AJ Mass

  (11:00 AM)

Good morning gang! Second cup of coffee and that gold ball in hand... so let's get right to sixty minutes of fantasy chattage. It's rankings day! Who is up first?

Dave (Pa)

Trade Longoria for Trout in a keeper league?

AJ Mass

  (11:01 AM)

Although the sample size is small, Trout is not likely to plunge off a cliff. If you have even the remotest chance at winning this season, you make the deal without hesitation and worry about the future when it gets here.

Wayne (MD)

What are your thoughts on Ellsbury ROS? I just snaked him for cheap

AJ Mass

  (11:02 AM)

I like him to be in the top 100. Obviously the precise return date plays into the exact ranking, but we are talking about a player who was expected to be a top 10 talent before his injury.

Keith (VA)

I assume it is safe to say Kemp will be back in the lineup after the break. Right?

AJ Mass

  (11:03 AM)

If he's not, yet took part in the HR Derby -- hell to pay.

Jason (NY)

Is it safe at this point to just straight drop Tim Lincecum? He doesn't seem like he is turning around at all

AJ Mass

  (11:04 AM)

Nate and I discussed this on today's 06010 podcast. If you believe he's toast, you drop him. If you think he fixes whatever it is that ails him, he's a top 100 value the rest of the way. However, there's no in-between here.

Alex (NJ)

AJ could you or one of the other experts post a guide to starting a new keeper league with rules on keepers etc?

AJ Mass

  (11:05 AM)

Go back and check the MLB Draft Kit... I've written that article and we typically rerun it each year.

Tyler (VT)

AJ, my team has been beat up by injuries recently, Pedroia, Tulo, and Stanton all went down. Would you rather have Rollins or Desmond at SS? What about Morse or Ethier in the OF? Thanks!

AJ Mass

  (11:07 AM)

I'd rather have Rollins. I think the Phillies lineup could well explode, given the return of Utley and Howard. Meanwhile, Desmond is going to have to deal with a lot of questions regarding his "being hurt" or "not being hurt"... not sure how he responds or if he's really hurt. Ethier's own injury issues makes me rule against him.

Eric (Pittsburgh)

re-ranks coming out today?

AJ Mass

  (11:07 AM)

Yes. Yes they are.

Rob (Philly)

Where would you see Wainwright the rest of the year? I can see him finishing strong...top 20 SP.

AJ Mass

  (11:08 AM)

Could well be... I have him just behind YoGa.

Kerfluffle (Desert)

Which Billy Hamilton would prefer to have; the 19th-century or 21st-century version?

AJ Mass

  (11:08 AM)

I'll take the stats from the Hall of Famer, but odds are he's not stealing too many bases in 2012.

RJ (CT)

How do you rate Will Middlebrooks and JD Martinez as keepers going forward?

AJ Mass

  (11:10 AM)

Long-term I like Middlebrooks, but for this season I go Martinez. I am simply afraid that Will has hammy issues that nag him on and off that will eat into his PT.

Dan (Boston)

Uggla for Hamels fair deal? (Backup 2B are Scutaro or Ackley, 12-team non-keeper).

AJ Mass

  (11:11 AM)

Fair for who? I make the deal if I am giving Uggla.

MeisterNJ (Mendham)

Trade Rasmus while the tradin's good?

AJ Mass

  (11:13 AM)

Have him at 185 on my re-rank, so that sums up the direction I think he's headed.

James (Boston)

With Dan Haren typically being a stronger pitcher in the first half and fading in second, can we expect a reverse in this trend? Stunk the first half (mainly due to back problems) and will come out throwing darts in the second half?

AJ Mass

  (11:15 AM)

I disagree with the Haren second-half fade reputation (career 3.79 May, 3.85 Sept) but that said, his recent back woes make it hard for me to buy in going forward in 2012.

steve (seattle)

Will Victorino turn it around?

AJ Mass

  (11:16 AM)

My guess is no, and if there's a Phillies hitter to be sent packing, I'd wager its him.

Scott (Northglenn, CO)

Football....would you take Ryan Mathews 3rd overall? Norv will give him the opportunity to see 350 touches, and the guy is sick...lot of love but I think it's warranted...or do I need to pump the brakes?

AJ Mass

  (11:18 AM)

Really like Mathews this year. Not sure I'd go as high as 3 but definitely a top 6 candidate.

Jeff (Portland, ME)

Why is N. Aoki not getting any love in ESPN leagues? Only 38% owned! Is there something I don't know about this guy? All I've seen is consistency all around. Not too shabby IMO.

AJ Mass

  (11:20 AM)

Tough to completely buy in on a 30-year old like Aoki in first MLB season. Worried about length of season. However, I did include him near end of my top 250.

Eric (New Jersey)

With the 2 hurt Boston OF's set to return shortly, should I cut Ross or hold on in case of setbacks?

AJ Mass

  (11:20 AM)

I'd hold on. Crawford isn't exactly making anyone feel secure about his durability right now.

Leo (Harrisburg)

Could Posey be the best Catcher ROS?

AJ Mass

  (11:22 AM)

Certainly could be. I have him third behind Wieters and Napoli.

Steve (WI)

Markakis ROS?

AJ Mass

  (11:22 AM)

Better than what he's done, but not by a whole lot.

Eric (Pittsburgh)

What are the odds that a Pirate gets an MVP or Cy Young award?

AJ Mass

  (11:24 AM)

I think Cy is very slim. It's Cutch or bust for MVP, and if they make playoffs, he's got a real good shot.

Scott (Northglenn, CO)

Did you watch more than 5 seconds of the HR Derby?

AJ Mass

  (11:24 AM)

Yes. I think it's fun, though I'd love to see the "teams" include recent retired players.

Ryan (NYC)

Beltre, Arod, Panda ROS

AJ Mass

  (11:25 AM)

I agree.

Larry (NH)

Football!! AJ, keep 2 Rice,MJD, Gronk, Welker?

AJ Mass

  (11:27 AM)

Good problem to have. I'd likely keep Rice and MJD and try and redraft Gronk in first round, but there's no real wrong answer here.

Bob (MI)

Do you see a decline in the future for Jake Peavy? Time to sell?

AJ Mass

  (11:28 AM)

It's all about getting value in return. I would sell Peavy. I would sell Dickey... I just need to get enough back given where their bars are at the moment.

Harry (Seattle)

Do you think Hanley busts out in the second half?

AJ Mass

  (11:29 AM)

I believe this might be the highest ranking I've ever given him in a re-rank (13) so long as he starts swinging at fastballs and stops swinging at cooling devices.

Josh (Chicago)

In thinking about Longoria, with this latest news, what kind of value does he have ROS? What about as a keeper with his injury history?

AJ Mass

  (11:30 AM)

Keeper, I'm not nearly as worried, but for 2012? Given that his own manager has said he has no clue when he's going to be back, I'm selling for 50 cents on the dollar.

Joe (Omaha)

Cespedas or Swisher ROS?

AJ Mass

  (11:31 AM)

Swisher, and I don't think it's all that close.

John (Bay View)

Dear Mr. Mass,Any Fear of Fiers going forward? You see what I did there? His name sounds like "fear", so I led with "fear", you know, as a joke.

AJ Mass

  (11:33 AM)

My only concern is that the Brewers decide to move him to the pen at some point. Other than that, I'd be fine with him as a streaming option.

Scott (Huntsville)

AJ, in a deep 5x5, would you try to trade C. Santana for Bonnafacio? I need SB's and could use his positional flexability. Santana is just riding pine at the moment...worth the gamble?

AJ Mass

  (11:34 AM)

Kind of answered your own question there. I have some doubts on Carlos regaining his mojo, and though I still have him ranked higher ROS than Boni, if you need SB, he's a far better source.

Scott (Northglenn, CO)

How bullish are you on T-Rich in CLE? Lean more towards the fact he'll get 250 carries, was catching passes in OTAs, and is an elite talent, or towards him being a rookie in a crap-tastic offense that faces the Steelers and Ravens 4 times? Early 2nd?

AJ Mass

  (11:36 AM)

I think he'll be a solid No. 2 RB in fantasy. It's going to be a very inexperienced backfield in Cleveland so certainly you need to temper expectations.

James Shields (TB)

Any faith in me that I turn it around in the 2nd half? I've had 4 straight non quality starts.

AJ Mass

  (11:37 AM)

So help me, I do. Very disappointed in what I thought was going to be a Cy-contending season for him, but even given the recent woes, he's still a solid No. 3 fantasy arm.

Paula (Pacific Palisades, CA)

Per Eric (New Jersey) why cut Ross? Won't he still start with Elssbury and Crawford in the OF over Sweeney and Nava?

AJ Mass

  (11:38 AM)

You attempt to read the mind of Bobby V, you only end up hurting yourself...

Karl Welzein (Grand Blanc, MI)

Can you clarify your injury concerns about Ian Desmond? You think he's headed to the DL?

AJ Mass

  (11:41 AM)

He's been dealing with this oblique thing for some time, and technically, he's not supposed to be able to pull out of the ASG without some medical documentation. I don't think he'll go on the DL, but I do think if he doesn't he may be under even more scrutiny, which could then affect him mentally.

Pat (Bronx)

AJ, attempting to spice-up a long running football league - what do you think about adding a round at the back-end of the draft for the rights to college players?

AJ Mass

  (11:43 AM)

As long as everybody is in favor of it, why not? It certainly would take away the incentive to tank in a keeper format if the hottest rookies were already accounted for.

Jon (nj)

try to trade Bauer after his good start or is it a sign of things to come?

AJ Mass

  (11:44 AM)

I'd say it's more a sign of things to come than not. I'd certainly listen to offers, but they have to be good.

Joe (Boise)

Better DL stash in a keeper league? Jaime Garcia, Victor Martinez, or Beachy?

AJ Mass

  (11:46 AM)

I'd rather roll the dice with the bat.

John G (Houston)

FOOTBALL QUESTION!! First pick in a rookie dynasty draft, Luck or TRich?

AJ Mass

  (11:47 AM)

Unless it is a 2-QB league, I'm always going with a sure-to-be starting RB over a QB.

Brian (NJ)

Best Stanton replacement: LoMo, Ruggiano, Garret Jones?

AJ Mass

  (11:48 AM)

I'd go Ruggiano.

Drew (NYC)

Harper or Trout ROS?

AJ Mass

  (11:49 AM)

Trout for me.

Tony (NY)

Who is the real Ryan Zimmerman? The one from the last couple weeks or the one from before that who wasn't hitting?

AJ Mass

  (11:51 AM)

Little bit of both, but I am hopeful that what has happened to many a hitter in the past is that Coors Field "fixed" him.

Matt (Richmond)

Britney (Season 12) or Evel Dick as a mentor for the upcoming season of BB?

AJ Mass

  (11:51 AM)

Wouldn't expect ED to be there, but I've heard rumors that Brit is.

Vince Coleman (St Louis)

In a H2H Keeper League would you trade MelkMan straight up for Grienke?

AJ Mass

  (11:52 AM)

Yes indeed.

Billy (MIA)

Fan of Plouffe ROS? I was offered Rizzo for him.

AJ Mass

  (11:53 AM)

Plouffe got in at the tail end of my 250. But I would rather have Rizzo in a keeper.

Mike (Maryland)

More likely to turn it on over second half J. Up or A. Gon?

AJ Mass

  (11:54 AM)

Back-to-back in my ranks, with Upton the higher of the two.

Mark (Lincoln)

You a believer in P.Hughes for the ROS?

AJ Mass

  (11:55 AM)

Not really. Apart from wins, I think in general Yankees pitchers tend to be overrated compared to other SP with similar baseline stats.

Rod (Los Angeles)

Who wins tonight.....AL or NL?

AJ Mass

  (11:57 AM)

If forced to choose, I'll always go with the home team.

Andrew (SF)

Assuming he get the PT, is Todd Frazier real?

AJ Mass

  (11:57 AM)

Aye, there's the rub.

Cecilia (Texas)

Anibal a good bet to have a stellar 2nd half?

AJ Mass

  (11:58 AM)

Yes. I see a huge uptick in his value.

Jason (Long Beach, CA)

AJ, football query...I can only keep two between Brees, Megatron, Mathews, and Stafford. Leaning at Megatron...

AJ Mass

  (11:58 AM)

I'd probably go Stafford and Mathews, with the theory that by keeping Stafford I "get" Megatron's stats as well.

Bubba (Wasteland)

So you're not a Hughes fan...how about Nova?

AJ Mass

  (11:59 AM)

Less enamored am I with Ivan than PH.

AJ Mass

  (12:00 PM)

That's the final whistle, gang! As always there's Twitter (@ajmass) if I did not get to your Q's. Thanks for taking part, checkout our re-ranks when they post. Good luck and may the odds be EVER in your favor.