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Jason Grey

  (3:01 PM)

Hey everyone, thanks for tuning in...will get to as many as I can in the next hour.

Bert ((VA))

Any reason to hold out hope for Chris Davis?

Jason Grey

  (3:04 PM)

I think the fact that Justin Smoak is still out another week or two with an oblique injury helps his case. He's not quite as good as we saw last year, but he's not this bad either. His biggest issue right now is getting beaten on inside fastballs. He gets jammed and can't catch up. That worries more than if he was just chasing sliders in the dirt. He's been having trouble making the adjustment to free his hands. I think he eventually can, but he's running out of leeway.

Reece (K-Zoo)

whats the deal with Ludwick? is it time to drop him?

Jason Grey

  (3:06 PM)

No, I do like him as a buy low candidate. He's striking out less than last year, and has been a bit unlucky on his balls in play. Not time to give up just yet.

Pedro ((NJ))

Mayberry just hit his second HR today with the Phils. What's his potential?

Jason Grey

  (3:07 PM)

I haven't seen him since early last season, but my impression at the time was that he was a backup outfielder/platoon player who might have too long a swing to be a regular. Not sure how much adjustment he's made since then, but no other scout I talk to thinks he's an above-average starter, although he does have a place on a big league roster

jake (minnesota)

should i use my #2 waiver order on dice-K, or wait for something better down the line

Jason Grey

  (3:09 PM)

At this juncture, I'd probably save the claim, especially with the growing speculation Dice-K will be bullpen-bound within a couple of weeks. (His contract prohibits them from sending him to the minors, so ignore any speculation of that sort)

Tony (Wake Forest, NC)

What's the noise about Everth Cabrera for the Padres? I had him as a sleeper for steals at the beginning of the season but he's been hurt. Is he worth a flier?

Jason Grey

  (3:10 PM)

He's back now with the Pads, but I believe they are just planning on using him as a utility infielder. He does indeed have great speed, but the Rule 5 player doesn't have the bat for the big leagues yet, and is going to get it knocked out of his hands. Think Rajai Davis as an infielder for now, at best.

Dave (NJ)

With all the the various type of split stats out there to track pitching and spots starts, they still seem to be fairly hit and miss. But information on which umpire is calling the game behind homeplate would seem to be an area that could provide more information to help find favorable matchups. Do you know of any place that tracks the strike zones of umpires?

Jason Grey

  (3:11 PM)

I think this might be a bit of a red herring ever since the advent of Questec (and MLB's pitch tracker has something to do with that as well). I don't know of any place that tracks it, and more importantly, think the utility of such information wouldn't be as significant as you might think.

Alan (New York)

Mayberry or Rasmus until Ibanez returns?

Jason Grey

  (3:12 PM)

Rasmus.

john (elkins park, pa)

I've owned Dan Uggla for the last few years, so I know what I'm getting. But this season he seems off. He typically has at least one monster month in him and I have yet to see it. It's almost as if his errors in last year's AS game destroyed his confidence. Whatever the case, does he have anything left?

Jason Grey

  (3:14 PM)

He was high on my bust list at the beginning of the season, and that hasn't changed. We're going on a slump of almost a year now, counting the second half of last season, so I'm not betting on a rebound.

Corey (Denver)

What is the story with Liriano? After watching him last year in the 2nd half it looked like the guy was primed for a big year. Is his slider basically non existent at this point?

Jason Grey

  (3:15 PM)

Slider is still existent - still throws it about a quarter of the time, but it's not the same nasty pitch since the TJ surgery altered his delivery, His velocity has been down 3 MPH since then, yet he throws more fastballs than ever, which is a problem. I don't see a solution to his problems anytime soon, although the strikeout rate is somewhat encouraging.

Jason Grey

  (3:16 PM)

I understand some people are not seeing some of the responses. Not sure how widespread that is, but I know there's been some intermittent issues they've been working on since we changed to a new chat system last week....

chris (toronto)

any chance kelvim starts this season?

Jason Grey

  (3:18 PM)

Slim to none. The fact his shoulder soreness gets pretty serious around 80-90 pitches now is likely going to keep him in the 'pen,. especially with Shields down - he'll slide right into the 8th, so at best he's Fuentes insurance for the balance of the season.

Phil (Atlanta)

FYI - The responses weren't showing for me but as soon as I refreshed my browser the responses were there.

Jason Grey

  (3:19 PM)

Thanks.

Jay (Earth)

Will I regret sending M. Holliday packing for Josh Beckett once Holliday gets traded and turns it on in the second half...keeper league?

Jason Grey

  (3:20 PM)

I don't think so. For now, the people that though leaving Coors Field was going to be an issue with his offense are looking fairly good. So unless he gets dealt back to Coors...

Pat (NY)

You wrote an article about BJ Upton's turnaround.I am still waiting for it.

Jason Grey

  (3:22 PM)

Well, we could be in the midst of it. His average is now the highest it's been since late April. Nine hits and seven steals in his last eight games works for me. Enjoy the steals while the rest comes around.

Poreda (Receda)

Do I have any value in an AL only keeper league this year? Will I have a starting spot next year?

Jason Grey

  (3:23 PM)

I doubt for this year because even with a starting spot the secondary pitches are still in development so there could be some bumps in the road. I do think he's a nice sleeper for next year though.

CB (Virginia)

Can you throw out some reasonable expectations for Carp and Rodriguez?

Jason Grey

  (3:25 PM)

It's tough because their playing time is going to be sproadic. Scioscia is still wedded to the idea of a lot of Maicer Izturis playing time, and Carp may just be up with the team temporarily while Russell Branyan is gone from the team for a few days. Without consistent playing time it's tough to gauge what either can do, although I think both can hit if given the opportunity, although I'd peg both as borderline starters at the moment.

Chris (Prague, CZ)

I notice Brandon Wood is not on your list of top-10 minor leaguers not yet called up... Is there any chance he'll get the call this year and make an impact? And are the Angels dead set against trading him?

Jason Grey

  (3:27 PM)

He doesn't fit the definition of rookie eligible as it states in the introduction, so he's not on the list. You know about guys like him and Buchholz already. I don't see impact with the Angels unless there is an injury on the left side of the infield. I do think there's a decent chance he gets traded though. That's their primary chip at this point. Here's hoping. I think he's ready.

mike (Providence)

Hey Jason, big fan of your chats. I am considering offering up Arod and Danks for Mark Reynolds and Billingsly. Do you think Reynolds continues his hot start?

Jason Grey

  (3:28 PM)

I'll take the A-Rod side going forward. My good friend Joe Sheehan has a good rule of thumb he follows when you can't decide if you should pull the trigger...who is getting the best player in the deal?

Giant's Fan (SC)

Great piece on the Clipboard regarding the Giant's. Does Pucetas get the next shot if Sanchez gets moved to the pen or traded? What are his chances of sticking in the rotation? Thanks.

Jason Grey

  (3:30 PM)

I am a Pucetas fan, and think that changeup can play in a fifth starter's role in the right ballpark, which he has in the Bay, and could have NL-only value. The problem is Billy Sadler is also in the mix and Alderson and Bumgarner are rapidly moving into play. I think Pucetas gets a shot if they don't want to rush the guys at Double-A.

Chris (Tallahassee)

Vin Mazzaro and Antonio Bastardo...thoughts?

Jason Grey

  (3:32 PM)

Bigger fan of Mazzaro than Bastardo at the moment. Bastardo's lack of command of his secondary stuff has been an issues since his first outing. Hitters are sitting fastball until he shows a willingness to throw his secondary stuff in fastball counts. He's flashed some decent offspeed stuff, but it's not consistent.Mazzaro doesn't have the upside of a Cahill or Anderson, but as long as he keeps the ball down he can be useful.

Pat (NY)

Ryan Braun injury. Discuss

Jason Grey

  (3:33 PM)

Last I heard was just some stiffness, and with the day off today he could be back on Friday. He's likely to go through this from time to time over the balance of the season, but it doesn't appear to be anything major.

Casey (Milwaukee)

Is Adam Lind the real deal? Can he continue hitting through this season and into next? Assuming no major injury of course.

Jason Grey

  (3:33 PM)

Yes.

Billy (Atlanta)

What is your take on Sean O'Sullivan of the Angels and is he worth a flier and what do you see for him the rest of the year. Thanks

Jason Grey

  (3:35 PM)

I'm pessimistic. He's a sinker/slider guy that has to rely on pinpoint fastball command to succeed at the big league level. He had the advantage of unfamiliarity in his first start, but as the video and the scouting reports make the rounds he's going to find the going a bit harder.

Ryan (New York)

Everyone said Price didn't go deep enough into games and was walking too many batters. Well it looks like he listened because last night we went 7 innings and didn't walk anyone but gave up 10 hits and 5 earned runs. Should I be concerned about Price in a keeper league? (Beyond 2009)

Jason Grey

  (3:35 PM)

I don't think so. If I have Price in a keeper league I wouldn't be concerned. It will come.

Joe (NJ)

Jason--can you talk about Jordan Zimmerman and your expectation for the rest of the year? He should be owned in 12 team mixed over guys like R. Wells or Wellemeyer, right? Thanks

Jason Grey

  (3:38 PM)

Yes. I wrote about him pretty extensively at the beginning of the month here: http://insider.espn.go.com/fantasy/baseball/flb/story?page=clipboard090601 ... and the gist was there are a lot of positive in his game that haven't necessarily shown up in WHIP and ERA yet.

Ross Hogan (your new FaceBook friend)

Jason, glad to call you "friend"! I'd like to hear your take specifically on Zobrist. I was looking back at his numbers from last year's part time play. They show promise too. Do you believe? Might you project?

Jason Grey

  (3:40 PM)

I do believe in Zobrist, to the point that I actually drafted him in an AL league back in 2006. Would have worked out better this year :-) This is something I thought he could do eventually ...although not this much power.

Tubby McGravy Fingers (Waffle House)

Prince Fielder is offered to me for Kemp. I run in the other direction right?

Jason Grey

  (3:40 PM)

I would stick with Kemp.

Brian (Massachusetts)

Who should get my UTL spot... Stewart Wieters Fowler or McCutcheon?

Jason Grey

  (3:41 PM)

McCutchen for now - try to ride the hot hand.

Joe (Chicago)

What can we expect from Pedro Martinez?

Jason Grey

  (3:41 PM)

I think he's done and is a 4-5 inning pitcher at best regardless of where he signs.

kevin (nh)

DeRosa for J Upton...thoughts?

Jason Grey

  (3:42 PM)

Give me Upton.

Bill (Phoenix)

Jason - E. Cabrera or K. Greene at shortstop for 2009 and briefly why. Please help me.

Jason Grey

  (3:43 PM)

If those are the two options you may be beyond help :-) Greene, but part of me says start preparing for your football draft. Ugh, that is not a choice I envy. Sorry about that. I know sometimes in single leagues that's what it boils down to.

Brenton (Virginia)

WOW a steal for Soto this afternoon! For the rest of the year him or Ianetta who is on my WW?

Jason Grey

  (3:44 PM)

I'm goig with Iannetta - I think the injuries Soto has had this season have been affecting him at the plate more than people realize. Just my speculation.

Ben (NY)

Jason, Blackburn tossed another gem today. What are your thoughts on him going forward?

Jason Grey

  (3:46 PM)

I hesitate to trust anyone striking out under four batters per nine, but I have been running him out there in a 15-team mixed league and will continue to do so while he's running well, looking for the first sign to bail.

Dave (DC)

Why is ESPN not talking about Broxton's toe injury?

Jason Grey

  (3:47 PM)

It's our East Coast bias...don't you know that? Probably because it's not that serious. He got a cortisone shot and is supposedlky good to go again.

Michael (Milwaukee)

What do you think Gamel does the rest of this year? also what does his future look like beyond this year in your opinion?

Jason Grey

  (3:49 PM)

I do like Gamel a lot for the second half, although I wish they'd stop playing Hall against LHP and just let Gamel start 5-6 times a week to get into a groove. Could put up some Garrett Atkins-like numbers (the good version) in future years,

Kerry (New York)

What are your thoughts on Lester for the rest of the year? Does he stay hot?

Jason Grey

  (3:50 PM)

Yes, I have no issues with Lester and he's an automatic start every week for me going forward.

Brennan (Miami)

SS question. I have enjoyed Scutaro's season so far and have Theriot as well on my bench. However, someone just dropped Drew. Who do you like best for the rest of the year? Would you drop Theriot for Drew?

Jason Grey

  (3:51 PM)

Yes, If someone has grew impatient on Drew I am snatching him up.

Becky (Charlotte, NC)

Hi Jason. Do you feel that a 10 Team League roster can carry both phenoms Hanson and Price and youthful Scherzer and Liriano expect to win this season? Or will the inexperience keep me from a Championship? Thanks!

Jason Grey

  (3:53 PM)

That seems like a little too much risk for 10-team right now. Scherzer and maybe Hanson are the only considerations at the moment, with Price on reserve. Carrying them all isn't the issue it's balancing the risk by only starting one or two and spotting them in favorable matchups if you can.

Jason Grey

  (3:55 PM)

Soriano questions...what are really your options? You can't just drop him, and you can't get appropriate value for him in trade...so really you keep running him out there, or bench him for now if you have 5 strong outfielders. At least there's still some power and a little speed; I do think he has a surge coming.

Mike (Cinn)

How about Bruce is this what we are going to get the rest of the yr and would you takeHart over him? Thx

Jason Grey

  (3:58 PM)

Same Zimmermann link I gave earlier has a big write-up on Bruce that still holds... I don't think that part is Insider, and it gives a complete analysis of Bruce...I like him more than Hart going forward

Jason Grey

  (4:00 PM)

Buchholz questions - I think he's still worth stashing if you can...even though there doesn't appear to be a road to rotation job at the moment. However, and injury or two and your pitching depth is all of a sudden not there, so things can happen.

Jason Grey

  (4:01 PM)

Gotta run for now...and yes, I start Porcello tonight. Thanks everyone, see you next week...I appreciate your time and all the questions.