ESPN

Matthew Berry

  (3:01 PM)

HI kids. Happy Jordan Zimmrmann debut day. Let's get to it - as always, all questions answered.

Jack (DC)

Expectations for Zimmermann? Also, what the heck is going on with Almedia?

Antonio(miami, FL)

What is your opinion of john maine??drop him for Nationals Zimmerman?????

Jordan Zimmerman (At the show now baby)

what are your projections for my season? will my terrible bullpen cost me half of my wins or what?

Matthew Berry

  (3:04 PM)

Hmmm. It seems folks wanna talk Zimmerman. Look, the K's will be there. He had 134 in 134 ip in the minors last year and 20 in 14 ip this spring. I'll say 160 k's, 3.89 ERA and maybe 8 wins. He has legit command but yes, offense and bullpen will hurt him. No, I would rather have Maine.

Eric: Port Chester, NY:

Say it. Say it. "Joe Biemel, Washington Nationals closer."

Matthew Berry

  (3:05 PM)

Eric Karabell and I discussed this very topic on Fantasy Focus this morning. EK think Garrett Mock gets the next chance if it's not hnranhan and I'm inclined to agree... that whole bullpen is a mess. Even tho Mock hasn't pitched well - none of them have and they want Mock in relief

Tom (LA)

Is it a waste of a waiver priority to pick up Big Papi? He just hit the waiver wires and I can't believe that I'm debating NOT using my waiver priority.

Matthew Berry

  (3:07 PM)

I know what you mean. Frankly, I think he's done. It depends on your league size, who you'd be losing and what you need, but I don't think it's a no brainer. He'll be a .250 20-25 homer guy and there are a lot of those. His days of being Big papi are over - every got a hit today for Boston, so don't get all excited about today

Joe (Boston)

Steiny: Is he a great chatter or just sends in so many questions that he has to get something posted?

Matthew Berry

  (3:08 PM)

He's among the most prolific question submitters... but obviously some of them are solid if they are getting through

Charlie (ATL)

Thanks for the Draft Day Manifesto and Love/Hate articles. I was able to get Grienke, Meche, Adam Lind and Adam Jones late and it's paying off big time.

Matthew Berry

  (3:08 PM)

Aw, shucks.

Matty (Wilmington, NC)

I remember you were a pretty big supporter of Stephen Drew pre-draft. With his slow start and tweaked hammy, would you consider dropping him in a 10 team mixed league? Not alot of other options out there, but I have concerns...

Matthew Berry

  (3:09 PM)

I would not drop Drew, no.

John: ( Minneapolis, MN)

How bad are the injuries to BJ Upton and Adam Jones?

Matthew Berry

  (3:10 PM)

From what I understand, both are minor

Coop (Orlando)

How would you evaluate Glen Perkins season based on what he has done his first three outings?

Matthew Berry

  (3:11 PM)

Very solid, but I want to see how he does in his next start. All 3 starts this year havebeen at home.... his next start is onroad. Last year, at home... 3.84 ERA. On road... 5.13. He's always much better at home - so let's see if he keeps it up on road.

Mike (San Diego)

Is Greinke now a top 10 starter in a keeper league?

Matthew Berry

  (3:12 PM)

If he's not, I don't know who is.

jeremy (Nebraska)

Did you see simmons and carolla got a new podcast on espn? tmr, when are you gonna go on carolla's podcast?

Matthew Berry

  (3:13 PM)

I did not but I'm not surprised. They are good friends from when Bill used to write on Jimmy Kimmel's show. You'd have to ask Adam about me - he's hilarious though... I've never met him so my guess is not soon.

Andre (Pittsburgh, PA)

Is Kyle Davies a legitemite starter?

Matthew Berry

  (3:13 PM)

Yes, he is.

Charlie (Los Angeles)

Quick name game. Big Papi or Thome?

Matthew Berry

  (3:13 PM)

Thome and not close.

Nick (Bos)

What's up with Simmons saying he has information about Papelbon heading to the DL soon?

Matthew Berry

  (3:15 PM)

I have't heard that from Bill... but if he said it, my guess is there's some validity to it. You'd be amazed (or maybe not) and how many people very high up in Boston sports Bill knows - on all the teams.

Chris (OK)

Load up on Yankees hitters with those pop flies carrying over the wall? Get rid of most Yankees pitchers throwing half their games in New Coors Field - I mean New Yankees Stadium?

Matthew Berry

  (3:16 PM)

It's a legit question, no doubt. Buster's blog from Sunday talks about this and it's really good. In short - yes, it's looking like the new Coors. Be careful with who you throw out there (incidentally, Sabathia is traditionally horrible vs. OAK - career ERA over 6 - and he faces them there Tuesday)... and yeah, you might value a Yankee hitter a bit more than normal...

Steve (boston)

Getting frustrated with Chris Davis. Should I pick up LaRoche?

Matthew Berry

  (3:17 PM)

Yeah, I like LaRoche as a pick-up but wouldn't drop Davis. Davis will out hit LaRoche by season's end

Bob (NJ)

Any new info on when Weiters gets called up? Still June 1?

Matthew Berry

  (3:18 PM)

Latest rumors have him coming up sooner - maybe in May... but that's all they are: rumors

Kippo (RI)

Matt, Derek Holland. Go!

Matthew Berry

  (3:22 PM)

Legit pitching prospect who, unfortunately, is in the Texas famr system. They are gonna start him in long relief... he was Rangers minor pitcher of year last year... 13-1, 2.27 ERA in a couple of stops. He's only 2 and pitching in Texas... so talent is there, but ignore except in deep AL only leagues or bigger keeper leagues. He'll join rotation eventually.

Matthew Berry

  (3:22 PM)

sorry... only 22

Aaron (Gaithersburg)

OK to be excited about Pronk yet?

Matthew Berry

  (3:23 PM)

I guess a little. Looks like he's not as dead as I thought - still not buying the average and he needs to stay healthy but power seems to be back.

Justin Behling (Boyceville, WI)

Where do you figure Aaron Rodgers to rank among QBs in 2009 Fantasy Football?

Matthew Berry

  (3:24 PM)

http://sports.espn.go.com/fantasy/football/ffl/story?page=apriltop200

Joe (MN)

so if Simmons really did say that about Papelbon and assuming it is true.... who to pick up for Boston saves?

Matthew Berry

  (3:25 PM)

Okajima would be my guess.

Jose Lopez (Seattle)

Hey Matt.I should be owned in a ten team mixed shouldn't I?Even if my potential owner has Kendrick already.

Matthew Berry

  (3:25 PM)

yes and yes

TJ (Portland, ME)

Is it a concidence that John Madden and Bret Favre retired the same year?

Matthew Berry

  (3:26 PM)

that's hilarious. And no, not a coincidence.

Mark

do I drop umbaldo for scott baker?

Matthew Berry

  (3:27 PM)

Yes. They are working on Ubaldo's mechanics and I believe he will be fine, but Baker is a stud who was just rusty in his first outing.

Nick (Bos)

To clarify about the Papelbon comment, it was apparently said during one of his podcasts the other day and mentioned by one of the ESPN analysts during a recent chat.

Jon (MA)

Is Nyjer Morgan the real deal? Or should I pick up Aaron Laffey instead?

Matthew Berry

  (3:27 PM)

Yes, he is. Certainly the speed. And no, Laffey is only for AL only leagues which, if you are asking about Morgan, you are not in.

Nurse Racket

Feeling any better TMR?

Matthew Berry

  (3:28 PM)

yes. Still not out of the woods yet, but at least I feel semi-human. Isn't it Nurse Ratchet?

SteveO (NY)

Is Marco Scutaro's hot start for real? Just picked him up off waivers. Start him over Alexi Ramierez in a 10 team h2h until Alex heats up and/or Scutaro cools down?

Nick (Bos)

I have a hard time believing Okajima gets first dibs on saves if it were true. Why not Saito or Masterson? Seem to be better options. Again, this is all speculative.

Matthew Berry

  (3:32 PM)

I thought about all those and either would work. I could see a crazy scenario where they try Clay or even Wakefield. But - and this is a gut call more than anything - Francona likes his guys and trusts Okajima. He doesn't know Saito yet. That said - Saito is the other obvious choice because of his exp. For whatever it's worth, Eric Karabell's bullpe closer chart has Masterson next in line. http://sports.espn.go.com/fantasy/baseball/flb/story?page=REcloserorgchart

Erik (ATL)

Still think Ludwick's 2008 was a fluke? I've got a bold prediction for you, "Ryan Ludwick will out hit Josh Hamilton in every category in 2009." Yeah, you heard me....

Matthew Berry

  (3:34 PM)

No and I never did. I had Ludwick in my love hate as a love saying I believed in him and that last year wasn't a fluke.

al (DC)

Saito got the save on Saturday....

Matthew Berry

  (3:36 PM)

Yes, but it's one thing when a guy is healthy and just been used a few days in a row and another when a guy is out. Look, I haven't talked to Francona or anyone high up in Boston. Okajima is my guess. But I've been wrong before and will be wrong again.

Randy Johnson (SF)

Thanks for believing in me

Jeff (Minneapolis)

Is 2006 Konerko back?

Matthew Berry

  (3:37 PM)

Yes, he is. I had Konerko on my all under-valued team in the pre-season as a result... healthy in the second half of last year he put up numbers that were very similar to previous years.... skills are still there

Steve (NYC)

Who's the better waiver pick up? Perkins, Morales or Porcello?

Matthew Berry

  (3:38 PM)

Perkins if you can spot start him, Porcello if not. Not a Morales believer.

James (NJ)

Can you please tell if there is a Minimum Innings Pitched for Head-to-Head league? Cycling seems to get a lot of press but we rarely talk about the old "win era, whip, and saves by playing only closers" strategy (not as glamorous of a nickname as cycling but I'm working on it). Seems to me a simple Min innings feature would be quite simple and effective. Lets make it happen Berry!

Matthew Berry

  (3:39 PM)

You can set up a custom league for free with whatever min you want

Dan (St. Paul)

Let's put this to rest. When talking about Papelbon's start to the year, Simmons quote (and I'm paraphrasing) was "my buddy House thinks he's is going on the DL. I'm not that worried." House can eat a 12inch double meat, but I'm not sure he's got the inside scoop on the Red Sox.

Ryan (MD)

Just FYI, TMR: you posted SteveO's question, but didn't answer it. Just how good IS Scutaro going to be?

Matthew Berry

  (3:42 PM)

Sorry. Scutaro's hot start should be ridden but no, I don't believe in him long term. He's never had double digit home runs in his carrer. He hd over 500 at bats last year and hit 7. He's solid but he's a lot closer to a Mark Ellis type than, say, Evan Longoria

Steph (Hartford, CT)

As a TMR loyalist, I do so know how you love your Kelvim; but with little bench room and recent set backs should we throw him back into the waiver pool?

Matthew Berry

  (3:43 PM)

I don't believe you are a woman, a TMR loyalist or living in Hartford CT... but I do believe in Kelvim. Depends on who else is out there and what you need. If you can afford to be patient, do so. If not, you can cut him loose. You probably won't see him for at least 3 more weeks.

Albert (not the machine)

why didnt i just eliminate steve levy? the copier was down with it....

Matthew Berry

  (3:44 PM)

No, you made the right call. Trust me on this - the paperwork after killing a SportsCenter anchor is a bitch.

Charlie (Syracuse, NY)

Three straight quality starts for Romero, Perkins, and Braden. You trust any of these guys?

Matthew Berry

  (3:45 PM)

Yes on Perkins at home. Braden and Romero to an extent... Romero needs to have pinpoint control to be effective. So far, he has been but his numbers are better than anything he has ever done in the minors at any level

Carson (St. Louis)

Buy low on Brandon Phillips?

Matthew Berry

  (3:46 PM)

yes

Will (TX)

WAIVER WOES: In a 10-team points keeper league, would you drop J. Upton for Bruce or Soto? We are keeping 7 guys this year.

Matthew Berry

  (3:46 PM)

yes on Bruce and maybe on Soto, depending on who your C is.

John (Nova Scotia)

Hey Matt, what are your views on Alexei Ramirez? Will he turn it around? How about Span...will he keep up his torrid pace? Thanks for answering!

Matthew Berry

  (3:48 PM)

Yes, he will be fine. And Span is legit. I don't know that he is THIS good, but yes, he has solid skills and I've always liked.

Shane (NJ)

Berry, rank em for '09 please: Davies, Parra, Perkins, Jackson, Sonnanstine, Masterson, Cahill. Thanks man.

Matthew Berry

  (3:52 PM)

Well, not convinced Masterson stays in the rotation (tho I think he should) but... I would say Masterson, Davies, Perkins, Jackson, Sonnanstine (never been a huge fan), Parra, Cahill.

BSizzle Mannywood

Dexter Fowler or Rickie Weeks for a power speed combo

Matthew Berry

  (3:52 PM)

Fowler

In addition to Shane from NJ

Add Wandy Rod to the group...

Matthew Berry

  (3:53 PM)

I would rank him ahead of all of them

Matt (Chicago, IL)

Matthew - would Francisco Liriano be held in such high esteem if he called himself "Frankie"? In a related note, wouldn't you carry more respect for an actor named "Francisco Muniz"?

Matthew Berry

  (3:53 PM)

No and Yes

The Guy

tired of other guys getting the SAME QUESTION answered in the morning and afternoon chat. Yes Shane, that means you.

Kit (Fort Wayne)

If you had the first pick in a fantasy fantasy baseball draft (movie/tv/book characters), who would you take?

Matthew Berry

  (3:54 PM)

Willie Mays Hays. I'm always a sucker for speed.

Jake(LA)

Will Mark REynolds pick it up?

Matthew Berry

  (3:55 PM)

yes

Tom (LA)

Thanks for answering my question. After a year of asking and never getting an answer I though Pod Vader just types up questions you want to answer. I just rescinded my waiver claim on the player formerly know as Big Papi.

Who's Your Catcher

Soto is just awful right now. Wait him out, bring in Laird from my bench, or pick up Tek?

Matthew Berry

  (3:56 PM)

rirng in Laird for now and wait out Soto

Pedro Cerrano (Cleveland)

@#$% you, TMR and Jobu.

Beater of the Buzzer

Is Joe Mauer a top 5 catcher from here on out?

Matthew Berry

  (3:57 PM)

No

Jake (LA)

Is Reynolds better than your boy Josh Fields?

Matthew Berry

  (3:57 PM)

Yes, he is.

Brian (NY)

Is Joe Blanton better than my worst pitcher ( Ubaldo, slowey or gallaraa)?

Matthew Berry

  (3:57 PM)

No

Mike (MN)

Scott Downs has 12Ks in 7IP, with a 0.00 ERA. Is this guy gonna put up classic middle relief numbers like, say, Marmol last year or Dotel in years past? Is he a must pick-up in a 10 or 12-team mixed league?

Matthew Berry

  (3:58 PM)

Yes and he's alao the next guy if something happens to Ryan.

Kobe (MVP Town)

Fill in the blank. Lakers in ____ over Utah. And who's the worst between Galarraga, Myers and Guthrie?

Matthew Berry

  (3:58 PM)

4. And I say Myers.

whitney, nyc

Jose Lopez worth sticking out? What about Mike Aviles?

Matthew Berry

  (3:59 PM)

Yes on both, depenind on options. Like Lopez more than Aviles if you are choosing

bobby bonilla (pittsburgh)

Help! What's wrong with Braun and Carlos Lee? My team is floundering with those as my top 2 picks.

Matthew Berry

  (3:59 PM)

Dude, it's still April. Chill. Braun started slow last year too

Joel (Boston)

BUZZER BEATER: Andy Pettitte or Jarod Washburn? League uses K/BB.

Matthew Berry

  (4:00 PM)

Washburn

Adam (Chico)

Zobrist or Yunel?

Matthew Berry

  (4:00 PM)

Yunel

Tim(Atlanta,GA)

we have heard enough about Aviles and Lopez the past few chats. Let's hear your opinion of Gordon Beckham for 2009!!!!! Please!

Matthew Berry

  (4:00 PM)

He will get a chance before All-Star break

Billy Koch (Toronto)

My worst pitcher is me. Am I better than Joe Blanton?

Matthew Berry

  (4:01 PM)

This made me laugh out loud

Hanley?

trade hanley and get S. drew and Sizemore??? what ya think

Matthew Berry

  (4:02 PM)

Yeah, I'd do that deal. Ok gang, time is up. Thanks for all for stopping by - sorry I couldn't get to more questions....