ESPN

Jason Grey

  (3:01 PM)

Hey folks, let's get right to it...

Dave (Buffalo, NY)

Can Giambi be useful ever again?

Jason Grey

  (3:03 PM)

Given normal luck, or as much as he's had the last couple of years, he should be hitting .230 - .240 which is only useful if he's maintained last year's power, which he hasn't. We're past the time last season when he went on a prolonged hot streak, and he's battling elbow issues as well. Deep AL only leagues and that's all.

RPF (MD)

Which is more difficult to chase in a roto league: saves, SBs, or runs?

Jason Grey

  (3:04 PM)

I've always found saves to be the toughest due to the volatility of the position and the fact you can't get multiple saves from one player in a night like you can get multiples of the other categories. It really depends on how tightly each of the individual categories are bunched together in your league, though.

Ryan (Denver)

Latos or Bud Norris, this season and beyond?

Jason Grey

  (3:06 PM)

Latos - I'm a big Norris fan, but I really think he is best-suited as a shutdown closer as opposed to a starter; higher ceiling there. Latos is a potential ace.

Daniel (Was)

Hi Jason, what adjustments does a hitter with power like Billy Butler need to make in order to turn those doubles into homers?

Jason Grey

  (3:09 PM)

Probably stop putting about 50% of his balls on the ground, which is a change in swing plane/loft that tends to be very difficult to do. It's not turning doubles into homers, but putting more balls into the air. It's the reason Delmon Young has never hit for power despite his raw strength.

Mike (NJ)

Going forward, who is more valuable, N. Cruz or A. Rios? Will Cruz still play every day?

Jason Grey

  (3:10 PM)

I'll still take Cruz, and I do think he plays most every day. Rios is a streaky wild card that can get blistering hot, but I will take Cruz in that lineup with lots of Runs and RBI opportunities.

Greg (Seattle)

Any updates on Dempter, Volquez, and DeRosa.... All 3 being out is crippling my team!

Jason Grey

  (3:12 PM)

Dempster - in a walking boot, out at least three more weeks.Volquez - hasn't thrown off a mound yet, so likely a month awayDeRosa - torn tendon sheath injuries are serious and there's a chance he doesn't play much, if at all in the second half. They will just wait and see how it heals. When he does play, expect power to be affected.

WV (Will)

Could Seattle be a dark horse for Halladay? Liddi, Aumonte, Clement and Morrow maybe?

Jason Grey

  (3:13 PM)

I think if anything, the M's wind up trading a pitcher rather than acquiring one.

Chris (Brooklyn)

If Brandon Wood hits over the next week or two does he stick around in LAA once Hunter and VLad return? At what position is he most likely to find ABs -- 3B? or am I just kidding myself that the Angels will ever give this man (he's no longer a kid) a chance?

Jason Grey

  (3:15 PM)

If pressed, I still think he's the main trade chip the Angels have for the deadline, and I think once those two players are healthy he's the odd man out again, unless he goes on a terrific run right now.

Brendan (STL)

I know I'm a homer, but Rasmus got no love in your rankings. The prohibitive ROY deserves better.

Jason Grey

  (3:16 PM)

I had Rasmus higher than anyone else in the rankings, and love him for the second half, so this is directed at the wrong person.

Jack (Houston)

Hey JG, how's about a pick two? Rasmus, McCutchen, Willingham, Ordonez?

Jason Grey

  (3:16 PM)

Speaking of which, Rasmus. McCutchen

Phil (Chicago, IL)

Eric Young Jr....do you think he gets the call to the majors this year???

Jason Grey

  (3:17 PM)

I think he does as a bench bat for the Rox at some point, but the Pirates want him very badly to be their starting second baseman, so hope for that if you need speed for the last two months.

Steve (CA)

What are you thoughts on Alex Gordon? SHould i try and get him on the cheap in my keeper league?

Jason Grey

  (3:18 PM)

Yes, still just 25 with his best years ahead of him. I had him pegged for a breakout year before he got hurt.

Josh (Detroit)

Hey Jason, have a long-term keeper league question for you. I currently have Bradley Holt among my minor leaguers, but I was wondering I should pursue better options. Niese is available, as are guys like Hector Rondon, Jordan Lyles, Trevor Bell, Jason Knapp, or I can scrap the pitcher aspect and maybe pick up a guy like Tyler Flowers instead. This is a very deep league, so most if not all of the guys on Top-50 lists are gone. Thanks Jason!

Jason Grey

  (3:20 PM)

Holt is not a bad option given his long-term upside, though I do prefer to keep hitters when in doubt in those kinds of formats, so I like Flowers there. I like Knapp and Rondon slightly more than Holt, but wouldn't argue it hard.

Chris (Latham NY)

What do you think Josh Hamiltons numbers will look like from here on out. Thank you.

Jason Grey

  (3:22 PM)

I'm going to tease my next Clipboard column on Monday, because it will cover this exact topic. I think he puts up a big second half. He even told me on Monday "Watch out in the 2nd half" so he thinks so as well.

Shawn (Houston)

In your April 28th column you were pretty high on Fowler for this season. He has mostly struggled since then but has at least started to run again. How do you feel about him for the next 2.5 months and is he still a great keeper for 2010-2012?

Jason Grey

  (3:24 PM)

I'm still just about as high on Fowler as I was previously. I still have him on my 12-team and up mixed rosters, and he's still a great keeper for the next few seasons. He's shown the aptitude to make adjustments in the past and the improvement could come quickly. I am high on him for the next 2.5 months.

Joe (Little Rock)

Would you rather have N.Cruz or C.Quentin for the rest of '09?

Jason Grey

  (3:24 PM)

Cruz

Lars (Oslo)

Senor Grey: Billingsley, Verlander, or Felix in a keeper? Markakis or Hamilton? Thanks.

Jason Grey

  (3:25 PM)

Forced to make a choice, I'll still take the 23-year-old Felix, and Hamilton - bigger upside, bigger injury risk. Markakis if you're looking for a more stable play.

Kyle (Lousiville)

Believe more in H.Bailey now?

Jason Grey

  (3:27 PM)

It's better, but I'll happily be a bit behind the curve on this one. I saw that seven-walk outing and it was scary. The new split's a good pitch, and it's hard to think he's still just 23, so if you can stand the risk, I wouldn't argue it. It really depends on how much you need pitching.

ryan doumit ((PA))

will i be at all relevant from here on out? I remember the time I was ranked in the top 100... Before I snapped my wrist in half. Oh, those were teh days....

Jason Grey

  (3:29 PM)

You're always relevant when you play...right up until the next injury. Your career has always been characterized by prolonged stints in the trainer's room so I can't really count on you to start changing your ways.

John (Tampa)

What do you take into account more when you decide who to start if the players are on a similar level: who's hot, matchup (depending on how good the pitcher/ballpark is), or what that player's career numbers are against that pitcher are (only if he has had a sizeable number of atbats)? Thanks!

Jason Grey

  (3:30 PM)

Matchup - the other factors are usually too small of a sample size or a random fluctuation to be meaningful.

Jason Grey

  (3:32 PM)

A lot of Milledge questions. - worth noting he's put up just a .267/.326/.408 line in his minor league stint, although he's stolen nine bases. Even if he plays, we might not have much impact over the balance of the season.

Ben (Waterloo)

Who you taking for the better second half, Tejada or Tulo?

Jason Grey

  (3:32 PM)

Tulo

Jay (Hollywood)

Why do you rank Markakis lower than your ESPN peers do?

Jason Grey

  (3:34 PM)

Read Tristan's "Called out" article -which has several paragraphs discussing this. And I'm a Markakis fan, stuck with him his rookie season when he was hitting .200 at the end of May because I saw something special, but well...read the piece and you'll see.

Kevin (San Diego)

I can't get any "chat" to provide insight to Kyle Banks. Great hitter, blocked by Adrian G. and Headley, can't get enought PT to adjust to major league pitching....what to do with him?

Jason Grey

  (3:35 PM)

Search his name in the ESPN search bar, and you'll find at least two extensive pieces I've done on Blanks...

Jason Grey

  (3:36 PM)

If you can't see questions/responses hit refresh on your browser, one of the quirks of the new chat system they are trying to fix...

Mark (Grand Rapids)

Are you starting Buchholz tomorrow?

Jason Grey

  (3:37 PM)

Yep. I hope and think he comes with something to prove and is aggressive as he should be in attacking the zone and trusting his stuff.

Jay (Chicago)

Ubaldo Jimenez or Slowey?

Jason Grey

  (3:38 PM)

Jimenez due to Slowey's wrist problems, which might be limiting even when he does pitch again. Just seems as if Ubaldo is the safer play at the moment.

Shocked (everywhere)

Are you Psychic? Now you're answering questions even before they are asked!!! What am I thinking?

Jason Grey

  (3:38 PM)

See above.

Van (Pacific Palisades)

Mark Ellis, Juan Uribe or Brandon Harris?

Jason Grey

  (3:40 PM)

Ellis...and I feel your pain, because in a 15-team mixed I had to make roughly the same choice.

Bob (Newton, NJ)

Trancoso...how many saves will he get in the 2nd half/ Is Broxton out/ineffective for awhile?

Jason Grey

  (3:42 PM)

Broxton is likely going to have to deal with the toe issue the rest of the season, and they are going to monitor it closely the second half so I still expect Troncoso to get a few here and there.

Bruno (Austria(of course))

Please help..I read your take on Markakis, but was extremely curious as to why you have Pence ranked so much higher than your ESPN peers?

Jason Grey

  (3:44 PM)

I don't have him that much higher. Karabell had Pence just 12 spots lower than I did. I just expect good all-around performance in all five categories in the second half, and perhaps some of my peers have undervalued his first-half contributions.

Jordan (Oh)

Jason, was rather curious...Markakis at 70 and Pence in the 30s in your rankings...pretty much flopped what your colleagues had? Could you please elaborate...what about thoughts in a keeper league, whom would you rather have?

Jason Grey

  (3:45 PM)

I'll still take Markakis long-term, but this was asking about value over the next 2.5 months. Everyone just assumes a big Markakis breakout on the second half. As much as I love him, I have to ask why? Is he suddenly going to run now? I want to be wrong, considering how many leagues I own him in, but I'm also trying to be realistic.

Jason Grey

  (3:47 PM)

A lot of questions on second-half stats/performers in general. For the most part, I think most fantasy players put FAR too much emphasis on them, and they are not as meaningful as people think.

Bill (PA)

Kuroda or Smoltz for the rest of 09?

Jason Grey

  (3:47 PM)

Kuroda

Lou (NC)

Matusz or Bumgarner?

Jason Grey

  (3:47 PM)

Bumgarner.

JT (FL)

I traded Rasmus but kept Fowler in a keeper. Please assuage my fears that I did a bad, bad thing choosing the Rox over the Card. (I used Rasmus in my Hanley package.)

Jason Grey

  (3:48 PM)

The extra speed dimension makes Fowler the more valuable player from a fantasy perspective.

Jason Grey

  (3:49 PM)

Peavy questions: GM Kevin Towers on record as saying "50/50" if Peavy is going to pitch at all again this season.

Paul (Annapolis)

Bumagrner or Latos for THIS year?

Jason Grey

  (3:50 PM)

Latos, because there is a very good chance we don't see Bumgarner at all in the big leagues. It's possible of course, but odds are against.

Jesse (DC)

What is your take on Scott Feldman? 8-2 with a 1.18 whip is solid in Texas.

Jason Grey

  (3:52 PM)

I was way ahead of the curve. Hopefully you grabbed him when I told you to do so back on May 18: http://insider.espn.go.com/fantasy/baseball/flb/story?page=clipboard090518or at the end of June when he was still widely available: http://insider.espn.go.com/fantasy/baseball/flb/story?page=clipboard090629He's a different pitcher from a scouting perspective than in previous seasons.

Neil (Denver)

Howie Kendrick finally realize his potential after the minors stint?

Jason Grey

  (3:53 PM)

I plead the fifth on all Kendrick questions. Just waiting patiently and hoping Howie doesn't let me down...again.

Matt (Chicago)

You ranked Rasmus at 147 and Fowler at 175. But you think Fowler has more fantasy value? How are you feeling today?

Jason Grey

  (3:56 PM)

Nope, I typo'd Fowler when I did my rankings...he should have been 145. I also had Ryan Church in my Top 250 when he should not have been. Just didn't catch them when I sent the list out...my apologies.

Nathan (NYC)

give up on liriano and davis in a keeper league?

Jason Grey

  (3:57 PM)

Not in a keeper league. I think Davis is the DH next year with Smoak playing first.

James McDonald (LA)

Will I get another look in the rotation this year?

Jason Grey

  (3:58 PM)

I don't think so unless the injury bug really hits...I think the Dodgers will actively pursue a trade for a starter if need be.

chuck (Hershey)

So Rasmus remains at 147, correct?

Jason Grey

  (4:00 PM)

Correct. Long-time readers know I am good for 2-3 typos each ranking list, as the "Curtis Granderson incident" of last year attests (I accidentally put a "2" before Granderson's number, so you can imagine how that changed it) We're on a tight deadline for those but I need to do a better job of double-checking.

Ben (SF)

What happened to Adrian Gonzalez? He goes from setting the world on fire to not being able to hit at all. Is he just streaky? Or should I be concerned?

Jason Grey

  (4:01 PM)

Talked to him at the ASG, and he admitted he's a bit tired, especially mentally, echoing comments he made last week. He's played 291 games in a row, so a bit more regular rest is probably in order.

Eric Young (Colorado)

Top 10 2B in 2010 with 60 SB, true or false?

Jason Grey

  (4:02 PM)

can't make a call like that until we know if he is actually going to get playing time. IF he gets 500 big league at-bats, he steals 50.

Eliot (KC)

would appreciate your thoughts on Bonifacio he's been hitting a lil bit lateley .311 or so over the past 30 days he keep it up goin on out?

Jason Grey

  (4:03 PM)

No, no, a thousand times no. His .258/.304/.324 line symbolizes all that is wrong with the Nats

Peter (NC)

Typo? Yes, when I type "Fowler," it sometimes comes out "Harang." Matt Wieters - are you nervous he's not all that?

Jason Grey

  (4:04 PM)

Well played, sir... It's mostly doing the ranks by hand, and then typing in the number for each player next to him on the spreadsheet where I go astray. I had problems when I typed "Hu" and had it come out "Grudzielanek."In any case, not nervous at all with Wieters.Thanks for all the questions, everyone. See you next week.