Brendan Roberts

  (10:59 AM)

Good morning everyone. It's already April 24 ... season going fast. Let's get to the questions.

Mike (Cincy)

Does Phil Hughes get the call for Tuesday and is this the promotion where he finally sticks? He has been very good so far this year.

Brendan Roberts

  (11:01 AM)

Good question, and I was just checking on this this morning. Wang was dominant in an extended spring training game, but it seems the Yanks still are leaning toward placing him on the DL and getting a look at Hughes. Obviously not official until it happens, but let's just say, in a deep-mixed leagues (14 or more teams), I'd pick up Hughes now in case he starts Tuesday and maybe even gets two starts next week.

Scott (Binghamton, NY)

How about a nice Apple and Oranges comparison. Both Cueto and Encarnacion were dropped in my 5x5 league. Assuming that my team has equal needs..who's a better WW pick-up? If any at all.

Brendan Roberts

  (11:02 AM)

Definitely Encarn is the better pickup. Cueto has potential, as we all know, but players of his ilk are easier to come by than 25-homer third basemen on the waiver wire.

Trevor (Miami)

Is Matt Wieters worth holding on a spot instead of Adamn Jones or Torri Hunter? 8 Team Mixed League. Please help.

Brendan Roberts

  (11:04 AM)

Hmm, pretty shallow league, but I'd still say yes. Wieters was back in the lineup (at DH) in Triple-A after missing five games because of a strained hammy, and he's fine. And the O's are still saying he'll be up earlier than later, especially if Zaun doesn't pick it up (he's hitting .122). The O's can't afford to lose ground in the AL East.

DAWG: (BAMA)

Home Run Hamilton!!!! Sign of things to come?

Brendan Roberts

  (11:05 AM)

Definitely. He's certainly no Darryl Hamilton! Yes, great time to have him.

Andrew (TPA)

Who gets more saves, Corpas or Soriano?

Brendan Roberts

  (11:06 AM)

Corpas. He has a closer job, while Soriano is still just a fill-in. Even if he's handed save duties aplenty, he'll still platoon with Mike Gonzalez.

John (NYC)

A 1b predicament here. Lee is struggling big time, and Konerko is available for pick-up. Should make the switch right away?

Brendan Roberts

  (11:07 AM)

Oh boy, no way you can still hang on to Lee? If there is, I'd find a way, even if it hamstrings you at another position. But if a guy like Konerko is available, then that means your league's FA wire is fairly deep, meaning you kinda have to play for the now. And Konerko is the now, for sure. He's a second-half hitter who is hitting in April. Not conventional, but I do like him more.

Dan (Bridgewater, NJ)

I know it's early, but righties and lefties are hitting over .300 against Slowey. Last season, it was around .250 for both. Who are we going to see this year?

Brendan Roberts

  (11:09 AM)

Yeah, that whole Twins pitching staff (other than Perkins), but the Twinkies have had some tough matchups, and I think Baker, Francisco and Slowey will all right the ship. Maybe getting Mauer back and calling the pitches is all it will take.

Jeff (SF)

I want to pickup Lowell as 3B insurance but which OF should I drop? Fukodome, Pacman Jones, Damon, N. Cruz or Hawpe? Thanks BRob!

Brendan Roberts

  (11:10 AM)

Pacman Jones?! Well, if Lowell is available now, why wouldn't he be available when you need him? Or at least someone close to his value. I'd try to avoid if at all possible, but of those players, I probably like Fukudome the least going forward.

Bernard (Princeton, NJ)

Is Lester a safe start vs the Yankees tonight?

Brendan Roberts

  (11:11 AM)

Yeah, I'd say. I'd leave him in there thanks to his "dominance" factor (ability to post a gem). Maybe the matchup will urge him to bring his A game.

tyger (bettendorf, IA)

bite on which deal: dye/petite for beltran/verlander or dye/petite for carlos lee/kershaw? just keep dye/petite?

Brendan Roberts

  (11:12 AM)

Both look good to me. Folks, like it or not, now is a good time to trade Mr. Pettitte. I like Lee/Kershaw better.

Nate (Winsonsin)

Who do you think gets more playing time in 2009: Brandon Wood in LA or Stewart in Colorodo?

Brendan Roberts

  (11:13 AM)

Definitely Stewart. He's still getting his ABs now, and he's not even starting -- yet. I've seen a few questions about Ian, but I really like him going forward. Also, as I noted in my Hit Parade, please note the Rox finally start playing games at home today.

Chris (St. Louis)

Is Scott Downs worth a pick up now that BJ Ryan is out?

Brendan Roberts

  (11:16 AM)

Yes, yes, yes ... when you look back at his numbers, he really has been a very good pitcher since the start of 2007, and even has been great against both lefties and righties. This year he has a WHIP of 0.41. I like him even better right now than Ryan at any point last season.

Chuck (NY)

AJ Mass says that we should consider Liriano droppable. Your thoughts B-Rob?

Brendan Roberts

  (11:17 AM)

Hmm, didn't see that he said that, but I would respectfully disagree. He was pretty bad last April, too (including his first start or two in the minors). Once he gets the feel for the slider again, he'll be fine.

James (NYC)

Doumit is hurt. I am getting offers of Martin/Dunn/Slowey for Han-Ram. I have Reyes and Han-Ram, and need some serious pitching. Slowey isn't really my cup of tea and he doesn't have much more pitching. Reject?

Brendan Roberts

  (11:19 AM)

Oh, that is a pickle ... trading a top-5 player really is gutsy. Sounds like you can replace him fine, and now is a good time to get all three of those players, but in cases like this, you have to consider the players you're benching as part of the deal, so it'd be like trading Hanley, your fifth starting OF and your final SP slot. If it still favors you, do it. I guess I'm saying I won't stop you from trading Hanley here.

Frankie, Atlanta

Love the chat Brendan. Follow up to B.Wood. Seems like he'd be a beast as he qualifies at shortstop. But do you see them sending him back down?

Brendan Roberts

  (11:21 AM)

Nah, I think Wood is safe up here. The reason for his call-up, really, was Vlad's placement on the DL, and everything I'm hearing about him is that he should be expected to miss more than a month. Wood has nothing left to prove in the minors, so he's up. Question is whether Scioscia will play him everyday. He's not really a Scioscia-type player; he loves the scrappy, make-something-happen type, and that's not Wood. I think he'll get probably half the available at-bats eventually, which I'm guessing isn't going to cut it for most of you.

Buzzsaw (L.A.)

Hey man where's the Out of the Box?? I know they've gotta be talking about me smoking it to 4-0 last night

Brendan Roberts

  (11:23 AM)

It's being posted as I type this: http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/baseball/flb/outOfTheBox?page=ootb090424. No Billinglsey talk, though. We knew "you" were good, and you were facing the 'Stros. Nice job, but ...

B (Chicago)

Trying to deal away D. Lee...I was thinking about targeting Atkins or Chris Davis (Konerko is available on the ww). Thoughts?

Brendan Roberts

  (11:24 AM)

Trading away your Chicago boy?! Ha, ha. Maybe your a Sox fan ... yeah, I'd endorse that maneuver.

Ben (Flushing, NY)

Wondering if could rank the following OF for 2009 only? R.Winn, J.Upton, B.Giles. Thanks!

Brendan Roberts

  (11:25 AM)

I'm tempted to say Upton-Winn-Giles, but realistically I have to say Winn-Upton-Giles. Winn has taken to that leadoff spot and showing he has plenty of life left in his legs.

Felix (FL)

Would you part ways with Cantu for LaRoche?

Brendan Roberts

  (11:26 AM)

Probably not. They're very similar players, but I think Cantu will hit for a higher average and even steal a few bases. That hand bruise has him out right now, but he'll back soon, and he's hitting .341.

Jasper (Philly)

Konerko has been mentioned a few times. What's your take on him? Are we talking .300/25/100 this season? Thanks, BR!

Brendan Roberts

  (11:28 AM)

Yes, gives me a good chance to clarify. Konerko still not elite by any means, but I think we're talking .275-30-90. I think it's a contract year for him, if I'm not mistaken.

Steve (ohio)

Sit Joba tonight against the BoSox?

Brendan Roberts

  (11:29 AM)

Awful tempting, but I think you stick with him tonight. He's inconsistent, but according to H2H stats, the current crop of Red Sox hitters are batting just .220 with a .320 SLG against him in their careers.

Vmart

Sell me now before I self destruct?

Brendan Roberts

  (11:30 AM)

Nah, I keep V-Mart. Given pre-2008 seasons, there's no guarantee he'll self-destruct. Plus, I have to say, the feeling of having a catcher spot locked in with one of the few top options really creates a good feeling as a fantasy owner.

Tim (Corona, CA)

Yes, my city is named after a mediocre beer. Should I be patient with Beltre, or drop him for either Lowell or Derosa? Thanks!!!

Brendan Roberts

  (11:31 AM)

Those guys are pretty good -- and tempting -- but I think you hang with Beltre a little longer. His agent will give him a call soon and remind him he's in a contract year. Ha, ha.

David (LA, CA)

BRENDAN! When we getting that beer? Is Tulo gonna screw me again...like last year? And should I hang on to Bradley or send his whiny butt packing? Thanks!!!

Brendan Roberts

  (11:33 AM)

Mmmm, beer. I think Tulo will bounce back, at least in homers, and at least compared with the regular SS. But this huge breakout season everyone is calling for ... not going to happen. If that were evident, he would have been better last year when he did play. And yes, I'd send Bradley packing. I didn't even think he would hit for the Cubs, and the groin injury was just the final straw. Too many good guys out there for you to waste a spot on him.

Dan (PA)

BR, love your work! What are your thoughts on Chris Young (OF)? He hasn't done much and with a deep OF, I'm finding that he just sits on the bench all week long. Is he droppable for guys like Slowey, Unit, Baker? Aaron Hill?

Brendan Roberts

  (11:34 AM)

Nah, I think you stick with CY a little longer. Tough to find his blend of power and speed, and he's always been streaky.

Chris Iannetta (3-hitsville)

Brendan- Should my owner drop me for killing his BA and then use his #3 waiver claim to pick up wieters? Thank you sir

Brendan Roberts

  (11:35 AM)

Using a No. 3 claim to pick up Wieters sounds good, but doing so in favor of dropping Iannetta isn't recommended. I'll say it again: The Rockies have played just three home games. The big swingers will look at lot better after this upcoming homestand.

Jake

What's going on with Hudson? Is he a sell high?

Brendan Roberts

  (11:38 AM)

Well, he's not gonna hit .370-something this season, so technically, yes he is. But I doubt owners will trade for what he's doing now. He's an established major leaguer, and most will think he'll finish as the same .300-10-50 guy we expect. He'll up the steals, it seems, cause Joe Torre likes to run him. I wouldn't trade him, unless somebody considers him elite.

Mike (Minneapolis)

I'm in a pickle. BJ Ryan, Ziegler, and Gonzalez are my closers. When I move BJ Ryan to the DL, I can either pick up Downs or Rafael Soriano. Downs make sense in the short term; Soriano, maybe in the long term. What would you do?

Brendan Roberts

  (11:39 AM)

Definitely Downs. The job is his, and if he does well, I could see him keeping it even when Ryan returns.

Bobby Abreu (La-La Land)

Am I gonna hit my 18 to 20 homers this year? Total steals for the season, 35-40?

Brendan Roberts

  (11:41 AM)

Maybe not 20 homers, and even 18 sounds kinda tough. No longer has the short porch in right. And no 40 steals, but 30 steals. Scioscia is a runnin' fool's manager! How about this for Abreu: .305-15-95-29.

Nelson Cruz (TEX)

I am awesome. I am going to hit 40 home runs and steal 20 bases...book it! I am a AAAA player no longer!

Brendan Roberts

  (11:43 AM)

Two months ago, I'd have laughed at those projections ... they're still not gonna happen, but I am (finally) starting to come around from him. I'm saying .265-30-85-6.

Vernon (LA)

Drop Pat Burrell for Mike Cameron? 5th outfielder on my squad.

Brendan Roberts

  (11:44 AM)

Yeah, it shouldn't hurt you. I'd do that.

Ben (Bham, AL)

Is Ethier going to keep up this pace all year? And how much value does Colby Rasmus have in that outfield rotation?

Brendan Roberts

  (11:45 AM)

Well, not THIS pace, but Ethier is the real deal. Hang on to him for dear life. And Rasmus? Unfortunately, I'm not expecting much. He's going to be a great player, but good pitchers and good pitches get him out right now. He looks like he doesn't have an idea how to hit some of the tough, bearing-down-and-in sliders he's seeing. He'll figure it out, but not this year.

Mike (AZ)

What is your take on Stephen Drew this year? Should I look at other options (A. Cabrera, Bartlett, Y. Escobar) while I see if he can turn it around? He's been disappointing so far. Thanks!

Brendan Roberts

  (11:47 AM)

Yeah, he has been disappointing, but he's also been banged up. As an AZ guy, you know what kind of all-around player he can be. Definitely hang on to him. You're playing for the last 23 weeks, not the first 3.

Shane (NJ)

Just traded Choo for Hardy. I have Hart too... they just dyed their hair black. My squad is good to go right?

Brendan Roberts

  (11:48 AM)

Yeah, I think so. Don't know about that hair-black thing, but Hardy doesn't get the credit he deserves as a fantasy SS. He's still hitting homers, and he'll pick up the average (he's not King an excessive amount or anything). Also, he's only 26.

Peter, DC

Is Nyjer Morgan for real? I need steals and I can drop Jacobs, LaRoche, Magglio, Lind or Tulo. What would you suggest? I'm pretty solid in the other offensive categories.

Brendan Roberts

  (11:49 AM)

If you need steals, he almost has to be on your team, as he'll remain productive there. I like a lot of those guys you mention, but Jacobs is the one who doesn't fit in my mind, esp. if you have LaRoche. I'd make that swap.

Al (Seattle)

Should I admit defeat and drop Milledge for Choo, Konerko, or Asdrubal in my 12-team league? Thanks!

Brendan Roberts

  (11:51 AM)

Yes, all Lastings owners, except in NL-only leagues, should admit defeat with him. He's not coming back anytime soon, and he has flat-out lost his starting job. I think he's something like 2-for-17 right now in the minors. I'd pick up a replacement, probably in this order: Konerko, Choo, Asdrubal.

Matt (WI)

I have Napoli as my starting catcher but I'm getting sick of him not playing everyday and barely hitting when he does play. Do I pick up a guy like Suzuki who does play everyday and has good numbers now? Or maybe J. Baker who won't play everyday either but is hitting over .300?

Brendan Roberts

  (11:52 AM)

I don't think Suzuki or Baker are .300 hitters, not even close, meaning the law of averages will catch up with them eventually. I know it's frustrating, but going forward, I think Napoli definitely outproduces those two.

Tony (Philly)

Is Melky Cabrera worth a pickup? He's been hot lately...from a baseball perspective.

Brendan Roberts

  (11:53 AM)

Ha, ha. Good clarification, Tony. Yeah, he looks like the player I thought he'd be last season. Unfortunately, even if he gets the better part of it, he's still in a platoon, and a lot of his big hits were actually in games he didn't even start, if I recall. Unless you have a dog on your bench, I'd let him sit.

Anthony (Cali)

I asked an owner what he wanted for Votto, he said Josh Johnson and O Hudson. make the deal?

Brendan Roberts

  (11:54 AM)

Both players? Maybe not for both guys, but if he can throw in a semi-usable player in return, I'd do it. I think that much of Votto.

Suzie Schwartz (Maine)

Hey Brendan, very impressive outing against a tough lineup for Wandy. Should I start using him for road games?

Brendan Roberts

  (11:55 AM)

I think you do. The think I most like about what I've seen of Wandy is his composure. It seems in past years, he'd allow a big hit or a homer, and he'd look like he wanted to cry. Something has changed in him mentally ... he's bearing down and getting out of jams on the road. I'm buying the hot start. Good question, though.

Borat (Kazakhstan)

Is Greinke now the Pamela Anderson of SP's? Should I try to trade him for someone like Haren or Shields?

Brendan Roberts

  (11:56 AM)

The Pamela Anderson? Ah, a Borat reference. Yeah, awful tough to trade him right now, but I do like Haren more long-term (but not quite Shields).

Luke (Tampa)

Even thought it is early, I need speed. Would you trade Carlos Pena for Crawford. (Thome at UTIL and Konerko for 1b).

Brendan Roberts

  (11:58 AM)

If you can replace Pena's production, and it appears you can, then yes, I'd do it. You might even be able to get a throw-in player included there, as poor as Crawford has been. But I think Carl bounces back.

Last try (Seattle)

Please comment on Furcal's uninspiring start and what we might expect this season from him.

Brendan Roberts

  (12:00 PM)

A slow start indeed. I don't really see anything in Furcal that indicates he won't bounce back or should be as bad as he has been. I've even watched him, and he's not running gimpy, he's striking out more than usual, but not excessively. I think he'll bounce back, unless there's something I'm just not seeing. The good thing about him is he's still scoring runs.

Billy. (Cincinnati)

What's the word on Cantu's wrist? Should I pickup Conor Jackson or Giambi or Chris Duncan until he's back?

Brendan Roberts

  (12:01 PM)

It's just a bruise. He should be back soon. One more, guys.

John, Harlem

What do you see from Dan Uggla this year? He started of really hot and has since cooled off quite a bit. Is he just gunna be streaky all year or do you see him building on a big year last year?

Brendan Roberts

  (12:02 PM)

Uggla will forever be a streaky hitter. Anybody who is an all-or-nothing guy is. But just like he has in past years, I expect to look at the numbers to be there at the end of the season. I guess that would make now a good time to get him.

Brendan Roberts

  (12:03 PM)

And that'll do it, folks. Just as a reminder, I try not to answer questions that help just one owner unless I can throw in some analysis that helps everyone. We have Answer Guys for the single-team help ... people are here to read my thoughts on players, not fantasy teams. But lots of great questions today. Thanks again for stopping by, and we'll see ya next week.