Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:02 PM)

Hi kids... Welcome to the chat. Reminder: You can now play fantasy footall for free on ESPN.com. Free live scoring, fully customizable, auction drafts. As always, all subjects answered. Let's do it.

tom (madison,wi)

Matthew, please humor me. If you were desperate for saves, would you drop either MacDougal or Nunez for Jim Johnson in the hopes that Sherrill gets traded?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:04 PM)

Nunez, yes. MacDougal, no. He's actually getting some saves. But that's my guess if Sherrill gets traded... Johnson gets first shot at saves.

Jerry (NY)

You are always late for this chat! Why don't you try a different time slot?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:05 PM)

It's more about getting set up than anything... it takes a bit and I'm a technological mess. I'll stay longer...

Peter (West Orange, NJ)

I sat Soriano two days in a row due to his poor numbers vs. opposing pitchers and generally lousy season, and he promptly made me look foolish with two dingers and 5RBIs. Are you buying?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:08 PM)

Yes, I am. He's hitting .345 in the 6 hole this year - his head seems to be getting on straight.... Moving down hurts his steals but ultimately he's a good hitter. Getting Aramis back in the line-up helps too

Mark (Memphis)

I snagged Reynolds when Aramis went on the DL. I need OF help and I am looking to move either Reynolds or Aramis. Who would you move?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:09 PM)

I'd move Aramis. Reynolds has the speed and chances are you'll get more for him. Most folks think Reynol;ds is a fluke - which I disagree with.

Matt (Chicago)

Football Q: Eddie Royal or Kevin Walter? And what is your take on Reggie Bush this year?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:09 PM)

Royal, though I like Walter a lot as well. And I am down on Reggie - I'm a big Pierre Thomas guy

Dan Haren (AZ)

How was that for some second half pitching!

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:11 PM)

Impressive. It's one start vs. three years. Hope I'm wrong. Don't think I will be.

Andy (Syracuse, NY)

Hey Matthew, I'm in a football keeper league and have the first pick in our rookie draft. Would you take Crabtree or B.Wells?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:12 PM)

Wells of those two.

Max (CA)

Matthew - Need trade advice. I'm dealing for Pujols in a keeper league ... in order of preference, who would you include in the deal out of Bay, Holliday or Choo?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:14 PM)

You have them ranked correctly, so I'd put Choo in first, then Holliday, then Bay...

david (peru)

starting smoltz and price tonight? would you drop either for volquez when he comes back? or what about for ryan ludwick right now?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:17 PM)

No, in a ten team mix I'm not starting either guy. Price has given up 5 ER or more in 3 of his last 5 and I don't like Smoltz at Texas...

Megan Fox (Your Office)

Hey Matthew, some of your analyst buddies don't like Inge's second half numbers. What do you think? Thanks, honey.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:17 PM)

I believe in the power, not the average

Robert (Dallas)

How long do you think Peyton Manning will be relevant as a fantasy quarterback? In other words, if I trade for him in a keeper league, how many more years can I expect to pencil him in as a keeper?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:18 PM)

At least 5 more years

Scott (Chicago, IL )

How about some deep league advice? You buying Garrett Jones ? Will Morrow be back up in the bigs this year?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:20 PM)

It's weird on Garret. He's 28 and bounced around a lot but WAS raking at Triple A... For this year, yeah, I'm buying somewhat but not long term.

Jeremy (NYC)

TMR, I have the dreaded 5 pick in a new keeper league, is it crazy to take Fitz there?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:23 PM)

Nope. Look, that's a bit high, but if he's the guy you want, go for it. he's not coming back to you in the second round. Folks get too hung up on where they should draft someone. Rankings are merely a guide to help guage value.

Jay Y (Feeding Hills, MA)

TMR,I am near the bottom of every offensive category, and nearly 70 behind the leader in steals....should i trade Andre Ethier and Wandy Rodriguez for B.J. Upton and Andrew Bailey or just scrap SB's for the year and hope the rest of my stats pick up?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:25 PM)

Steals and saves are two of the easiest categories to make up ground quickly... I'd try to trade for a closr a little more solid / with more save ops than Bailey but the strategy is sound as long as you are going for this year.

Brian (IN)

Would you trade Bay and Alex Gordon for A-Rod?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:28 PM)

no, I don't think so. Bay and A Rod are about equal I think and Gordon isn't great... but the upside is more than A Rod is worth.

Mike (Los Angeles)

TMR, how bout a little NAME GAME between Josh Willingham, Erick Aybar, and Scott Hairston?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:29 PM)

Hairston

Colin (Irvine, CA)

Hey MB, enjoying following you on Twitter... great info and we like all the same teams. Ortiz or Chipper moving forward. Thanks.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:33 PM)

Thanks. I'm on Twitter as @therealtmr. Ortiz for power, Chipper for everything else.

Matt (NY)

Vincent Jackson or Anthony Gonzalez in a keeper league? Would you hold either over Reggie Bush?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:35 PM)

I like V Jax more but would probably lean towards keeping Bush.

Nick (NJ)

Hi TMR, I'm a big fan of yours. However, I've noticed you've seemed to 'mail in' the baseball advice about 3-4 weeks ago. My guess is you had your vacation, threw out the first pitch and everything, have probably watched "Get Smart"

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:37 PM)

Please. I mail it in every week.

Jonathan (Tulsa)

Juan Rivera? DL stint or minor injury?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:37 PM)

Minor injury is what I am hearing

James (New Orleans, LA)

NFL Keeper: Andre Johnson (8th), Calvin Johnson (6th), Matt Forte (9th), and Steve Slaton (10th). Which two would you keep if you already had ADP as a known keeper in 5th RD?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:38 PM)

Andre and Forte.

??? (Confusedville)

You said earlier in the Chat that you don't like Reggie Bush this year and are high on Pierre Thomas, but you just advised someone to KEEP Reggie Bush over up and coming talents like Vincent Jackson and Anthony Gonzalez??? What's the deal? Aren't you contradicting yourself Talente Mr. ...

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:40 PM)

No. I always value running backs over wide outs. I am not high on Reggie but still like him more than those two WR. It's close, but I always think it's easier to find productive WR than RB.

Dylan McKay (90210)

Dynasty Keeper for years to come. Who is on your team: Adam Jones, Tommy Hanson, or Gordon Beckham?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:40 PM)

Adam Jones.

Baseball ((Chat))

This is a Baseball Chat.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:40 PM)

Youy've never been to one of my chats before, have you?

Luke (Tampa)

Well played in response to Nick (NJ). I've noticing a decline in the quality and quantity of your snark. Nice to see you can still turn it on when challenged.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:41 PM)

I'm snark-a-licisous.

Emily Valentine (The Burning Float)

Who do you like for the rest of the season...Max Scherzer or Tommy Hanson?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:42 PM)

Mad Max... Hanson's whip still scares me a bit. Nice name.

Fantasy ((chat))

This is a fantasy chat. We can talk about all fantasy related material here. That includes baseball, football, and Megan Fox.

Mike (Nashville (with hot girlfriend))

Starting Gavin Floyd (The Barber) vs TB tonight?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:43 PM)

Yes... He has pitched very well at home this year

MJ (e-town)

Homer Bailey - you buying a big second half from him due to the new splitter he learned in the minors?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:46 PM)

Sort of. I want to see him do it a few more times - his last start was not great - but yes, I do believe he has skills and will be productive for deeper leagues. Not ready to recommed him for 10 teams yet

Zack ((New York)

Hey TMR, Im in a 10 team keeper league in which I'm only allowed to keep 2 players. I have to pick between Matt Forte, Larry Fitzgerald, and Drew Brees. Who would you keep? By the way your Bon Jovi trilogy is better than Pod Vader.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:47 PM)

I keep Forte and Fitz. Great as Brees is, it'll be easier to find a QB. And thank you! Pod Vader is crazy with his trilogy.

jake (virginia)

Let's get serious TMR... If you have to trade one of these SP to get Matt Holliday who is it?--- Danks, Sherzer, Nolasco..

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:48 PM)

You have them ranked correctly in order of who to trade first

Jon (Grimesland, NC)

First time the movie was better than the book? The Princess Bride. Not the first bad advice I've gotten from TMR...

Nick (Dallas)

Newsflash - Quentin off the DL, is he an immediate insert into the lineups or is it a wait and see how often he plays kind of deal?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:49 PM)

Immeadiate, of course.

Toni Marchette ((Beverly Hills))

I need to make up some serious ground. Is Cole Hamels gonna turn it around soon or do I need to clear a space on the bench for him?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:50 PM)

Somewhat. He'll be better than he has been - the strt vs FLA was a good sign but he won't be as dominant as he was last year

Vinny (NYC)

What are the chances Sizemore ends his 2009 season early for elbow surgery?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:50 PM)

I'll say 75%

follow up (mass.)

Jake is trading Danks for Holliday?!? Would you do that trade TMR??!?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:53 PM)

Yeah, if I needed offense. Holliday has traditionally hit better in the second half and my guess is he gets traded to a contender.

Ryan (East Lansing)

Thoughts on Brett Anderson? Another gem yesterday. Do you like him or Lannan going forward? Thanks TMR.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:56 PM)

Yeah, he's got like a 1.55 ERA over his last 5 (stat is off top of my head - it's around there)... I like him. They had high hopes for him at the start of the year so yeah, I'm buying as a spot starter in 10 team mix.

Ben (RI)

TMR - Earlier in the chat you said you wouldn't trade Bay and Gordon for ARod. Gordon hasn't done anything at the major league level to warrant value and in a straight up deal, I don't think it's really close between Arod and Bay. What gives? Why do you knock ARod so much? He's been one of the biggest producers over the past few weeks and looks every bit like he's back.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:02 PM)

Well, it's a bit of buying high / selling low, which is NOT what you want to do. A Rod has been on fire, of course, and Bay has struggled recently... I believe that Bay has a strong second half, A Rod comes back down to earth (and still isn't stealing) and while I've never been a huge Gordon guy,the upside is worth not doing the deal.

A-rod (your ex's bed)

Hey, don't forget that since I've returned from injury, I am second in MLB in HR and RBI...the average is getting better, too. Bay was playing over his head. Even if you think the numbers stack up. That guy should be able to get more than J. Bay and A. WTF-Have-I-Ever-Done Gordon.Love your work, btw. My favorite.

Rob (NJ)

Are you starting to believe in Rollins?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:04 PM)

Go back and read my stuff from over a month ago. I've been talking about a J Ro turnaround for a while. Yes, I'm buying.

Moe (RI)

Did you hear that Ivanka is no longer a free agent?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:05 PM)

I'v always thought she'd make a good second wife. I'm not worried.

Ray (Tampa Bay)

This doesn't require a bible length response: Based on his historically 2nd half awesomeness, you trying to buy Aubrey Huff?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:06 PM)

Yes

george (ny)

didnt see an answer on the quentin ?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:07 PM)

Yes - insert immeadiately

Keanu (Honolulu)

TMR-who is more important to have for possible saves: Troncoso or Jim Johnson?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:08 PM)

Jim Johnson

Jay (Chicago)

Fowler or Pods?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:09 PM)

Pods

James (NJ)

Is Martin Prado a starter in a 10-team mix league?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:10 PM)

Yes, actually... he's been terrific recently. The average is legit.

chris (mn)

spell check: "Immediately"

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:11 PM)

Is it spelled like this? "anal retentive"

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:11 PM)

I try to answer things quickly - misspellings will happen

LDT (San Diego)

15 TDs this season - you buyin?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:13 PM)

No. But I'll take 12 and 1500 total yards

Dustin (SF)

You had Adrian Gonzalez ranked pretty high in the second half. What makes you think he will rebound? He's been pretty awful recently...

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:14 PM)

I answer that and others here: http://sports.espn.go.com/fantasy/baseball/flb/story?page=tmr090717

Joe (LA)

How young would you go, i.e. would you go out with Hayden Panatierre?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:15 PM)

Not sure her real age, but 15 years or so in either direction is the limit

Clay (Buchholz)

Drop or hold?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:16 PM)

Drop unless it's a keeper

chauncey (teaneck)

she is only 19 years old

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:16 PM)

Then no, that's too young for me.

Bo (Amsterdam (the Netherlands))

Please help the Dutch. Or at least help me. Would you drop Harang, Wolf or Kuroda for Jim Johnson?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:17 PM)

Kurodo if you are desperate for saves.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:18 PM)

Okay gang... gotta run. Talk to you soon.

your fan (middle earth)

Love you TMR. Leave on a good note.. TMR has left the building. Thanks to everyone for joining the chat today! See you next time!

Michael (Westside)

Never again