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Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:03 AM)

Good morning everyone! Let's get right to your questions, and just like last week, both baseball and football are welcome. But, like last week, please, if you have a baseball question begin your question with "BASEBALL!" and do include the explanation point so I can find it. (And, also like last week, if you do it and ask football, ye risk thine question being deleted.) Let's get underway!

Mike (Indy)

Looks like the Angels are sitting all their starters to rest them. Can you name some more teams that will most likely be resting or shutting down their starters? Thanks!

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:04 AM)

Uh, just about all of them -- did you see the Yankee lineup on Monday? Also, Juan Miranda had the game-winning hit last night. Don't count on them running out their complete "A" lineup the rest of the season. I'd say in terms of likelihood of resting players, I'd rank the teams Dodgers, Red Sox, Yankees, Angels (those four clearly so), then maybe Phillies and Cardinals except for that they have playoff seeding to fight for.

Mike (TX)

Who should I start in my flex this week, Bernard Berrian or Ryan Grant?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:06 AM)

I say very often on these pages the phrase "all else equal" when referring to the flex spot in fantasy leagues, and the completion of that phrase is "take the running back." It's simple math: A starting running back touches the football 15-20 times a game easy, and a receiver is going to be lucky to touch the rock 10 times. More opportunities, simple as that.

Dave (Zagreb, Croatia)

Hello Mr. Cockcroft, what are your feelings on a break out game for Darren McFadden against the Texans for week 4?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:08 AM)

I like him, and yes, the matchup is excellent, but a few things that have me holding back from saying "explosive game": One, his team stinks, so there's the threat of falling behind on the scoreboard and/or defenses stacking the box to stop the run. Two, "DMC" needs to improve in terms of ball control. And three, it's a road game. McFadden's a clear No. 2 option in my eyes, and I think that's a fine ranking for him.

Jim (atlanta)

Coffee or McFadden this week?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:09 AM)

But that's a spot where I use McFadden. I like Glen Coffee this week and the matchup suits him, but I'm slotting him as more of a No. 2/flex, just because he was a tad nicked up himself in Week 3 and I'd prefer he prove himself before I fully invest. Don't get overzealous.

Brad (Philly)

BASEBALL! Hey Tristan, who do you like best out of these spot start options for Thursday: Parra @ COL, Cook v. MIL, or Samardzija v. PIT? I'm considering staying away from all three completely.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:09 AM)

Ewww. I think your gut instinct is the right one, though Aaron Cook would be my pick if I had to choose one.

jason (philadelphia)

should i start mike sims walker or greg jennings in week 4

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:10 AM)

I like Sims-Walker more than most, but there's no way I can sit Jennings for him. Sooner or later Jennings is going to explode, and you'd be kicking yourself for weeks if he did it while he was on your bench.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:11 AM)

By the way, addressing a previous question, my notes have Jeff Samardzija pitching Friday, not Thursday, so he'd face the Diamondbacks, not the Pirates.

jim (Baseball)

what do u think of tim redding and nolasaco for spot starts today? Thanks

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:13 AM)

Well, I don't really like the Ricky Nolasco matchup because it's a road game against a hot Braves team starting Javier Vazquez. Redding? Don't trust the guy in general, but a road start at Washington, a familiar ballpark to him, isn't that bad a matchup at all. I can't believe I'm saying it, but I prefer Redding here.

Mike (Chicago)

Tristan, do you think Fred Jackson's best days are behind him? I'm in a league with 3 subs, so with byes we have to make some tough decisions. I'm thinking of dropping Jackson for Coffee, thoughts?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:14 AM)

Wow, how fickle fantasy owners can be. Jackson is going to remain at least a 50/50 bet in that Bills offense, I believe, so this question really boils down to how important it is for you to nab one, maybe two, Glen Coffee matchups. If you're doing all this for depth, I just don't see it being smart long-term. But if you need Coffee this week? Sure, go for it. One of these "better now" or "better later" questions, and I don't know what's more important to your roster right now.

L. Evans (Buffalo)

Will I return to any semblance of relevance?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:16 AM)

Not with your offense performing as it has lately, but that said, we've noted Lee Evans' stats in games at Miami all over these pages. They're in my "Instant Replay." I think they're relevant enough to the matchup that he'd get my go-ahead as a No. 3 type at his position.

Jusl89 (Pomona)

I sat Pierre Thomas last week (as I did every previous week) and I felt miserable about it. Will Thomas finally chash in this week?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:18 AM)

The Jets' defense is stout, but I was a Thomas fan in the preseason and I'm a Thomas fan today. I'm picking talent over matchup and saying he's more limited to No. 2 status, but that's still terming him a very strong start.

JT (Ohio)

Who's a more valuable #2 RB - J.Stewart or Donald Brown?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:18 AM)

I think most people would tell you it's Jonathan Stewart, but I have a hard time picking a guy I can't possibly see hogging all the carries in his backfield at any point this year. Brown actually has that chance to step up, and I'd prefer his upside.

Paul (Orlando)

I have been offered Roy Williams and Ronnie Brown for A. Johnson? Make this trade?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:21 AM)

No. Someone's obviously trying to hook you on a sell-high deal of Brown, who I maintain is overrated. Oh, and he's now got a sketchy passing game "supporting" him, meaning opposing defenses will be primed to shut him down. As for Roy Williams, great talent, yes, but if you've watched the guy play through three weeks, surely you know he's not as locked in as a prime part of the offense as the stats hint. I worry a bit about his stock long term.

Julian (Minneapolis)

Better numbers this week Big Ben or Carson Palmer ?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:22 AM)

I think it's Palmer, but then I'm impressed by his performance the past two weeks and this is a cakewalk matchup compared to those (Packers, Steelers).

John W (Keeperville)

BASEBALL! Came in dead last this year in saves. Just won Jenks with a decent size FAAB bid ($8). Lidge was just dropped to the waiver wire last night. Can either of these two be counted on for saves next year?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:23 AM)

I think Bobby Jenks has a better chance at a committed closer's job to begin 2010 than Brad Lidge, who has been awful all season. That said, Jenks might be traded during the winter, so it's not like either one is a sure thing.

John (Cincinnati)

"BASEBALL!" More likely to break through in '10: Cameron Maybin or Jay Bruce?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:24 AM)

I think it's Bruce, but then I always trusted his talent more of the two. Maybin strikes me as the kind of guy who will be so incredibly streaky, which frustrates fantasy owners, and he might be decent in homers, great in steals and dreadful in batting average. Bruce, I think he's got oodles of power/RBI upside, and those are the categories I prefer when forecasting long term.

Erik (Tillamook)

Baseball! I'm looking for spot starters for today, anyone you really like?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:26 AM)

Quickly scrolling the list of probable starters, I like Carl Pavano at Detroit (can't believe I'm saying that but he has been lights-out at Comerica this year), Jon Garland at San Diego, Justin Masterson versus White Sox, Bronson Arroyo versus already-clinched Cardinals and the aforementioned Redding.

Jeff (Boston)

Drop Philly D for a bye-week replacement, or hang on and drop either Celek or A. Bryant?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:28 AM)

Unless you're in a league where team defenses are hoarded on benches -- I'm not in many where they are -- I don't fear letting go a non-top-five defense during the bye weeks. And I don't ever, ever, ever fear letting my kicker go during his bye. They're eminently replaceable.

Ryan (IN)

Hey, Tristan. Think Jones has a good day against that weak Indy defense on Sunday?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:28 AM)

Good enough to use him, certainly. Think No. 2 status, solid at that.

bob (miami, fl)

Tristan, Is Ochocinco for Frank Gore a fair trade? Someone in my league just accepted this and we have the right to vote against it. Your thoughts?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:30 AM)

I'm extremely liberal when it comes to trade review. Those are both startable players at their respective positions, so it's not like it's an awful deal, especially when you consider I firmly believe Gore misses two weeks. Let's assume that's all he's out. Well, it's a 17-week NFL season, and most fantasy leagues have 13-14 regular-season weeks. So ... effectively it's dealing 10-11 weeks of Ocho for 8-10 weeks of Gore, who I admit is easily better when healthy. Accounting for the risk, I'd have a hard time overturning that deal.

Alex (Beaumont)

Morning Tristan! What is the deal with TJ Housh? Will he ever get going in Seattle?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:31 AM)

He needs a healthy Matt Hasselbeck, which was never a guarantee to begin with. Let's just say I think it's better-than-50/50 he's in for a long year, and he'll be one of the five receivers whose value is most skewed towards PPR than standard formats.

Don (NY)

How do you decide which questions to answer?Is Steve Slaton for Brent Celek a fair trade?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:34 AM)

Well, Don, understand that there are thousands of questions, they roll in by the second and I've got only a few seconds to scroll through, find an appealing one and answer it. It's really a matter of good timing plus good across-the-board appeal to our readers. Best I can tell you; it's very hard to put my finger on it. As for that deal, I'd never deal a top-shelf running back for a non-top-five tight end. Never. Don't get swindled by the sell-high, buy-low deal, and one note about Slaton is I have to think Chris Brown's ugly fumble on a goal-line carry in a key situation last week might have the Texans rethinking that strategy and giving the next one to Slaton.

Mike (Albany, NY)

Thoughts on Steven Jackson? Where does he rank among RBs to you? Sell high? Would you trade Jackson and Donald Brown for Michael Turner?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:35 AM)

I still love Steven Jackson, and think you'd get ripped off making that deal. Who's to say Jackson himself can't match or exceed Turner's output? I know the Rams are bad but Jackson will get touches, be it as a rusher or receiver.

Anthony (San Diego, CA)

Should I start Marshawn Lynch or Fred Jackson this week? Fred Jackson has been doing well (minus last week), but I know Lynch is their main back, but Im afraid of the "rust".

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:35 AM)

Neither, but if I had to pick one it's going to be the guy who's on the hot streak, has been active for three weeks and probably has the faith of his coaches at this very instant. (That's Jackson, in case you couldn't tell.)

Jon (Mankato, MN)

Waiver pickup, Coffee or Choice?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:37 AM)

Glen Coffee, if only because he's the one I see more locked-in to start this week. Tashard Choice really is No. 3 on that depth chart, though that doesn't mean he's not waiver-worthy in a heck of a lot of other leagues.

Mike (Albany, NY)

THC, WHAT'S FOR LUNCH? Thoughts on Nate Burleson going forward? What other WRs would you rank him around?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:39 AM)

Leftover lemon chicken. Love those day-after dinner leftovers. As for Burleson, I think a matchups play, through and through. But I've never been excited about the Seahawks' passing game all season, so I might be on the more pessimistic end valuing him. Let's say I think he'd be in the 30s, around where Antonio Bryant, Justin Gage and Bernard Berrian would probably be.

Joe (NC)

BASEBALL! Im down to my last start in my roto league. Should I go with Zambrano at home vs the pirates today or Wandy at Mets on Fri?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:40 AM)

I just trust Wandy Rodriguez more right now, and trust goes a loooooooong way the final week of the regular season.

Billy (NYC)

BASEBALL! With what you said before about clinched teams benching starters, can any Angels be trusted to start being a west coast team and playing later on?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:41 AM)

Excellent point, Billy, and something those of you in daily leagues need take note. It's like the Monday Night Football game with injured players, having to wait to see whether they're in the lineup (Marion Barber, looking at you).

Andy normal pants (Crazytown USA)

bronco's d legit or what .... take them over steelers or niners

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:42 AM)

They might have matchups appeal when they face weaker offenses that turn over the football, but no way I'm using them against the Cowboys. And I'd never use them over the Steelers, ever. This week I like the Niners best of this bunch.

Matt (ATL)

which 3 should i start? Mcfadden, Brandon Jacobs, McGahee, or P. Thomas?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:44 AM)

Easy one to me -- I sit Willis McGahee in a road game at New England. And I like the guy, if you've been reading my stuff lately, it's just that it's the lowest-upside matchup of the bunch.

jay (nj)

thinking of trading Bell and Mccoy to the owner of P Thomas and Westbrook for NYG Steve Smith. Should I ask for more?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:45 AM)

I think just LeSean McCoy for the Giants' Steve Smith is an appropriate opening offer. If I'm a Brian Westbrook owner and have the receiving depth that's a deal I'd have to consider.

Steve (San Francisco)

Thoughts on Derek Anderson being tabbed the starting QB? Any chance he comes back to 2007 form?? Sitting on Hasselbeck and Orton... looking for a miracle!!

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:47 AM)

My thoughts: Don't give me nightmares. The Browns' situation right now is a mess, and I'd prefer to steer clear of the lot until they get themselves straightened out. Let's just say Eric Mangini isn't off to a great start in Cleveland. I think, unfortunately, you're going to have to use Kyle Orton. Hey, the Cowboys' pass defense isn't all that great. You never know.

Mike (Albany, NY)

Leftovers, YUMMMM. Is Shonn Greene worth a roster spot right now, or would you rather carry Hasselbeck as a backup QB for Schaub's week 10 bye?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:48 AM)

I think it's a little too early to get worried about a Week 10 bye, but that said, Greene isn't especially valuable right now except in keeper leagues with deep benches. I'd make that swap, if only because Matt Hasselbeck doesn't belong on a free-agent list.

Dan (Philadelphia)

Tristan, who do you like out of these potential FA WR pickups: Caldwell, Burton or Mark Clayton?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:50 AM)

The gut tells me to keep tabs on Keenan Burton, and when I'm feeling that way it means that's usually the guy I go after, but the smart money is probably on Clayton having the best season. Not one of these guys strikes me as a guy likely to spend even half of the remaining weeks in your lineup, though.

Bengals D (This week)

Start us?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:51 AM)

Yeah, sure, why not. I just busted on the Browns in an earlier question, and you've been performing admirably thus far. Good matchup play and there might yet be sleeper value looking forward, too.

Mike (Albany, NY)

Your top sell high candidate is....?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:53 AM)

Well, if it's not Ronnie Brown, then I do think Eli Manning is a guy I'd be selling. He's a historic slow finisher (fantasy stats, people, fantasy stats), and while I do trust his receivers to be decent, fact remains that it's unlikely they're going to keep up this torrid pace. I still slot Eli as a No. 2 quarterback, not a top-10, but he might fetch top-10 value right now.

Donnie Avery (St. Louis)

Keenan Burton over me?! you have to be kidding right? I'm outraged!!

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:54 AM)

Um, that was not the question. Don't put words in my mouth! I actually like Avery as a buy-low, because health is the likely cause of his slow start, and you could get him for a song right now.

Lemon Chicken (your stomach)

your top buy low candidate is...?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:56 AM)

Just because I've seen his name in several questions in the past few minutes, Matt Forte immediately comes to mind. Understand that opposing defenses have been stacking the box to stop him, and I think at this point Jay Cutler has proved that's a losing strategy for opponents. It'll even out with time.

Brent (OH)

BASEBALL! Pick up and start Anderson vs Seattle tomorrow? I need wins and k's.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:58 AM)

I like that matchup, yes, and have been impressed by Brett Anderson this season.

BANJOE (UTAH)

What's the scoop with K Washington in Baltimore?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:59 AM)

He's getting work in three-receiver sets and might yet divide up the targets with Mark Clayton, mentioned from an earlier question. But let's not go nuts over a small sample size. I'm not adding Washington at this point.

Steve (Richmond)

Brady or Cutler this week?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:00 PM)

Uhhh, Jay Cutler versus the Lions, Tom Brady versus the Ravens. Those matchups aren't even close -- it's Cutler all the way!

Steven (Florida)

T.O. or Brandon Marshall this week?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:02 PM)

I just can't do it, just can't sit Terrell Owens. No way he can be held scoreless in back-to-back weeks. Could you imagine what kind of outburst he might have if that happened?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:02 PM)

OK folks, time to wrap things up for the day. Thanks for all your questions, and sorry if I didn't get to yours. Good luck to you in your Week 4 matchups -- take care!