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Jason Grey

  (3:01 PM)

Hey everyone...blazing fastballs in evidence already today with both Verlander and Feliz pitching, let's see what else is up...

tyler (Lorton)

Am I crazy for not trading Matt Kemp for Chris Carpenter in a 7X7 ( XBH, OBS and HD, K/9) H2H 14 team keeper league that keeps 6

Jason Grey

  (3:02 PM)

In a keeper league? No. Given Carpenter's health history, and my preference for keeping hitters on keeper lists, I'd stick with Kemp. When I rated Carpenter so highly in our second-half rankings, ll I was asking him to do was stay out of the trainer's room for 2 1/2 months.

Brett (NYC)

This Feliz kid in Texas is sick 5 more k's in 2 innings of work. What do you see for him the rest of 2009 and in 2010?

Jason Grey

  (3:04 PM)

Today's outing could give the Rangers some potential incentive to start him before the season is out, but the safer bet is that he continues to be a setup guy in the 'pen, as long as Frank Francisco stays healthy. Then, Feliz joins the rotation in 2010, where he's a potential frontline starter with strikeout ability.

Mike (DC)

Any value in Alcides Escobar other than SBs for 2009? Will he help out in AVG, R, and SB in 2010? Does he compare to a Jose Reyes type guy in the future?

Jason Grey

  (3:05 PM)

Other than SBs? No. Think of him as kind of an NL version of Elvis Andrus for now. He's not a Reyes guy, but eventually can hit for a decent average with a poor OBP. The value will be in the steals for fantasy play.

Logan (Buena Vista)

Is Aramis Ramirez really going to come back and be worthwhile?

Jason Grey

  (3:08 PM)

Even when healthy enough to play, players with major shoulder trouble often have trouble getting their swings back (ask B.J. Upton about that). The fact that everyone is admitting that Ramirez is going to try and play with pain the rest of the season isn't a good sign for his production. It sounds like cortisone shots are being used just to try and get him on the field.

Vincent (Atlanta)

Mark Reynolds...Keeper or Sell High?

Jason Grey

  (3:08 PM)

Keeper.

Vincent (Atlanta)

What kind of value can I expect from Wieters in a keeper league?

Jason Grey

  (3:09 PM)

At least a Top-10 catcher next season, with a chance of being in the top five.

Karl (Akron)

Jason, what are your thoughts on Coghlan for the future?

Jason Grey

  (3:11 PM)

I happen to be a Coghlan fan as one of those players that can put up double-digit totals in homers and steals with a good batting average. That said, I like him much better when he eventually moves back to second base, so we'll have to see how the Marlins shuffle their roster this offseason.

Crime Dawg McGruff (Michigan)

Hey Jason, big fan of all your work! What are your thoughts on Ryan Kalish and Christian Friedrich? Are either of them worth picking up in a long-term keeper league with minor league spots? I've got Brandon Snyder in my minors and he's underwhelming in AAA. This a deep minor league system we have, so all the BIG names are long gone. Thanks Jason!

Jason Grey

  (3:13 PM)

I like them both, but Friedrich really has a chance to be a special pitcher. I profiled him more extensively here.http://insider.espn.go.com/fantasy/baseball/flb/story?page=greyminorachievements090610

Steve (CA)

do you see Bumgarner getting called up at the end of this year?

Jason Grey

  (3:15 PM)

I expect that it will be all hands on deck in September with the Giants fighting for a playoff spot which means Bumgarner, Posey etc. will be up for bench depth. That said, Bumgarner has suppsoedly looked a bit tired his last three outings, so there's a chance he gets shut down as well. Essentially, the only reason I think we could look foward to Bumgarner in '09 is if you're in a keeper league and it provides you an opportunity to stash him.

Scotty Smalls (Los Angeles)

Lilly and Wakefield both look like they are returning soon. Worth immediate activation from the DL or wait and see?

Jason Grey

  (3:16 PM)

Lilly can probably be immediate, wait-and-see with Wake.

JR (Los Angeles)

Do you see Eric Young Jr. being a factor at any point this season? Or is Barmes too firmly entrenched in Colorado? Tracy seems like the kind of manager who would play the inferior veteran over the promising prospect.

Jason Grey

  (3:17 PM)

I think EY Jr. can help the big club right now. Barmes does at leats have a good slugging percentage, but his OBP is barely .300. I'm beginning to think that if they were going to have EY start they would have already done so. That said, even in a September utility role he can bring the speed in NL leagues.

Mark (NYC)

What are your thoughts on Balentien?> Hes been hot lately and was a top prospect

Jason Grey

  (3:21 PM)

Plate discipline remains an issue (even though he's drawn five walks in 11 games with his new club) but the new park certainly helps. I still don't really see him as a regular over the long haul simply because of how he handles breaking and offspeed stuff.

Ryno (Chicago)

Iannetta, Montero, or Suzuki for the rest of the year? How about dynasty league?

Jason Grey

  (3:22 PM)

Montero for now, and Iannetta with a slight edge over Montero for next year. If the D-backs trade Snyder in the offseason then thsat might give the nod to Miguel.

Miguel Montero (AZ)

Am I better than Mike Napoli for the stretch?

Jason Grey

  (3:24 PM)

Normally, I'd say that as long as Napoli is healthy he's the guy, but as long as the team seems committed to limiting his playing time to keep him fresh down the stretch (he's played in four of the last seven games), it might be Montero.

Mark (NYC)

The whole Rangers staff is pitching well. Which of the youngsters do you like the best?

Jason Grey

  (3:26 PM)

Feliz then Holland...but the fact Feldman is owned in just 10 percent of ESPN leagues shocks me....as a starter: 11 wins 3.56 ERA 1.18 WHIP -- not counting another good outing today. He's a different pitcher this season with his new windup and great cutter which is vastly improved from last season when he first started throwing it.

Garrett (IA)

Kendry Morales is on the waiver wire in my league. Do I drop Beckham or Zobrist for him?

Jason Grey

  (3:28 PM)

While wondering how that could happen...Zobrist hitting just .267 with 2 homers since the break means he's coming back to Earth a bit, so I'd scoop Morales up.

Matt (Cincinnati)

Jason I know you've been a big believer in and follower of Josh Hamilton. While he's still not showing the HR power, he's been swinging the bat very nicely over the last week and a half? Would you rather have him or Felix Hernandez in a keeper league?

Jason Grey

  (3:29 PM)

Felix.

Barney (Sacramento, CA)

Rule check: why was Helton not credited with an RBI when Fowler scored on his double-play grounder?

Jason Grey

  (3:29 PM)

You don't get RBIs on double-play balls.

Next season (2010)

Tillman or Holland???

Jason Grey

  (3:30 PM)

Holland

Josh ((MA))

Commish question here: Should "spot-trading", or trading with the intention of immediately trading back after getting the desired stats, not be allowed? A trade where one player was going to trade Jon Lester for a closer and Derrek Lee was brought up to me, and I was also informed that there would be a "trade-back" that night, so each team could clinch the week. I vetoed it, but should I not have done so?

Jason Grey

  (3:32 PM)

I'm all for taking advantage of the rules of a league and am generally a "free-market rules" guy when it comes to trading, but in this case in the "spirit" of the rules and the competition, I think you were justified.

Steve (Boston)

I have 23 pt lead. 1st in HR's (37), RUNS (38), RBI's (70), OPS (24 pts), K's(37). I am second in BA and in the middle in saves, holds, QS, and SB's. Stay pat or trade a slugger for steals or a pitching sats? TY..

Jason Grey

  (3:33 PM)

Seems like a no-brainer...

Jason Grey

  (3:34 PM)

Slightly distracted at the moment while I see if Clay Buchholz is going to ruin his good day of stats...

Matt (NY)

B. Butler or Jake Fox (with reg playing time) ?

Jason Grey

  (3:34 PM)

Even with regular time, I'll still take Butler.

Korey (Maryland)

Jason -- What do you think of Rich Harden's past month? Sell high?

Jason Grey

  (3:36 PM)

On the contrary, I think this is why you have him, because he can go through stretches like this. Given his history it's generally tough to move him for fair value, so in general, you're usually better off sticking with him.

Jason Grey

  (3:36 PM)

Rough last inning, but that's the Buchholz I've been waiting for.

George (NY)

Tommy Hunter feel free to talk openly about him

Jason Grey

  (3:40 PM)

Nah, I have some Tommy Hunter secrets I want to keep to myself.... What I wrote recently was..."Despite his big frame, he's not a strikeout pitcher, and his fly-ball tendencies are a problem that will only be exacerbated eventually by his home park. Combine that with the fact he's been somewhat hittable in the minors, and his future doesn't look that bright..256 BABP, 82% of his runners left on-base, HR/FB less than half the norm (5%) despite his tendendcies suggest a lot of luck in his numbers...ERA should be at least a run and a half higher if not more

Brian (IN)

Everth Cabrera or Alcides Escobar?

Jason Grey

  (3:41 PM)

Cabrera for now, Escobar for 2010 and beyond.

David (LA)

Should Nolasco be dropped?

Jason Grey

  (3:44 PM)

Yeah, it was a horrible outing, but let;s not overlook the fact that you would have galdly taken the results of 11 of his 13 starts since he came back from the minors and he allowed two runs or less in his four previous outings, so it depends on the options. I'm not necessarily being hasty. Marl Buehrle got dropped by some after an 8.65 ERA in three games since the perfect outing but rebounded fine yesterday. Don't always rush to judgment.

Josh Hamilton (Arlington)

4 for 4 today with 2 doubles, 2 RBI's and a run, 13 for my last 29 with 5 doubles, 1 HR and only 1 k!!!! Will I continue this and am I back?

Jason Grey

  (3:45 PM)

I've been predicting a strong second-half surge after getting back to his old swing, perhaps it's taken a bit longer to get started than I first thought, but I'm still optimistic.

Theodore (San Dimas)

Dye worth a keep or try to deal him?

Jason Grey

  (3:46 PM)

Given the uncertainty about where he may play next year and his advancing age I'd at least explore what is out there for him and see if someone bowls you over.

Andrew (Chi)

Hi A.J., For the rest of the season: Greinke or Wainwright; Drew or Bartlett?

Jason Grey

  (3:48 PM)

I'll have to ask him and get back to you... but I'd go Wainwright and Bartlett.

jeff (NY)

Does Bourgeois (love that name) have any value in 2009?

Jason Grey

  (3:49 PM)

No, just don't see the playing time or the production if he does play.

John (Denver)

Mass and Peters are both down on Haren in yesterday's columns. What about you? Trade/avoid?

Jason Grey

  (3:51 PM)

If I own him I stick with him unless I got an offer to good to refuse. He's been basically the same pitcher, just a few ill-timed longballs since the break. He'll be good rather than other-worldly which is just fine for me. If someone wants to pay you for other-worldly, let them,

Oz Man (San Diego)

Is BJ Upton worth keeping in a 5x5 league where I lose a 2nd round pick for him? I like the steals, but the rest of the stats, latest demotion and "attitude" are discouraging.

Jason Grey

  (3:53 PM)

2nd round seems a bit high even with his potential to bounce back next season. You're paying on the come.

Kendry Morales (NY)

How good am I? Average power 1st baseman or a potential stud keeper?

Jason Grey

  (3:55 PM)

He'll still be just 26 as the season opens next year and has already produced as a top-10 first baseman so there's not much reason to expect anything different.

Rick (Tampa)

J. Lopez or Uggla from here on out?

Jason Grey

  (3:55 PM)

Lopez

Brody (MN)

Better keeper prospect over the next 3 seasons: Carlos Santana or Tyler Flowers?

Jason Grey

  (3:56 PM)

Santana, who also has a better chance of staying behind the plate.

Steve (NY)

What do you think of Ryan Roberts? He put on a good show the last few weeks...Was he ever a top prospect?

Jason Grey

  (3:58 PM)

No, he never really was. Just a good short-term run and that's it most likely. Utility player at best over the long haul, whose value will be in his versatility and the fact there's a little more offensive potential there than the usual UT guy. But I don't see him full-season starting second baseman.

Andrew (CT)

Does Brett Walace have a fantasy impact next season?

Jason Grey

  (3:59 PM)

I think so. Obviously, I like him more in AL but he will be a potential mixed league consideration in deeper formats.

Brian (Van, WA)

Want to trade more pitching for hitting in deep keeper leagues. Would you trade Price or Hanson and why?

Jason Grey

  (4:01 PM)

Price, because um, Hanson is better for now and more polished, and has the better chance for upside over the next couple of seasons. Price is showing he's going to need that changeup more than first expected.

Jason Grey

  (4:01 PM)

That's it for me today, thanks for all the questions and I'll see you next week.