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Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:01 AM)

Good morning everyone! Let's get right to your questions...

Butch (Lord Stanley, PA)

Hey Tristan, grilled cheese and chile for lunch, yummy. What are you having? And, what can we expect from Ian Stewart for the rest of the year?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:03 AM)

Sounds good to me! I haven't really decided yet, and am open to suggestions, though yours sounds like a good way to go (for now). I'm a Stewart fan, though I caution not to get carried away with your expectations from him in terms of batting average. He's not elite in the category; more like a .265-.270 hitter. It's the power you like, 25 bombs or so given everyday at-bats, and I think with Garrett Atkins stinking all year so far, Stewart needs a place to play regularly. I'm optimistic.

Glen (ND)

Smoltz or Hanson for the rest of the season?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:05 AM)

The gut is saying Tommy Hanson, and I think much of that is my being risk-averse with pitchers. John Smoltz has the higher ceiling, period. Problem is, he's much more a health risk than Hanson. It's all how you play the game. If you need a guy who at his best can be a lot like what Chris Carpenter has been thus far, then by all means I endorse the move. Smoltz is a clear pickup in most every format right now. But I choose to go a little safer, and take Hanson and his immense upside, and safety in the health department.

Kareem (Kansas City)

Why is it the Royals always start of well, then experience a complete change of character, and begin to plummet. Even with this year's best pitcher in the game?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:05 AM)

I think it has a lot to do with it being a young team with a lot of fire, and teams like that can start hot, but then reality sets in. There's only so long you can mask the weaknesses of your roster.

paulie walnuts (BRKLYN)

Tristan - any news on Downs? If he goes on the DL, who is next in line for saves in Toronto?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:09 AM)

Isn't that "Poley Walnuts"? At least the baseball card suggested as such. Anyway, I digress. All the reports I've read this morning suggest Scott Downs is DL-bound, or at least out for several days, and now we'll hear all the whining about having American League pitchers bat during interleague play, just like we did when Chien-Ming Wang got hurt running the bases last year. I'd have to think B.J. Ryan probably gets his closer role back if Downs indeed misses significant time; Ryan has gone seven straight appearances without being scored upon and is being paid like a closer.

Gill (Springfield)

Oh no! Today is my evaluation with Senor Ding Dong!

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:09 AM)

Someone read today's "Out of the Box"!

Dusty Baker (Cito Gaston of NL)

If a batter fouls off a pitch, does that count toward the pitch count? Pretty sure it doesn't.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:10 AM)

You're kidding, right?

john (elkins park, pa)

Do you see Elvis Andrus having a good second half? Or should I part ways with him for either O-Cab or Callaspo? Thanks.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:12 AM)

I'm impressed enough by Andrus, who has at least held his own as a 20-year-old starting shortstop, to think he'll retain at least this level of value. Problem is, he has been almost spot on to my preseason expectations, with full-year paces of a .256 batting average, 26 steals and 77 runs, and little else to speak of. I said it before and I'll say it again, you own Andrus for the speed. If that's important to you, by all means, but I'm sure Orlando Cabrera can outperform him in terms of overall fantasy value in the second half.

Joe Mauer (St. Paul)

Give me one good reason I don't hit .400 this year.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:14 AM)

OK, you're a catcher and the "tools of ignorance" have a way of physically wearing down a guy over the course of a 162-game season. OK, 140 or so games, since you missed the first month with an injury, and by the way, it's not like we should outright dismiss that this guy did miss time with health-related issues this year! Not that I dislike Mauer or think he goes into the tank, but he won't bat .400. I just don't see it. A .350 batting average and 30 homers would be an extraordinary season ... and I very much see him with a shot at that.

Dozier (Orlando)

Is Liriano now an automatic start against the Pirates at home?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:15 AM)

I think he is. We've gotten to the point where pretty much every matchup for a pitcher against the Padres, Pirates or Mariners is a slam dunk. Especially when the starter is working at home. And especially when he was considered a top-25 guy with ease in the preseason. Nice time for Frankie to build up a little hot streak here to carry into tougher matchups later.

Frosty (Stamford, CT)

If a guy hits a HR but I'm not watching, does it count? You chat guys answer a lot of really bad questions. Does K. Escobar have any value when he comes back? What do you see from Peralta going forward?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:17 AM)

No question is a bad question. Remember, Frosty, this game is all in the name of fun, and fun we shall have in the chats, in addition to being informative. I'm not at all optimistic Kelvim Escobar will be that helpful when he's activated, because he has suffered so many setbacks in the past year-plus and it's clear he's going to relieve now if only because he can't handle the chores of starting. Maybe AL-only owners can find ERA/WHIP help from him, and there's the handcuff value to Brian Fuentes, of course. But that's minimal value. As for Jhonny Peralta, I remain optimistic. Still a guy who at his worst can be a .260-hitting, 20-homer guy, and that's useful.

Joe (Atlanta)

felix for mauer good value? what if wieters is the backup?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:19 AM)

I've been offered this very trade and am in a similar situation -- good backups though not Matt Wieters -- and I just won't take it. So that gives you your answer; I'm very pro-Mauer, even if it didn't feel like earlier.

Marc (Jersey City)

Soto almost looked like he could again last week, thoughts on him the rest of the way?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:21 AM)

Well, sure he did, but where's the power? I know, I know, two homers this month, but is that really exciting? The guy has batted .273 in his past 24 games, and that seems Geovany Soto-like, but three homers during that span is simply not enough. He's valuable enough to activate at this point, but I continue to slot him at the borderline of the top 10 fantasy catchers. He's just been a disappointment, and I feel like he'll continue to be one until this lineup gets Aramis Ramirez back and some real numbers from Milton Bradley, too.

Jay (Cincy)

Would you drop Danks, Buehrle or Volstad for Liriano?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:22 AM)

Yes I would, and it'd probably be Chris Volstad, but I readily admit I'm not much of a fan. His ratios are underwhelming and he has 150 K's, and that number has been in decline in his recent starts. Just not a whole ton of upside there.

Eric (Ontario)

Better Start: Price vs. COL tonight or Ubaldo vs. TB tomorrow?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:24 AM)

A lot of people asking about David Price's start, and I hinted in Daily Notes that I'm not too optimistic about his chances. I don't like his fly-ball tendencies so far as a big leaguer, nor do I the fact that he's been about as efficient with his pitches as Scott Kazmir in his early days in Tampa. I'd prefer Ubaldo Jimenez, who actually has the moxie to pitch at Coors and well. Do I hate the Price matchup? Well, no, because I like his talent. But in a mixed league I'm just not doing it.

Joe (Richmond)

Tell me what to do with Wandy. 10 team H2H mixed league.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:26 AM)

I think the best I can suggest right now is you bench him and hope for the best. And "the best" might mean we find out he's a tiny bit nicked up and needs a 2-3 week DL stint, so you can shuffle him to your DL, and then he comes back at his early-season form and carries you to victory. I think you can read between the lines that I've got a lot of doubt about Wandy Rodriguez right now, but the way he has pitched, I think it's understandable.

tim (chicago)

you a believer in Zobrist? Trying to get Figgins for him- fair deal?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:26 AM)

Seems fair enough, and yes, I am a believer in Ben Zobrist. I can't repeat that enough.

Pat (NY)

We want Berry to answer to Wandy!!

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:28 AM)

If Matthew's going to answer to Wandy Rodriguez then sure as heck I am going to too, because I was every bit equally on the bandwagon. And to be fair, we were pretty darned right for about eight weeks, and there are still 16 to be played in which we can be right once more. I don't think it's time to condemn Way-Rod.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:28 AM)

(By condemn meaning: "Oh, he's done. Totally done." I won't go that far. But my doubts indeed stand.)

John (New Jersey)

I heard Peavy might need season ending surgery. Any update on this?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:30 AM)

I heard that report too and would be a little worried. A couple of factors here: Jake Peavy is almost assuredly not going to be back before the trade deadline, so he's stuck in San Diego all year then. And if he is, well, what reason do the Padres have to rush him back and risk further injury, further hurting his offseason trade value? Treat it like a nasty rumor right now, but I'd lean more towards the longer point of Peavy's original injury timetable. But I'd have always said that.

Jeremy (NJ)

I only need a 1 word answer...Best 2B going forward: Aybar, Kennedy, Coghlan, Sanchez

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:31 AM)

I can't answer that in one word because names are two words right there: Freddy Sanchez.

chris (storrs, ct)

Tristan! please fill in the blanks: The rays closer until the break is _________ but after the break its _____________ and then in september it'll be _________

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:34 AM)

Can I just plug in "a bunch of different guys" and live with that? Just to address where I stand on the Rays' bullpen, it's a mess, and I'm really getting to the point where I believe that's a team that will be trading for a more proven option (Huston Street? Or Jose Valverde, maybe, if he's healthy enough?) by the July 31 deadline. I'd like to say J.P. Howell in more than one of these blanks, as having watched him pitch the past couple of years I think he has the makeup to handle the role. But I liken him a lot to Rafael Perez of the Indians in 2007-08, and the Indians clearly saw more value in Perez as a situational/setup guy, and the Rays seem a lot like that. I wouldn't hope to extract a ton of value out of that 'pen in the short term, is what I'm saying.

Rob (NY)

Whats your opinion on Brandon Morrow the rest of the season now that he is starting?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:35 AM)

I wouldn't take any bet that requires him to stay healthy the remainder of the year. Just want to get that out of the way. But let's see, maybe he offers you a 3.25 or so ERA, decent K rate ... and makes about 10-15 starts. And even that I feel like I'm being pretty liberal on. I think workload and WHIP are two very big concerns with Morrow, so I'd be a seller the instant he's in a hot streak.

Frank (Seattle)

Does Madson bounce back after his first blown save?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:37 AM)

Not worried. But Brad Lidge could be back in about a week, so Ryan Madson's value seemingly is short term. That said, I did invest a fair amount of FAAB in him in an important league of mine recently, so I'd hold onto him as a just-in-case thing even after Lidge's return. I see sneaky value in the guy.

Wandy Rodriguez (Houston)

Should I drop myself for Meche?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:38 AM)

I would. (Yes, there are actually instances where Rodriguez can be safely dropped.)

Big Joe (Bordentown, NJ)

Tristan, should I dump Russell Martin? He really is the worst.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:40 AM)

I wouldn't. I just think it's a brash move, and I maintain that I am not at all a Martin fan. Like Scott Proctor during their Yankees days, I think Joe Torre has worn Martin out from overuse in L.A. He's now paying the price, but with the raw talent he has, there's still at least the shot at top-10 catcher value. I said shot, not will be there. Let's just say if he can bat in the .280s and get to double-digit homers and steals from today forward (that's 10 of each from today until season's end), it'd be a good bounce-back in my eyes.

Eric (Rome, Italy)

Lunch time's already passed in this part of the world. A quick after-lunch question, then: are you worried about Verlander after last night?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:43 AM)

Nope.

Ray (NYC)

who's better to the end?Juan Rivera or Jason Kubel

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:44 AM)

I like Rivera's current hot streak and think he's a guy to ride while he's in it, not to mention an underrated player for the most part, but the guy caps at a deep-mixed/AL-only value, because he mashes lefties but has a little trouble against righties. Plus, he's injury prone. Kubel has the greater platoon advantage (he's lefty and there are just more righty pitchers), and I see him being a more stable long-term choice. So Rivera for now, but Kubel if you must go today-to-season's end.

Gary (Apple Valley,ca)

Webb just hit the wavier-wire, who would you drop have Grienke,Lester,Johnson,Carp,Porcello,Harang, Nolosco,Broxton,Fuentes,and Franklin also have reyes,hamilton and votto on bench and dl

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:45 AM)

With the depth you have I think you could safely let Ricky Nolasco go to nab Brandon Webb.

Pete (NC)

Future prospects question: Are Strasberg or Ackley worth picking up next year? Any other names out there you'd consider?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:46 AM)

I'd be shocked if -- and this assumes he agrees to terms on a reasonable timetable -- Steven Strasburg isn't at least given a long look next spring training, if not in the Washington rotation outright. So yes, he is absolutely a 2010 consideration. I do think Dustin Ackley will need a tad more time than that, though a late-2010 appearance might be possible.

Mark (TN)

Tristan, do you regard Maybin and Holland as top prospects? I have the ability to move them for help now and I'm worried about giving up too much.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:47 AM)

Yes, but I don't think you should sweat losing either in trade. I've said before I think Cameron Maybin is a bit overrated, and he'd be the first I'd peddle. Talk up his athleticism and 20/30 ability; that's his ceiling (but he's just so inconsistent and strikeout-prone).

Zak (Cincy)

Confidence in Rich Harden?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:50 AM)

Very confident that he'll perform when he's healthy, and not confident at all that he will stay healthy the entire remainder of the year. Even if I've said it enough that it's almost to the point of cliché, Harden "is what he is." He's a boom/bust guy, and I'll chance on them in spots and for prices I deem appropriate (which means not as a top-25 starter).

Christian (Long Island, NY)

Miguel Cabrera for Zobrist Ellsburry - Fair? or Can i ask for more?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:51 AM)

I think you can and should ask for more for Cabrera. He rattled off a big-time second half in 2008, and could do the same in 2009. I do like the guys you're targeting, but no matter my feeling on Ben Zobrist, I'd want a player in his place who I feel a little more confident will be a consistent power source.

jimmy (cleveland) [via mobile]

haren or billingsly? I can trade for either for the same price.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:51 AM)

Wow do I like those two starting pitchers. Both top-five guys right now, and easily capable of staying there the rest of the year. I put Dan Haren just slightly ahead of Chad Billingsley.

CB (Virginia)

Did you know that Tulo has had an RBI or SB in 9 straight games? Is he poised to turn it around?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:55 AM)

I did now that, yes, and it's one of the reasons the Rockies have been on the streak they have. I do think Troy Tulowitzki's recent performance is closer to his true value than his early-season funk, but I won't put him on line with his rookie-year numbers. Let's say he could be a .280-hitting, 10-homer, maybe 60-run guy from today forward.

Cam (Washington, DC)

Would you consider Joe Saunders a "must start" every time through? It seems like he does well vs. the average and below teams, but gets lit up by the likes of Texas, Boston, etc.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:56 AM)

No, not necessarily "must start" but I wouldn't drop him into the class of "matchups plays" exclusively. Saunders is that kind of guy who resides in the middle, and you just have to keep an eye on mini-slumps and matchups that seem like a train wreck on paper -- like an assignment at Texas, for instance. Minor maintenance, really; like you'd treat a Mark Buehrle.

Chris (Hoboken, NJ)

I demand you over-reract to Matt Wieters slow start.. come on Tristan.. you know you want too.. it feels sooooo good....

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:58 AM)

Nope, sorry, Chris. Won't do it. I'm faithful, and will point out that Wieters is batting .368 in his past five games. Maybe it's the start of something. By the way, all four of his multi-hit games have come at home; maybe he's just sliding in right now as a matchups type, which is OK.

Joey (NYC)

Is the yankees lineup from 1-8 are pretty much all ownable in a 5x5 std 10 team?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:59 AM)

Uh, yes. But I'd go so far as to say the Yankees' lineup from one to nine is pretty much all ownable. Or, at least, Melky Cabrera would be in my lineup in that format anytime he's playing at home.

Tristan (NYC)

Who finishes top 3 AL MVP race?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:01 PM)

Finishes? Right now I think Joe Mauer and Mark Teixeira are building extraordinary cases. I'm getting to the point where I'd believe it's going to be Mauer, then probably Tex, then ... hmmm ... Evan Longoria.

Michael (Portland, ME)

Name your ROY candidates...

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:02 PM)

Do I have to? They all stink this year.

Zeke THE Outrageous! (Providence)

You riding Papi's home streak or giving Util to another hot bat in Beltre - though AT SD?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:03 PM)

I assume you're talking about today, and if that's the case you can't go wrong with the David Ortiz matchup. Especially since he's the one of the two on the right side of the platoon advantage.

Your Mother (Your Home)

Yes, you have to.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:05 PM)

My mom has probably never heard of either Matt Wieters or Rick Porcello in the AL, or Colby Rasmus in the NL. I'd be hard-pressed to find stronger candidates right now, unless Tommy Hanson gives Rasmus a run in the NL.

Zak (Cincy)

We need the final word on lunch.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:05 PM)

Sticking with the grilled cheese advice barring a hail mary last-minute call.

Doug (NYC)

Bay in the discussion for AL MVP?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:06 PM)

Yes, if I believed he could maintain insane 50-homer, 150-RBI paces. I just think he falls a tad short of those.

Brian (IN)

Slowey or Meche?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:07 PM)

Still Kevin Slowey, no matter my favorable words on "Ol' Gil" this morning.

Trent (West Des Moines)

Who finishes the season the best out of these Shortstop eligible players---Ben Zobrist, Marco Scuturo or Clint Barmes.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:08 PM)

I think it's Zobrist, but Barmes gives him a run for his money, or at least makes a great case to be started in any Coors Field game.

Tony (Philadelphia)

Please, squeeze this one in Tristan. You are the only one who I get answers from! I am trying to upgrade at OF with Span and Crisp on the DL. I am hoping Webb and Volquez eventually help out this year and make one of my current pitchers expendable. Which trade, if any helps the most: I get Ethier/Bastardo for Wolf/J Rivera or I get Markakis/Suppan for Harden/Outman. This is a 14 team mixed weekly H2H. I think the 2nd trade may deplete my pitching too much. Thanks!

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:09 PM)

I don't think either trade is a foolish one for you, but that first one seems like a great value, but I'm big on Andre Ethier. A .300-30-100 season? Sure, he could do that. And it's not like you give up a player close to top-100 worthy in the process. Go for it!

Zak (Cincy)

If your redrafting a league today and have the first pick, who's all yours?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:09 PM)

Albert Pujols then, Albert Pujols now.

Erich Todte (Hartford, CT)

Hey Tristan, I wonder which word you will put in italics to answer this question! Pick a side you prefer for the rest of the year: Baker and Wieters or Fuentes and Lackey.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:10 PM)

The first half. Two italics for the price of one.

Jon (Orlando)

I need to trade felix after this great start. what is his value?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:12 PM)

Top-10 starter value, or at least very close to it. I'd shoot for the stars here. I'd offer him for Adrian Gonzalez, or Matt Kemp, or Adam Jones, or Prince Fielder ... and see what's the best any owner will part with. Again, I was offered Felix for Joe Mauer, and I didn't think that was at all an unfair proposal from the other owner. Just a little shy of what I saw as value, no more.

Ol Gil (Springfield)

Ahhh Ol Gil's gonna have a great second half this year, I got a good feelin!!

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:13 PM)

I hope my teams have a great second half. With most of my teams not at the top -- though the majority at least are in the race -- I'm starting to feel like Ol' Gil!

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:13 PM)

OK folks, time to close things for the day, lunch does call, after all. Thanks for all your questions, and sorry if I didn't get to yours. Take care everyone!