Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (1:03 PM)

Hey guys! Thanks for stopping by. Only chatting for 30 minutes today... but we'll try to get as many in as we can. As always, all subjects answered.

Gray Hairs (Atlanta)

We all know you have a "Man Crush" on Gronk......but are you a little concerned with Josh McDaniel running the show the TE will not be used as much. With the addition of Lloyd and the ever present Welker, I feel Brady (and McDaniel) will look more toward them. Your comments? What is a good round (non-ppr) for Lloyd and Welker?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (1:05 PM)

Well, I have top 200 ranks up, so you can see where I feel those guys should go, but in general.. no. Brady looks for the open guy and Gronk is such a matchup nightmare, he'll be open a lot. I do have Graham one spot OVER Gronk for that reason (and slight injury concerns) but no, not worried about too many mouths to feed. It's NE. Plenty to go around

Mikey (Austin, TX)

Zimmerman's newfound swing...Product of Cortisone shot, or product of Coors field?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (1:06 PM)

I've never been a huge Zimmerman fan. We discussed briefly on podcast. If someone believes, I'd be happy to sell Ryan

Nick (Clermont, FL)

I will be sitting taking a 4 hour professional certification exam instead of reading your chat, please have sympathy. Long term outlook for lester? Have him in a dynasty league, been waiting for him to become the horse of my rotation and he got close but has never really gained that elite label(slow start, poor ending etc).

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (1:07 PM)

Think he's better than he's shown (mention him in today's column as a buy low - been getting unlucky) but not as good as you hope. A top 25 guy, not a top 10 guy.

Evan (Springfield)

FOOTBALL!!!! Keep two out of Cam Newton, J. Charles, A. Johnson in a standard league. Thanks!

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (1:08 PM)

I'd keep Cam and Charles. WR super deep, Andre always injury prone, HOU much more a running team these days

Mikey (Austin, TX)

Tim Lincecum....He's baaaaaaack. Thoughts for a manager who bought low two weeks ago?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (1:09 PM)

He beat the Dodgers, who are last in MLB in June in HR, runs per game, SLG %, most times shut out... calm down. Not buying just yet

Rich (Cape Cod)

Jose Reyes has been a major disappointment this season. At least he hasn't gone on the DL but he hasn't hit well and hasn't stolen the number of bases I had expected. Has he lost his zest for the game since moving out of New York?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (1:10 PM)

Think he'll be better second half - tends to heat up as year goes on. I'm holding tight that he'll tear it up in second half

Robert Kohnfelder (pittsburgh)

Do you think taking Julio Jones and/or Trent Richardson at. 9/22 is too early?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (1:13 PM)

No. Not sure what 9/22 means - is that a date? But in general, rankings are just a general guage of perceived draft day value. End of the year ranks will look much different than what they will be at end of the year, so I always say get who you want when you want, within reason. If you really like one of those guys and don't feel they will be there in the next round, why risk it?

Josh Nicholson (Winter Haven, FL)

Are you more excited for the new Batman or the new Spiderman?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (1:14 PM)

Batman. Seems too early to try to remake Spidey

James (DC)

Jason Hammel got "lit-up" by your Angels last night... or did he. Looked to me like a lot of singles and weak hits with only the solo HR given up. One owner flat out dropped him last night and I sent a trade request to Hammel's owner in another league. Do you see Hammel as coming back to earth or as a good pitcher who just had an off night?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (1:15 PM)

I did a video on just this subject yesterday (before Hammel's start). He's legit - increased his fastball velocity this year, using his slider a lot more... has a very k/( rate while still inducing a lot of ground balls... I'm a believer.

Ryan (NYC)

MB, loved your manifesto, question on strategy. I have foster, andre johnson, jennings as keepers (losing picks 1-3), should I not keep andre and gamble that a qb like brees or vick will be around?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (1:17 PM)

I would. My guess is Andre will stil be there if no QB's, so you can just redraft him if you still want. In case you haven't noticed, I'm a bit down on Andre this year

Chuck (Indiana)

Aren't you supposed to be on vacation? Quit hustling!

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (1:17 PM)

Starts tomorrow.

The Pant Man (Boston)

You heard it here first...Fergie is Kirstie Alley v2.0. When she's doing Weight Watchers ads in 2018, you'll remember this...

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (1:18 PM)

Not a bad call. She could go either way, I agree.

Dan (San Jose)

Hey I just signed on, and this is crazy...but here's my number, so call me maybe???

Jacoby Ellsbury (Rehab)

I just heard todays podcast. Based off your thoughts on elsbury should i not accept an offer of Elsbury, Morse and JJ for trumbo, laroche and westbrook?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (1:20 PM)

I like how you spelled Ellsbury's name correctly when using it as your "name" but got it wrong twice in the question. Not sure who JJ is, but yes, as much as I like Trumbo, I would do that deal.

Jerry (seattle, wa)

Thoughts on Halladay? Good buy low?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (1:21 PM)

Eh. Depends on how low. Was pitching poorly before injury, thogugh maybe he was hiding it and that's why. Not someone I would specifically target

John (NY)

If your in playoff contention (asking you personally) Are you the type of owner who thinks here and now or do you hold on to your young stars in a keeper league .. Justin Upton .. etc

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (1:24 PM)

I try to hang onto core young guys no matter what but will trade marginal keepers for last year stars to go for a title. In my longtime NL only keeper (12 teams, 25 man rosters, keep 15 a year)...I'm currently in first but needed saves and steals to maintain lead, so Just dealt a $1 Tyler Colvin and a $1 Jake Westbrook (1st year for both) for expiring Papelbon and Stubbs. I'd probably keep those guys next year but neither are crucial studs.

Richie (Camarillo, CA)

Cam Newton or Matthew Stafford?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (1:24 PM)

Stafford

Dan (San Jose)

You can uphold MY decision...

Michael (Portland, ME)

Just read your latest article. So, if I can read the tea leaves, you would drop Matt Joyce for Quintin Berry?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (1:25 PM)

If I needed speed in a 10 team league? Yes

Jordan (Slinger, WI)

Fred Jackson is an old man. Spiller is the up-and-comer. Chances that by years end, Spiller's the guy there?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (1:26 PM)

A decent one though Jackson doesn't have nearly as many miles on him as many 30 year old RB's...

jon (nyc)

Panda or A-Ram rest of the season?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (1:27 PM)

Panda

Blips McGee (Pittsburgh)

FOOTBALL!!!! Need Keeper help from the master...(100 league) - Keep 2 of Shady at 23, Run DMC at 16, Mike Bush at 1, B Lloyd at 3, Megatron at 25. I'm torn with the whole Forte holdout issue.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (1:30 PM)

Yeah, I get it. I'd keep Lloyd at 3 and McCoy at 23. WR is super deep this year and as great as Calvin is, that's about what he should go for in a $100 league - no real value. Bush other consideration but there's so many question marks at RB, I like having a "sure thing" like McCoy.Would have no issue if you wanted Bush over Lloyd though...But those would be my 2. Good keepers!

Jason (Greeley, CO)

Where do you spend your time at ESPN HQ when your'e not on camera or doing the podcast? Do you have an office, a cubicle...

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (1:31 PM)

Office.

Nate (MN)

Thanks for your tip on prospective saves in the lists. Lyon was available. I wasn't sure why he's a target because Myers is doing well, but sounds like the buzz is the Mets are trying to get him. Never pay for saves!

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (1:32 PM)

Yeah, the whole point of moving Myers to closer was to try and dump that contract he has. There's always teams in need of relief help. Tougher contract to deal if he's a starter.... Fully expect him to be dealt and Lyon quietly having a solid year

Steve (Baltimore)

Can keep 2 of 3 in a half point PPR keeper: Cam Newton as 15th rounder, Darren Sproles as 16th, Jordy Nelson as 12th?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (1:33 PM)

Wow. Can't mess this one up but I'm keeping Cam and Jordy...

Jose (Mexico)

Why do people always say to value more hitting over pitching....In many leagues the scoring system is designed for both giving equal points right?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (1:35 PM)

Because pitching is more plentiful in most leagues - more available on the waiver wire - and also more unpredictable (in general)... so because, for the most part, you can project offense easier...

Brad (AR)

Am I crazy for loving McFadden this year?! No Michael Bush to take away carries. Of course injuries are a concern, but huge upside.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (1:36 PM)

You're not crazy for loving him, you're crazy for ignoring health is a very real risk. Make sure you have Mike Goodson (my pick as DMC handcuff)

Jeff (ME)

A friend of mine works at the ESPN daycare center in CT. She said the ESPN HQ is amazing. Is it anything like Pixar's or Google's HQ where you have a gym, dog walking area, full cafeteria with all types of choices, a pool, on site basketball court, a candy factory, and arcade?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (1:37 PM)

Gym, Cafeteria, hoops court.. yes. No on arcade, pool, candy factory. But in general, yes, it's really nice.

Ted (breakroom)

What are your thoughts on dan haren. Hes been struggling and known to be a second half bust. Should I buy low on him?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (1:38 PM)

Def getting unlucky. Yes, good buy low...

Michael (Toronto)

TMR,Is Eli worth rolling with as my "elite" guy as a keeper in the 7th round? The top 3 you've discussed will clearly be kept so keeping Eli is good value right? (Note: I could keep Vick as a 1st rounder but we dont want a repeat of last year:)

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (1:38 PM)

No issue with Eli in the 7th, esp in a keeper.

Elliot (philly)

(mary) Tyler Moore on fire right now for the Nats. Davey said he'll be playing regularly. Pick up off the WW?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (1:38 PM)

Yeah. He's mentioned in today's column

thalooch (los angeles)

Sale/BJ Upton for Matt Kemp. Who wins?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (1:40 PM)

Sale/Upton side.... Kemp injury worries me for reoccurence and I am a Sale believer.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (1:40 PM)

Ok gang, that's all the time we have today. Gotta run. Thanks for stopping by!