Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:02 AM)

Good morning everyone! Let's get right to your questions...

Brandon Morrow (K-Ville)

So the Mariners aren't exactly the '27 Yankees, but you've gotta be digging me rest of the year and in keeper leagues, right?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:03 AM)

We'll start with a quick, short one: Yes. I just can't say it more succinctly.

Rick (Boston)

Any word on when Huston street will be returning? Would I be better dropping Betancourt for Frankie Fran?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:04 AM)

Sounds like he might be ready the first day he's eligible, which if I recall is Aug. 24. Based on that information -- and understand that this stuff can change very quickly -- I'd make that move. I look at what Frank Francisco has done recently and his path to regular saves until season's end and think he's a smarter investment.

Dave (Chicago)

TC: Better streamer tomorrow: Hughes or Cecil?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:06 AM)

I like both pitchers as streaming candidates in ESPN standard, but I gravitate towards Brett Cecil here, and part of it is that I see more depth in the outing, as in, a potential for seven innings to Phil Hughes' six or so. It's close, and you can make the case that the Athletics have been outstanding as an offense since the break, and they're the home team. But Cecil has been a little better for a little longer. I buy a 7-and-3 kind of outing, whereas Hughes might be more 6-and-3.

Anton (Fl)

Can you make a case for taking Rice at #2 in ESPN PPR?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:09 AM)

The case is build around the arrival of blocker extraordinaire Vonta Leach, Ray Rice's own outstanding pass-catching skills and the fact that Ricky Williams, Rice's projected caddy, is now 34 years old with 2,323 career carries on his legs, plus is isn't the ideal fit for your classic goal-line vulture role. I think Williams is more insurance/breather potential than a threat to Rice, so I wouldn't quibble with your ranking. I say go get 'im.

Dave (Long Becah)

Is Stauffer worth a start today against those awful Marlins or is his recent woes a thing to bench him?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:11 AM)

I understand your concern, because Tim Stauffer's last start was dreadful. That said, it was a road game at Cincinnati, and that's a pretty treacherous matchup (even if only comparatively speaking). He's back at Petco and the Marlins can run so hot-and-cold, at least what I've seen from them. To me, that's a favorable matchup, so go for it.

James (NY)

Why is there such hate on Peyton Hillis this year? The main legitimate argument (madden curse does not apply) was that he wore down last year. Shouldn't that have been expected though? he carried the ball 270 times last year. He only had 81 carries in his first two seasons in the nfl and 203 carries over his four seasons at arkansas. The most carries he had ever had in a full season was the 68 he had in his rookie year. My poinr being he has never had to deal with a workhouse rb load until last season. Isnt he like a rookie pitcher in baseball? the reason most teams put rookie pitchers on innings cap is for two reasons, the main one to prevent injury, and the other for when the pitcher gets to a point he hasnt gotten to before his skills erode and he isnt as effective. Then the following season the pitcher comes back and can be more effective for a longer period of time. Why can't peyton hillis do so this year?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:14 AM)

"Madden Curse" absolutely applies! (OK, I'm being a little facetious. Just a little.)But the case against Hillis is twofold: You are correct that his 2010 workload wasn't excessive, but it also represented a significant spike upon his previous NFL totals, and I've got some worries that it could wear him down slightly, and then there's the fact that he took a lot of the league by surprise early last year, but this season defenses are certainly going to be more prepared for him. Part of the late-season swoon was probably related to that. You're right that he's being undervalued in a lot of places, but I cannot see a repeat coming. More likely, he's a No. 2 back who might slip into the flex-play class. I'd be careful investing more.

Jason (Indy)

Ethics question: In a keeper league, someone dropped Gore last year when he went on IR. Would it be fair for someone to pick him up off waivers in the last week of the season and then keep him this year, costing them their last round pick?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:15 AM)

Completely ethical, if your rules allow players to be kept that way. Kudos to the smart owner who scooped him up, as the strongest case to be made for this being allowed is that if the player went through waivers, then everyone in your league had a chance to make that smart move. Kudos to that individual.

Alex (East Hanover)

Ricky Nolasco.... Discuss

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:17 AM)

Wow, people are really heaping on the Ricky Nolasco questions today. Understandable, considering his immense talent but spotty results, as well as the fact that he was just pounded yesterday. In his defense, Coors start. Matchup being as tough as they come. To a degree I forgive him for that, and I hate to put this in such a gray area, but that's just who Nolasco is. He has been maddeningly unpredictable for a while now, and I think you have to accept that for every three good starts he's going to provide you, there's a fourth where he might be unexpectedly dreadful.

Kevin (Pittsburgh)

Cahill worth starting today? He's been great at home.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:19 AM)

AL-only leagues, perhaps deep mixed, I'd say if you don't have innings/starts cap concerns, go for it. Look at the Texas game and set the bar slightly beneath that. So, say, 6-7 innings, 3-4 runs. It's not a great matchup, but you're right to say he's better in home games. I still prefer Ricky Romero in that game though.

Bob (In)

You really think that Longria is going to be the 20th best hitter for the rest of the year, based on what he has done so far?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:21 AM)

Yes I do. The returns so far are irrelevant to rankings, outside of what they mean in future projections (and I argue not a ton in his case). Since the All-Star break: .212/.329/.424, 7 HR, 24 RBI, 31 G, and that's a 37-125 HR-RBI pace, and that .207 BABIP during that time explains a lot about the batting average.

Mike(San Diego) [via mobile]

Re:Morrow...to be fair, you've been driving that bandwagon for a long time now. I see him as your pitcher equivalent of Justin Upton, meaning a guy you have always seemed to like more than others.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:22 AM)

I would readily admit to that. A common mistake that I make is that I often latch on to an outstanding talent just a liiiiiiiittle too early in his career. Sometimes one year too soon. I might be a good guy to keep a notebook on, and check back on the player, say, 4-5 months later!

Hoff (Indy)

Are you streaming either LeBlanc or Volstad tonight?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:23 AM)

NL-only, I'm not that excited in either one, and if I must pick it's going to be Chris Volstad. Petco is the best argument in favor of these guys.

Dan (NY)

Tristan, please give me some guidance. 14 team H2H, trade between the FIRST and LAST place teams. First place team gives up Hamels and Helton, receives Halladay. With the playoffs a couple of weeks away, Hamels' injury concerns, and the fact that this is a trade between the first and last place teams, do you think this should be vetoed?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:25 AM)

I need more context. Is it a keeper league? Are the prices somewhat skewed that Cole Hamels is at least as competitive keeper as Roy Halladay? Redraft, I think this is an objectionable trade. Keeper, I can make a case with more information.

Peter (Merced, CA)

Who gets the saves for the Giants with Wilson out for a few days?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:25 AM)

Probably Jeremy Affeldt, but that's a clear committee to me. Good news was that Sergio Romo has no structural damage, so he could be back after a minimum stay in the event Brian Wilson's injury is deemed more serious.

Daniel (NY)

Where is everybody who left Jeter for dead in the beginning of the season? El Capitan is RAKING

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:27 AM)

I think he's a .344 hitter since the 3,000 hit game, if I read the stat right. (Tough to check these quickly mid-chat.) I've been as anti-Derek Jeter as anyone, but I also don't think I ever dropped him out of my top 125 rankings in "Hit Parade" -- actually think he has always been in the top 100 -- and the primary reason was that, despite the slew of ground balls he hits, his BABIP was bound to correct itself with time. He looks pretty refreshed to me right now, and I'd enjoy it while it lasts, because from this date forward in his career he's going to be this kind of player: Streaky, streaky, streaky.

Jason (GR)

Could you sign off on taking Calvin as the #1 receiver?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:29 AM)

Sure. The top five is, to a degree, a matter of opinion. I prefer Andre Johnson, but Megatron has the skills to make a run at the top spot.

Daniel (NY)

What has Longoria done exactly in his career to deserve all of the fantasy love he gets? Most overrated player in a long time. As Bill Simmons said, I'm not scared when he comes to the plate against my team.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:29 AM)

I've said for months that he's overrated, and made it clear that when I say that, I mean that he's not top-10-overall value, as most people have believed for awhile. But I still have him in my overall top 30, which is exactly where he belongs.

Fitzy (Mass)

Is MHarrison a must start? thanks!

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:31 AM)

Marvin Harrison? Where have you been, Fitzy, he hasn't been a must-start in about a half-decade. Kidding, of course, and I wouldn't label Matt Harrison that, either. I like the matchup in Chicago, but he's not "must-start" from an overall perspective.

Mike Carp (bottom of the lake)

What is my long-term ceiling now?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:32 AM)

Thinking he's a .280-25 kind of hitter stuck at Safeco, meaning his numbers might fluctuate wildly. You hear .280 and 25 and get excited, but believe me, he's probably more likely to border on matchups potential in the majority of fantasy leagues.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:33 AM)

Wow. Jeff Francoeur signed a two-year extension? Can't see that going well.

Matt Schaub (Houston)

will 2011 be closer to my 2009 monster year or my 2010 solid year?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:34 AM)

I'm pro-Schaub this season, consider him quite the smart value if you don't target one of the top quarterbacks (which for the most part you shouldn't).

Brandon (Cincinnati)

Danny Espinosa is a top __ 2B next year. If he moves to short, top __ SS.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:36 AM)

I think he's a top-eight second baseman at best, and my gut instinct was to say top-10. Probably ranks about two spots higher if he's a shortstop. It's not that I question Espinosa's skills, it's that he's wildly inconsistent and that detracts from an overall, full-season rank.

Sam (Chicago)

Stream Minor today?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:37 AM)

Yes, but don't expect eye-popping stats, merely pleasant ones. Giants have scored 39 runs with a .658 OPS in 15 August games. Yuck.

Daniel (NY)

Does that Francoeur contrat signal anything about Gordon or Melky?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:38 AM)

I think it's bad news for Lorenzo Cain, more than anyone.

Jeff Francoeur (KC)

Why? I'm only 27 and I could end up 270, 20/20, 80/80 this year

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:40 AM)

"Helium season," as I like to call it. At what point in Frenchy's career has he ever been this productive in consecutive seasons? His plate-discipline numbers are mostly unchanged this year upon his past, and my comment was less of a question about the rest of this year for him ... it's the deeper they get into that extension (thinking 2013 specifically). I wouldn't touch Francoeur in 2012 drafts at close to his current Player Rater rank, that's for sure.

Ben D (NY)

Vazquez in Petco tonight a decent start?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:40 AM)

Not "decent" start. Wonderful start.

Ryan (VA)

You still drafting MJD in the 1st this year? Cannot make-up my mind on him or Gore? Thoughts

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:40 AM)

No. Aging, worked hard the past couple years, coming off injury. Too much risk for my tastes, at least as a clear-cut first-rounder.

Brian (In)

Garcon or Collie 2 rounds later?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:42 AM)

Much, much prefer Austin Collie of the two. I rarely go for the concussion guys, but I think he's got big-time breakout potential, if you're willing to make that dice roll. (I am, period.)

JD (Dallas)

Do you think Elvis Andrus will reach Reyes' level

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:43 AM)

I doubt he'll ever have Jose Reyes' power potential, but in his prime he could come close to Reyes' overall fantasy value. Or maybe 90 percent of it.

Felix Jones (Dallas)

Is 2011 going to be my BREAKOUT Campaign? What 's your take on me this season? Will I play up to my potential?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:44 AM)

I think Jones is overrated. Tremendous talent, but has had a hard time consistently staying on the field. Boom/bust player, we've ranked him 48th and his ADP is right around there (approximately 50th). Seems about right to me.

Scott (Boston, MA)

SETTLE THIS DEBATE (please): for Keeper leagues that have a penalty for keepers, 2 rounds in this stance, how do you value an undrafted keeper. some say that it should be last round -2 regardless of draft position, but to me that fails to take into account the difference between a last round pick and an undrafted keeper

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:45 AM)

This rule must be decided before the season begins. Failing there being one, midseason pickups cannot be kept. This is too late in the season to make such a critical decision; address it before 2012.

Jeff (PA)

What are the chances Ochocinco has a Moss like 1st year in NE?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:46 AM)

That's setting the bar substantially high, but let's just say that I see Chad Ochocinco's No. 70 current ADP and looooooove it. Gut says I think he'll warm to the environment in New England and look like he did in his best years in Cincy.

Daniel (NY)

If you had to make your 2012 SP ranks right now, where would you put Adam Wainwirght? ... My last keeper spot may come down to $9 Wainwright vs $5 Chacin

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:47 AM)

Given those choices I'd keep Jhoulys Chacin, but Adam Wainwright most likely will make my top 30-40 or so for 2012. Chacin likely about 10 spots higher. And yes, it's going to change because that's the way it goes with injured pitchers; news breaks and we must react.

Alex (East Hanover)

Do you buy into the 1st/2nd half splits? Can a guy really be a consistent 2nd half player?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:48 AM)

No, with rare exceptions. I've tweeted previously CC Sabathia's second-half numbers, and that's one example where I absolutely believe. Overall they are grossly overrated.

scott (dallas)

I traded away chris jonhson and matt cassel for aaron rodgers and cedric benson.. The reason I did that was because I still had Michael Turner and Legarrette Blount on my roster to fill my RB slots. Good move?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:49 AM)

I'd say so.

Mario (NYC)

What are your thoughts on Mike Wallace? Can you see him taking the next step into WR1 status?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:50 AM)

He was a WR1 last year, is ADPing as a WR1 this year, and is going to remain a WR1. But the point to be made here is that I'm a huge Wallace fan. Tremendous receiver, could be a sneaky top-five.

Bryan (Cincy)

What kind of upside does Trevor Bauer have in 2012?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:51 AM)

I have not personally watched a single performance of Bauer's yet, being upfront about that, but all the reports I've read are glowing. Probably one of the most attractive Rookie of the Year candidates entering 2012.

Ben (Boston)

Any sleeper WR we don't know about? What do you think of Denarius Moore or Andre Roberts?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:51 AM)

Roberts: Intriguing sleeper you can get for a song.

Johnny (Ma)

Tristan do u think JGuzman is the real deal??

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:53 AM)

Yes. By the way, that is a fabulous example of my comment earlier about how I'm often too soon on certain guys. I loved Guzman as a deep sleeper a couple years back, I think entering 2009, and I don't see much in him today that has changed my opinion. As a big leaguer he's legit, but when he's first base only next year, he's going to rank in the teens at best.

Dave (GA)

Please elaborate on "...for the most part you shouldn't be" WRT targeting a top QB. Thanks.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:55 AM)

Vick is ADPing 5th, Rodgers 6th, Brady 13th, Brees 15th, Manning 20th, Rivers 24th, and I would not pick a single one of those at those spots (most of them not even close to it).

Billy (Miami, FL)

Owen Daniels in the 6th, or Dustin Keller in the 9th?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:57 AM)

Neither. Pressed to choose, Daniels being the smarter of the two, and it's not completely objectionable if you like him that soon. I just see him being 7th-round value.

David Huff (Cleveland)

I should have had Daniel (NY) ask my question. A lot of his get answered.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:59 AM)

Honestly, David, I often don't even notice the names asking the questions. My goal is to get to as many questions as possible. By the way, there are a lot of Daniels, and a lot of New Yorkers.Anyway, I'm sure your question is about your own value. Encouraging performances recently, didn't necessarily deserve the demotion, and AL-only owners must take note. But right now, Huff's a matchups guy, and I wouldn't use him in Detroit this week.

Mario Manningham (NY)

Who would you rather own this season? Me or Santonio Holmes? What are my prospects in terms of Production lining up opposite Hakeem Nicks?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:00 PM)

I know what our rankings say and I know what the ADP says. I personally prefer Mario Manningham. Offense is more conducive to the healthier wideout numbers, and I do see him being fairly comparable in skills. You can wait a little longer and get the better value of the two.

J. Morneau (Minny)

I've collected a few hits - you like me ROS in 10-team at UTIL?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:03 PM)

You have collected five hits since returning ... in 21 at-bats. That's a sub-.200 batting average, and you were a .225 hitter before getting hurt. Oh, and you have historically stunk down the stretch; I know what I said about second-half trends but Morneau's trends of wearing down statistically and health-wise also qualify as relevant. I am not a buyer. I'm watching, but I'm not this optimistic.

Lee (ABQ)

is CJ Wilson and Ichiro too much to give up for Stanton?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:03 PM)

No. Heck, it might not be enough. I'd make that deal getting Mike Stanton.

Daniel (NY)

Any word on if Kipnis is getting back out there today?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:04 PM)

Cleveland Plain Dealer reported overnight that Jason Kipnis is "expected" to return today. Take that for what it's worth; I would still check that early-posted lineup.

Matt (NYC)

Had to submit my keepers at noon and you failed to answer my question before then. I went with SJax over Bradshaw, right decision?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:05 PM)

Yes. You can breathe now.

Brad (Cedar Rapids)

What do you think of Stafford and Kolb this year? 2 QB league, but the rest of my team is stacked?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:07 PM)

Good values as No. 2 fantasy quarterbacks, though I admit I'm more anti-Matthew Stafford than most, but as a two-quarterback-league vet, I will caution you that if those are your two, you're in high-risk territory ... and should be scared. You need to hit a home run with one and get stable weekly stats from the other, and the odds that you get neither are large. I'd strongly advise you work hard scouting in the early weeks and sniff out favorable trade offers, because the worst place for an owner like you to be is stuck with one dead quarterback spot. In my experience, your counterparts will come for the feast if that happens.

Javy Vazquez (Florida)

WONDERFUL START?!?! DO I sense sarcasm or the truth THC?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:08 PM)

The truth. Love that matchup, and Vazquez's K-rate uptick recently is a huge plus.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:08 PM)

OK, time to wrap things up for today. Thanks for all your questions, and sorry if I couldn't get to yours. Take care everyone, and have a great weekend!