

Joe (Portland, OR)

What are you thoughts on Buchholz at this point of the season?

Jason Grey

  (3:47 PM)

That I'm at a complete loss why a guy with his stuff should not be doing far better. I'm not sure I liked one of the mechanical tweaks the team did with him, and there's undoubtedly some mental stuff going on, but still - the stuff is nasty. All of it. Hopefully it just makes him that much more of a sleeper for '09

Buck Naked

I think Maholm is this year's Gorzalanny. Strong season, no doubt, but won't be able to make it last. Thoughts?

Jason Grey

  (3:49 PM)

Fair point, but as I detailed in my article earlier there are some fundamental differences about the way he's pitched this season, that have improved his slider and allowed him to command his fastball better. Aside from an injury, I don't think there's a Gorz collapse here.

Joe (NC)

You sounded like TMR there for a second with that ESPN promo.

Jason Grey

  (3:50 PM)

Like I said...company man. I even have an "Endless Drama" wallpaper on my laptop.

Jason Grey

  (3:50 PM)

We needed one that was just Officer Karabell, though.

Joakim Soria

Am I going to be a starter next year, or will the royals keep me as their closer?

Jason Grey

  (3:51 PM)

If there's rumblings that this might happen, it's the first I've heard of it, and would be completely shocked if it happens.

Theodore

Any word on the injury to Stephen Drew? I didn't even realize he got hurt and there is no updates anywhere. Thanks!

Jason Grey

  (3:51 PM)

Groin strain...could be back in there tonight. Not said to be serious.

Tommy (boston)

Lars Anderson is tearing up AA ball. Does he arrive next year to play 1B for the Sox? Thanks.

Jason Grey

  (3:52 PM)

Nope. Some guy named Youk is going to be there for a while. But Anderson will hit in the big leagues, so we'll have to see how it plays out down the road.

James McDonald

Are you a believer? Did I just happen to have my worst start of the year at the wrong time in Las Vegas? Potential #2/3 in LA someday?

Jason Grey

  (3:54 PM)

Yeah, I think he's a rotation guy - 3/4 guy but still legit.

Steve (Cincy)

Polanco or Cano, rest of season?

Jason Grey

  (3:54 PM)

Cano.

Brandon Webb (Phoenix, AZ)

Hi, my name is Brandon Webb. I play pro baseball for the Arizona Diamondbacks. It appears numerous people do not know who I am. I have 18 wins and an era around 2.70. Though I can't remember exactly what it is because even I am paying close attention to this man CC Sabathia. Apparently he is going to be named MVP and CY Young winner because he has 11 less wins than me. Can someone please tell the people of America that stats CANNOT transfer from AL to NL when players are traded?Thank you,B Webb.

Jason Grey

  (3:56 PM)

It's why I stay out of all that awards talk, etc. Some of it doesn't make sense, people will say CC got screwed, and I have other things baseball-related to occupy my time with.

Scott (San Diego)

Any super talented prospects in the Padres farm system that should warrant me paying attention to the team in the next few years?

Jason Grey

  (3:59 PM)

Carillo has shown flashes since returning. LeBlanc's numbers at Triple-A aren't great but he's posting the strikeouts. He's pitched better than his ERA, but he still doesn't fit "super-talented", but....Matt Bush on the mound is very intriguing as a potential future closer.

Jason Grey

  (4:00 PM)

..stuff is still wicked since returning from the elbow surgery.

Jason Grey

  (4:00 PM)

Time for three more...

Steve NY

Scott of SD. Take a look at Will Inman.

Jason Grey

  (4:03 PM)

Inman's funky delivery and stuff may not pplay well against big league hitters. This is a case where you have to see the pitcher behind the good Double-A numbers. I'm not dismissing him, but even a best case scenario doesn't make him more than a solid back of the rotation guy.

Smoky

V. Martinez stole my cousin's lunch money. Not true. Please answer. When will V-Mart be back?

Jason Grey

  (4:04 PM)

Caught six innings in a rehab game last night, could be up beginning of next week if things go well.

John:(Boston)

Mark it down . . .Lars Anderson starts next year in AA, moves to AAA in early June to get a high number of at bats there, is a september call up and is starting for the Sox at first base with Youk at 3rd in 2010!

Jason Grey

  (4:06 PM)

A possible scenario, but Lowell is sitill under contract for '10 so we'll have to see how his production plays into it.

Ben (MN)

Buzzer beater...Ibanez or Lind for the last 5 weeks?

Ben (MN)

Buzzer beater...Ibanez or Lind for the last 5 weeks?

Jason Grey

  (4:09 PM)

Very, very close - not sure I still don't stick with Ibanez's hot bat (although Lind is hot too), but I may feel differently when I wake up tomorrow. Thanks for all the interest everyone. Sorry I couldn't get to everybody. See you next week - I respond to all comments about my columns so you can also try me there.