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Jason Grey

  (3:03 PM)

Hey everyone, lots of questions already so will get to as many as I can in the next hour...

Walt Birmingham, AL

Jason - Whoda thunk it??? I just benched my 1st round pick (Sizemore) for Choo since their BA is about 140 pts difference! Have you heard any issues about Grady? Your thoughts...

Jason Grey

  (3:04 PM)

Word is he hasn't really been 100% healthy since the season started after the groin issues in spring training and now a sore elbow. He's still bringing the homers and steals at least, so I'm not overly concerned at the moment.

Jimmy

Jason,Where do you see Lester settling in at by year's end? Does he rip off a great stretch for the remainder to get into the low 4.00s or should I trade now with some other owners who are attracted to his Ks and think he can turn it around?

Jason Grey

  (3:06 PM)

I wrote about him extensively in a clipboard a couple of weeks ago. He's just battling some mechanical issues that are causing his front side to fly open, leave the ball up and give up homers. K rate is fine, BB rate is comparable, velocity is fine, and BABIP at .390 is unlucky. Still a strong buy low candidate

CB (Virginia)

Hey Jason! Wanted to know more about Atlanta OF prospect Jason Heyward. Heard he's really good, and the Braves can't have any more of Francoeur, can they? Might we see a call-up this year?

Jason Grey

  (3:09 PM)

No, he's still just 19 and in high-A ball. That would be a huge acceleration of the timetable that I don't think they'd do. Long term he's one of the best prospects in the game.

Tom (NJ)

Jason, who is more likely to recover this season: Scott Baker or Scott Kazmir? Both just hit the waiver wire in my league.

Jason Grey

  (3:10 PM)

Baker, for the reasons about Kazmir I wrote extensively about last week here: http://insider.espn.go.com/fantasy/baseball/flb/story?page=clipboard090518 The velocity drop is disturbing.

Terry Haney, Johnston, Iowa

Jason, I am enjoying your work. Thanks! I've got Clay Buchholz taking up a roster spot, do you think I'll get enough production out of him to justify holding on to him?

Jason Grey

  (3:12 PM)

I think so. Projecting when a pitcher is going to get a callup is always tricky, but if pitching is a trouble spot for you it's always a good idea to have a potential impact arm in the wings and try to get lucky.

Howie

Is it worth hanging on to Kendrick? Hard to believe he's not going to hit .300, which means he has a period of .340 ahead of him. With Uggla and Figgins (qualifying at 2B) on your team and Nick Johnson sitting on the free agent wire, how long do you wait?

Jason Grey

  (3:15 PM)

Last I checked, Uggla was hitting .204 after batting like .220 over the second half of last season, don't get enamored with the homers. And yes, I still believe in Howie's bat.

Shawn (Boston)

Scutaro fence Asdrubal Cabrera...where do you stand?

Jason Grey

  (3:16 PM)

Give me AsCab and the better upside.

Jem (Westchester)

Did something finally click with Hermida in the two-hole?

Jason Grey

  (3:18 PM)

.385 with a homer and couple of steals in the last six games, so it's possible. I still need to see more power out of him before I get excited for the 375th time about him. He could just be the new Austin Kearns.

Todd (Philly)

Any faith in Steven Drew at this point?

Jason Grey

  (3:19 PM)

Absolutely, his BABIP is a ridiculous .204, which shows how unlucky he's been, and he's coming off of a hamstring injury. Patience.

YD (Philly)

Hiya Jason. Thoughts on Outman? Is this real or Memorex?

Jason Grey

  (3:22 PM)

Was scouting in Modesto on Tuesday debating that question with a couple of pro scouts that have seen him quite a bit. I grabbed him in a deep mixed league last week because of the bump in his strikeout rate and what appears to be better command of his slider and change, and more trust in them to use them more often. He's not quite this good, but he might be useful.

Jeff, Chicago

Jason, Strasburg or Hanson for you in a keeper league? tough call for me because i feel like hanson has put himself in that elite category now and will get there sooner... thoughts?

Jason Grey

  (3:22 PM)

Strasburg, who could pitch in September for the Nationals if they so wished.

Jack (Chicago)

What is it that separates Heyward from Stanton as prospects? Seems like there is more upside in Stanton's bat. Thanks

Jason Grey

  (3:23 PM)

Stanton has a lot more power potential...Heyward is more of an all-around game.

Jay(NYC)

Empty DL spot, pickup Escobar or Duchscherer?

Jason Grey

  (3:23 PM)

Escobar

Jason Grey

  (3:27 PM)

Clarifying on Stanton/Heyward - Heyward does have good power potential as well, so saying "a lot more" was probably a poor description. The point I was making is that Stanton is more of a slugger, while Heyward is a five-tool all-around player.

Hot Rod

How much longer do I wait on Nolasco before dropping?

Jason Grey

  (3:28 PM)

Hang in there. A good portion of it has been bad luck. He was having a good outing before getting rained out earlier this week.

Scott (NJ)

What are your thoughts on Kendry Morales? He's been raking for a while now but still seems under the radar. Your thoughts?

Jason Grey

  (3:31 PM)

Liked him as just that under-the-radar guy before the season, esp. in AL auctions where he was always a $10-11 buy. It's a bit more power than expected, although he's always had the raw pop in his bat. It just never quite came out all the time in games. This is what he was supposed to be: .280 hitter or so that could hit maybe 20 jacks in a season

Jason Grey

  (3:31 PM)

To everyone venting about Edwin Jackson...who ever does know what Jim Leyland is thinking?

Erik (MN)

Is Justin Upton finally figuring it out?

Jason Grey

  (3:33 PM)

He slugged .463 in the big leagues at age 19. Guys who do that are special, so you could argue he started to do so with his hot finish of last season.

Scott (Boulder)

How does Josh Hamilton finish this year? Is he worth shopping?

Jason Grey

  (3:35 PM)

Sure, he's worth shopping. Even if you feel he will be just fine over the balance of the season (and I do), sometimes the "name value" winds up providing and even better return in moving him.

Mike CT

I've waited all week for your opinion: Liriano, What's up with him? Should I pick Nolasco or Slowey back up?

Jason Grey

  (3:39 PM)

The fact he's not throwing his slider as much anymore in favor of fastballs and changeup, presumably to reduce the stress in his delivery, is having a bigger impact than anyone anticipated. He's relying more on his fastball despite the fact his velocity is not what it was pre-surgery. The walks are hurting him. My best advice is to hang tight for now, and see what happens over the next 2-3 starts.

Jimmy (Salt Lake)

Jason, is Jorge DLR for real? He's been Jekyll-Hyde the last 2 starts? Thanks a lot - I appreciate your knowledge.

Jason Grey

  (3:41 PM)

He's been Jekyll and Hyde his whole entire career and I'm tired of trying to figure him out. Just accept the fact that fantasy law says he will do great while he's in the free agent pool or on the bench, and horrible when he's in your lineup. It;s a guarantee.

Daniel

In-limbo closers Ziegler and Morrow were both just dropped in my league. Which has more value over the course of the season and why? Thanks, Jason!

Jason Grey

  (3:42 PM)

Have to say Ziegler at this point until Morrow shows he can get outs again following his injury.

Ehrrich(CA)

Is U. Jimenez as good as he's been recently? I noticed he's played some week hitting teams.

Jason Grey

  (3:43 PM)

Well, he did post a sub-four ERA very quietly last year. Groundball pitchers that can get strikeouts are a pretty desirable profile, and his division has three teams that don't hit well, so there's a lot of things to like.

Jordan (OH)

Any change in the closer situation with Bailey, Wuertz and Ziegler? Does the Mike JAcobs HR affect Bailey's short or long term value? Is he still the guy to own or has ziegler removed the committee status

Jason Grey

  (3:46 PM)

Well, Ziegler got the save in a one-run game last night. Many don't realize how bad the flu hit Ziegler, as he only recently got back to full strength. I'd guess Ziegler is the guy to own at this point, but it's a short leash.

DAVID (CA)

Name Game Baker or Harrison rest of season

Jason Grey

  (3:46 PM)

Baker.

the rest of america

why do you answer stupid questions like "when are hanson and weiters coming up"? I am tired of reading the same question in every chat. grow a pair and stop fielding softballs.

Jason Grey

  (3:48 PM)

It appears one of us has a problem with reading comprehension (Hint: It's not me.) , as I haven't answered anything like that. I answered a question about Strasburg vs. Hanson and their long-term value. Grow a pair of eyes.

Paul (Los Angeles, Ca)

Hey Jason, who do you think will be the better pitcher for the rest of the season: Javier Vasquez or Felix Hernandez?

Jason Grey

  (3:51 PM)

This is a good question, because it goes to perception versus actual worth. The NL move has been a good one for Vazquez, and is the perfect situation for him, so it's Javy.

ben (boston)

Hey Jason hoping to get some of that east coast bias....If someone is trying to get Sizemore from me and I have a stacked OF other than him in an AL only, Is Lester and Peralta (both buy low I think) enough to get back or should I be looking for more? id be benching a middle reliever for lester and polanco or Ramon Santiago for Peralta..Thanks

Jason Grey

  (3:53 PM)

I think you need more in that deal. Dealing Sizemore for two buy low candidates (evem though I like them) doesn't appear to be the optimal play in a vacuum. That's a lot of risk to be assuming.

Clay Kershaw (AKA Koufax Jr.)

If Poreda goes to SD, AJ sumised he would start ASAP. If so, worth dropping the struggling to be mediocre JOhnny Maine for a flier? This is a 14 team H2H keeper league. Shanks!

Jason Grey

  (3:55 PM)

It's possible, but Poreda's secondary stuff is still very much a work in progress, so the Pads may not want to rush him when they're not going anywhere anyway. I'd probably stick with Maine.

Allen (Philly)

In a long term auction keeper, there has been some internal debate as to what to do with Strasburg. In the draft, all major and minor leaguers are eligible, but college players were not. Now some think Strasburg should hit waivers. Others think he should be held out until the next draft citing the large player pool and that all players should be subject to the draft at least once. What is your opinion?

Jason Grey

  (3:56 PM)

Sounds like people want to create an exception to an established rule specifically for one player, which is never a good idea.

Jason Grey

  (3:57 PM)

But if he makes the majors this season, then he should be subject to the same rules as any other recently called up player...

Kris Medlen (Atlanta)

12 team NL-only keeper league (need Ks): Do you like me enough to cut Arroyo, Stults or Detwiler? Do you think I'll last, or is this just a quick trip?

Jason Grey

  (3:58 PM)

It should be just a quick trip for a 2-3 start period if everything works out with Glavine, but the upside is still better than Stults.

Steve (NY)

How worried are you about Russell Martin? No pop in his bat and he's not even hitting for average. When does he turn it around?

Jason Grey

  (4:00 PM)

The lack of pop is concerning, but he's still making a ton of contact, has a good OBP to go with his .263 average and is still inclined to run. The power was never the big benefit in his game, as '07's 19 was a bit of an aberration. Sure, you'd like a few dingers, but he's still very useful as is.

Jason Grey

  (4:01 PM)

Guys, that's it for me, today. Thanks fo all the questions. I won't be chatting next week, but will be back in two weeks. Thanks again, sorry I couldn't get to everyone.