Jim Callis

  (2:08 PM)

Sorry I'm a couple of minutes late. Just walked in the door after driving back from the All-Star Game with three of my four kids. So without further adieu . . .

James (OBKY)

Who's going to be the better back stop for the next 10 years...Buster Posey or Carlos Santana?

Jim Callis

  (2:09 PM)

I'll go with Posey, though I think both have the ability to be consistent all-stars.

Drew (Boston, MA)

I can't wait for a world where the ASG doesn't count and interleague play has been abolished.

Jim Callis

  (2:11 PM)

Neither one bothers me. I could do with less interleague play, but I really have no problem with the ASG determine home-field advantage. It's more fair than alternating it every year, and I don't buy just using regular-season records when the AL is so much stronger than the NL right now.

Mike Stanton (Jacksonville, FL)

Was I the most impressive prospect at futures game tools-wise?

Jim Callis

  (2:12 PM)

Yes. Though the fact you only played three innings and batted eighth was a joke. More thought needs to be put into the Futures Game lineups.

Enrico (Columbus, Ohio)

Reds outfield line-up in 3 years with stubbs, heisey, bruce, and maybe votto ( with alonzo pushing votto to OF). What is Heisey's upside?

Jim Callis

  (2:14 PM)

I think Heisey can be a solid regular. But I think the Reds' outfield of the future, from left to right, will be Votto, Stubbs, Bruce.

Darren (New York)

HI Jim, Derek Norris has eye-popping numbers for Hagerstown (21HRS, .416/.595/1.001). Is he a legit prospect or should a 20-year-old be tearing up the Sally League? Thank you.

Jim Callis

  (2:15 PM)

Oh, he's a very legit prospect. The defense needs more work than the offense, but he's not old for the SAL. He received strong consideration for the Futures Game.

Kevin (San Diego)

Now that we know it's Hairston for Sean Gallagher, Ryan Webb, and Craig Italiano, who won the deal?

Jim Callis

  (2:20 PM)

I think it's pretty even. I like Hairston, but he kills lefties and is just OK against righthanders. I still think Gallagher can be a decent mid-rotation starter.

Mike (Boston)

Jim,Don't you think that it's bad for the All Star Game that Wakefield didn't get into the game? Come on he's 42 and deserved to be in that game.

Jim Callis

  (2:21 PM)

I made the same comment to my kids while we were watching the game last night. On pure numbers, he didn't really deserve to get selected, but on his body of work over his whole career, I was fine with it. I was hoping to see him last night too.

Jason (St Louis)

I wish Wakefield would have been in that game. NL might have had more of a chance.

Jim Callis

  (2:21 PM)

The fact that it was so tight was probably the reason he didn't get out there.

Ray A. (San Francisco)

Jim,Don't the San Francisco Giants have the best pieces of all the contending teams to pull off a trade for Roy Halladay. What if the Giants offered Tim Alderson, Thomas Neal, Emmanuel Burriss, and Jonathan Sanchez. If would give the Giants 1.5 years of Lincecum, Cain, and Halladay! Who can beat that?

Jim Callis

  (2:23 PM)

They have some nice pieces, but that deal isn't going to cut it. The Jays would want to discuss Madison Bumgarner, Buster Posey, Angel Villalona and Ehire Adrianza, among others. Not that Toronto would get all of those guys, but one or two of them would have to be included. Burriss flat out can't hit.

Joe (Chicago)

Jim, would the White Sox have enough to trade for Halladay without giving up Beckham? If not, would you include Beckham for Roy? Also, do you think Beckham can play 3rd long term? He looks bad there now, but I know it's early. I feel like moving him to short and putting Alexei in center makes sense for next year.

Jim Callis

  (2:24 PM)

I think they'd have to include Beckham, and if I were the White Sox, I wouldn't do it. I love Halladay, but I don't think he's guaranteed to put them over the top.

Bren (Pearl River, NY)

Please tell me the Mets won't be too cheap to give Matz the $1.1 million he's reportedly wanted all along? You also had Magnifico as an over slot guy. Any chance he signs too?

Jim Callis

  (2:28 PM)

I don't think the Mets would have spent their top pick on a guy they didn't plan to sign, and they know what it's going to take. Not as confident on Magnifico if he truly wants a seven-figure bonus.

Kenny (NY)

Posey is untradeable, zero chance Bumgarner or Posey gets dealt, so you're saying without one of them no chance at Halladay?

Jim Callis

  (2:29 PM)

If I'm running the Jays, yes. I like Tim Alderson, but if he's the best player in the deal, no thanks.

Andrew (Florham Park)

lightning round...strasburg, darvish, or chapman?

Jim Callis

  (2:29 PM)

Strasburg. But it's not lightning round time yet!

Andy (Niagra Falls)

IN meetings all day, Jim. Getting this in early. Saw your midseason top 25 the other day, but how much difference is there between Yonder Alonso, Freddie Freeman and say Eric Hosmer? Do any of those 3 project as 40-HR hitters in the bigs?

Jim Callis

  (2:31 PM)

Not a huge difference for me. Hosmer has the best power of that group and he'd be your potential 40-homer guy.

Adam (Chicago)

How would you rank the top 3B (Moustakas, Vitters, Dominguez) from the '07 draft?

Jim Callis

  (2:32 PM)

Vitters, Moustakas, Dominguez.

Steve (Minneapolis)

Hey Jim. What are your thoughts on Kyle Gibson, the Twins first round pick this year. There?s a lot of talk about his arm injury but is that all that kept him from going higher in the draft? How high is his ceiling?

Jim Callis

  (2:35 PM)

That is what kept him from going much higher in the draft. I think he's a potential No. 2 starter who can get hitters out with three pitches: sinker, slider, changeup. He's one of my favorite draft prospects.

Andrew (Florham Park, NJ)

Any words on the Zack Wheeler negotiations? He shouldn't be a tough sign should he?

Jim Callis

  (2:36 PM)

I think he's going to sign for significantly over slot, so we'll probably have to wait until Aug. 17 to see him become a Giant. He'll sign, though. I still think all 32 first-rounders will wind up signing, with the two biggest risks not to sign being Kyle Gibson (if he's not healthy) and Tyler Matzek.

Dan (Tampa)

Who would you rather have Smoak or Matusz?

Jim Callis

  (2:37 PM)

Tough call, and I answered this in an Ask BA column early in the year, but I'd take Matusz. Harder to find a quality lefty than a quality first baseman.

James (Carrollton, GA)

Jim, how do you think Freeman's and Heyward's numbers will translate in the big leagues? I know it won't be this year, but the Braves desperately need some bats.

Jim Callis

  (2:38 PM)

I think Heyward will be a superstar and Freeman will be somewhere between a solid regular and a star. Believe in both of them.

Aaron (Boston)

Rather have Jesus Montero or Lars Anderson?

Jim Callis

  (2:38 PM)

Jesus Montero, but I still don't think he's a catcher. I still believe in Anderson, too.

Craig (Norwich, CT)

Was Carl Crawford the right choice as the Ted Williams Award winner?

Jim Callis

  (2:40 PM)

When I left the ballpark, I had no idea who they were going to pick as the MVP. So many pitchers were good for one-inning stints. Adam Jones drove in the winning run, but it was with a sac fly. I had no problem with Crawford. It was a spectacular play, and the most memorable play from the ASG. And it was a difference-maker.

John T ((Eagan, MN))

Speaking of Halladay and Twins' prospects, I told someone that the Twins couldn't get Halladay if they offered (1) any starter on their current staff, (2) any pitcher in their minor league system, and (3) any hitter in their minor league system. The best I could come up with is something like Blackburn/Mulvey/Hicks, and that's just not enough. I'm correct, no?

Jim Callis

  (2:40 PM)

I agree with you.

Anthony (NY)

Austin Romine or Austin Jackson?

Jim Callis

  (2:41 PM)

Austin Jackson.

Chris (Boston)

You're confident Strasburg will sign?

Jim Callis

  (2:45 PM)

Sure. I think he gets offered more money than he can afford to turn down.

Brent (Atlanta)

Julio Teheren or Martin Perez?

Jim Callis

  (2:45 PM)

Ah, let's start the lightning round. Perez.

Justin (Redlands, CA)

Mike Trout or Reymond Fuentes?

Jim Callis

  (2:45 PM)

Trout.

Drew (Boston, MA)

Do you still see Middlebrooks breaking out at some point? He's walking more this season but still is struggling to hit for power or average.

Jim Callis

  (2:45 PM)

Yes, still see him breaking out.

Anthony (NY)

Any way the Yanks can get Halladay without giving up Montero, Hughes or Joba. Maybe a Melky, Zachary Mcallister, Mark Melancon, Sergio Mitro, other minor leaguer. would that work?

Jim Callis

  (2:46 PM)

No.

James (Chicago)

David Hernandez or Michael Bowden?

Jim Callis

  (2:46 PM)

Bowden.

Kyle (MD)

Adam Jones or Colby Rasmus?

Jim Callis

  (2:46 PM)

Rasmus, but it's close.

Corey (High Point, NC)

Are the Cards going to sign Shelby Miller, or are they going to be cheap?

Jim Callis

  (2:46 PM)

They'll sign him.

Andrew (Florham Park, NJ)

Neftali Feliz: future closer or 1-2 starter?

Jim Callis

  (2:46 PM)

My gut says closer.

jason (richmond va)

in two years who is the better player reimold, jones or markakis

Jim Callis

  (2:47 PM)

Markakis.

Jarred (Kansas)

Did the Royals make a mistake in the 05' Draft by taking Alex Gordon instead of Ryan Zimmerman or Tim Linececum?

Jim Callis

  (2:48 PM)

Looking back now, sure, they'd do it differently. At the time, Gordon was the obvious pick, so it's hard to fault them for it.

Jim Callis

  (2:48 PM)

If they had taken Lincecum, maybe they take Longoria instead of Hochevar in 2006.

Pete (Philly)

Would you trade Drabek, Brown, Marson and Donald for Halladay?

Jim Callis

  (2:50 PM)

If I could sign Halladay long-term, yes. That would position the Phillies as the team to beat in the NL East (and the whole NL for that matter) for a while. Without a long-term deal, I'd still have to think about it. I'd hate to give up all that young talent for 1 1/2 years of Halladay, but the deal would still give me a great chance to win another World Series in the next two years.

Anthony (NY)

Who replaces Mariano Rivera when he retires?

Jim Callis

  (2:50 PM)

The Yankees are still figuring that one out. I'll vote for "best closer on the free-agent market that offseason."

Brad (San Diego)

Longoria or J. Upton?

Jim Callis

  (2:51 PM)

Longoria.

Oden (Motown)

Change your mind yet on Bruce over Justin?

Jim Callis

  (2:51 PM)

Sure, give me Justin Upton.

Izzy (DC)

Drabek or Carrasco?

Jim Callis

  (2:51 PM)

Drabek.

Sean (Florida)

Do you think any of thse "multi player for one player" trades ever end up being what we think they are? It normally seems that a couple of the "multi" player side never make it, thus making it a much better deal for the team picking up the one stud player. Agree?

Jim Callis

  (2:51 PM)

For the most part, yes. Quality trumps quantity.

David (Santa Clara)

Lincecum was in 06, not 05 class.

Jim Callis

  (2:52 PM)

Ah, stupid me, mixing my draft classes.

Ben (Charlotte)

Halladay is 32. Do you really want to sign him "long-term" when he becomes a free agent?

Jim Callis

  (2:52 PM)

I'd sign him for four years. I think he'll age well.

Craig G. (Fairfield, CA)

Rasmus, Skip or Ludwick?

Jim Callis

  (2:52 PM)

Rasmus.

Jay Bruce (Cincy)

Am I still a future star?

Jim Callis

  (2:52 PM)

Yes.

Tom (Isla Vista)

Do you see Howie Kendrick turning his career around?

Jim Callis

  (2:53 PM)

Kendrick can definitely hit. Why he hasn't lived up to expectations so far, I don't know. But I'd keep trying to find out.

nick (deerfield bch)

still believe in pedro alvarez ?

Jim Callis

  (2:54 PM)

I do, though the strikeouts bother me.

Matt (Jacksonville)

Best pro career of Vandy guys: Pedro Alvarez, David Price, Mike Minor, or Ryan Flaherty?

Jim Callis

  (2:55 PM)

Price.

Ulrik (Viborg, Denmark)

Most impressive pitcher at the futures game?

Jim Callis

  (2:55 PM)

Neftali Feliz.

Brent (Atlanta)

If you had to redo last year's top 10 prospects, who do you move the most?

Jim Callis

  (2:56 PM)

I still like all the players I put in my overall Top 10, but they player most conspicuous by his absence is Jason Heyward.

Brian (Milwaukee)

Better chance at making it to Milwaukee: Mike Jones or Mark Rogers?

Jim Callis

  (2:56 PM)

Rogers.

Rick (Boston)

Best Bat in the Minors?

Jim Callis

  (2:56 PM)

Heyward.

Kyle (KC)

I know no trade for Yuniesky Betancourt is a good one, but what did KC give up in Cortes and Saito. Were Cortes' off field and control issues enough for the Royals to give up on him?

Jim Callis

  (2:58 PM)

Put it this way: Betancourt isn't a good player, but I also don't think the Royals are going to rue what they gave up to get him. I see Cortes more as a reliever in the long run. I'm not the biggest fan.

Tom (NJ)

Buzzer Beater!! ETA on ARRIETA? #2 starter?

Jim Callis

  (2:58 PM)

2010, No. 2 or No. 3.

Oden (Motown)

Anderson or Cahiill? Mazarro < than both?

Jim Callis

  (2:59 PM)

Anderson over the other two.

Mark (Madison, WI)

Any truth to the rumors that next year's winner of the futures game will play the NL all star team for the right to play the AL?

Jim Callis

  (3:02 PM)

That would be a good one. Thanks for all the questions, and I'll chat with you next week.