Eric Karabell

  (3:02 PM)

Hello all and welcome to the latest fantasy sports chat session! I am Eric. I'm guessing it will be mostly about fantasy baseball today, but if you have football questions, let's hear 'em! Thanks for showing up and let's have some fun...

Ben (NYC)

Eric - The good news is I won my keeper league last year. The bad news is I am left with alot of options for this year that I am fairly indifferent towards. Please pick three out of - Jered Weaver, CC Sabathia, Andrew McCuthcen, Curtis Granderson, Mark Texeria, David Wright, and Ian Kinsler. Thanks!

Eric Karabell

  (3:03 PM)

Well, you know the line, "flags fly forever." You won. Deal with the future later... But I wouldn't say you're in bad shape. I have Granderson, Wright and Kinsler in the teens overall, in the top 20. McCutchen just missed, so he's like 21 or 22. I'd keep Grandy, Wright and Kinsler... that's really not bad at all.

Brandon (Philly)

Keeper Decision: Berkman ($6) Wainwright ($9) Ellsbury ($35) Bourn ($14).... Pick 3?

Eric Karabell

  (3:04 PM)

I'd probably send Ellsbury packing... he might go for more in your league, but who knows what someone really will spend when push comes to shove. I'd keep the other 3. Berkman will easily earn six bucks... might earn $36. Same with Bourn's price. I think $9 on the returning Wainwright is still a good price.

Mitch (Washington)

Keeper-league trade offer: Avila for Grandal. Who wins?

Eric Karabell

  (3:05 PM)

One of them is proven and had a really great season.. . the other only might be good. I'd go with the guy we know is good. Keep Avila. Most prospects don't turn into stars. Avila should regress some, but he's in my top 10 catchers.

Andrew (NYC)

Josh Hamilton or Felix Hernandez as a franchise round keeper? Whichever we don't keep get thrown back.

Eric Karabell

  (3:07 PM)

Well, I love Felix just like the next guy... and Hamilton does scare me since he's hurt about a third of the time... but I'd keep him.

cjohnson612@aol.com (cjohnson612@aol.com)

When will ESPN 2012 baseball open?

Eric Karabell

  (3:08 PM)

We get this question a lot and the truth is, I just don't know. I THINK it's in the next 2 weeks, but one can never be sure.

Bruno (Fort Worth)

What kind of numbers can we expect from cespedes?

Eric Karabell

  (3:08 PM)

Wrote a blog entry about this very fellow today, and said something like 20 home runs and 10 steals wouldn't be a shock, but ultimately ... well, perhaps you should read it. Oh whatever. I think like most rookies he'll go too early in drafts and for too much in auctions. I'll take the safer options.

Nate (Space Coast)

How much will the Giants offense hurt their pitchers value?

Eric Karabell

  (3:14 PM)

Well, I don't think the current offense is any worse than in previous seasons, and if Belt gets 500 at-bats, and Huff and his offseason pilates program can bounce back, and Sandoval plays 140 games, and the Easter Bunny visits... overall, I wouldn't worry about it. Lincecum and Cain and Bumgarner will win their games.

dave (Philly)

what is the most important position when drafting? OF seems deep.

Eric Karabell

  (3:15 PM)

Important? Well, they all are important. Outfield and starting pitching are the deepest, then first base. It's why you can avoid those positions early and focus on middle infield more.

Daniel (Bronx)

Is AROD finished? What kind of numbers are you projecting?

Eric Karabell

  (3:16 PM)

I think he's still a top 10 third baseman, so no, I don't think he's finished. I think he'll miss some games, maybe 30, but he remains a 30-homer, 100-RBI guy, and really, there aren't that many of them at third base, or any position. He's underrated now.

Gary (Pitt)

Who's going to be starting at RB for the Steelers next year? And do you see him having more value now that the team is moving toward a more run oriented offense (following Bruce Arians departure)

Eric Karabell

  (3:17 PM)

Well, if Mendenhall stays, he's the guy. Otherwise one would think they try Isaac Redman, but let's not presume the Steelers will be like the Ravens and run all the time. I think if Mendenhall comes back he'd be outside my top 10 RBs, but not by a lot.

Rob (Philly)

Why draft Michael Bourn early, when I could get someone like Dee Gordon later. Aside from inexperience, isn't Gordon more valuable?

Eric Karabell

  (3:18 PM)

Well, if we KNEW Gordon would steal 50 bases, then yes, having a shortstop do this is more valuable than an outfielder. But we don't know how safe Gordon is. He weighs like 110 pounds. Track record is viable. Of course, I'm not the guy taking Bourn in any leagues, because I think there's a lot of speed available... but your point makes sense. Gordon could be awesome... or in Triple-A if he fails to hit.

Daniel (Bronx)

Think Morse could get to 40 homeruns this year?

Eric Karabell

  (3:19 PM)

I'd say that's asking for a bit much. As of now I expect only two people to flirt with 40 home runs, Bautista and Stanton, and I think Pujols and Cabrera will be in the neighborhood. Morse shouldn't hit .300 again... I hope for .275 with some of his hidden numbers last season. Power's legit, though.

Rob (Philly)

I read that the defensive wasteland that is Detroit really won't affect Detroit's pitching staff. You buying that?

Eric Karabell

  (3:20 PM)

Well, I wasn't going to draft Rick Porcello before we found out Miguel Cabrera was playing third base. I certainly won't take him now. But for Fister, who I tend to believe actually is somewhat legit, this does not help. But let's not assume Cabrera plays 150 games at third, either. Could be a short lived experiment. It was the last time he tried to play 3B.

Jeff (Yonkers)

Does Justin Upton pull a Matt Kemp this year?

Eric Karabell

  (3:21 PM)

Sounds like a blog idea! I think Upton would be among my top 5 to make that leap, along with McCutchen and ... I gotta ponder it. Yes, Upton is going to be a top 10 draft pick for years. Get him now in keeper leagues.

Alex (Oakland)

Will Stanton ever get a better batting average to go with all his HRs?

Eric Karabell

  (3:21 PM)

If he hits .270, I think we'll live with it. It's a bit early in his development to presume he cannot hit .270.

Jason (NYC)

Fielder won't hit 40?

Eric Karabell

  (3:22 PM)

I don't think he's going to hit 40 home runs. He probably had a better shot in Milwaukee. I do think he will be terrific this season, however. It's not easy to hit 40 home runs in Detroit.

Greg (New york)

Can only pick one keeper: Pineda or Ian Kennedy. What should I do?

Eric Karabell

  (3:22 PM)

Interesting. I'd go Pineda in a keeper, but for this year alone, I like Kennedy.

Todd (Cleveland)

Looks like you have to be Rob from Philly to get a questioned answered. Which side you on Braun/Cano or Tulo/Pence?

Eric Karabell

  (3:24 PM)

Honestly, I don't look at who is asking. Just looking for good questions. I would take the Braun/Cano side. There remains some chance Braun isn't suspended ... but I have him slotted in the third round. Pence is right around there, too... but after June 1, Braun could be the best player in the game. I have no concerns.

Del (Champaign)

Looking at drafts as a whole, it would appear elite pitchers are valued a bit lower this year than last year. Do you see last year as being anomalous in that regard, or are we going to see the elite pitchers returning to the late first round on average?

Eric Karabell

  (3:25 PM)

I concur. I can't remember a season in which I wouldn't take a starting pitcher in the first two rounds, but there is just so much depth, and so little offensive depth, you just have to get the hitters.

Joe (Brooklyn)

Dee Gordon or Cliff Pennington this year?

Eric Karabell

  (3:25 PM)

Pennington doesn't look like much of a fantasy factor. Gordon can steal 50 if he can stay healthy and get on base even at like a .320 clip. Pennington's upside isn't much.

Joe (NY)

Your thoughts on David Wright this season?

Eric Karabell

  (3:26 PM)

Love him. A year ago he was a borderline top 10 guy and now, all of a sudden, nobody seems to remember that. Wright is in my top 20. He's bouncing back well, fences moved in at Citi Field or not.

Ryan (Va)

Taking scarcity into account, does taking Pedroia or Kinsler at the turn make sense or is it reaching?

Eric Karabell

  (3:27 PM)

Not reaching at all. I have Pedroia just outside my top 10 and Kinsler at 15 or so, and as time moves on let's say I could see Kinsler passing Adrian Gonzalez and Prince for me. And perhaps an outfielder or two, like Granderson. Lots of outfielders... not lots of middle infielders.

Dan (VA)

Who is the last SP you'd accept as your staff ace?

Eric Karabell

  (3:28 PM)

I don't know why people get caught up in the "ace" stuff. In fact, I probably won't have a top 10 starter on most of my teams. I'd rather have 4 guys that could be strong 2/3 starters... it's about the numbers, not the designation of ace.

John (Boston)

Reyes seems like a great value in the 3rd, seeing that he only played 120+ games. Is that falling under the radar?

Eric Karabell

  (3:28 PM)

I don't think the number of games Reyes played in 2011 has any bearing on 2012. No, I doubt he plays in 155 games, but he's a star. He's in my second round easily.

Rob (Minneapolis)

Kemp got paid this offseason. How does this affect him going forward? Thanks.

Eric Karabell

  (3:29 PM)

Well, he can afford anything he wants now. Probably could before. I don't buy the motivation game stuff after a guy gets paid. Kemp always has something to prove, and he wants to win. He'll make 30/30 again.

Dave (Montauk)

Keeper question: Halladay in the 2nd, Sabathia in the 3rd or Pedroia in the 4th?

Eric Karabell

  (3:29 PM)

Pedroia in the fourth. Much later than he will be going in drafts... and a darn good player as well.

Harold (KC)

Keeper League Question- What type of player should I target for trading Braun assuming he's suspended 50 games? Worried about his lack of protection when he gets back.

Eric Karabell

  (3:31 PM)

Target one of the best players in the game. If Braun ISN'T suspended, he's my top player off the draft board. So I think as of June 1, when he's playing again, he's the top player. So you'd need to get a lot for him. And don't get caught up in the "protection" stuff because every study on the subject shows it doesn't mean anything. Good hitters hit. Sure, like Miguel Cabrera they might take more intentional walks, but they still hit.

Brad (Orlando)

True or False! Strasburg is a top 10 pitcher next season.

Eric Karabell

  (3:32 PM)

You mean in 2012 or 2013? I think he could be in 2013... but this season he's likely to be capped around 160 innings, so unless his ERA is like 1.75 and he wins every start, I don't think he's ending up top 10.

dave (Philly)

Can Ryan Howard be steal coming off injury?

Eric Karabell

  (3:34 PM)

I thought we were a bit tough on Howard's ranking at the summit meetings last week. I mean, most of the room was saying stuff like "he stinks" and "he wasn't that good anyway." I'm not Howard's biggest fan, but he still hit 30 home runs and knocked in well over 100. Could he be that guy from June 1 onward? Why not? He won't win a batting title... but as the No. 20 first baseman off the draft board... YES, I think he will be a draft steal if you get him around round 20 or so.

JOE (Monticello)

Contract league. Rather have Wright for 1 yr at the cost of 2 yrs or have B Lawrie for 2 yrs?

Eric Karabell

  (3:35 PM)

Love 'em both... Lawrie for the extra year makes him the choice there. Really, I wouldn't be surprised that at this time next year we're talking Lawrie as a top 20 guy overall.

Jason (Boston, MA)

Jay Bruce will be a top ____ OF by year's end.

Eric Karabell

  (3:36 PM)

I think he might be top 10... but I don't have him there as of now. Not a lock for a high average and doesn't run... but the power is legit. Nothing wrong with Bruce...but I like 10 other outfielders more.

Jason (Boston, MA)

Heyward a good candidate to bounce back?

Eric Karabell

  (3:37 PM)

One of the best. Think about his stock a year ago... he gets a shoulder injury, thanks to Chipper he is forced to play through it and now he's not in anyone's top 100. Well, I like him. He goes for 24 home runs and even steals 12 bases!

John (BX)

Comeback player of the year in 2012 is...?

Eric Karabell

  (3:38 PM)

Adam .... Wainwright! Thought I was gonna say Adam Dunn, didn't ya! I don't know... not sure why Ellsbury got the award. He came back from injury, but not like he tore his knee. His teammate ran into him. Berkman was a perfect comeback choice. People thought he was done. Not Dunn. Done.

Eric (CO)

Do you think CJ Wilson will finish as a top 15 SP on the player rater again this year?

Eric Karabell

  (3:39 PM)

Yes. I don't see him getting any worse, and leaving Texas shouldn't hurt... though now he does have to face that offense. Nobody talks about that. As a Ranger he enjoyed facing the awful Mariners and A's and Angels couldn't hit. That factors in too!

John (Boston)

Who are you more likely to draft and store on your bench: Braun or Trout?

Eric Karabell

  (3:40 PM)

Braun. I have him in round 3. Trout... I bet the Angels mess with him and he doesn't even get 300 at-bats. Ridiculous. But even if we all think they should just cut or sit guys like Abreu and Vernon Wells, they're not going to do that. So Trout starts in Triple-A.

Brian (North Carolina)

Would you rather have Justin Smoak or Michael Morse as your 1B starter this year?

Eric Karabell

  (3:40 PM)

Definitely Morse. I think he hits his 30 homers with a roughly .270 batting average. It's tough to predict Smoak hits for that power or that average, though he has upside. Just not sure he ever gets there in that home park.

ryan (mn)

for comeback player of the year, why does it matter how ellsbury got hurt??

Eric Karabell

  (3:41 PM)

Because what was he really coming back from? To me you have to really overcome something... not just overcome a poor season or fluke injury. The year Lester overcame cancer....I think of that.

Brett (GA)

deep keeper league question: Crisp or Rajai Davis?

Eric Karabell

  (3:42 PM)

I don't know why Davis would get the chance to steal 50 bases. He's not a very good player and as of now the Jays have far better starting options. Coco should start and play whenever healthy, though.

vic (no cal)

Livan Hernandez just signed with the Astros. Is that worthy of a blog article?

Eric Karabell

  (3:43 PM)

Only if you're competing in a league in which you're trying for the worst stats. Livan could make 33 starts... and win 6 of them!

dave (Philly)

what would you rather have a schmitter, cheesesteak, or crab fries?

Eric Karabell

  (3:43 PM)

Cheesesteak. I had the schmitter a few times... not bad, but nothing special. And the fries... it's just seasoning. But a cheesesteak! MMMMMM....

Erik (Greenport)

Hosmer a top 10 first baseman?

Eric Karabell

  (3:44 PM)

Yes, he made my top 10. Future monster.

Brian (NY)

Do you like the other Mets hitters as well as Wright-- Davis, Duda-- w/ the moved in fences?

Eric Karabell

  (3:45 PM)

Yes, I really do. I think Duda is a big breakout guy, actually. I don't know how healthy Ike Davis is, but ... it's not really about the fences for me. Wright was good before the fences came in. He had a very good 2010. There's just a lot of Mets hatin'. Duda is legit. And I think Murphy with 1B, 2B and 3B eligibility, and leading off and hitting .300, will be a nice option.

Eric (CO)

If Hanley Ramirez gets off to a slow start, would you trade him for the suspended Braun?

Eric Karabell

  (3:46 PM)

In mid-May I am likely to trade pretty much anyone in fantasy baseball for Ryan Braun. I do not see him having a bad season. He's just gonna have to do 20/20 in his 110 or so games. SO yes, I would deal Hanley after the season starts for him.. but I might also deal Pujols, Cano and everyone else for Braun.

Scott (Northglenn, CO)

Do you see any of the old guys recently relocated to Coors Filed having a chance at a career year??

Eric Karabell

  (3:47 PM)

There was much Cuddyer debate about him going to Coors... but he's still just Michael Cuddyer, right? I guess he could hit 30 home runs... I take the under. Odd offseason for the Rox. Didn't like most of their moves... Marco Scutaro? They have like 5 or 6 second basemen, and a few of them can get on base at the same clip Scutaro does.

Dave (NH)

Better 3 year keeper value--Bumgarner vs. Hosmer?

Eric Karabell

  (3:48 PM)

Always the hitter. Always. And I think Bumgarner is terrific.

vic (no cal)

Positional rankings question: do you consider 3B to be shallow based on current player eligibility? Or, do you see longer term and consider it strong based on Hanley Ramirez and Miguel Cabrera?

Eric Karabell

  (3:50 PM)

I actually think third base is nearly as deep as first base. That surprised me a bit when I really looked deeper. Outfield is deep this year... then 1B and 3B is right there. And yes, it doesn't hurt when top 10 guys add eligibility. Someone on your team always gets hurt and if you can move Cabrera to 3B and add a first baseman like Smoak in May... it's nice.

John (Boston)

Will the melkman deliver this year? He was the 23rd ranked player overall!! What the )(&**

Eric Karabell

  (3:50 PM)

I have to admit I don't think Melky Cabrera will come close to those numbers in San Fran... but could he hit 12 homers with 15 steals? Yes. Could he lead off and score 90 runs? Yes. Ugh.

Brian (Queens)

Can Alex Gordon top last years numbers?

Eric Karabell

  (3:51 PM)

Anything is possible, but it would surprise me if he got a lot better. He should be leading off again, so maybe he runs more... but what Gordon did is what many thought he would be years ago. To ask for more than this... anything is possible.

Jason (New York)

Do you see a good season from Hellickson or a regression?

Eric Karabell

  (3:52 PM)

I think he can strike more hitters out... but overall I don't see him having quite the same peripheral stats.

Stack (NJ)

No way in the world that the Melkman is the 23rd player in fantasy...

Eric Karabell

  (3:53 PM)

I concur... but he did finish that way. Hard to believe. Had an 18-87-20 season with a .305 average and 102 runs scored. I mean, that's outstanding. And he went undrafted! Wow!

John (Boston)

Mid round MI: Dee Gordon, Ackley or Stephen drew?

Eric Karabell

  (3:56 PM)

I think Drew is the best player there, capable of 15 home runs and running enough, and he just had an injury filled 2011. Gordon stealing 50 would be the most valuable guy here, but he's no lock.

Dave (Toronto)

Would you keep future "Votto" in Hosmer or the future "Braun" in Lawrie if forced to only keep one for the next 5 years?

Eric Karabell

  (3:56 PM)

I would keep Lawrie. But I see each being a top 20 player in about 2 years.

Liam (MA)

Harper or Trout?

Eric Karabell

  (3:57 PM)

I think Trout has a better shot of getting 300 at-bats... but neither comes recommended in a one-year, non-keeper league.

Brian (NY)

Thoughts on Bonifacio as an MI in deep leagues?

Eric Karabell

  (3:58 PM)

For now, as of today, I think he's Miami's starting center fielder and No. 2 hitter. They could sign Cespedes... or play Coughlin... but Reyes-Bonifacio-Hanley at the top of the order... that's 120 stolen bases there.

Stan (Marshfield)

Who was the unluckiest player in 2011

Eric Karabell

  (3:58 PM)

Brandon Belt. He should have had 500 at-bats. Probably not what you meant, though. Dunn or Wainwright were unlucky.

Billy (Seattle)

Why do I feel Jayson Werth is going to have a bounce-back campaign?

Eric Karabell

  (3:59 PM)

Because you're wise! I don't think he hits .300, but the power and speed remain... HE was unlucky!

Eric Karabell

  (3:59 PM)

OK, that is all for the time we have on this fine Wednesday, but thank you so much for showing up and asking the many questions today. Hope it was fun and helpful. Have a great day and look for more chats the rest of the week! Adios!