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Brendan Roberts

  (2:59 PM)

Good afternoon, everyone! Football is ramping up, but this chat will be baseball questions. Have to give some attention to those in the thick of their league races. Hard to believe we're in Week 17 of 26 already. Let's get to your questions ...

Adam (PA)

Hi Brendan, what a week for baseball fans, huh? Doesn't get much better than this, with the possible exception being fantasy baseball playoffs. Anywho, I was wondering who you like more for this season - Smoltz or Bucholz? Also, would you drop either one for Downs?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:01 PM)

Believe it or not, from here on out, I think I like Smoltz more. I tell ya, I've watched a few of his starts, and the stuff is still there. I'm still seeing some funny swings, which is a good indication to me. He's just rusty and not hitting his spots. I think he'll pick it up soon and actually be a viable mixed-league option. Downs? Obviously a lower-level closer, so it depends on the league setup. But not knowing that, I'd have to say no. I gotta think, Halladay or no, the Blue Jays slide a bit in the second half.

John (FL)

Would you EVER retain a closer in a keeper league?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:03 PM)

Yes, I would. Maybe not a mixed league with like 3 keepers, but I've been protecting Joe Nathan for years in a big-money league, and have been absolutely rewarded. There's maybe just 3-5 guys who fit in that class, but you have to look at where the guy will be taken and be valued the following season, and the bottom line is you stand a greater chance of losing that stud closer than any other similarly valued options.

Brick (Athens, GA)

IF IF IF Adrian Gonzalez gets traded (anywhere), is he a top five 1B?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:04 PM)

Probably not top 5. Sure, would be great to get him out of San Diego, both mentally and physically, but he's been on a bit of a slide, just as he often does in the second half, and I don't think a change of uniform or lineup changes that. I'd value him slightly higher if he were to leave SD, but not much.

Kendry Morales (Anaheim)

What do me and the sub-prime mortgage crisis have in common? Nobody talks about us until its too late!!! Change that Brendan!!

Brendan Roberts

  (3:06 PM)

Um, yeah, you're good! I especially like that Kendry is using all fields; he really has great opposite-field power, which is a sign of a true homer guy. People soured on him because he didn't impress in the minors, but he's still only 25 and probably didn't feel he should be in the minors in the first place, considering he was a Cuban star when he was signed by the Angels.

Travis (Nashville)

Hey BR. Is it safe to say that if a closer is traded and becomes a set up man, he's probably not worth holding onto in a shallow league anymore? Thinking of guys like Sherrill and Qualls here...

Brendan Roberts

  (3:07 PM)

You got it. I just can't see a scenario in which he'd still have more value than, say, a streamed two-start pitcher or fringe closer.

chad billingsly (LA)

do you have faith in me tonight? And the rest of the season? AJ Mass just compared my value to uggla or polanco

Brendan Roberts

  (3:09 PM)

I'd have to respectfully disagree with my colleague. I think he has way more value. The schtick with Billingsley is he doesn't maybe have the stamina (start to start or season to season) as many of the top-level guys, but he's just as effective, and the Dodgers have done a good job preserving him for this second half. He might give them only six innings per start, but they'll be good innings, and the Dodgers should win plenty for him. I'm definitely a believer.

Jason (Phoenix)

Obviously, Garrett Jones can't keep up his current pace. But is it reasonable to think he will finish with 20-25 HR's this year?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:11 PM)

I suppose it's possible considering he already has 10 ... but I don't see it. I think his bubble will burst anytime now. He swings hard, but I still holes in his swing (away, away, away, and breaking stuff) that I think big league teams will eventually figure out. I think he's a good sell-high option, and I did just that in a keeper NL-only league, getting Kyle Drabek and a few others in return. (Not sure yet what I think of Drabek, but figured I might as well.)

George (Jungle)

Cruz is HOT again, will he stay lit? Sell now and run?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:13 PM)

I never thought I'd be saying this, but he's about as real as any other power hitter out there. You stay put with him. He has such fantastic raw power that any bat put to ball is gonna be hit hard. I hear he's a beast in BP, although that's neither here nor there.

Ed (Charlotte)

Can Francoeur keep this up or is he just hot right now?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:15 PM)

I actually see him keeping this up. I mean, not necessarily the .300 average, but now that's out of that mind drain of being a young star on his hometown team, he can pick up right where he left off a few years ago.

Mark McGwire (StL)

Am I fantasy relevant for next year? Just figured if I put a name and a question as that person it'd get answered...Seriously though, do you see Kemp, Victorino, and/or Lind keeping up similar paces for the rest of the year? That would be my OF w/ Hart on the bench.

Brendan Roberts

  (3:16 PM)

Who's Mark McGwire? Ha, ha. That's a fine outfield; Kemp and Victorino are studs, and Lind is consistent enough to maintain what he does. Seems he's been cutting his slumps back (in terms of games).

charlie (syracuse, ny)

Is Lowe turning it around or is he now just a match-ups kind of guy?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:18 PM)

Funny you mention him ... I picked him up in that aforementioned big-money league, and I did a little "Happy Dance." A RENOWNED second-half pitcher who takes advantage of tired hitters with sinkers early in counts. It seems to me that a lot of hitters are more aggressive late in the year because they have less energy for drawn-out at-bats. That's when Lowe gets him to ground out at shortstop. Won't get you many K's, but definitely a viable every-week starter in any setup.

Brendan Roberts (SN)

Sometimes I lie in bed and ask myself, "What happened to Josh Hamilton?" Then I cry myself to sleep...

Brendan Roberts

  (3:21 PM)

It's actually true ... cause I had a friend named Josh Hamilton as a kid, and he was put in prison, and ... Kidding. Hamilton is not right. He was expected to miss a lot more time than he did, he came back fresh and played well, and now he's struggling, which to me means he's not right. Once the repetitiveness of the everyday worked on him, he slumped. He might be himself again next year, but I have doubts as to whether he's going to bounce back to the pre-injury level this season.

Francisco Liriano (Min - SP)

I suck. Drop me.

Brendan Roberts

  (3:22 PM)

Your point is valid (and succinct, too). I've actually thought about it, until I look at the FA wire. I can't imagine there'd be anybody there with the same amount of upside as Liriano has, and with bench spots, you can afford to wait. Unless you're in a bind roster-wise, I'd try to hang on to him.

Jake (Cleveland)

Hey BR, great chat. Do you think Scutaro will remain a viable starter at 2b? I have him starting at 2b and DeRosa at 3b. I've been debating whether or not to target Chipper at 3b and slide DeRosa over to 2b. Should I do it?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:25 PM)

Thanks, Jake. Do I think Scutaro can maintain what he's doing no? Yes. Am I that intrigued by what he's doing now? No. He doesn't really steal bases or hit homers, and he's hitting .295. He just provides runs, which is the easiest thing to pick up in fantasy. Yes, I'd target Chipper ... although I've found that Chipper tend to be about as loyal as they come, so you might have challenges therein.

KC (C-Bus)

More second half steals, Bourne or Figgins?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:25 PM)

Figgy, he's assured of getting on base more and plays for the more aggressive manager.

Rob (Frankfort, IL)

My NL only league holds a 3 round supplemental draft which allows for AL players to be drafted...I selected Roy Halladay with my 2nd pick...Any news on the trade talks???

Brendan Roberts

  (3:26 PM)

No news, although I'm still under the belief that he stays in Toronto.

Kevin (charlotte)

I just picked up Tillman, what should I expect? If he stinks, he should still strike some guys out, right?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:28 PM)

Yeah, he'll strike out guys, and I think he'll actually pretty well against an aggressive Royals team. After that, I'm not sure. Looking like he'll pitch at Detroit and at Toronto, two places unfriendly to young starting pitchers.

Jim (Atlanta)

Doesn't it hurt your professional credibility to work along side someone who compares Chad Billingsley to Uggla or Polanco in a chat?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:31 PM)

Not at all. Anybody who knows/reads AJ knows he's an outside-the-box thinker, usually stat-based in his thinking. Those writers draw plenty of jeers, but they're right a lot more than people give them credit for, even though they have a lot of unpopular opinions. I guess I'm just a "safer" thinker, but that doesn't make me any more right. After all, if you break down actual dollar values, you find mega-basestealers are very high-dollar guys, though I and others wouldn't necessarily take them very high.

Erik (MN)

Is Tommy Hunter a figment of my imagination or has he pitched really well against some pretty good offenses?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:32 PM)

I have wondered the same thing, but I still have to say figment. Or at least overachiever. I don't see dominant stuff, and even last night, there were a decent number of hard-hit balls that were caught (actually watched that game the most). I'm still afraid to trust him, esp. given his ballpark.

KC (C-Bus)

BR- Tommy Hansen is a better option than Jered Weaver for the rest of the year. True or False.

Brendan Roberts

  (3:34 PM)

Hmm, probably false. I still like Weaver because the second half has a lot of divisional matchups, and the A's and M's offenses are softies for Weaver, whereas the Nats, Mets, Marlins and Phillies are not for Hanson. Plus, Weaver will pitch deeper into games, giving him a greater chance for wins.

Ryan (Germantown)

Speaking of Hamilton, I am shopping him right now and wondering what level of SP you think I could get for him. Thanks always for insight Brendan.

Brendan Roberts

  (3:36 PM)

Good idea on shopping him ... because his name value puts him among the greats. You should be able to get a top SP (top 15, maybe?) because inevitably someone out there still knows him as a first-round stud, and b) A lot of fantasy owners, especially in innings-limit leagues, are trading starting pitchers right now. Look at your league's trading block, and at least half the teams have SPs to give. You're in the catbird seat, Ryan. That said, you might want to wait for him to have a couple good games before selling so he looks a little better.

Greg (New Braunfels)

Last chance to answer the big question that's on everyone's mind! E. Santana for this year and next? Thanks!

Brendan Roberts

  (3:38 PM)

Not sure that's too burning, but I see Ervin being very inconsistent and downright frustrating this year, but actually returning to solid mixed-league level with a full offseason to rest for 2010.

Nick (Dearborn)

What do you think about sitting Ryan Howard against lefties? He has a .556ops and only 3 hrs in 147abs against lefties this year and a 1.116ops and 23 hrs is 224abs against righties. I know they say never sit your stars, but this is crazy.

Brendan Roberts

  (3:40 PM)

Yeah, I too noticed he hasn't hit lefties well. But I still keep starting him. You have to compare him to his replacement option, and I doubt, percentage-wise, if there's any other 1B/CI who can give you the same power upside in a single game, even against LHPs. Plus, remember that starters pitch maybe only two-thirds the game. He could conceivably get 2 of 4 or 2 of 5 at-bats against righty pitchers in the same game a lefty starts.

paul (princeton)

If the season ended today and you were drafting for 2010, in what rounds for draft purposes would you target Hamilton, Sizemore, and Bay?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:42 PM)

Great question, Paul. Three struggling stars. Well, the better question is whether they'll be worth taking as early as they're destined to go, which is maybe late second round for the first two and into the third round for Bay. I'd probably say yes for the last two, but no for Hamilton.

Ajay (Detroit)

Konerko or Quentin for the rest of the year?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:43 PM)

I'd say Konerko. Traditionally a great second-half hitter, and Quentin is still not right and likely will be limited on artificial turf.

Dice-K (Disabled List, MA)

Am I worth hanging on to when there's offense on the waiver wire and I need to free up DL spots? Am I worth the slot I'm taking up in a keeper league when my owner has a shot at winning it all this year?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:44 PM)

Sadly, no. I don't expect anything from him this year, and you're sure to be able to get him back fairly easy next year (if you want him after owning him this year). If you're going for it and need his roster spot opened, I give you full endorsement to cut him.

Jesse (Pittsburgh)

BR - please help! At this point in the year, is a top-flight closer equal in value a stud starter, or does the closer side need to add more to the deal?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:46 PM)

Kinda depends upon where you sit in the standings, but I'd tend to agree that yes, reliable, safe closers tend to be more valuable, or really about the same while stud starters tend to become less valuable. Reason is because owners start to stream pitchers pretty heavily this time of year, grabbing mostly two-start guys, which gives them a better chance at wins and K's, the very categories you covet that starter for. Sure, the starter can help in ERA and WHIP, but so can your stud reliever, and he'll pick up saves along the way too.

Henry (Miami)

More value rest of the way, Asdrubal Cabrera or Clint Barmes?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:47 PM)

Asdrubal. Barmes is just so unimpressive to me.

Ryan (Germantown)

Hey Brendan, you posted my question about Hamilton and didn't give an answer. I'd love to hear your opinion sir.

Brendan Roberts

  (3:48 PM)

This happens sometimes in our system ... should be there by now. Just refresh. Hopefully it is.

Dan (Detroit)

Huff is traditionally a 2nd half guy. Can he turn this mess around? Gordon Beckham or Huff the rest of the year?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:49 PM)

Yes, he is a second-half guy (except for those subpar years there before last year). And he's also pretty streaky. Seriously, the guy could hit as many homers in a single week as anyone, and then go dry for weeks. He's due for another warm-up, and I take him over Beckham (in a non-keeper league).

J (Norcal)

Fowler or Taveras?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:50 PM)

Fowler, because he actually knows how to get on base. I noted in a recent Hit Parade that his walk rate is increasing and he's seeing more pitches. That allows him to get on base and even drive more balls since he's actually working the count. Definitely still Fowler for this year.

C J Willson (Arlington)

My job to lose, right?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:52 PM)

Well, there's some talk that Wilson should be the closer ever after Francisco returns, but I've heard nothing like that from Ron Washington. I think he actually helps the team more in the lefty setup role, and that's where I think he returns.

Mark Buehrle (Chicago)

How will I rebound from my perfect game tonight?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:53 PM)

Don't have the numbers in front of me, but it seems to me "starts after no-hitters" have been very good, for the most part. I'd start him. Minny a tough draw at Minnesota, but I'm not worried. Active.

Frank (Tampa)

Word to the wise, if Huff has a typical year (last year being the exception) that AVG and lack of production will kill your fantasy team. I held onto him too long before and never will again

Brendan Roberts

  (3:54 PM)

And if you're a Tampa guy, you know it all too well. That's a good point in that he does get a lot of at-bats, and many of 'em during "slumpy" periods. But I really think he'll pick it up.

Peter (Springfield)

How is Pablo Sandoval's vaule effected now that the Giant's have Garko??

Brendan Roberts

  (3:55 PM)

Not affected at all, only Travis Ishikawa and the veritable revolving door they've had at 1B is.

Mike (CA)

I knew Carlos Pena was going to have a low average but this is getting ridiculous and now he's batting 6. Any reason to expect his average to climb?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:57 PM)

Yes, .217 isn't going to get it done. But really, that's just a handful of hits below the .255 mark you probably affected, and he can pick that up pretty easily with even a moderate hot streak. Plus, he's still on pace for 41 homers and 106 RBIs. You got him for his power, so enjoy it! I know the average makes him frustrating, but it has nowhere to go up.

Rob (NJ)

Is Blanton due for a blow-up game?

Brendan Roberts

  (3:59 PM)

I have the sneaking suspicion he is, because I just picked him up a few weeks ago in a standard mixed league. But the fact that he's striking out more batters and seems to be fresh (he looked great the other night) indicates maybe he can pitch out of trouble enough to avoid the blow-up.

Cain, Matt (San Fran)

Not trying to be a complainer but I feel like a low 2 era and 12 wins should get me more respect. Just saying.

Brendan Roberts

  (4:02 PM)

I agree, and I think it could continue. The Giants have kept him relatively fresh; he's 34th in pitches thrown.

Brendan Roberts

  (4:02 PM)

I agree, and I think it could continue. The Giants have kept him relatively fresh; he's 34th in pitches thrown.

Brendan Roberts

  (4:02 PM)

I agree, and I think it could continue. The Giants have kept him relatively fresh; he's 34th in pitches thrown.

Brendan Roberts

  (4:02 PM)

I agree, and I think it could continue. The Giants have kept him relatively fresh; he's 34th in pitches thrown.

Brendan Roberts

  (4:02 PM)

I agree, and I think it could continue. The Giants have kept him relatively fresh; he's 34th in pitches thrown.

Brendan Roberts

  (4:03 PM)

And that does it for me, folks. One quick hour, and I have to run off. Thanks for joining me, and please note I won't be chatting next week. Will be back on the Tuesday after. Good luck!