Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:02 AM)

Good morning everyone! Welcome to the weekly Monday 11 a.m. ET fantasy baseball chat ... though today with a twist. It's prime time for fantasy football draft season, plus I'm sure my Twitter Mock Draft (follow me @SultanofStat to keep track) pick (No. 10 spot) will come up sometime mid-chat. So you'll get to see it live, probably! Anyway, baseball, football, it's all good. Ask away...

andy (new york)

lost AGon in AL-only league, should I pick up Loney or Mauro Gomez to start??

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:04 AM)

James Loney has the greater safety in at-bats, but Gomez has the higher per-at-bat upside. In these situations I prefer the "rate" player, and that's Gomez. But that's personal preference and isn't accounting for team need. (Example: On my 13-team NL-only Tout Wars team, at-bats are previous, because of their impact on R/RBI.)

Kyle (Austin)

What is the lowest rated 1B would you play over Pujols in a weekly league considering his questionable calf?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:06 AM)

Tough to memorize the rankings, but I'll say that I would not use Adam LaRoche over him, but I would use Todd Frazier. Two random names, yes, here are two more: Would use Freddie Freeman, would not use Eric Hosmer.

Jay (WI)

Any concerns with Jordan Zimmerman going forward? He seems to be slowing down the past few starts.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:07 AM)

Well, with his next out recorded he'll match his previous career high in innings (161 1/3, 2011), so fatigue could be a factor. But even in Zimmermann's "slowing down" he's still a useful fantasy option, just perhaps more in the top-30 than top-20 class. I wouldn't sweat it much.

Dan (GA)

You think Diamond serves his suspension after Tuesday and loses 2 start status?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:09 AM)

It's possible, so keep it in mind when evaluating your options, but I'm somewhat confident he'll wait a bit longer. Twins have Thursday, Sept. 6 off, which could help them shuffle their rotation to get by without him in the meantime. I'd imagine he waits until then to drop the appeal.

Jarrod (Washington, CT)

Tristan,Not really a question but an article idea: Any way someone could look at team schedules and see if there are hitters or pitchers it might be worth having during the head to head playoff weeks? Or teams to avoid? I am thinking some pitcher who has a favorable schedule or a hitter who plays a bunch in Colorado. In my league our rosters lock before the playoffs and having a hitter or pitcher with some favorable match-ups would certainly be helpful. Thanks!

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:10 AM)

Thanks for the suggestion, Jarrod. I'll take a look at that.

Keith (VA)

Worried about Ian Desmond this week? Leave him in or find a replacement?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:11 AM)

He was called upon as a pinch hitter Sunday, though he was lifted when the Phillies brought in a righty. It pushes back his retroactive DL flexibility, and I think that's a good sign he's nearly ready. I'd keep him in there.

Tom (NYC)

Tristan....I am doing my first ever auction draft soon, any advice?!?!?!

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:12 AM)

Wait in the weeds on quarterbacks. I did two auctions in the past six days, and in both, some of the quarterbacks typically ranked sixth through 12th went at a considerable discount comparative to those ranked 1-5. You will get a bargain if you sit back and strike when it feels right.

dan (cinti)

Tristan, don't you think it's dumb that players (especially pitchers) can mess around with appeals so that the suspensions end up not affecting them/not missing a start (a la Scott Diamond)

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:12 AM)

Yes.

Mike (NYC)

If you've clearly run away with your roto league, what's the appropriate number of taunting message board posts per week to inflict on the other managers for the remainder of the season?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:13 AM)

Zero. I find it hard to imagine that any championship is guaranteed today. Taunt once you've officially got it in the bag.

Votto (cincy)

But won't i push Frazier to the bench when i return this weekend to mash the Stros?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:13 AM)

Todd Frazier should be starting at third base once Joey Votto returns. I can't see how he'd sit.

Josh (Apex, NC)

regarding pujols - does that mean you would leave him in over playing hosmer?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:13 AM)

Correct.

Andrew (Chicago)

Morrow coming off the DL. Who Milwaukee pitcher would you drop....Gallardo or Fiers?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:13 AM)

Mike Fiers.

Neil (Minneapolis)

Thanks for talking up Kris Medlen, Tristan. He has been huge for my NL-Only team. Is Paul Maholm a must-start NL-only pitcher at this point?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:14 AM)

Yes. Continue to hold a little matchups concern with him -- I'd still shy from things like Coors matchups -- but Maholm is pretty much a "go" for me the remainder of the year.

Scotty Rolen (Cincy)

Cause Dusty respects me!

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:15 AM)

Dusty also wants to win, so I beg to differ, Scotty.

JJ (The ville)

FOOTBALL!! Need my keepers in by noon today, who gives you the best value? Bush in the 8th, K Smith in the last round, Stevie J in the last round, or Torrey Smith in the last round??

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:15 AM)

Stevie Johnson.

Ben (TX)

How do you think Morrow will do rest of the year?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:16 AM)

I like the K/BB stats even in his rehab/first start back, so I think he'll finish with a performance at least within range of where he was pre-injury. Maybe he's more like a top-30 starter, but that's one who requires minimal matchups management.

Scott (Scottsdale)

This Ciriaco fellow. Sustainable ROS?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:17 AM)

I was just asked about this Ciriaco fellow by a colleague this morning, and what I told him was, I think Pedro's earned himself a good chunk of at-bats the rest of the way, even as my gut is hesitant to fully believe in his skills. I think 100+ plate appearances are in his future, and he's capable of batting .280 at worst, with a good handful of steals. That has AL-only/deep mixed value.

Mike (Austin)

How do you like Skaggs' for this 2-start week (CIN, @LAD) and ROS? Skaggs or Iwakuma (@MIN, LAA) for this week? Thanks THC!

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:19 AM)

Command is a question mark with Tyler Skaggs, and those are competitive opponents. I'd consider that a bench-and-evaluate set. It's Iwakuma for this week.

Jason Heyward (The ATL)

Am I the next big 30-30 breakout type star next year a la Cutch' and Kemp? Is $17 a great keeper price for me or what?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:20 AM)

Fair to compare, and yes, that's a brilliant keeper price. I'm pro-Heyward, and the only cold water I'll throw on your comparison is that I don't estimate his batting-average prospects as good as either Andrew McCutchen's or Matt Kemp's.

Brian (NY)

Do you think Sands is the Sox 1B of the future?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:21 AM)

No, I think he's more of a platoon mate than anything, or a decent but not outstanding regular. Somewhere in between that. Maybe the best-case scenario is in the ballpark of Cody Ross' career.

John (Newcastle)

Need a DH spot and have Morse? Worried how hand will respond so do I pick up a Colvin or Venable to replace him?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:22 AM)

I'd consider Tyler Colvin this week being that it's a full Coors week.

Oaktown (Oaktown )

Best late rd flyer: Morris, Hule, Jaquizz or Vereen?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:23 AM)

Vereen and Morris have the greatest opportunities, but I'd slot Jacquizz Rodgers in between them.

JT (Boston, MA)

Any chatter out there about Sale this week? Will he end up having 2 starts or just 1, with a longer rest period?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:25 AM)

Last I had heard he was pitching twice, as reflected in the Forecaster. There isn't an off day in there, so the White Sox would have to find a sixth starter to use in order to rest Chris Sale this week.

LittleRon (WV)

Who do you like of the prospects the Red Sox got in the LAD trade?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:26 AM)

Rubby De La Rosa would easily be my first choice. I'm not a big Allen Webster guy; think he might wind up a reliever. I could envision a scenario in which De La Rosa is in the 2013 rotation.

Dave (Philly)

Do you trust Liriano (@BAL, @DET) this week?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:27 AM)

After back-to-back solid outings against the Yankees and Blue Jays? Sure. "Trust" has its limitations when describing my Liriano thoughts, but I'm OK with him for this week.

James (NJ)

Start Aceves this week or bench him for Casey Janssen?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:30 AM)

I'd use Janssen, and practically any other clear, full-time closer, over Alfredo Aceves this week, just from the safety angle. Aceves will miss Monday's game, Andrew Bailey has thrown well enough to be a factor going forward, and I want to be sure that once Aceves returns to active status, that he hasn't drawn enough managerial ire to have lost his closer gig. Not worth chancing.

Ed (Atlanta)

Does bailey regain closer role before the end of Fantasy Playoffs?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:30 AM)

My opinion is yes, I believe that he will. Red Sox would be smart to take a look at what they have in Bailey for 2013 before the year ends.

Hal (NYC)

David Phelps - you buying him for the next few starts?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:33 AM)

Yes. The primary limitation on David Phelps is pitch counts. He won't provide you the volume of innings you'll want from an every-start SP. But I like him from a strikeout angle, for streaming and certainly in AL-only formats.

Bob (Texas)

Ciricia or Luis Gonzalez (LAD) ROS @ SS?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:33 AM)

Do you mean Luis Cruz? I'd take Ciriaco.

Jeremy (NYC)

Don't want to ask ranking questions but i can't seem to find your individual rankings list. I also pick at 10 of 12, assuming Foster, Rice, Mccoy, ARod, Brady, Brees, Calvin, CJ2K and Forte go 1-9, who are you targeting at #10?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:35 AM)

I don't publish my individual rankings. Based on that order, I have Maurice Jones-Drew, then Larry Fitzgerald, then DeMarco Murray. I'm taking Jones-Drew there, but I understand if you're worried about his holdout, that's why I provided my next two.

Brian (Duval)

Which 3 OF of these 4 should i start daily for the playoffs? 12 teams, h2h : Kubel, B Harper, M Bourn, A Gordon

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:36 AM)

I'm keeping Bryce Harper on my bench.

TS (Stevens Point)

I'm worried about Big Game James and his two tough road starts this week @ Tx and @ Tor. Would you rather start Fister at home v the wsox. Couldn't find him in the forcaster.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:38 AM)

James Shields has five consecutive quality starts, which I'd think earns him some credit in fantasy leagues. They are tough matchups and I've rated him accordingly; temper expectations but I'm starting him this week (barring some tight innings/starts cap). As for Doug Fister, he's not listed in Forecaster because he's not guaranteed to be healthy enough to take Friday's "TBD" start against the White Sox. I think he'll make it, but it's not a lock.

Brandon (Phoenix, AZ )

Youkilis or Ike Davis for ROS?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:39 AM)

Kevin Youkilis, but I like that question.

Jeff (Portland, ME)

Who do you like better as a RB#2 - Cedric Benson or Doug Martin?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:39 AM)

Martin. By a noticeable amount.

David (USA)

Skaggs, Shelby Miller, Bundy.. Can you rank these three on ROS and keeper value? Thanks

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:40 AM)

I think that's the proper order for this season, but I'm going Dylan Bundy at the top of the list for keeper value. Skaggs and Miller are close, barely prefer Miller.

Mike (Bayou)

In PPR league do you see Sproles as a RB1?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:40 AM)

Yes.

jay (st louis)

Do you ever drop a usable pitcher for a bad utility player like lombardozzi to get more ABs (and therefore more counting stats) for your team? I'm trying to get as close to the 162 max games played as I can and have a cushion in BA

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:42 AM)

Yes, I've been known to do that, at least if it's the waning weeks of the season and I'm not going to suffer as a result of the player lost. Maximize your resources, especially if you've got a cushion in a ratio category.

Hound Dog (CA)

McCann, S. Perez or W. Rosario in H2H league this week?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:42 AM)

Perez. Like that schedule.

Steve (Beantown)

In 2013 Ellsbury will be a top _____OF

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:42 AM)

15

Hank (East Liverpool)

I notice you have Cliff Lee ranked in your top 10 SP, with only 3 wins how is that so?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:45 AM)

The least "projectable" Rotisserie category is wins, and if you look at Cliff Lee's start-by-start performance and underlying statistics, he has been as good as almost anyone outside the top five at his position this season. I'm a firm believer that good pitching nets wins when projecting forward, and that is what my ranking does. And frankly, I'm going to take the guy who's as stable as can be in ERA/WHIP/K's over mindlessly chasing wins, every time.

Barbara (Champaign, IL)

Who's my fourth outfielder this week in a 5X5 roto? Fowler or Lorenzo Cain? Thanks!

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:45 AM)

Both interesting lower-level fantasy starters, but I'd go Fowler with a Coors week ahead.

JT (Boston, MA)

Another follow up on Sale...in 2013, you see him as a top ___ SP?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:46 AM)

I think Chris Sale is setting himself up to be overvalued entering 2013. I'm going to say 25-30, it's going to be in that range. He'll be drafted higher, but I don't think he should be.

Thomas (Stanford)

THC, Cousin of the Podcast, how come no love for Garrett Jones? He is tearing it up! Any chance this will sustain for another month?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:48 AM)

I thought I was the "Designated Pinch Hitter"?Also, where don't I have any love for Garrett Jones? Hit Parade rankings I'm assuming? He's usually the kind of guy who hovers between 125-150, which is on the fringe of mixed-league starting status. If it was an NL-only ranking set he'd be above the cutoff every week. But he has a platoon limitation, generally speaking, and that's why I won't push him higher.

Loghan (NYC)

what are your projections for luck?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:49 AM)

It's a guess, but somehow I see about 22 TDs and 24 interceptions. I think he'll make mistakes, but he'll be pretty decent from the yards/TDs angle. Maybe he throws for 3,300 or so. There's matchups value in a player like that.

Steve (WI)

Thoughts on Brett Anderson going forward??

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:50 AM)

I still say "Tim Hudson/Jordan Zimmermann/Stephen Strasburg" range of value, looking at their return-from-surgery seasons. There'll be a workload cap, but I'm OK with him from a ratios angle if you can deal with that.

Chuck (New York)

So what your saying is that Cliff Lee's season is a perfect example of why leagues should go by quality starts instead of wins?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:51 AM)

You could say that. Though I'll point out that Lee ranks 43rd in quality starts (14). He hasn't been overwhelming in that category either, but at least it's a more respectable measure of his performance.

Harris (ATL)

Would you trade Michael Turner for Ryan Matthews and D. Wilson (NYG)??

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:52 AM)

Yes, yes, also yes, and when I wake up in the morning it shall still be yes, with yes sprinkles on top.

Kenny (Chicago)

Did you make your pick yet?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:53 AM)

I'm not up yet, I think we're up to pick nine, a spot before me. Word has it we were waiting for the conclusion of a Joe Montana interview. I totally understand!

Rick (Chicago)

Teheran and Turner long term. #2 starter upside? More likely to reach it?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:54 AM)

I prefer Julio Teheran, higher ceiling of the two and I see more strikeout potential in him.

Jared (Texas)

Rank C Sale, M Moore and A Chapman for 2013.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:55 AM)

As starters? I'm going Moore, Chapman, Sale. Wow is that close. I bet I'll have Moore in the low 20s, Chapman right around 25, Sale 28.And let's point out that this is completely off the top of my head. When I get to ranking for 2013 -- probably 2-3 weeks from now -- I might find I don't find that many pitchers better and I have them all 5-8 spots higher.

Jared (MSP)

Would you start Craig over Old Man Albert in a weekly lock?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:56 AM)

Yeah, I would. But boy is that close.

Joe (KC)

True or false, the Royals do not prompte Wil Myers this year?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:57 AM)

I say "true." Why promote him now and start his clock?

Kyle (Austin)

What about Colvin over Albert?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:57 AM)

No way.

Ethan (NC)

Thoughts on adding J.Beckett for ROS in NL only 10 team?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:58 AM)

I wrote the weekend's fantasy spin on the trade, so my detailed thoughts are available there. I'd absolutely add Beckett in that format though. In Tout Wars this week I had $31 FAAB left, and was disappointed to learn I missed out on him by just a couple bucks.

Dave (Jersey City NJ)

Last question of the day...is Buccolz line up for 2 starts this week or are the Sox going to a 6-man rotation with Dice-K back?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:00 PM)

Unfortunately I don't have any data on that, and needed to project with Dice-K bumping Franklin Morales. But the Red Sox have shown no hesitance to use six men in the rotation, so keep it in mind if you're a Buchholz owner.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:01 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 best of luck to you in your matchups this week!