Justin Mason Baseball Chat- 9/11/18

Justin Mason: Hey everyone! lets have a good chat today.

Justin Mason: I am going to wrap it up a bit earlier today but I will get to as many questions as I can.

MarinerDan: Any value in Christin Stewart over the last couple of weeks of the fantasy season?

Justin Mason: Sure. He is going to play. The average may not be great, but there is power in that bat.

Robert: Can Adam Jones be dropped in all 15 team leagues both Redraft and Dynasty?

Justin Mason: definitely

Heathcliff Slocumb: With Soria and Norris no longer being in the saves mix, I had to drop them.  Neck and neck in saves with my nearest competition (but still up by 9 pts in my 7×7), who are some of the deeper options over the last 20 days to secure some saves?

Justin Mason: Jace Fry, Taylor Rogers, Hildenberger, Givens, Parker, Chafin, Hirano,

Robert: What is the ceiling on Dereck Rodriguez?  #3?  Where do you see him next year?

Justin Mason: I think he has the upside of a 3/4. Should have a rotation spot with Cueto out next year

MarinerDan: I really don’t understand the Dodgers’ use of Max Muncy in the second half.  I mean, the guy shreds both righties and lefties.  And yet he doesn’t play – at all – against lefties now.  What gives?

Justin Mason: He went cold for a long time. The Dodgers can’t afford to play cold players when in the race.

MarinerDan: What is the deal with Strasburg?  He must not be healthy after coming off the DL.  Do you downgrade him significantly — say, a mid-level no. 2 now — going into next season?

Justin Mason: I think he should have already been there personally.

Justin Mason: The 2Early Mocks I do start tomorrow, it will be interesting to see where he goes in those.

Greg: Trusting Tanner Roark today against the Phillies?

Justin Mason: Not really, but desperate times…

Mark: What is the upside of Tyler Glasnow? top 3 in the Rays rotation? Any comparison?

Justin Mason: The upside is that of an ace, but the chances he gets there is low. I think he stays in the rotation for next season.

Robert: Does Framber Valdez have any chance at a rotation spot next year in Houston?   Stats don’t seem to like him even though he has been successful.  Like him tonight against Detroit?

Justin Mason: It would be very difficult for him to do so unless McCullers needs surgery that sidelines him. They still have James and Whitely

MarinerDan: I have about given up on Miguel Sano as a viable fantasty piece.  Thoughts on him entering next year?

Justin Mason: I am going to be all over him if the price drops dramatically. I believe he can be a huge power source that walks enough to offset the bad average.

Dusty: Thoughts on Twins superstar prospect Wander Javier, do you like his upside?

Justin Mason: I do. I think he could be a 20/20 guy. I question the hit tool, but so far he has hit well in rookie ball.

Vinbaka: Very desperate for QS. Please tell me good things will happen for Suarez and Urena tonight.

Justin Mason: I am streaming Suarez. Urena… not so much

Justin Mason: but again, desperate times…

brian: Bench my crappy C in a H2H playoffs?  I mean, my offense loaded, he hurts my avg.

Justin Mason: sure

Marwin Gonzalez: How much do you think I will get in FA? Would you offer me a QO if you were the Astros?

Justin Mason: I think he may get the QO and take it.

Stephen: Franmil Reyes turning into a real piece of the future for the Pads, or just enjoying a hot streak?

Justin Mason: I think it is just a hot streak.

MarinerDan: See anything in Niko Goodrum to suggest long-term value?

Justin Mason: nope, but the rebuild gives him some value in the short term.

brian: Almost regrettingg this, I traded Acuna and got back Soto and Severino.  Did I screw up?

Justin Mason: No, you did great.

Justin Mason: even though I love acuna

Rocco: Justin – I have 3 second basemen:  Villar, Odor and Dozier.   Safe to drop one of them and, if so, who?

Justin Mason: sure. I would drop Dozier with how he is playing.

Rocco: Drop Renfroe for Voit, Cave, or O’Hearn?

Justin Mason: O’Hearn

Ray Liotta as Shoeless Joe: What are you doing with your playoff bye week?

Justin Mason: spending time searching for my family that left

MarinerDan: You rolling with Donaldson over the last few weeks of the season?  Or will the PT not be there?

Justin Mason: If he is healthy, he will play. I am rolling with him.

Hammer: Kyle Tucker had some of the worst luck while he was in the MLB that I’ve ever seen. Why haven’t the Astros given him another chance with how he dominated AAA and the OF struggles

Justin Mason: They couldn’t afford to carry him. I am surprised he isn’t up but I guess they want to let him play in the AAA playoffs.

Robert: Who gets the most saves in Philly and Arizona the rest of the way?

Justin Mason: Arizona. Close though.

Kevin wears a t-shirt to BP: Will Poncedeleon go more than 4 innings in tomorrow’s start?\

Justin Mason: probably not

MarinerDan: Diaz and Treinen your top 2 closers heading into 2019 season?

Justin Mason: Diaz is. Depends on Chapman’s and Jansen’ healthy.

Justin Mason: *health

Vinbaka: What do you make of Ji-Man Choi’s short term and long term outlooks?

Justin Mason: Love his short term outlook as he is playing. Long term, he will have a hard time getting on the field.

Stephen: Do you get the sense this is Edwin Encarnacion’s last year as a really impact fantasy slugger, or is there life in him yet?

Justin Mason: Power is still there. I think while there are declining skills, he will rebound a bit in the average department.

FreeMason: What should I do with Marquez next year? I could sign him for $4 for next year, or $7 (per year) for the next 2 years ($300 salary cap). Obviously his current hot streak isn’t his true talent level going forward, but is it enough to justify the 2 year deal?

Justin Mason: I really like him. Coors will always be an issue. No problem with $4 for next year.

MarinerDan: What in God’s name happened to Zack Godley this year?  He had sleeper written all over him coming into the year…

Justin Mason: lost his control of his best pitches at times. I believe in the talent and will take the discount next year.

Billy Bathhouse: Any post-hype MIs on your radar to target in a keeper league?

Justin Mason: ask me next week after the 2Early Mocks start.

MarinerDan: Aaron Nola a top-10 starter heading into next year?

Justin Mason: yes

Justin Mason: I had him close coming into this year

maris: What do you expect from Kyle Tucker next season?

Justin Mason: With full time playing time, 25 homers and a .255 avg and 15 SBs.

HH: Tony Kemp has a wRC+ of 122 at 260 PA and his BABIP doesnt seem to indicate its purely luck driven (.315). Do you think hes really a 120ish wRC hitter?

Justin Mason: I do not.

Grass is always greener: Where the heck is Austin Meadows? He was raking in AAA.

Justin Mason: Stuck in Tampa Bay purgatory.

FreeMason: Villar is getting the green-light way more often in baltimore. Think his post-trade steal rate will continue next season?

Justin Mason: depends on who is managing. I think it definitely could which would make him very valuable.

Jay: Given the number of lefties the Dodgers are set to face over the last two weeks of the season, any reason to hold Muncy in a 12-team H2H? He’s sitting pretty consistently vs. lefties and it’s killing his value.

Justin Mason: nope

MarinerDan: Betts or Trout at no. 1 next year?

Justin Mason: Trout

Justin Mason: Need more questions!!! Feel free to dig deep or get personal.

Justin Mason: I love long walks on the beach, candle light dinners, and cuddling

Vinbaka: Adames has been hot the last few weeks. Just a hot streak or you think he’s made some adjustments after initial struggles?

Justin Mason: I think he is making adjustments. Question will be if pitchers start readjusting can he continue the growth>

Justin Mason: ?

Michael Anthony: Austin Hedges’ Iso is up to .199. Is he a sleeper pick for next year?

Justin Mason: I think he will be. Great defense will keep him playing. A lot of people will be pushing Mejia and I think that will be a mistake.

Astros: I have a group of superstars Altuve, Bregman, Correa, Springer. How would you rank them #1-#4?

Justin Mason: exactly like that.

Vinbaka: Any concerns with Abreu’s power ROS coming back from injury?

Justin Mason: Not really. I don’t think the White Sox would have brought him back if there were concerns.

Can As keep this up in the playo: Or will their shaky SP catch up with them?

Justin Mason: I think it will catch up with them, but that doesn’t mean they can’t steal the WC game.

Off season: Who do you think will be the best hitter available?

Justin Mason: Harper

Justin Mason: or Machado

MarinerDan: Brandon Lowe:  Anything to see here?

Justin Mason: I like him, but I worry about the playing time. The ball comes off that bat really hard

Defensive Stats: Which do you prefer to use? At how many innings roughly do they normalize

Justin Mason: None. I prefer the eye test.

MarinerDan: Rowdy Tellez:  Good player or just great name?

Justin Mason: Great name, mediocre player

Pio: Think Renfroe can reach 30/100 next year? He should have Urías hitting in front of him instead of Galvis.

Justin Mason: nope \

Nicki: Where are you ranking Pivetta for next year? Do you think he will have positive regression to where his numbers say he should be?

Justin Mason: I think he will be 30-40 in SP for me next year. Will have a more accurate rank soon.

Matt: RIP my fantasy baseball season, came in as defending champion but lost in the first round of the playoffs. Is there anything to do until spring? I don’t play roulette or fantasy football.

Justin Mason: Tinder?

Georgie: Mallex Smith has had a great year. Where do you see him going in draft next year?

Justin Mason: I think he will go around 150-175. Platoon hurts him a bit, but I don’t know people will ding him too hard after this year.

Luhnow: Im gong for a perrenial champion, who would you sign this offseason after my second world series win?

Justin Mason: Machado, but they won’t.

Justin Mason: or Harper, but they wont

Justin Mason: or Corbin and they could.

Matt: Pat Corbin (with a low salary) a slam dunk keeper in a keep-6 points league?

Justin Mason: sure, but his landing spot is important.

Billy Bathhouse: Keep Luis Castillo for $7 next year? (11-team QS league)

Justin Mason: that is really boarderline

Jake Junis Priest: Matt Shoemaker has looked OK but tentative since coming back. Would you start vs. SEA this week? (AL Only) Don’t want to expect too much too soon, but that’s the game…

Justin Mason: nope

Brock: Is this season finally enough for Hosmer to fix his dang swing?

Justin Mason: probably not.

Mark: Mallex Smith, Kevin Kiermaier, Austin Meadows, Tommy Pham. Who is the odd man out? Smith is hitting over.300

Justin Mason: They will platoon Smith and probably rotate KK out more to keep him healthy. All should play.

Justin Mason: My fear is they hold meadows in the minors for a while to play the service time game.

Billy Bathhouse: Can J. Aguilar and Muncy maintain their gains from this year?

Justin Mason: I believe Aguilar can

HappyFunBall: 10xMixed 5×5 roto. About how many pitchers should I be keeping in a keep 15 ?

Justin Mason: Always depends on who you have and value. I don’t have set limits.

Kevin Cash: Can we finally say that we’re back in competition for years to come? Especially with the deep farm we have?

Justin Mason: nope because they are the Rays

Parts + Gleyber: Finding Yonny Chirinos, even with his mediocrity, useful given his chance at wins/k’s without starts in a AL league with a limit. Worth playing this week, likely against OAK?

Justin Mason: sure

Parts + Gleyber: Josh James seems like a high ceiling but low floor guy given youth and the question of where he gets innings. In AL Only, what starter-level would you cut to roster him? Thanks!

Justin Mason: I would cut Junis level

MarinerDan: Gary Sanchez your no. 1 catcher coming into 2019 despite the dreadful year he has had?

Justin Mason: gulp… yes

Finding Nimmo: Hi Justin, 12 team league. I can keep 2 of 3 guys listed. High K guys get big boosts. Clevinger in 17th round. Vlad Jr in 24th round. Shohei Ohtani (batter) in 23rd round. Thoughts?

Justin Mason: Probably cutting ohtani, but that is really hard. Definitely keeping Vlad

Georgie: It looks like the Rays will have a lot of position players to rotate through next year in infield(Lowe,Wendle,Robertson) and outfield(Pham,KK,Mallex,Meadows) and no DH spot to rotate through(choi). Do they all get dinged in your mind?

Justin Mason: A lot of them will. Can’t project 600 PAs for most of them.

Matt: Lol my wife will be pretty mad if I get on Tinder. Any other suggestions?

Justin Mason: Maybe take her out on a bunch of dates and save up those chits for next season.

No Catcher Fantasy Teans: I’m seeing a lot of fantasy teams, myself included, going often with no Catcher (especially if your relatively “good” C has the day off).  Using that roster spot for a streamer or a good reliever.  Any thoughts?

Justin Mason: I have no issue with that if your catcher is going to end up hurting you.

Ray Liotta as Shoeless Joe: Who are you keeping between Ozzie Albies and Christian Yelich (OBP league).

Justin Mason: Yelich

Jake Junis Priest: Thanks re: Shoemaker. If not starting vs. SEA, is he worth holding at all? Is a middle man like Josh James a better choice?

Justin Mason: rather have James

Realmuto: Chatter has died down, does he get traded in the offseason or stuck in Florida?

Justin Mason: I think they want to give him a long term deal.

Ozzie Ozzie Albies Free: So next year my league is switching to a dynasty format. Any suggestions for rules and/or draft strategy for the first year?

Justin Mason: Make sure trading and keepers rules are set and very clear. I tend to draft Dynasty leagues like they are redrafts. Win year 1 or 2 and then rebuild in year 3.

MarinerDan: Jeff McNeil looks like a baller.  Agree?

Justin Mason: I like him, but I don’t trust the mets. There is some regression coming for him though. That .369 BABIP is real high.

Ray Liotta as Shoeless Joe: Keep two pitchers in this W, L, QS league: Jake DeGrom (lock), Zack Greinke, Walker Buehler?

Justin Mason: Degrom and Buehler

Trap Gone Hamels: So is there a chance that Voit starts at 1B for the Yanks next year? I know you think it’s Andujar when Machado gets signed, but barring a Manny appearance?

Justin Mason: I don’t think so. They will address that situation one way or another.

Billy Bathhouse: Please pick one keeper out of Luis Castillo, Pivetta, and Glasnow (all same price)

Justin Mason: Pivetta

Jordan: Does your answer on hold/drop for Muncy change in a daily lineup league?

Justin Mason: nope

brad lipton: Any hope for Willie Calhoun for the ROS and, especially, next year?  He quals in OF in my AL OBP league.  What would be an acceptable keeper price for him?

Justin Mason: Post hype sleeper for sure. I would want a cheap price, but he will be on a ton of my teams next season.

Andujar vs Gleyber: Which one would you rather keep for next year if you only had to keep one?

Justin Mason: andujar.

Matt Duffy : Daniel robertson, joey wendle, brandon lowe, willy adames, nick solak, christian arroyo. I’m going to get traded, huh?

Justin Mason: or buried

Mike: start devers or jose martinez today?

Justin Mason: Martinez

MarinerDan: Rafael Ortega:  Any interest if he is hitting at or near top of lineup ROS?

Justin Mason: Not really

The Kid: Phillies trotting out the worst defense of all time today, also weather concerns, still starting Pivetta in H2H playoffs?

Justin Mason: As long as there is no starts cap.

Matt W: So if Ohtani gets TJ surgery beginning of October. Would he be ready as a hitter for spring training? If so does he just work his way back with bullpen sessions and simulated games.

Justin Mason: I think he could hit next year starting in like may. However, it will be frustrating for owners in weekly formats or ones that aren’t good at daily moves leagues.

Justin Mason: I don’t think they will just do bullpens for his rehab.

Vinbaka: Looks like Jose Martinez has gone from regular 1B, to part time player, to full time RFer all in one season. Thoughts on his long term outlook?

Justin Mason: Defense is a big deal to the new manager. I think he gets traded in the off season.

McCullers: Sounds to be stuck in the bullpen this post season. Will they transition him to be a reliever next season due to consistent health issues?

Justin Mason: I don’t think so. At least not yet.

random fan: Why do you hate the Rays? They might win 90 games this season

Justin Mason: I actually really like the org and team. I am just honest with my assessment of them.

Brock: Where does Donaldson go next season?

Justin Mason: Atlanta?

Justin Mason: Going to wrap it up. If I didn’t get to your question, please hit me up on twitter