Jason Grey

  (11:02 AM)

Hey everyone, just got back from a Cal League scouting trip that I'll be writing about for Wednesday. Lots of questions already, so let's get to it.

Marsh (StL)

I just traded Francisco Cordero for Josh Beckett. Should I still be happy with that trade after his outing this past weekend?

Jason Grey

  (11:04 AM)

Get ready for the first of many times I will be saying this in the chat. "It's still early." Yes, even though it's been a month. Check Santana's ERA's in April sometime for an example. Beckett's healthy and will be just fine over the long haul. Be happy with that deal.

David (LA, CA)

Jason! Quickie: Weaver or Lohse? Thanks!

Jason Grey

  (11:04 AM)

Weaver

Brad (Denver)

SO-TOrmenting. Jason what's going on with Geovany?

Jason Grey

  (11:04 AM)

He's still getting back up to speed after his shoulder problem. Patience, he'll come around.

Roddy (San Fran)

Y. Escobar, A. Cabrera or E. Andrus for this year only?

Jason Grey

  (11:06 AM)

Cabrera - who I've been touting as a mixed league sleeper since the spring. He quietly put together a strong finish last year and has taken it into this season, and has finally been moved out of the nine hole to bat second.

Josh (Im up at 3am because i need help, FL)

What do you make of Robinson Cano's fast start? Will he keep it up? Thanks

Jason Grey

  (11:07 AM)

He'll keep it up reasonably enough. No reason he can't hit .300 with 15-19 homers over the course of the year.

Brenden (Houston)

What is the deal with Tulo this season? Was his 07 a fluke?

Jason Grey

  (11:07 AM)

Absolutely not a fluke. He'll be fine, and he's a good buy low candidate. I've seen him for two series this year and his swing looks fine to me - he'll come around.

Scott (Fayetteville, AR)

When will Matt LaPorta get called up?

Jason Grey

  (11:09 AM)

The original plan entering the season was for him to rake for two months in Triple-A and give them some decisions to make. Francisco's struggles may accelerate that timeframe slightly, or they could go with a returning David Dellucci in the short-term if they don't want to start LaPorta's clock yet.

John, Columbia

I can't think of any scenario where I'd start Justin Verlander vs the Yanks tonight, but how about Scott Baker at home against the Rays?

Jason Grey

  (11:12 AM)

I'd rather start Verlander over Baker. Verlander has pitched far better than his ERA would indicate and will start getting that number in line. Baker's gopher ball issues may or may not be a byproduct of his spring shoulder injury, so for the moment I'd rather take my chances with Verlander if I had to choose one.

jasper (philly)

I'm loving Inge right now, but is he a sell-high?

Jason Grey

  (11:13 AM)

In order to sell high, someone has to be on the other end. I think it would be tough to find someone to believe enough to give a decent return. The power is legit, the average is not. Yes, he clearly can hit better when he's not worrying about catching, but let's not go overboard.

Eric (MA)

If someone in my league is looking to get rid of Webb, would you offer Joba or Cain for him and stash him? Or do you see him as a lost cause for the year?

Jason Grey

  (11:15 AM)

Intriguing play...but we're looking six weeks minimum for Webb, and potentially eight or longer. I'd have to have a really strong pitching staff that can cover in order to make that play. I like the out of the box thinking, but the uncertainty of Webb's injury and what is causing the issues would make me pause before doing that.

Tony (Philly)

Kershaw really got pounded last night...I know it's April, but that was the second time...is he in for an up and down season or does he right the ship?

Jason Grey

  (11:18 AM)

A certain level of up and down is to be expected given that he's just 21. Let's also not forget he struck out 13 and was dominant prior to those two starts. He rights the ship and has more good than bad over the balance of the season, provided there is no injury situation we're unaware of. (By all indications, he's healthy and just had a bad couple of outings just like Beckett and Burnett did this weekend. It happens.)

Cameron (Atl, GA)

Is it safe to drop Derrek Lee?

Jason Grey

  (11:20 AM)

Not enough information to answer, but in general, no. He's not the power hitter he was before wrist surgery two years ago, but a .290 hitter with 20 homers has good value in a year when first base is a relatively weaker pool than it has been compared to recent seasons. The neck injury isn't supposed to be anything too serious.

Charlie (Syracuse, NY)

Oh my God Miggy is a bust should I sell now and try to salvage some value!

Jason Grey

  (11:22 AM)

Patience. You'll get better value by hanging on then what you'd likely get for dealing him at this juncture. He's still making good contact and the bat speed hasn't slowed.

Ben (Iowa)

Josh Anderson - good source of cheap steals with some long term potential?

Jason Grey

  (11:24 AM)

Agreed on the first part - but as far as long-term potential, this is what he is. There's not much more offensively here. It's just a matter of how many at-bats he gets to use his wheels. Basically, he's a version of what Scott Podsednik used to be when he was getting regular time.

Jason Grey

  (11:26 AM)

Lots of questions about Wieters, Price, Hanson, etc. Remember the key is it is all about service time and keeping the player under control for another year, which means plan for June and anything before that is a bonus. Hanson may be the closest, depending on how Jo Jo Reyes does, but the team could also call up Charlie Morton instead if they don't want to start the clock. It's not always on merit.

andrew (mn)

after his last 2 outings, what's masterson's value going forward?

Jason Grey

  (11:27 AM)

The issue is that if/when Dice-K and/or Smoltz return, Masterson is back in the bullpen - but as long as he's starting, I want him on my mixed league roster.

ben (ct)

kinsler sell high? does he keep it up all season? does he go for .310 30-100 25?

Jason Grey

  (11:28 AM)

DO NOT REMOVE KINSLER FROM YOUR ROSTER IF YOU OWN HIM. Hope that's clear enough.

Steve(Ma)

Jason, START CUETO vs Astros? Also I have BRANYAN on my bench. Should he be owned in a 6x6 10 team mixed league? 1st, 3rd and CI eligible. Thanks

Jason Grey

  (11:30 AM)

Astros are 28th in runs scored, so I'll take my chances with that kind of offense. Branyan has some downside that is surely coming, and 10 team mixed seems a little bit shallow to own him.

Greg (Bethlehem, PA)

Whats up JG! NEED FOR SPEED! chavez, bourn, morgan, anderson??

Jason Grey

  (11:31 AM)

I would guess that out of all of those players, Bourn has the most steals when the season is all said and done.

Bruce W (Gotham City)

In a league with TB as 6th cat, do you drop Dukes/Young/Cruz? Thanks.

Jason Grey

  (11:32 AM)

Out of those three, it's Chris Young

Kenny Powers (USA)

Verlander for Lindstrom a fair trade if in need of saves?

Jason Grey

  (11:33 AM)

Fair? Sure. I'd rather haver Verlander though. Even with his bad start, seems like a little too much to part with for a shaky closer.

Ben (MA)

Justin Upton or Mike Aviles! Better pickup for this year?

Jason Grey

  (11:33 AM)

Upton.

Joe (NJ)

Start Liriano tomorrow vs TB?

Jason Grey

  (11:36 AM)

I think Liriano's issues thus far are a matter of pitch selection and not necessarily a skill issue so he's a good play even if there is some extra risk involved.

Shannon (TN)

Which 2B will have the better year: Phillips or Hill?

Jason Grey

  (11:36 AM)

Phillips - it's a long season.

The Emerald (The Rock, NY)

Any insight into Ricky Nolasco's problems or can I chalk them up to "it's early" as well?

Jason Grey

  (11:38 AM)

Early - he struggled early last year as well (though he was coming off of elbow problems then) In the absence of any injury issues --and there don't appear to be any -- there's no reason not to expect him to start getting better. If there were issues with his workload from last year, I doubt they would be showing up this early.

Mike(Boston)

What happened to your boy Washburn? Who's your pick this week- Sonnanstine vs. the Sox?

Jason Grey

  (11:42 AM)

Well, I only said he's an AL -only play because there are going to be starts like that from time to time. As a pitcher that gives up a lot of flyballs he's going to have fluctuatiions like that. That said, the improved cutter, a little better sink on the ball, and vastly improved OF defense give him a chance to have some good value in AL play. Considering he was on the waiver wire in almost all leagues, even AL ones, that's not bad. Let's not go overboard though.

Steve (Chicago)

Hey JG, heard you just watched Strasburg pitch, as good as advertised and will he play in MLB in 2009? Thanks

Jason Grey

  (11:42 AM)

If I answered that now, I'd have nothing for my column on Wednesday :-)

Greg (Deep Creek, MD)

Jason, Stunned no one has asked about P. Hughes. You see him being ready or stay far away?

Jason Grey

  (11:43 AM)

He's a reserve play in standard ESPN leagues for me at best at this point and a must grab in AL. I still want to see some better command at the big league level first. There are likely going to be some bumps in the road, but clearly he has the chance to start fulfilling some of his potential.

Dwight S. (Scranton)

Commish/Veto question. My philosphy is to let pretty much any trade go through. That being said, someone just agreed to send Grady Sizemore for Garrett Atkins and Ryan Franklin (he DOES need saves). Abysmal trade, but still...I should just let it go through, right? No signs of collusion, just your standard concerns about altering balance of the league...thanks!

Jason Grey

  (11:45 AM)

It's not the worst deal I've heard of absent collusion questions. I'm a big free market guy when it comes to trade rules in the league, and it's not egregious enough to overturn. There's a difference between lopsided and unfair to the rest of the league.

Dan (Denver)

Have you heard the rumblings about the ball being juiced this year? Has me nervous about Slowey (and other FB pitchers). Dump him now after the strong start @ Cle on Saturday?

Jason Grey

  (11:46 AM)

I think they are just that....unsubstantiated rumbling and rumor-mongering. I'd gladly take Slowey off your hands.

Dennis (Milwaukee, WI)

Lost McCann, grab Iannetta, Salty or Napoli?

Jason Grey

  (11:47 AM)

Napoli, especially with the more certain playing time, though I do like Iannetta to start kicking it into gear.

Sean (Brooklyn)

Why would Ozzie come out and say that GBeckham won't play this year? Seems a bit odd to make that grand of a pronouncement. I'm still hoping he comes up in July. What about Haren - he got no love on the Daily notes for his start tonight!

Jason Grey

  (11:48 AM)

Ozzie spouted off and made some big pronouncement? You don't say! I think he was likely just trying to temper expectations a bit.

Matt (Peoria, IL)

Not a single question on Peavy? Should we eavy oqwners be concerned right now?

Jason Grey

  (11:50 AM)

I'm tempted to still just say it's early, but given his elbow problems last season I am slightly hesitant. Still, all indications are that he is fine, and his velocity is OK.

Donald (Tulsa, OK)

What do you think of this deal? Brandon Phillips and Liriano for Robinson Cano.

Jason Grey

  (11:51 AM)

GIve me the Phillips and Liriano side every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

david (so Cal)

sorry if its been asked, WHat about Ben Zobrist at SS, with Drew out I have Guzman or Betancourt this week H2H

Jason Grey

  (11:53 AM)

The problem with H2H is you really need someone that's not going to be out of the lineup a couple of days each week, unless you're in a daily transactions league. Even then it's a slight guessing game. I tend to stick with the everyday players.

ben (ct)

who has the most trade value of these SPs lee, liriano, webb, and oswalt??

Jason Grey

  (11:54 AM)

No easy answer to that. Depends on your league. Easy way to find out is offer up a group email to the league indicating all of those guys are available and you'll deal one and see what the best offer is coming back.

Jose (Houston)

Can you give me some insight on Berkman is he hurt?

Jason Grey

  (11:55 AM)

He might still be fighting some of the biceps tendinitis he had at the beginning of the month, but that's just my speculation. My play would be to keep running him out there, as he should start getting going soon.

Casey (Milwaukee, Wi)

Hey Jay, can we expecting anything substantial from Dexter Fowler now that he appears to be getting substantial playing time? I've heard from other analysts (can't remember who) that he's the "real deal." Is he a break out candidate for the remainder of the season?

Jason Grey

  (11:56 AM)

Today's clipboard is 1300 words on Dexter Fowler, so it will be well worth your time when it's posted. HINT: he's like good, and stuff.

mike (LA)

Start Cliff Lee tonight against the Red Sox?

Jason Grey

  (11:58 AM)

Granted he's been OK in his last two starts, but it's a tough assignment against a team that has won ten in a row, and whose offense is in the top three in baseball against southpaws, so I'd lean against it.

Jason Grey

  (11:59 AM)

That said....if you drafted Lee, you probably had to do it pretty highly, and you didn't draft him that high to sit him right? Dance with who you brought I guess, but still it might be a little too risky for my blood.

Michael (Milwaukee, WI)

Dexter Fowler or Ian Stewart?

Jason Grey

  (12:00 PM)

I'll let you make up your own mind based on your team situation and needs after you read the clipboard, because Stewart is addressed there as well (as is Spilborghs)

me (here)

quick SS help - as. cabrera, peralta, or tulo??

Jason Grey

  (12:00 PM)

I'll still take Tulo, even with the slow start.

Jason Grey

  (12:02 PM)

OK guys, that's it for me - still 2000 questions in the queue, so sorry I couldn't get to everyone, but I will be chatting again tomorrow at the same time and will try not to repeat players. Look for clipboard later today and minor achievements on wednesday - I'm also on the podcast today - hear what I sound like on 3 hours sleep after driving back from my scouting trip. Thanks everyone!