James Quintong

  (3:01 PM)

Good afternoon everyone. Hope you're all looking forward to a pretty interesting sports weekend. Let's get right to your questions.

Jeff,NC

No one seems to be talking about B.J Upton is he a good buy low candidate, what about Texeria, Soto, and Holliday?

James Quintong

  (3:03 PM)

I think Upton eventually will be fine, at least in terms of getting his average up to snuff and stealing bases. Don't go overboard thinking he'll hit a ton of homers. Teixeira is a historically slow starter, and he's still doing enough things to be useful. Soto concerns me a bit, but I want to wait it out, while I'm not sure what's gotten into Holliday (and a couple of my teams are paying the price right now for it).

Tommy (Atlanta)

When is Tommy Hanson going to be called up? Would you consider picking him up in mixed league if you are looking to increase your strikeouts while not punting the other general categories (ie. WHIP, ERA)?

James Quintong

  (3:04 PM)

Hanson had another great start at Triple-A last night, and I think the Braves will want to bring him sooner rather than later. He's pitching like he should be up sometime this month or early next month. And yes, even in mixed leagues, he'd be worth a gamble based on the potential.

Edinson Volquez (Cincinnati)

Was my last start a preview of the season to come? Or is my owner a smartypants for selling high and trading me for Cole Hamels?

James Quintong

  (3:06 PM)

Volquez obviously has a lot of talent and upside, although for every 8-inning, 1-hit outing, there could be a 7-BB, 7-K performance looming as well. Selling high isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I'm still a bit curious as to what Cole Hamels will do this season. He's struggled early and now has an ankle injury to contend with, although he's supposed to make his next start.

John (Pensacola)

Who is better to keep Gardner or Josh Anderson? Will they both continue to get playing time? Would you drop either for Laporta if he comes up? Thanks

James Quintong

  (3:08 PM)

Right now, I'd say Anderson over Gardner. Anderson has been getting time thanks to injuries, while Gardner is losing at-bats to the suddenly surging Melky Cabrera. Anderson can hit for average more than Gardner as well. As for dropping either for LaPorta, it would depend how much you need the steals.

Sammy (San Francisco, Ca)

Any value to either Podsednik or Madson? Pod was just called up and Madson may take over from lidge. Thanks as I really need the advice.

James Quintong

  (3:10 PM)

Podsednik could get a few steals, but he may not do much else to get regular playing time. Madson is a good fall-back option in case Lidge goes on the DL, but for now, I think Lidge is day-to-day. Still, Madson does enough as a reliever to solidify ERA and WHIP to keep around.

Ben (Tempe, AZ)

Trying to target A-Roid before he gets back, am I giving up to much if I trade Youkilis for him? Also, how many games does it take for a player to qualify at a new position in standard ESPN leagues?

James Quintong

  (3:12 PM)

I think A-Rod will be fine when he gets back, although Youkilis has been amazing this year. It might be the right price to trade for him. As for the new position eligibility, a player needs 10 games in-season to get a new position in standard ESPN leagues.

Freddy Kruger (Dreamland)

Drop my look-a-like Julian Tavarez after last night's implosion following a save the night before following a blown save the night before? Very deep 16-team mixed league where saves are real hard to come by.

James Quintong

  (3:13 PM)

I wouldn't necessarily drop him right away, especially in a league that deep, but just be aware that there could be a few options looming in Washington. Logan Kensing got tagged with a blown save before Tavarez's blow-up, but he's got potential as a saves guy as well.

Tony Almeda (The Dark Side)

Are you a believer in Ryan Franklin, or is he a sell high guy?

James Quintong

  (3:15 PM)

So, Tony, where's that Cubs mug of yours? Anyways, I think Tony La Russa seems to like Franklin enough to leave him with the job until he really messes things up. We saw that a bit last year.

Terrence (NYC)

who would you rather stash if you are speculating saves in the Nat's bullpen. Beimel or Kensin?

James Quintong

  (3:16 PM)

Let's follow up that Nationals closer question (as hard as it is to believe) -- I think Kensing might be the guy. Beimel was great last year, but he may be stuck as the matchups reliever.

CB (Virginia)

Swap Corpas for Street? Heard he lost the job...

James Quintong

  (3:17 PM)

It looks like Street is getting the job again, but it's very possible that it could change once again.

Jon (New York, NY)

Zack Greinke has a 4.80 career ERA in May, 5.61 in June, and 5.80 in July. Is he going to fall back to earth soon and what sort of value should I try to get at SS in exchange for him?

James Quintong

  (3:19 PM)

Interesting stats for sure, although I do think Greinke is for real. With that said, he's due to drop off a little, so if you're "selling high" for a shortstop, you may be wanting to target a really top-end guy like Reyes or Hanley.

Ben (KA)

On the topic of monthly splits, does King Felix drop off from here?

James Quintong

  (3:21 PM)

My colleague Pierre Becquey tackled that in his column today. Hernandez's May ERA is 5.61 but between 3.23 and 3.81 in every month after that. A little dropoff this month, maybe, but he's fine after that.

Joe (Tulsa)

Is Cameron Maybin going to start producing now that he's back near the top of the order? He hit yesterday, he's already hit today...is he going to start pulling his weight, or still not worth the trouble?

James Quintong

  (3:22 PM)

I think he's still a bit raw, so it may take a little while before he really pulls his weight. There's lots of upside, but plenty of downside.

D (wichita)

How about Gallardo on Wednesday? After a kind of slow start, was this just a good game or is he now primed for domination?

James Quintong

  (3:24 PM)

Gallardo was a guy who was set up to get better as the season went along. He's got lots of upside, so this is the start of something good.

Bobby (Milwaukee)

I have Derrek Lee on my fantasy team and was wondering if its worth it to keep him. Fowler, Morgan, Asdrubal, Teahan are out there. What do you think I should do?

James Quintong

  (3:26 PM)

Lee's start is a bit puzzling, but he's still got enough to turn it around the rest of the way. Unless you really need the steals, I'd stay put, or else I'd look at Fowler and maybe Morgan.

Ryan (Boston)

Last try....Is there any news on Matt Laporta? Going to get called up?

James Quintong

  (3:27 PM)

I have not heard any news on LaPorta, other than he's a prime target to get called up in place of Hafner, but that the decision may not be made until next week (depending on what pitching they need). He's done enough in the minors to warrant a call and I think there's a place for him in Cleveland to produce.

Joe (StL)

Hey James, is Wakefield now a viable fantasy option? In the past he's too up and down, but he's been pretty consistent this year. Good pickup?

James Quintong

  (3:30 PM)

Right now, Wakefield is definitely on an upswing and is pretty useful right now. However, he's yet to give up a homer this year and you know that's not going to hold up much longer. It's fine to gamble on him now as long as you know that a bad outing may be looming on the horizon.

Bob (GA)

Brendan was very bearish on Brandon Phillips returning to form. Your thoughts?

James Quintong

  (3:32 PM)

I've got Phillips on a few teams and I think he'll be fine. He won't wow you with the average and is probably a liability in OBP leagues, but he can hit for enough power and run well to be useful enough.

Bob (ATL)

will Nolasco right the ship?

James Quintong

  (3:34 PM)

I think Nolasco eventually will be fine. He struggled in April last year before turning things around. Nolasco's K rate isn't too far off from last year, so there's still upside. He might be a decent buy-low candidate.

Chris (Boston)

Brett Cecil got the call-up today... I know his minor league numbers have been less than impressive so far this year, but would you grab him in a long term keeper league? What's his ceiling?

James Quintong

  (3:36 PM)

He appears he'll be a solid pitcher in the long-term, so he's definitely worth picking up in a keeper league. He's been terrible at Triple-A this year, so I wouldn't necessarily jump at him in most leagues just yet. But he's definitely worth watching as the Jays try to figure out that rotation.

Ted (DC)

Smotlzy, no one has been able to answer what his role will be when he returns. Do I bother stashing him on the DL assuming he'll be a starter?

James Quintong

  (3:38 PM)

If you've got the room, I'd stash him away since Smoltz likely will be starting when he gets back. What's been tricky (and I've gotten a ton of questions to this effect) is that if you don't have much space on the DL/bench, he would be the first to go if you're trying to go after a hot-shot guy on the waiver wire.

Jorge Cantu, Miami

Is there any way I can keep this up all year and end the year as a Top-5 third baseman?

James Quintong

  (3:40 PM)

Top five at the end of the year? Probably not, although he's got enough pop in his bat to anchor your third base spot all year long.

Dickie (Newark DE)

Should I wait out Jose Lopez? Aaron Hill and Scutaro are available.

James Quintong

  (3:42 PM)

Lopez has hit a little better over the past week, so you can ride that out. However, Aaron Hill is showing some of his form from 2007 and could be a 15-20 homer guy again.

Rex (Houston)

Will Ibanez get 30 HR and 10 SB?

James Quintong

  (3:43 PM)

30 homers is possible playing in Philly, although he's only broken that mark once in his career. He's never had more than 9 steals in a season, so the three so far is a bit of a surprise, and he might not get that many the rest of the year.

Mr. Redlegs (Cincy)

Rollins for Peavy, who wins?

James Quintong

  (3:45 PM)

I'm still a bit bullish on Rollins, so I think he'll be better the rest of the way. Peavy should recover after a couple of bad starts, but I still don't have a lot of trust in the rest of the team providing him run support.

Brian (South Bend, IN)

I need a SS after Lowrie both dissapointed and DL'd. I picked up Callaspo but Barmes and Zobrist are also available. Who do you like?

James Quintong

  (3:46 PM)

I actually like Zobrist, at least in short bursts. He's got a little pop in his bat and the Rays are finding ways to keep him in the lineup.

Steve(MA)

sticking with the crappy ss theme. Is it time to dump JJ Hardy?

James Quintong

  (3:49 PM)

He's amazingly streaky as he seems to pick one half of the season to be good and one half to be bad. I think if there are other good options available, you drop him. He could turn it around, but in many leagues you can go elsewhere and try to get him off the waiver wire later.

Delmon Young (Minnesota)

Why did you give up Garza or me. I stink!! Should I be dropped in mixed leagues?

James Quintong

  (3:50 PM)

Mixed leagues, yeah, he probably should be dropped, or at least no more than a No. 5 OF/bench guy. Apparently Tampa Bay knew what it was doing in getting Garza for him.

Tim L, Odenton, MD

I'm in a 10-team, NL only league with traditional 5x5 scoring. I have Francisco Rodriguez as my only closer. He's been great, but will only get me to the middle of the pack in saves, and every established closer is already on someone's roster. Joel Hanrahan is available off the scrap heap...is it worth it for me to see if I can pick up a few garbage saves from him?

James Quintong

  (3:53 PM)

Hanrahan may have lost the job now but he could get the job back at some point too since that situation is so up in the air (even though as I mentioned, I'm intrigued by guys like Beimel and Kensing). Otherwise, I wouldn't necessarily go chasing after every saves guy but looking at some solid set-up/middle men who may eventually slide into a closer's job should something happen to the incumbent.

Tony (Jersey)

Does Chris Davis get it together or should i look for a replacement?

James Quintong

  (3:54 PM)

I think he'll eventually figure things out; he's still hitting homers, but hitting seventh in the order isn't helping him in terms of RBIs.

Tim (ABQ - NM)

Do you see Nolan Reimold getting a chance in LF this year...even soon?

James Quintong

  (3:56 PM)

I think the Orioles have to consider him at some point, given his sick numbers so far, and the fact that Felix Pie has struggled. I've got him in a keeper sim league, so I'm hoping he gets the call sooner rather than later.

Rob (NJ)

Does Matt Gamel get the call?

James Quintong

  (3:59 PM)

I was just talking about this with some people here in the office. He's definitely hitting enough to warrant a callup now, but the question is where to put him. His defense at third is still a major question mark and Bill Hall has played well this year. The Brewers already moved Ryan Braun to left, so that's out, and Prince Fielder is at first, so that's also out. If the Brewers were back in the AL, he'd have a place as a DH.

Pound for Pound, CA

Hey James, Who does better in Big Z and Fielder Swap? Also what kind of hitter would you expect to give to get Grienke?

James Quintong

  (4:01 PM)

I'd still take Fielder over Z, but it's pretty close. And you'll probably need to give up a really good hitter (top 20-30) right now to get Greinke, unless you mention the iffy monthly splits another chatter mentioned earlier.

James Quintong

  (4:01 PM)

And to be a little different to end this chat session ...

Riccio (PA)

Heyy James, I know its early but i was just wondering who you thought would be next seasons Top 5 picks in Fantasy Football?

James Quintong

  (4:03 PM)

We had our fantasy football rankings summit earlier this week, and what I had as my top five after a little tweaking was: Adrian Peterson, Michael Turner, Maurice Jones-Drew, Matt Forte, Steven Jackson. I almost guarantee that'll change a ton by the time camps open.

James Quintong

  (4:04 PM)

Anyways, that's all the time I've got for this week. Have a great weekend everyone!