Eric Karabell

  (3:01 PM)

Hello all and welcome to the latest fantasy sports chat session. It's January now, so the fantasy football regular season is officially over, but hopefully there is enough interest today to support an hour-long chat. So, football or baseball, take your pick and let's get going... Happy New Year to all!

Kevin (Memphis, TN)

Wieters, Markakis or Kendry Morales for last two keeper spots

Eric Karabell

  (3:03 PM)

Anyone who asks about Matt Wieters should know I think he's a clear top-5 catcher for the next decade, including this season. Really, sky is the limit. Get him now in keeper formats. And I would go Markakis over Morales. Outfield is not terribly deep anymore, not if you need 5 starters there.

charlie (RICHMOND,VA)

will espn be doing any rankings for playoff fantasy drafts this week before the playoffs begin Saturday?

Eric Karabell

  (3:04 PM)

Just your luck, Charlie, I will be doing playoff rankings and weekly ones in my blog Thursday. You like the Colts, Saints, who do you have in the Super Bowl? I have neither of those teams making it. Frankly, to win a playoff pool/league, you almost have to decide which teams you think are going to make it to February.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

EK: Just wanted to stop in to say thanks to you (and the entire ESPN Fantasy staff) for your tips this season. I had Jerome Harrison, Frank Gore, and Jamaal Charles all start for me in the 2nd half of my title weeks and won my 1st FFL championship since Jake Plummer QBed for the Cardinals. Harrison and Charles would never have been grabbed by me without the chats and tips. Can't wait to defend my title next year.

Eric Karabell

  (3:06 PM)

J.B., I want to thank you, not for following our advice, but for being a mainstay in these chats. I actually looked up on the map where Dunmore, PA, was, to be honest. I didn't know! I'm from Pennsylvania... anyway, Harrison and Charles obviously made a huge impact in fantasy football this season, running backs who were kings in the final weeks of the season. It's kind of unusual. Most players who emerge kind of flame out like a Billy Volek a few years back. And now I kinda like Harrison and Charles in the 2010 season, should their teams give them opportunity...

Mike (NJ)

Better Baseball roto 5x5 keeper for next year: $26 for Roy Halladay or $20 for Justin Verlander?

Eric Karabell

  (3:09 PM)

The question here would be is the difference between Halladay and Verlander worth the 6 bucks, and I would say yes it is. Taking a gander at Tristan Cockcroft's top 200 rankings - which is what we've got on ESPN.com for now! - he has Halladay at 11, Verlander at 45. I agree with that. I want the best, and don't often worry about prices, thinking you can always steal a few guys cheap. I'd keep Halladay.

mike d (nyc)

Who do you like at first base in a keeper league: Berkman vs Morales? Derrek Lee vs Billy Butler?

Eric Karabell

  (3:11 PM)

I still like Berkman over Morales and Lee over Butler, but then again, I normally take the safer, older veteran. I don't think Berkman and Lee are done yet. Each could hit 30 homers again, knock in 100, hit .300, swipe some bases. Players like Morales and Butler look good because they broke out, but there's still little track record there. That would be the difference maker for me. Let's get some more questions in here...c'mon, people!

Mike (San Diego)

Brad Penny is going to make a lot of owners very happy this year.

Eric Karabell

  (3:13 PM)

You see, I keep hearing and reading that, and then I wonder what they are looking at. Is it merely because he is a Cardinal and renowned pitching coach Dave Duncan gets a shot at him? What do people expect Penny to do? His K rate in his terrific September with the Giants was nothing. Look, can he be Kyle Lohse? Of course. Not all Duncan projects turn into Ryan Franklin the closer. Penny doesn't make my top 30 starting pitchers.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

You probably know where Scranton is though (we had your AAA team here for a long time). Dunmore is right next door. Thanks for the compliment but no need to thank me. There are many folks out here who make these chats great.

Eric Karabell

  (3:15 PM)

Oh, I do know Scranton/Wilkes-Barre...and originally wasn't pleased that the Phillies lost the team. Then again, the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs are pretty cool, too, and closer to my home. Minor league baseball is fun, too...

Michael (Milwaukee)

EK, how much do you like Weiters? I have the option to keep him in place of a 4th round pick in a 10 team league. is that about where he could be drafted? otherwise I could keep BJ Upton

Eric Karabell

  (3:17 PM)

Well, I see Cockcroft ranks Wieters 5th at catcher, but 104th overall. I'd say Wieters is my No. 4 catcher, and probably around 60-70 overall. And I generally do not go all-in when it comes to young players. He's a can't-miss. Fourth round pick, though, that's tough, but in a keeper league... if I don't have a catcher, and can make up the speed in the draft, which is ALL that Upton can do, then I keep Wieters.

Ryan (Hanover)

Cockroft is crazy! Mauer isn't a 1st rounder?

Eric Karabell

  (3:18 PM)

Mauer isn't in my top-10 either... hey, there must be a lot of us crazy folks out there!

Michael (Milwaukee)

can you give us your quick top 5-10 picks for football next season?

Eric Karabell

  (3:20 PM)

Sure... I'd say the top 4 is clear-cut for me in Chris Johnson, Adrian Peterson, Ray Rice, Maurice Jones-Drew. After that I stick with RBs, Steven Jackson, Frank Gore, Michael Turner and DeAngelo Williams. Then I would consider with the final 2 spots of round 1 looking at Andre Johnson and Drew Brees... but would probably go RB over Brees...

Mike (San Diego)

Sorry, I guess I should've made it more clear. I think Penny's going to be a lot more valuable than his ADP. I play more NL only leagues than not so sometimes it's hard to get out of that state of mind.

Eric Karabell

  (3:20 PM)

I think so many people will simply presume he's going to be the guy we saw in Dodger blue that his ADP will be better than you think. But I am open to the possibility he is someone to take a chance on.

Ryan (Hanover)

so what part of Mauer's 350BA,25HR,90+RBI,90 RUNS, don't you want out of a catcher? I'm not saying top 5 but in a standard league I'm not sure how you justify passing on him if you have the end of a snake draft.

Eric Karabell

  (3:23 PM)

I want all of those numbers, but I think you'll find the projections on him will be below pretty much each of those thresholds. Hey, I like Mauer. I ranked him in the top 20. But he's still a catcher. They tend to play less, get hurt more, there is a lot of risk with a catcher, and I generally don't take that risk. To get Mauer, you probably do have to go top-10...which means I guess I won't be getting him. Doesn't mean I don't like him though...

Steve (Mass)

is daisuke a good pick up in the top 100?

Eric Karabell

  (3:24 PM)

No, I wouldn't think you'd need to take him in the first 10 rounds of a draft, any mixed league draft. Tristan has him ranked 197 overall, which isn't even close. I'd probably rank him in that range, maybe a bit higher.

Evan (NY)

Keeper league: Lind or Werth?

Eric Karabell

  (3:26 PM)

Lind. I think there's still more growth in him, and he's already a top-75 player. Werth certainly hits his home runs off those lefties and can steal a base when he wants to, but he scares me a bit, and that's coming from a Phillies fan. Also, it's important to note Werth is not likely to be a Phillie in 2011. He's walking after this season. ... I say Lind.

Mike (San Diego)

Any news on when the Baseball Today podcast is going daily? Now that the Fantasy Focus is on hiatus, I don't get to listen to EITHER of my top 2.

Eric Karabell

  (3:27 PM)

Sorry about that, but I can tell you we don't make those decisions... We're recording the BB Today podcast on Thursday, probably once a week until March, but who really knows. I guess if there's enough demand for it...well, you know. I miss it, too...

Michael (Milwaukee)

Better keeper, Marshall or Benson?

Eric Karabell

  (3:29 PM)

Ugh. I guess it has to be Benson, because while I think he's a serious threat to take a step backward next year, basically because of this season's overuse, he's still a RB and I'd take 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns. He can do that. I would avoid Brandon Marshall in a keeper format.

Eric Karabell

  (3:29 PM)

Ugh. I guess it has to be Benson, because while I think he's a serious threat to take a step backward next year, basically because of this season's overuse, he's still a RB and I'd take 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns. He can do that. I would avoid Brandon Marshall in a keeper format.

Philip Kenyon (Grand Rapids, MI)

What do you expect out of D. Wright and the rest of your hated mets this coming year? Did I mess up trade Figgins and a really good pitcher for Wright to get down to my keeper limit.

Eric Karabell

  (3:31 PM)

Ha! I don't hate the Mets in fantasy. And actually, I picked the Mets to win the division in 2009, so I can be objective... anyway, I seem to be the only one predicting Wright's power will come back. Not all the way to 30, but in the mid 20s. But I could be missing something. I expect something like 25-100-25-.300, which means he's a top-10 player for me and a first rounder. And I don't know the pitcher you dealt, but I'm always making 2-for-1s like your deal. Sounds ok.

Jake (VA Beach)

What is your favorite baseball type? Roto, Points, H2H, etc.?

Eric Karabell

  (3:32 PM)

I play them all, but I will say this about h2h- It breaks your heart when you've got the best team in the league all season long, be it for 14 or 15 football weeks, or 5 baseball months, and you get blown out in the playoffs. I like them all and see the advantages of each...

Steve (Mass)

what do you see Beltre and Camerons numbers being at the end of the year in a hitters park like fenway?

Eric Karabell

  (3:33 PM)

I could see each player reaching 20 home runs without too much trouble, actually. Don't bet on a good batting average for either, south of .260, but it's a deep lineup, they can knock in 80 runs, hit 20 homers, and of course Cameron can steal 20 bases if he so chooses.

Michael (Milwaukee)

Do you see Gamel making the lineup and being an impact player this season?

Eric Karabell

  (3:35 PM)

I have Gamel in a deep keeper league and certainly hope he breaks out. I'll say he does make an impact, but I don't know if the Brewers start April with him at 3B. They might make us wait a while.

Mike (San Diego)

What would you rather do: Hit against Randy Johnson in his prime or own Dave Bush in 2010?

Eric Karabell

  (3:35 PM)

You found my weak spot. I'd act like Kruk and dive away from Randy's fastball. Watch Dave Bush win the Cy Young this season...amazing.

Michael (Milwaukee)

Can you elaborate why Marshall should be avoided in keeper formats? Personality, or questions of where he ends up next season?

Eric Karabell

  (3:36 PM)

I don't care if he's a nice fellow or not, but obviously the fact his team benched him with a playoff berth on the line, it says something about the guy. Where will he be playing? What if he gets buried somewhere that doesn't throw the ball, like Braylon was... or becomes the new weapon in Buffalo like T.O. was. He's just too risky for me.

Jason (Atlanta)

Is Billy Butler a legit option as a primary 1B next season? I have him at $10 and Tex at $43 in a league where inflation runs rampant (40% for top talent)....should I keep both and move Butler to CI or cut bait with one player?

Eric Karabell

  (3:37 PM)

Wow, $43 for any player not named Albert or Hanley seems like an awful lot to me. If you threw Teix back would he really go for more than that? I'd keep Butler. Might be no difference in batting average, maybe 10 home runs if you get lucky.

Adam (NYC)

Keeper League question - we keep 7 and i have no depth and everyone wants Andre Johnson. I got offered Jamaal Charles, Roddy White and Sims-Walker. thoughts?!?

Eric Karabell

  (3:39 PM)

I would think you should see how good of an offer you can get. Take all three of those guys for Andre, that seems reasonable to me. I mean, I really want to rank Charles in my top 10 running backs.... Charles or Ced Benson? I'm certainly conflicted there. So you'd be using Charles each week... White is a top-10 WR, though he isn't No. 1 like Andre. If you really have no depth, this deal looks ok.

Doug (PA)

So correct me if I'm wrong but you'd rather chance taking Wieters(and I think he's going to be great too) when you probably have to overpay because the hype is still there, over Mauer as a top 10? I'm just curious as to your answer on that

Eric Karabell

  (3:42 PM)

I don't think the hype on Wieters is still there. I think a lot of people soured on him because he didn't hit right away when the Orioles called him up. I also think a lot of people no longer expect 20 homers annually. Look at Tulowitzki when he first came up... nobody wanted him after that. A player's value is much higher if they are in the minors and haven't struggled in the bigs... I don't think Wieters struggled much, personally... anyway, to answer your question, Mauer just missed my top-10, but Wieters outside the top-100, as Tristan ranked him, or Mauer at 10... that's simple. It's Wieters.

Steve (Mass)

2 keeper spots available who do you keep?...berkman youklis uggla or hanley?

Eric Karabell

  (3:44 PM)

Clearly Hanley, as he's the No. 2 player overall... then Youkilis. I rank Youkilis and Berkman much better than Tristan does, but Youkilis can play 1B and 3B, he wins. And Uggla doesn't make this conversation, really.

Rob (NJ.)

Which two have the best games this weekend? Grant, Benson, Barber or rice.

Eric Karabell

  (3:45 PM)

I have yet to do my rankings for this week or the entire playoffs, but I'm guessing for this week, Grant and Rice would be my choices here. I think Grant can run on the Cardinals, and Rice HAS to for the Ravens. Good luck to Benson against the Jets... and if Philly scores first, Barber's game will be much different than Week 17...

Kevin (Bloomington, IL)

Listening to FF: Football wrap-up show this week. Gotta love the TMR and Nate, but they discussed leagues with QB TDs at 6 points and how elite QBs become first round picks. All the leagues I play in are this way, so with the 6, 9, and 12th picks next year, should I really be looking at QBs? Keep up the great work!!

Eric Karabell

  (3:46 PM)

Yes, I concur with that. Many leagues count QBs TD passes for 4 points, and that has to affect their value. If it's 6 points, then Brees and Rodgers become first round picks I would think, or certainly closer.

Steve (Mass)

do you see any impacte on mauers or morneaus numbers due to the fact that they will be playing the 1st 2 months of this upcoming season out doors as opposed to inside the warmth of the dome?

Eric Karabell

  (3:48 PM)

I think it will have marginal impact, if at all. I could see a bunch of Twins games getting postponed though, and becoming doubleheaders later in the season. That's fine for Morneau, who plays every day. It's not fine for Mauer, who isn't likely to play both ends of a doubleheader often. But this is still a minor factor in rankings, if at all. In a roto league I wouldn't care much... in h2h, though, think about what happens if you have too many Twins and they miss an entire week with snow!

Paul (VA)

Should I be nervous about drafting Carpenter as a top 10 SP next year?

Eric Karabell

  (3:50 PM)

Tristan ranks him 10th among starting pitchers, but I don't have Carpenter in my top-10. Yeah, I guess I am nervous. I don't consider him an ace, and I've been burned too often by brittle pitchers. Frankly, if I don't get an ace at a value, I'll just wait... and it wouldn't be a non-K guy like Carpenter.

Ian (LA)

Final keeper spot...Bourn or Bartlett for 2010?

Eric Karabell

  (3:51 PM)

Each has advantages... probably Bartlett because SS is not a deep spot, and at least he runs enough to make a difference.

Eric (Chicago)

Mauer though EK, does DH quite a bit too. Also, think about the opposite side of that equation, sure you lose the stats early in a H2H league, but then they play the doubleheaders and gain double the stats when games played, hits, etc are all factored in.

Eric Karabell

  (3:52 PM)

An excellent point as well... a few have asked so here is my top 10 for now... Pujols, Hanley, Braun, A-Rod, Utley, Prince, Teixeira, Cabrera, Kemp, Wright and then Lincecum at 11... Crawford 12 and then I think Mauer is ok...

Drew (Ashburn)

Is this a private chat between you and Michael from Milwaukee?Aardsma or Lilly, who do I take in a keeper league?

Eric Karabell

  (3:54 PM)

Hey, I just look at the questions, not who's asking... I don't keep closers nor do I seek out closers so I can keep them, and certainly not someone with one year on his ledger. Depends on need for this season... 15 wins and a 3.75 ERA or 35 saves... probably Lilly.

Doug (PA)

Thanks for the answer Eric, maybe its because I live so close to Baltimore that I think the hype is still there. I know in my draft,Wieters won't go outside the top 100, not even close. I never wait on SP but with power #s seeming to be down, is now the time more than ever or even much more important to snag a stud?

Eric Karabell

  (3:55 PM)

Well, that's a really important part of drafts, where you're drafting... in New York, for example, Teixeira might be a top-5 pick... Jose Reyes is top-10, stuff like that. I've done drafts in Philly where the home team was seriously overrated... plus, I've done drafts in Connecticut where everyone bid up Phillies expecting me to keep bidding higher... um, no. But yeah, in Baltimore, I would expect Wieters won't come cheap! And I always wait on SPs...

Brendan (Boston)

Ray Rice a top 5 back next year? Won't McGahee still be on the team getting carries from the five yard line in?

Eric Karabell

  (3:56 PM)

That was Week 17... I wouldn't expect that to happen much in the 2010 season.. Rice is Brian Westbrook in his prime, a guy who can threaten the recently set total yards record...

Keith (GR, MI)

Eric, quick question on Kazmir...I am on the fence with him will he rebound, will he continue this downward spiral, what do you expect out of him in 2010 and beyond?

Eric Karabell

  (3:58 PM)

I don't know if it's a downward spiral, but he always seemed a bit overrated to me. I think on his new team he can have a nice season, maybe even be a cheaper source of Ks... I kind of like him for the first time, actually.

Dan (San Jose)

Buzzer beater = Jose Reyes...bounce back year?

Eric Karabell

  (3:58 PM)

Yes... in fact, if I was sure he was healthy, I'd really try to rank him ahead of Carl Crawford. I might just do that soon.

John (NJ)

In a keeper league, I get to keep one minor leaguer, and Rafael Soriano is currently listed in the minors. Is this just a glitch or is he temporarily in the minor leagues?

Eric Karabell

  (3:59 PM)

He is Tampa Bay's closer... no worries on him, unless you hear about a sore elbow in February. Then run away!

Eric Karabell

  (4:00 PM)

I want to thank everyone for taking the time today to submit questions and make this a lively chat session... thank you and Happy New Year. I think I get to keep my weekly Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET chat time indefinitely, so tune in next Wed and bring the questions... have a good one.. Go Eagles! Adios!