Justin Mason’s Baseball Chat – April 13, 2026

Justin Mason: Chat will begin at the top of the hour. In the meantime, please follow me on all my social media’s (twitter, tiktok, facebook, youtube, bluesky, and instagram) at JustinMasonFWFB! I am doing regular podcasts on the FWFB podcast as well as three episodes a week for the Sleeper and the Bust so definitely make sure you are subscribed there as well!

Justin Mason: You can also join the Sleeper and the Bust discord! https://discord.gg/ar7XUV9T

The Mick Abel Guy: Who’s your preferred streamer this week in a roto league: Mick Abel vs BOS or Rhett Lowder vs SF

Justin Mason: I would go with Abel. Tougher matchup, but I don’t trust Lowder at home yet.

Mom’s Arrighetti: Assuming Spencer Arrighetti gets the call this week for one of Houston’s games against the Rockies at home, is he worth the snag in a 12T roto league? Do you like him better ROS than guys like Abel, Nelson and Junk?

Justin Mason: I think he is definitely worth a snag in a 12-Teamer. I don’t know that I like him better than any of those guys long term though. He is just streamer right now.

Don’t Have A Cowser: With Mountcastle and O’Neill both out, which O’s OF intrigues you more in roto: Beavers or Cowser?

Justin Mason: Both are intriguing, but I will go with my guy Cowser.

Oaktown Blues: Do you think Joel Kuhnel will continue to get save opps for the A’s? Or has he just been right place, right time this past week

Justin Mason: It’s something to watch for sure, but I think it’s a pretty fluid committee right now.

Sean miller: in your opinion what’s stopping a team from inevitably giving in and signing Brett lawrie for his veteran leadership and possible 20 20 season if giving the opportunity?

Justin Mason: Point awarded

bdubs427: I need a starter for now. SP stats: Wins, ERA, K/9…
Abel,Painter,Nelson,Schultz

Justin Mason: Give me Nelson.

Let’s make some wild extrapolations: I’m in a 20-team dynasty points league. It seems, uh, doubtful that these guys are going to keep up their present pace, but Dubon and O’Hearn have been nice surprises. Anything under the hood that you’ve seen that makes you think that they could sustain **something** above past years’ performance? Thanks as always…

Justin Mason: I think they are just running hot right now. The thing that does work in their favor as opposed to past seasons is playing time. In their new locations they both are locked in the starting lineups for right now which is a new opportunity. Regression will come for them, but they will play which helps in deep leagues.

Lauer Outage: Lauer looked solid in his first outing, was sick his second outing, and bad on Saturday. Holding for @ARI or swap for Kochanowicz, Montero, or Houser?

Justin Mason: I would swap for Montero

Datt Mamon: Having big problems at 3B. Thoughts on Brady House? Using him as a stopgap currently (hoping for a Westburg returns) but also just added Noelvi Marte

Justin Mason: Marte was just sent down this morning. I like House for what he is. A guy with power that will strikeout too much, but his playing time is pretty secure.

Aluminum Doyle: Brenton Doyle got dropped in my 12T roto lg, worth cutting Carson Benge for him or let him float by?

Justin Mason: I am ok with cutting Benge for Doyle. I believe Doyle will turn it around

Chip: Someone in my 12-team league dropped James Wood, and I spent 51% of my FAAB to make sure I got him. What’s the most you would ever spend to get a starting hitter who shouldn’t be on the waiver wire?

Justin Mason: so it really depends on the format. In a league where I have $0 bids, I would go 50-60% of my faab in a move like this. In a league where I don’t have $0 bids, I would never go more than 30-40% and even that would take a massive talent or need.

Southsider: I need to replace Moreno at catcher in an OBP league. Who would you recommend among these waiver options? Austin Wells, Yainer Diaz, Gary Sanchez, Tyler Stephenson, Fortes

Justin Mason: Give me Diaz

Rob: I know it’s early, but Baty looks pretty lost at the plate to me. I Long-term do you think he’s an above average hitter?

Justin Mason: I do think he is. In zone contact looks fine. Swinging a bit too much out of the zone. I would bank on him bouncing back, but I understand cutting in a shallow league.

Steve: Rank the following SPs ROS in a roto league w/ QS–
Sheehan, Messick, Schultz, Weathers, Cantillo, Roupp, Burke.

Justin Mason: Messick, Weathers, Canitillo, Schultz, Sheehan, Roupp, Burke

Jeremy: In a saves-only roto league, are there any non-closers who you feel are worth rostering right now as prospective closers/handcuffs? I know depends on league depth, but who are the guys you feel have the best shot at becoming closers in the next month or two who aren’t currently in the role? (i.e. Winn, Uribe)

Justin Mason: Bryan King, Caleb Killian, Abner Uribe, Cole Winn.

Chip: Are you a happy passenger on Jeff Zimmerman‘s Landen Roupp hype train? Approximately where would you rank him?

Justin Mason: I’m not quite there yet. Too inconsistent with the command and control. I think there is a next level, but I don’t think he’s there yet.

Ted: Will Arreghetti stay in HOU rotation barring injury?

Justin Mason: Considering they are decimated right now, I think he will. If they get healthy and he struggles, he could be back in the minors. He needs to find his control. If he walks too many guys, that will be an issue for him

Vinny: What kind of MLB numbers do you foresee for Schultz in 2026?  3.50/1.15?  Over 10.0 in K/9?  Thanks

Justin Mason: I’ll take the over on the over on all of those. The strikeout numbers should be fantastic, but we need to see if the control gains in AAA this season are real and the Majors will test him. If he can keep the walk rate to a reasonable level, the sky is the limit.

Jimmy: In 12tm SV/HLD league, which two of these three would you pick up for Grant Wolfram, Anthony Nunez or Brayden Fisher.   I’m trying to find the next group of guys who breakout after not investing in the draft. Thanks Justin.

Justin Mason: Give me Nunez and Fisher.

Mike: NL only, roto.  R Walker as RP2. Have Winn as handcuff. Who do you like long term as closer in SF?

Justin Mason: I think that I would bet on Winn. I like Killian better as a pitcher, but the usage points to Winn being the first man up.

Baltimore Mike: When is Kremer getting the call?  He’s line up for a two start week & still crickets from Orioles???

Justin Mason: The reports I read were he is coming up today

Cornered: Happy Monday Justin! NL-only, looking for some emergency help at the corner. Thoughts on this fun group: Edouard Julien (seems to be starting), Nick Yorke (starting for now), Gary Sanchez (Yelich out?).

Justin Mason: Julien. Starting and it looks like the Rockies do not care about his defense. I picked him up in a few spots.

Rickey: I know its often a bad idea to start a guy in his MLB debut, but if I’ve got a choice between rolling with Noah Schultz on his two-start, or crossing my fingers that Kodak Senga is okay for the Cubs despite his lower velocities, what should i do?

Justin Mason: Schultz for me. Senga scares me right now

JG: 14 tm, h2h, 6×6, in a vacuum how do we feel about a M. Meyer for I. Herrera trade where my current C is A. Ramirez, my current DH is M. Busch and I just picked up N. Schultz as my 5th SP

Justin Mason: I like it.

Wisco?: Awful uniforms, but besides that, when will Logan Henderson arrive & contribute at the MLB level?  Thanks!!

Justin Mason: I think he could be up in the next week or two with Harrison hurt and Sproat struggling.

Justin Mason: might be this week

Aren: I’m not sure if this question is league specific, but I’m in a 12 team Ottoneu season long scoring FGPts league… any belief in Bello’s new arm angle + ability to miss bats? k-bb isn’t there yet but I’m wondering if I can use the quicker stability of swstr% to potentially buy low

Justin Mason: So, I have not been a believer in Bello for a while. The struggles with control and consistency make him hard to predict start in and start out. That being said, the last start was much better and there could be something to it. I am not picking him up in a 12 yet, but I understand wanting to get ahead of the curve.

JG: Hi, 14 tm h2h 6×6, pitching categories are: era, whip, k, w, qs & sv/holds, my current staff is Skenes, M. Gore, M. King, E. Perez, M. Meyer & just added N. Schultz with an IL of Lodolo, G. Cole & H. Greene, can never have enough pitching, was offered K. Bradish for M. Meyer & Cags, how do we feel about that?

Justin Mason: I am a bit worried about Bradish given his start and I love Meyer and Cags, but I probably do this

Steve: 3OF league, H2H Cats with OPS added to traditional categories, Buxton was dropped. What % of FAAB would you bid?

Justin Mason: 10

Joel: Hi Justin, wondering if you can help me make sense of a trade offer I am discussing. 14 team heads to head points league. Mixed. A fellow owner is a Padre fan and would really love to take Jackson Merrill off my hands. In this league, I believe Merrill is probably at least a top 15 outfielder. It’s me asking for Mcgonigle, Jacob Wilson윌슨, and Chase delauter too much? I feel like I am taking on a lot of risk with two rookies who may hit a wall or wear down. I could use the infield depth, but a little concerned about my outfield if delauter falls off or gets hurt. I guess another way of asking this question is, how much do you believe in the two rookies as consistently strong performers by the end of the season. Where would you rank them in shortstop and outfield rest of season?

Justin Mason: so I am assuming this is a redraft league because no way would I part with those rookies in a keeper. I think the main question has to do with delauter’s health and to be honest, it’s a crapshoot. I could see him being a top 20-25 OF rest of the way if he is healthy, but he has never been healthy. As far as McGonigle goes, I think he’s a top 15ish SS rest of the way. There will be ups and downs. Do I think this is too much to ask for? It might be, but I would still ask and set out my reasoning.

showbusiness77: Hi Justin I’m in 10-tm ESPN cust. pts H2H. A lot of good players dropped. I dropped A. Abbott/K. Harrison for Brax Ashcraft & Eury Perez in what I thought were obvious moves. Should I also grab any of Wyatt, Seiya, VinnieP, Adell, Aranda, Muncy (younger)? The only batters I would consider dropping are Konnor, Buxton, Francisco Alvarez (but no backup C). My weakest positions are 2B (only Jazz) and 3B (only Eugenio – until McGonigle adds 3B). TY!

Justin Mason: I think you have to add Langford and I would try and add Vinnie P and Seiya. I am fine dropping those three to do that.

Tim: whose less inflammatory in your mind, Assad or Spaghetti? SP options are scraping the barrel in our 14t dynasty

Justin Mason: I would rather have Assad personally because I think the profile is safer, but the role is not. Arrighetti should have multiple turns in the rotation. I don’t know what happens to Assad once Boyd returns.

Cats: 🕯️ Bryce Eldridge summoning circle 🕯️

Justin Mason: PLEASE WORK!

Justin Mason: point awarded.

Marlin Man: Does Deyvison play enough to be rostered in deep NL only league?

Justin Mason: probably in an NL only he does, but I don’t know that he plays a ton.

Steve: Assuming Gaddis and Kittredge activated today, please rank in Saves+Holds format…Gaddis, Kittredge, Pagan, Romero.  Thank you

Justin Mason: Pagan, Romero, Gaddis, Kitt

Lenox: Rhett Lowder vs. Dustin May vs. Oh My God No

Justin Mason: Lowder and pray

Ben: is Schultz a difference maker this season?

Justin Mason: If the control is there, he could be

Cardinal Nation: I’ve had my fill of the current OF we’re trotting out there.  Does Joshua Baez get a taste before late in 2026??

Justin Mason: I hope he does, but while he is showing power and speed in AAA, he’s striking out a bunch so I don’t know that it’s happening soon.

Steve: If Emerson Hancock continues to produce, do you think the Mariners figure out a way to keep him in rotation even when Miller is healthy?

Justin Mason: I think so

3B Woes: Can you rank these waiver 3B options? Need power and avg.  Montgomery, Baty, Parades, House, Lee

Justin Mason: Paredes, Montgomery, Baty, House, Leee

Land of Hope & Dreams: Stream one: Roupp at Reds, Kay home Rays, Montero home vs KC ? 12T Daily Roto   Thanks

Justin Mason: Montero

Sean miller: Curtis mead worth rostering?  Former top 100 darling

Justin Mason: I’ve grabbed him in a couple deep leagues. I love the offensive profile and the Nats are giving him chances

Guest: Good morning, Justin.  Have to pick 5 out these 7 in a 16 teamer (QS, W’s, K’s, IP, ERA, WHIP, HRA) are relevant categories. G. Holmes (2), Kremer (2), Misiorowski (2?), J. Ryan (1), Weathers (2), Assad (2), Springs (2)?

Justin Mason: Holmes, Weathers, Ryan, Mis, Assad

SP weekly rankings: Bubba or Leiter this week?  I’ve enjoyed the uptick in strikeouts from Leiter, and don’t fully trust Bubba’s control quite yet.

Justin Mason: Leiter

Tony: Would you drop L Garcia (WAS) or Bohm for Angel Martinez?

Justin Mason: I would drop Bohm

Southsider: Should I still be holding onto Holliday in a 12-team redraft OBP league with one IL spot (I also have Vaughn and Springer hurt)? I have Keith, Marte, Adames, and Donovan covering SS and 2B, and reports are not great on Holliday’s recovery so far.

Justin Mason: I am ok moving on if you need the spot for springer

Guest: I need to sanity check a trade offer from a couple weeks ago. One side offered Gore and Wenceel Perez, the other offered Stowers and Torkelson. This was salary neutral in an auction keeper points league. Which side are you taking?

Justin Mason: depends on the points structure, but I lean Tork side.

JG: Cags or C. Smith long term and short term ? h2h categories: OBP, HR, TB, R, RBI, SB

Justin Mason: Cags, but both are good.

Pete: Favorite Rooker replacement on the wire – J. Soler, J. Bell, J. Fernandez, or B. House?

Justin Mason: Soler

Closer Chaos: Any chance Cole Winn  supplants Junis in TX?

Justin Mason: I think he could, but this feels like a committee

Pete: Are you starting Noah Schultz in what seems like a 2-start week?  Would you start him over a 1-start Taj Bradley?  Thanks!

Justin Mason: Give me the one start Taj

OF competition: Seiya or Chandler Simpson this week?  I feel ride SB’s & average with Simpson until Seiya gets some AB’s in

Justin Mason: Simpson for this week. I think they are going to work Seiya in slowly plus there is a good amount of rain scheduled for the north east and  midwest

Dan: what are your thoughts on Betts once comes back? You ‘betting’ on him to improve on last season’s numbers? Or is he on the decline?

Justin Mason: He seemed to be looking like his old self preinjury so I would bet on a bounceback

Blue Steel: Cowser and Basillo are on waivers in my 12 team standard roto. I already have a C but who has the most upside?

Justin Mason: Basallo

Dan: Is the Miz a top 10 sp this year? Next year?

Justin Mason: nope. Not until the command and control are reigned in

Rick: Do you trust Matz?  Would be dropping Abbott

Justin Mason: I do not

Carter M: 12T 5×5 – Strider, Bryce Miller or Joe Musgrove worth holding in the IL spot?

Justin Mason: Strider is

Insert Witty Name Here: Zimmermann has Schultz as one of the last difference makers to pop up.  Do you agree?

Justin Mason: I don’t know that he one of the last ones, but he is definitely a potential difference maker. Jeff put his money where his mouth is because he had a massive bid on him in Tout last night.

Bill: Please rank in priority to release…Liberatore, Abbott, G Holmes

Justin Mason: that’s the order

Yogi: Who do you like better at catcher: Basallo, Jensen, or the soon to be eligible Herrera?

Justin Mason: Basallo

Joey Baggadonuts: Think there’s anything to Angel Martinez’s early success? Looks like he’s added a little thump and he ain’t striking out. Rosterable or even startable in 12tm H2H points with deep lineups and rosters?

Justin Mason: I think he is. Making amazing in-zone contact. Multi-positional elgible. I picked him up in a few spots last week

Catching some Feels: Have Yainer, who is painful to watch. Swap for Dingler in a 1-C league?

Justin Mason: I am ok with that in a 1C

Andy: Is Ben Brown now the primary setup man in front of Palencia?  Need Holds with K/9

Justin Mason: looks like it

showbusiness77: My team is rich with talent, but what is your favorite team name? (Ohtani, Jordan Walker, Yordan, Carroll, Konnor): Shoh me Your OH-Face!, Air Y/Jordan Took it Personally, Carroll O’Konnor Kids, or The Birmingham Barons (cause, you know, J/Yordans playing baseball)

Justin Mason: Shoh me Your OH-Face!

Justin Mason: point awarded

Tanner: Joey Wiemer is droppable at this point, correct?

Justin Mason: yeah

Guest: junk burke or matz

Justin Mason: Junk

Guest: Degrom for Alonso in roto with QS — fair deal?

Justin Mason: yes

Trader Bob: Thinking of dumping Chad Patrick in a QS league, is Montero too much of a downgrade? Kremer, Irvin, Kochanowicz …

Justin Mason: I am not dropping Patrick for any of those guys

Guest: The other Max Muncy — breakout or early season mirage?

Justin Mason: Mirage, but he will be decent because of the park

Guest: Hi Justin, Do you feel like Rece Hinds will play enough to be worth picking up in a 12-team roto league, or will the Reds make him split one outfield spot with two other guys?

Justin Mason: probably not

Points leagues: Any tips on translating player rankings and overall fantasy guidance from roto to pts leagues? As the roughest cut, I usually start with OPS and wRC+ to assess hitters. What should I use? Aside from just treating both leagues the same, what’s the biggest mistake or thing to avoid?

Justin Mason: so because every point structure is different, what I tend to do is run my favorite projection system through some sort of calculator.

Henry: is Schultz a potential #2 SP this season?

Justin Mason: if the control is there

Wood: 12T daily pickup league with $0 bids, how much faab % to put on Will Warren?

Justin Mason: 3-4%

bdubs427: Which is it in TB, RP Chaos or Baker?; In Tex, RP Chaos or Junis?

Justin Mason: Jason Collette seems to buy that it’s baker

Southsider: Evan Carter hit two homers this weekend, and his statcast page is very red. Could we finally be seeing a fully healthy breakout?

Justin Mason: needs to stay healthy and figure out lefties, but this is a good start

Jk: Hey J. My offense is struggling. Offer Cade Smith straight across for Colt Keith in a 16 team keeper or ask for more? Cade is scaring me a bit and I have Munoz and J Duran.

Justin Mason: I feel like you should be able to get more

Hurt or Injured: Yelich, Hunter Brown and Mookie – drop one

Justin Mason: oh wow. I guess yelich but I wouldnt want to drop any

DJ: Jared Young 제러드 played 1B and batted 3rd in the Mets last two games versus RH starters. Do you think there’s enough there to be interested in for deep leagues and NL only?

Justin Mason: absolutely, they seem to like Young.

Ken: is Julien the new COL leadoff hitter?  Platoon only?

Justin Mason: I think he is. I picked him up in a few leagues. We will see if he is in the lineup on Tuesday against a lefty.

Bog: Rumfield, Troy Johnston, Casey Schmitt or Brett Bay as a bench bat?

Justin Mason: Baty

Guest: When is Colt Emerson getting the call?

Justin Mason: I think it will happen before the end of April

Lemmy: I was kind of excited about Rengifo with the Brewers. He started a lot of games but hasn’t gotten going. Let him go? Saw you answered a prev question about interest in Julien. Would he be an improvement?

Justin Mason: I would get Julien

John: Burke (CHW) worth an add in 13 team mixed QS format?  Would be dropping Abbott.

Justin Mason: sure

Jim: When Soto returns from IL, need to drop someone…Bohm?  Luis Garcia?  Burger?

Justin Mason: Bohm

blue: Hey Justino! What underlying metrics to use evaluation player expected production moving foward for pitchers/hitters ? xERA-ERA? xwOBA-wOBA?

Justin Mason: So there are a ton I use. With hitters, I start with contact metrics like Z-Contact, O-Swing, Swing % and then I look at statcast for barrel rate, exit velos, sweet spot % and lastly I look at swing plan metrics.

For pitchers, I start with K-BB, then look at zone rate, swinging strike rate, velocity, o-swing, stuff +

Greg: N. Nunez or Antonacci ROS?  Need SBs with OBP, Runs

Justin Mason: nunez

DJ: Are you holding out hope on Tatsuya Imai’s likelihood of performing as a quality starter in the short-term and/or long-term?

Justin Mason: I am worried about him right now with the “dead arm” he’s going through. I think there is an injury there.

Pete: Best hitting prospect to arrive next is……

Justin Mason: Colt Emerson

JDW: Thank you for all the chats

Justin Mason: Thank you!

No Comprende: Jeff mentions Mlodzinski as a “solid breakout.” I don’t see it. What am I missing?

Justin Mason: The upside isn’t amazing, but a very full arsenal that he mixes well and a great park to pitch in.

Houzer: Could this be a Nola “on” year?

Justin Mason: I really hope fo

Justin Mason: so

DJ: How many games would you project Ivan Herrera to start at catcher this season? He’s at 6 currently.

Justin Mason: 50?

Alejandro: Do you see Munoz losing his grip in Seattle? He’s been shaky, and Brash, Ferrer, Speier ain’t chumps.

Justin Mason: I dont yet

Rickey: Do you think Jac Caglianone is going to turn it around? Is he a hold in a shallow 12 teamer?

Justin Mason: I think he will

Pete: Do you think that Murakami adjusts?  The last week-plus hasn’t been good.

Justin Mason: I worry about his ability to make consistent contact.

Swimmin in Pitches: Klassen had a pretty rough debut, Whats the chances he gets back and hits his stride?

Justin Mason: low

DJ: Once Sam Antonacci gets the call is he a must add in 12T points leagues with deep benches?

Justin Mason: I don’t know that he is a must add, but someone definitely to watch

Whit: I bought fully in to the Brenton Doyle rebound, last year was so understandable to write off that I completely removed it from my analysis. He has been struggling badly to open the year here and is seemingly losing some playing time. Would you cut bait in a 12-teamer or ride it out? He’s right on that fringe for me as I took him 13th round in a 25-man roster league, so there’s real depth in FA, but I’ve been holding.

Justin Mason: I am riding it out for right now. As things heat up in Coors, he will too

John: Is Randy Vasquez’s k/9 legit or small sample size? Mph is up on fastball

Justin Mason: I think there is some legitimacy to this. Velo is up and the stuff looks better overall. Maybe not a full breakout, but a stark improvement

Eucker’s Tuba: Your discussion with Sporer about Liberatore possibly getting hit hard early in counts which keeps him from getting to his secondaries was really interesting….will be watching his start tonight with that in mind.

Justin Mason: I will too!

Pete: AL-only league with Saves and Holds.  Hold onto Finnegan and assume the holds will come or drop for C Winn and try for holds and saves?

Justin Mason: drop for winn

Lynn: Abel or G Holmes in redraft?

Justin Mason: Abel

Adenolith: What’s the outlook for Sal Stewart now? What would you say is final line is?

Justin Mason: 27/10 .275

Guest: Thinking about dropping Frelick—if he’s not running anymore isn’t his best case like .280 12/5? Great defense tho

Justin Mason: I am ok with that

Guest: Do you think something is wrong with Lindor?  Besides his slow start he has made at least 4 really bad situational plays like being picked off base, not knowing how many outs there were, being out of position defensively, etc.  I have never seen him play this way and it is very concerning from a being ready to play everyday standpoint.

Justin Mason: I dont think so personally

bosox985: 10 Teams h2h points league, Bibbee and Castillo dropped after bad starts. I’m thinking neither should be on waivers.  Am I missing something?

Justin Mason: I think they probably should be rostered but for some teams in a 10, they would be more streamers than pitchers they keep because there are going to be loaded rotations in a shllow league like that.

Guest: 18 team Scoresheet League.  How would you rank the following fill in/short term starters: Arrighetti, Foster Griffin, Civale, Buehler, and McCullers?

Justin Mason: Griffin, McCullers, Arrighetti, Civale, Buehler

The Batman: Would you go with Cole Young (7 games) or Xavier Edwards (6 games) for my MI spot this week? Doing well offensively but runs are where I’m lacking the most.

Justin Mason: Edwards

Justin Mason: Thank you for chatting with me! Please follow me on all my social media’s (twitter, tiktok, facebook, youtube, bluesky, and instagram) at JustinMasonFWFB! I am doing regular podcasts on the FWFB podcast as well as three episodes a week for the Sleeper and the Bust so definitely make sure you are subscribed there as well! You can also join the Sleeper and the Bust discord! https://discord.gg/ar7XUV9T