Pierre Becquey

  (3:04 PM)

Hi everyone. Last chat of the week. Let's get it going. Just one rule: no whining. I have four kids at home, I don't need to hear that stuff at work.

Sven (Toronto)

True or False Adam Lind achieves at or above - .285, 25hr, 100 RBI

Pierre Becquey

  (3:05 PM)

I'll say true. Those are very reasonable projections considering the head start he has on that pace.

Josh (las vegas, nv)

Vernon Wells staying healthy but not producing the power some expected. 275, 25hr, 100 RBI out of the question this year?

Pierre Becquey

  (3:07 PM)

Doubling down on the Blue Jays.... the problem here is that the "some" who expect him to be a consistant 30 HR guy are, well, wrong. He did that a couple of times, but he's shown he's really a mid-20s guy, a line drive hitter in the middle of a good lineup, which means the .275/25/100 is perfectly legitimate.

Todd (Pasadena, CA)

Better long term keeper Elvis Andrus or Gordon Beckham?

Pierre Becquey

  (3:09 PM)

Beckham. I don't fancy myself a scout, but everything I read on the two leads me to believe Beckham will be the more valuable of the two for fantasy, even if he doesn't end up playing the middle-infield. Andrus is set as a shortstop and he will hit for average eventually, but no better than teens power and a boatload of steals. Beckham ought to be better-rounded with a lot more run production in his bat.

Rich (SB)

No mention of Kris Medlen in today's Out of the Box... This guy has been electric in the minors... was he just nervous last night, or is he not going to translate to the bigs?

Pierre Becquey

  (3:10 PM)

My rule on rookie starting pitchers: throw out the first performance. Good or bad. Dude could have pitched a no-hitter and I'd still say, take it easy. There's enough annecdotal evidence to suggest that first starts can be very misleading. Trust the minor league numbers as a truer indication of what he might turn out to be. (And adjust for the league change.)

eric (boston)

Great call on Liriano buddy. Does he turn it around and at least be a top 25 pitcher this year?

Pierre Becquey

  (3:12 PM)

Yeah, I'm eating a bunch of crow on that one. I think I've got a feather stuck in my teeth. I do think he's still a top 25 pitcher. The skill is still there, it's not like he's got Kazmirian problems. He just has to figure out how to make do with his arsenal, which still contains a fastball with movement and a very good changeup.

Matt, Atlanta

When is Maddon going to let Zobrist play everyday? He's raking and deserves a spot in the line-up! Also, if he does eventually work his way in, how does his value compare to a player like Tulo?

Pierre Becquey

  (3:14 PM)

Lots of Zobrist questions, and rightfully so. We love our uber-subs, don't we? I know Maddon loves Zobrist as a utility guy and will use him in his lineup a little bit all over the place. And he's got to love having that bat coming off the bench, doesn't he? Remember, Maddon's trying to win ballgames, not fantasy titles, and managers love flexibility, be it in the lineup or late in the game. So, while Zobrist might eventually work his way into the right field job, right now, he's going to be an Ubersub. I'd invest.

Spencer (Iowa)

You say "Adjust for League Change". Is there a certain formula you follow. Say increase the AAA stats by 1ER and 1 Whip? More or Less?

Pierre Becquey

  (3:17 PM)

There's no magic formula, no. I was thinking more along the lines of "adjust your expectations accordingly." Look at the underliers rather than the WHIP or ERA: is this a guy that gives up a lot of homers? Is he walk-prone? Does he get a lot of strikeouts or does he run his outfielders all over Creation? Then, take your best guess at how that'll translate on his big-league club. Fly ball pitcher in Colorado versus Petco? Ground-ball pitcher with a swiss cheese defense behind him? Big Ks but lots of walks? You know the types.

Dave (Buffalo, NY)

P- help! As always - starting P's stink-- can you toss out some under the radar RP's to use in AL only? thanks for your time.

Pierre Becquey

  (3:19 PM)

There aren't any. I'm serious, the AL is in dire need of some MR relief! There's at least twice as many guys I'd use in the NL. I'll just name the better ones and hopefully one is availabe; Andrew Bailey, J.P. Howell, Hideky Okajima, Scott Linebrink and maybe Jose Mijares. As for your NL guys, some under-the-radar guys.... Juan Gutierrez, Edward Mujica, Angel Guzman, Kyle McClellan.

Tony(Cleveland,OH)

Can you please answer i have been asking this for 2 weeks now. Can you compare Arod and Howard in a keeper league. Thanks

Pierre Becquey

  (3:22 PM)

Hmm, that was dangerously close to whining. But fair enough. According to Stephania Bell, the surgery A-Rod will have in the offseason to permanently fix his hip should allow him to resume his career at the same level as before the injury. I intent to put A-Rod ahead of Howard in my rankings next year, and unless something drastic happens -- like he doesn't start running again or his power gets sapped -- the year after that, too. Howard's great, but he's a three category guy who can potentially hurt you in a fourth and doesn't contribute to the fifth. Not in the same class.

Kev (Dublin, Ireland)

Pierre, who would rather from here on out - Frank Francisco or Jose Valverde? Thanks and have a nice Memorial Day weekend!

Pierre Becquey

  (3:23 PM)

I think I'd go with Francisco. Just an overall feeling.

Brian (San Diego)

How for real is Zimmerman? Is it fair to put him in the second tier of 3rd baseman behind Wright, Longoria and Arod now?

Pierre Becquey

  (3:24 PM)

Fair, yes... but let's make something clear; that second tier is a ways back from the first. It speaks as much to the lack of depth at the position as it does to Zimmerman's improvement. It's like winning first prize at being second best.

Mr. Redlegs

I have Zambrano in my DL slot, and need to drop someone in order to activate him. Who should I drop to make room for him? Brett Myers, Nolasco, Gil Meche, Liriano? Or maybe even Andre Ethier or Dan Uggla?

Pierre Becquey

  (3:25 PM)

MAYBE Nolasco, but I ask you, isn't it possible that all those guys are better than Big Z? Actually, they all have some pretty big question marks around them, but Big Z is the one that's been falling the furthest the longest.

Bill from Kentucky

Hi, thank you for taking my question. I am in an NL only league and I have a chance to trade Rollins and Berkman for Ludwick, Ryan Braun, and Theriot. What do you think?

Pierre Becquey

  (3:27 PM)

I do it. You're getting the best player in the deal and Ludwick could very well finish the season ahead of one of those other guys, in which case you win hands down. And Theriot helps compensate for the loss of Rollins' position and steals? Sweet deal.

chris ( lala land)

hey man, who will get more holds for the rest of the year...masterson or linebrink? Thanks.

Pierre Becquey

  (3:29 PM)

Linebrink. I think Masterson's back in the rotation at some point. I just don't think Brad Penny is anything anymore, and who knows what'll happen with Dice-K? Only two guys that are safe from being pulled in that rotation are Beckett and Wakefield. (And Beckett is hardly non-injury-prone). Plus, there's no saying that Masterson will be used in hold situations. Delcarmen and Okajima can do that, and Masterson can pitch from behind or in tie games when Francona needs an arm to go two or three innings.

PJ (NY)

Hey, P...which Upton do you want from this point on?

Pierre Becquey

  (3:30 PM)

Still B.J., but it's a lot closer now, isn't it? Justin's officially got it over him in terms of power, though.

Damian (San Jose, CA)

You type slower than Bengie Molina with the wind at his back.

Pierre Becquey

  (3:31 PM)

This is what you wasted your question on? Not the wisest choice, but you go ahead and be who you are.

Andrew (D.C.)

Gil Meche and and Torii Hunter too much to give up for Sizemore?

Pierre Becquey

  (3:31 PM)

No, I think that's a decent deal.

Mike (PA)

Any chance that Ryan gets the Blue Jays closer gig back, or is it Downs job to lose?

Pierre Becquey

  (3:32 PM)

Chance? Of course. But yes, it is Downs' job to lose. That would be the chance.

Matt (Cal)

Should i start Adam Dunn tonight even though he is 2-16 with 6 Ks against Rich Hill?

Pierre Becquey

  (3:33 PM)

Which Rich Hill shows up? I'd want to know what your other option is, but, in a vacuum, I say start Dunn. He can hit a home run against anyone at any time, and he's got you buffered pretty well against an 0-fer so far this season, hasn't he?

Adam (NYC)

Do you and the other experts talk about how mean most of us are?

Pierre Becquey

  (3:35 PM)

Sometimes, yeah, we like to compare our biggest "jerk" stories. Oh, and we don't refer to ourselves as "experts." We prefer analysts. It's harder for the "readers" to then "airquote" the term "expert" in that "clever" way of theirs.

TB (boston)

Do you ever trade a top 5 pitcher for a top 5 hitter? i.e. Johan for M. Cabera? Thanks!!

Pierre Becquey

  (3:36 PM)

Hmmm.... Top 5 is so arbitrary. I think the difference between Santana and Halladay and the rest of the SP brood is greater than that of Pujols versus any other hitter, so I'm not likely to do the deal... but if I've got great pitching, yeah, I'd use the guy that gets me the most value in a trade, and if that's my top starter, then so be it.

Chatters (Everywhere)

You'll take our whining and like it Frenchie. We are the reason you have a job.

Pierre Becquey

  (3:37 PM)

Right, and I pay my taxes and that's why the cop isn't going to give me a ticket, right? You try that one out lately?

Ben (Flushing, NY)

any scenario where you see Gamel playing every day this year?

Pierre Becquey

  (3:37 PM)

Absolutely. They all involve injuries to the current starters, though. Don't go expecting him to Ryan Braun his way into the job.

Jon (Vail, CO)

Do you feel comfortable with Jimenez today against the tigers or do the words comfortable and Jimenez not go together?

Pierre Becquey

  (3:38 PM)

Yeah, I'm not a huge fan of JImenez. Even on the road.

eric (boston)

bill hall hasnt been hitting at all vs. righties.....if gamel hits, i think they have to keep him in the lineup

Pierre Becquey

  (3:39 PM)

Yeah, because major league managers always do the logical thing. See Zobrist, Ben.

Chase (It's my Birthday)

Rick Porcello or Randy Johnson today? Who ya got?

Pierre Becquey

  (3:40 PM)

I'll go with Old Man Randy in his old stomping grounds. I'm going to say Porcello gets a win, though. I like them both today, but gut feeling on Randy. (And really, these days, can you trust anything other than your gut when it comes to Unit?)

John (London)

Pierre - Do you have an opinion as to the pitcher that will take Eaton's spot in the rotation? He was just released. Will it Tillman or Hernandez or Patton or Waters or someone else? Do they bring up Tillman at this point or is ti too early?

Pierre Becquey

  (3:43 PM)

I'll tell you what... I like Tillman better than anyone currently in the rotation, let alone the released Eaton. The only reason not to bring him up would be salary clock and Super 2 consideration. That'll go away probably in a few weeks (impossible to predict). If you have an opportunity to stash Tillman, do it. He's ready.

O-Dog (Not on my Roster Anymore)

You're going to make me suffer all weekend without knowing who's best amongst Kaz Matsui, Polanco, Scales, Coghlan, L. Castillo, and Burris aren't you???

Pierre Becquey

  (3:43 PM)

Yes. Yes I am.

Mike (MA)

You havent filled your Wieters quota yet. Who do you like more from here on out, Soto who has been awful or Wieters who hasn't got the call yet?

Pierre Becquey

  (3:44 PM)

Thanks for keeping me honest. I'll say Soto. At least I know he'll be getting at-bats for the next month.

jake (France)

are there any under the radar closers

Pierre Becquey

  (3:46 PM)

That's such a misnomer. There's an entire industry dedicated to thinking about who's next in line for saves, so nobody's under the radar. Check out our bullpen depth charts every week in Relief Efforts and see who's available in your league. That may not be the sexiest answer I can give you (Juan Guttierez!) but it's probably the most useful.

Antonio Ortiz (Miami,FL)

Start kershaw tonight?

Pierre Becquey

  (3:47 PM)

Yeah, I'd get me some of that. Except for two starts, Kershaw's been nails, and the Dodgers are at home where they can seemingly make the other team lose by playing little-league defense. You gotta ride that. You'll hate yourself in the morning if you don't.

Nick (Voorhees, NJ)

I'm slightly concerned about Sizemore's lack of production especially the 50% success rate on the basepaths. Would you trade him for Kemp and Ryan Franklin?

Pierre Becquey

  (3:48 PM)

Hmm... Only if I was desperate for saves, and I tend not to be at this point in the year. That said, it's a very solid deal both ways.

Nick (Santa Paula, CA)

Who would you rather have? Adrian Beltre or a ham sandwich?

Pierre Becquey

  (3:48 PM)

What kind of ham?

Xavier (Seattle)

According to a caller on XM radio someone on a flight to LA recognized Troy Percival and apparently he was either released or decided to retire. Shameless rumor-mongering or heard anything? Maybe they think Izzy is ready to close?

Pierre Becquey

  (3:49 PM)

My sister said she was talking to her friend who works for XM and she said that sometimes, people say stuff on the radio that isn't 100 percent true just to hear the sound of their own voice.

John (BEHIND YOU!!!)

Moderator? Hello? Anybody out there to post this? Like, after the tenth time? OH MY GOD, ITS THE HAPPENING!!! Pierre, top five fantasy players?

Pierre Becquey

  (3:50 PM)

I distinctively said... NO WHINING.

Big Joe (Hamilton, NJ)

In a vacuum (from this day forward an on): Curtis Granderson or Grady Sizemore?

Pierre Becquey

  (3:51 PM)

In a vacuum, both would die of decompression and asphyxiation. Not sure which would kill them first.... probably the decompression. But I'll take the blow-up Grady over the suffocated Granderson any day of the week.

XM Radio Guy

I hear Barry Bonds just inked a deal with the Yankees. Seriously though, what is your take on Wang's return to the Yankees Rotation?

Pierre Becquey

  (3:53 PM)

Nice. Wang's return to the rotation... well, that's not immediate. They're calling him up to put him in the pen in case they need some mop-up tonight, on account of Joba having to be yanked and the bullpen getting taxed. (Get it? Yanked?) Eventually, though, he will get back in there, and I still won't own him. The bullpen isn't what it used to be and I don't know that he'll get enough wins or keep his ratios low enough to justify the risk of a blowup with no K upside.

Scott (Dover)

In oxygen-rich air, Sizemore or Hunter, and is it close?

Pierre Becquey

  (3:55 PM)

Torii Hunter? Really? No, it's Sizemore and it's not even cloes. People... in the outfield, it's Braun/Sizemore, then Soriano/Hamilton/Crawford, then the Kemp tier.... hope that helps all the Sizemore questions.

John (BEHIND YOU!!!)

Why do you hate me, Pierre?

Pierre Becquey

  (3:55 PM)

I don't hate you, I'm merely using you for comic relief.

Unknown (Unknown, also)

What type of pitcher will Soriano get me? or McLouth?

Pierre Becquey

  (3:56 PM)

For Fonzie, I'd expect a guy like Peavy/Haren/Hamels.

Ryan (Chicago)

QUICK ONE! Re: Matt(Cal), Would you start Rich Hill tonight? Thanks!!

Pierre Becquey

  (3:57 PM)

If not against the Nats, then against whom? Either start him or drop him, man.

Chris (Boston)

And Markakis is located where in that tiered system?!

Pierre Becquey

  (3:57 PM)

The Kemp tier. That's not a knock on Markakis, I just really like Kemp.

Dan (Philadelphia, PA)

I think I'm going to change the page because you don't answer fantasy questions. Whats the point staying here.

Pierre Becquey

  (3:58 PM)

Whiner.

jim(boston)

you forgot markakis and bay in that 2nd tier

Pierre Becquey

  (3:58 PM)

Bay... I did forget Bay in that second tier. But not Markakis. I still have him third.

Daniel (Ann Arbor)

What tier are Los Carlos Lee and Beltran in... I would put them up there with Sori. You agree?

Pierre Becquey

  (3:59 PM)

No, they're in Kemp territory for me. That tier is all up in the top 30, mind you.

Steve (Portland)

Wieters is heating up in AAA! Will he get the call soon?

Pierre Becquey

  (4:01 PM)

Not until the Orioles can be sure that, after his second season, he isn't among the top 17 percent of such players in terms of service time. Otherwise he'd a Super 2 and can file for arbitration. So, I'd say the O's have anywhere between 4 and 6 million reasons NOT to call him up, unless they can Longoria him (a contract which signs away his arbitration years).

Weiter Hater (everywhere)

Am I the only one completely sick of all these Weiter owners wanting to know when their beloved Weiter is getting the call? Weiter Owner - You are still going to finish last!

Pierre Becquey

  (4:02 PM)

I'll just leave that there for your fellow haters to agree with you.

jack

what tier is your mom i would say 1st tier what would you say

Pierre Becquey

  (4:02 PM)

I'd say you haven't met my mom.

Tier Confused me

I originally thought Bay for Sizemore was fair but Sizemore has more upside to you?

Pierre Becquey

  (4:03 PM)

Yeah, when he's on, Grady's just too good.

Wow

I give you Ferris Bueller and Oscar Meyer Wieters and you answer something about your Mom????

Pierre Becquey

  (4:03 PM)

Dude, those were both incredibly lame.

Jay (StL)

Which letter will Pujols destroy on the Big Mac Land sign next?

Pierre Becquey

  (4:04 PM)

I think the question is "how many". We're in extra innings now, people. Just a few more questions.

the big fromage (ciudad de juarez)

Is Hanrahan worth going after in a deep keeper that has holds and saves? I have spare pieces and quite possibly could get Ortiz and Hanrahan for Figgins and Maine. What do you think monsieur?

Pierre Becquey

  (4:05 PM)

I think Hanrahan has the most upside in that deal, but that the Ortiz/Hanrahan side is basically taking all the risk. I don't like it. I don't hate it, but I don't like it.

Reggie (Ocala, Fla.)

Would you trade Roy Halladay for Prince Fielder in order to correct 'pop' issues on your team?

Pierre Becquey

  (4:07 PM)

.... I'm not in love with that. If your pitching is so good that you can give up Halladay, are you SURE that you wouldn't be better off trading a lesser pitcher for a lesser slugger? That said, looking back at my May 15 ranks, I had Halladay above Fielder, but only by about 7 spots. It's not ridiculous. But I'd want more.

Andres Gallaraga

Quick as a cat: Franklin or Frankie? thx

Pierre Becquey

  (4:08 PM)

Frankie.

Joseph (Juneau, Alaska)

Who is the smartest analyst at espn?

Pierre Becquey

  (4:08 PM)

The one that chooses not to answer that question.

PJ (NY)

You starting your boy Liriano next week against BOS and TB?

Pierre Becquey

  (4:09 PM)

In my AL-only league, yes. I need the innings. But in a shallow mixed? No. I've got ratios to protect there.

Joe (Alberta)

Russell Martin and Lind for Holliday if I have Napoli?

Pierre Becquey

  (4:10 PM)

1-catcher league? Yeah, good one. I'd do that.

Pierre Becquey

  (4:11 PM)

Checking something, please hold on one minute....

Chad Rochester NY

LAST QUESTION!! Is it true Percival is head for DL? If so who gets to close? Thanks!

Pierre Becquey

  (4:13 PM)

True indeed. Along with Scott Kazmir. Go grab Wheeler and Balfour in all your leagues. As of now, Price hasn't been called up, it's Dale Thayer and Reid Brignac, but Thayer is not a starter. Stay tuned to ESPN.com for more!

Pierre Becquey

  (4:14 PM)

And with that, I'm off to follow my own advice. Have a great memorial day weekend!