Dave Hunter

  (11:01 AM)

Good Morning All! I'll be here for the next hour to field your questions ...and I'll try to get to as many as possible.

Jan (NY)

If you were already keeping Hamilton, Berkman, Fielder, and Markakis, would you play it safe and also keep Aramis, or walk on the wild side and keep Mauer?

Dave Hunter

  (11:03 AM)

I'm one to really value the catcher position and have been known to draft one a little earlier than normal to lock up a good bat considering scarcity at the position, however, I'd still rather have ARam. 3B isn't exactly shallow, but ARam is a top-7 3B right now, with potential to be top-5.

James (Philly)

Dave: PLEASE HELP ME!!! Must keep 4 of: J. Upton ($4), Kershaw ($1), Utley ($39), CC ($24), Webb ($26), Wainwright ($10), S. Drew ($11), Cueto ($1), Headley ($1), Rios ($24). Thank you SO much!

Dave Hunter

  (11:07 AM)

I would lock up Wainwright 10, Drew 11, Upton 4 and Kershaw at 1. They are your best values by far. I know you risk a little with youth in Kershaw and Upton, but it's worth the risk at those prices. Sabathia is a good value at that price, expecting him to go for more this season, but Webb, Utley, Rios...will go for similar tags.

Matt (Philly)

David, not sure what to do with Aviles and Nelson Cruz. I owned both cheaply last year but think I could probably re-draft them both rather than using my keeper years on them. What values do you suppose they'll be drafted at?

Dave Hunter

  (11:09 AM)

Aviles should have a $10 tag on him, or at least that's what I'm valuing him at. Cruz, more like $3-5.

Stuart (Brooklyn, NY)

If Wainwright stays injury-free, is he capable of 20 wins and 200 Ks? Do you like Scherzer, Kershaw or Cueto to have more wins and Ks? Thanks.

Dave Hunter

  (11:14 AM)

20 Wins and 200 Ks is a big stretch for Wainwright, for almost any pitcher actually. How many pitchers get 20 and 200 in a year? I've got one...Roy Halladay. So don't count on those numbers from Wainwright, he's not a 200K pitchere anyway. However, I do like Wainwright to better Kershaw, Cueto and Scherzer this season.

Dave Hunter

  (11:15 AM)

One pitcher that did it last year, to clarify...Halladay.

Michael (Toronto)

Who is better this year? Pence or Chris Davis? Price or Scherzer? Thanks

Dave Hunter

  (11:16 AM)

I'd rather have Davis because of his power potential and Price just has the better overall stuff.

Chet (LA)

If you could take 1 pitcher to take a big step forward this season and become a top-10 starter who would it be? Francisco Liriano? Chad Billingsley? Someone else?

Dave Hunter

  (11:17 AM)

For me the choice is Liriano since it looks like his arm troubles are behind him now. He was dominate before the injury and should be again.

Ross (Southampton, England)

Hey Dave, I just traded Morneau and Granderson for Santana in a keeper league. Just been offered Santana for Longoria... Would you do it?

Dave Hunter

  (11:19 AM)

In a keeper league, with no limits, I'd make the trade to get Longoria...absolutely. Santana only has a one or two more dominant years in the tank, where as Longoria is star at 3B for the next 10 years.

Ari (Miami)

How important is it to get a Top 8 pitcher? And how early do you generally take one?

Dave Hunter

  (11:22 AM)

Depends on draft strategy of course, but I usually look for a top-end starting pitcher around the 4th or 5th round, depending what's still out there. And, I'm a big value guy too, so if someone slips that shouldn't slip, then I'll take an SP earlier..It's much more important to lock up offense early in your draft than it is a top-8 pitcher.

Will (St. Louis)

Pence go for 25 HRs and 20 SBs this year? About the same numbers as McLouth?

Dave Hunter

  (11:23 AM)

20/20 is more likely for Pence this season, but 25 HRs are certainly not out of the question.

Alex (Seattle)

Some keeper prices in question... Start 6 SP. Kershaw for 8, Jurgens for 9, and Josh Johnson for 6. 300 dollar cap, and I can lock them up long term, by adding 5 bucks each year. Would you keep any or all of them.

Dave Hunter

  (11:26 AM)

I've never been huge on extending players to long term contracts, but that's because I know I can draft well from year to year. Plus, I really hate taking away from my draft day dollars. I like all three pitchers a ton, but I don't want any of them locked up long-term. Young pitchers aren't exactly a rock to rely upon. If I'm locking up players long-term its normally excellent value hitters.

Paul (Missoula, Montana)

CC or Webb?

Dave Hunter

  (11:31 AM)

A shout out from Montana, very nice. Most will want to lock up CC in NY now, but I would rather have Webb. CC had a career year in 2008 and I don't think it'll ever be better for him than '08. You have to figure those IPs will start catching up with him eventually too. Give me Webb.

Fred Dryer (LA, CA)

Who's the best Hunter? Seriously, Keeper question. 5 Keepers, 16 team league. Already keeping Pujols and Jose Reyes. Probably keeping Aramis Ramirez. Which 2 amongst, Roy Oswalt, Felix Hernandez, Ervin Santana, Alexei Ramirez, Nate McClouth and Howie Kendrick? Thank you!

Dave Hunter

  (11:35 AM)

Of course, you are. You're the one packing heat, right? My fantasy knowledge can only go so far. I would hold Alexei Ramirez with his all around game qualifying at SS, 2B and OF. Then, I'd lock up Nate McLouth...who is a 20/20 guy for sure. Tough to let those pitchers go, but I still value the offense more here.

Eric (Chicago)

I'm trying to do an offseason trade of Rich Harden for Stephen Drew...smart?

Dave Hunter

  (11:38 AM)

I like that trade considering the risk involved with Harden from year to year. Add in the fact that SS isn't exactly the deepest position and Drew's breakout year in 2008...good trade. And, assuming you're the one getting Drew here.

Rob (NY)

I really need a PF and with Elton Brand coming back soon I was planning to offer Iverson for Brand. Is trading for Brand too risky?

Dave Hunter

  (11:41 AM)

Risky move for sure, however, AI's numbers have really dropped off from last season, for obvious reasons. I don't have a problem with the deal on the surface, but I'd wait until Brand is at least back in action before offering this trade.

Ryan, N.Y.C.

What's up David? Han Ram's numbers this year? .320 110R 35HR 85RBI 36SB??

Dave Hunter

  (11:43 AM)

A little high on the HRs, AVG and RBIs. I expect a line more like this: .310 110R 30HR 75RBI 40SB If he hits from the leadoff spot and doesn't get bumped to third like the Marlins were talking about last season.

Jim (Philadelphia)

How would you rank Alex Gordon, Delmon Young, and Conor Jackson in a keeper league?

Dave Hunter

  (11:45 AM)

In the exact order that you list them...Gordon, Young and CJax. I think owners are giving up way too soon on Gordon and Young. This will be the year they start showing their skills. CJax won't get too much better than the numbers he gave last year.

Jeff (Milwaukee)

will Rickie Weeks ever live up to the hype?

Dave Hunter

  (11:48 AM)

Weeks still has it in him, but the problem is that he's not the young pup we all adored four seasons ago. I think the better question here is: should I be willing to risk it on Weeks this year? As a late round draft choice to fill out your roster at MI, or as a $1-$5 keeper, sure. I don't think Weeks will ever live up to the hype of four years ago, no.

Ryan (TX)

With the emergence of Greg Jennings in GB as a super-star receiver, where does that put him as far as WR Power Rankings? Top 5?

Dave Hunter

  (11:52 AM)

Jennings is a borderline top-5 WR. I've got them: Fitz, Andre Johnson, Steve Smith, Calvin Johnson, Roddy White, Jennings.

Dave (Tampa)

I've got JJ Hardy for $3. Is .280/25HR about the best I can hope for? Does he crack your top 10 SS?

Dave Hunter

  (11:54 AM)

Hardy is outside my top-10 SS, but for $3 I'm very happy to hold him. He'll never be a SS that hits for AVG, but he'll give you nice pop from his bat again in 09. 20-25 HR's are what I'm expecting.

Cameron Maybin (FLA)

I thought I was hitting leadoff this year with my speed ... I believe my numbers will be .290 100R 8HR 52RBI 50SB! Agree?

Dave Hunter

  (11:56 AM)

Yeah, that remains to be seen...I like you and think you have a good shot at making the squad this year, but I'm not exactly convinced you'll do enough to make the team and hit leadoff this season. .290 is too high to expect, same with the 50 SB. Lower your expectations some.

Eric (woodburn, oregon)

Pick 6 ($300 6x6 (holds + Ops)) BJ Upton ($5), Braun ($15), Bay ($18), E Santana ($4), Lincecum ($5), Joba ($6), Bruce ($6), Soto ($5)

Dave Hunter

  (11:58 AM)

Wow, very nice options there. I would leave Bay and Joba off, keep Braun, Upton, Santana, Lincecum, Bruce and Soto...you need to lock up the value here.

Wilson (Oak Island)

Would u keep Billingsley over Kemp?

Dave Hunter

  (11:59 AM)

No way.

tyler (rochester, MN)

Do the vikings get a better QB that can get Bernard Berrian the ball so i can pick him to put up big numbers?

Dave Hunter

  (12:01 PM)

Don't be surprised if the Vikes address their QB situation in the draft. I think they almost have to now with Jackson not developing the way they had anticipated. Don't expect Berrian to have a seasoned NFL vet throwing to him though.

Dan (PA)

Maybin can hit for power - he has always hit homeruns at every level. You agree with the ridiculously low projection of 8?!? I think he's more like a 15-20 HR guy even from the leadoff spot.

Dave Hunter

  (12:03 PM)

Yeah, my answer was more about what my expectations were from Maybin. How many rookies come into the league and hit 15-20 HRs? Not many. He's got to make the team first. I think 10-12 HRs are a more realistic expectation from Maybin, especially hitting lead off.

Matt: Boston, MA

When does the 2009 Fantasy Baseball begin?

Dave Hunter

  (12:05 PM)

We usually debut early February, but nothing is set in stone right now.

Jake (VA Beach)

Pick just 2 - Berkman, Youk, Beltran, Markakis and Holliday

Dave Hunter

  (12:06 PM)

I'll take Berkman and Holliday. Tempting to hold Markakis since I think Holliday's numbers will dip this season in OAK, but they won't dip that much.

Dave Hunter

  (12:07 PM)

Okay Everyone, that's it for me today! Thanks for all your questions and sorry I couldn't get to 'em all. Have a great day!