Justin Mason’s Baseball Chat – April 21, 2025

Justin Mason: I will begin at the top of 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!

Max Muncy (the Dodgers one): Am I droppable in a 12-teamer? 15? Nothing looks good under the hood.

Justin Mason: I think so, but I probably just bench if I have the room. I think he will get hot at some point

Mike: Who is the better holds option with saves potential (in H2H where those are separate categories):  Slaten or Uribe or neither worth it.

Justin Mason: Uribe for me

Bird Brain: 12 team standard 5×5 roto, rank Libertore, Soriano, Schmidt, Verlander.

Justin Mason: Soriano, Schmidt, Libertore, Verlander

Charlie Morton: Am I a cut even in an AL Only with 40-man rosters? I’ve looked bad. Should I be looking over my shoulder at some of these AAA guys?

Justin Mason: probably not but the fact it’s not a clear no is concerning about his value even in the deepest of leagues.

Guest: 12 team roto w/ QS – pick two to start this week: Flaherty vs SD, Ober vs CHW/LAA, C Sanchez @NYM

Justin Mason: Ober and Sanchez

Mike: If Morel, Josh Smith, Kjerstadt, and Kepler are available, do you add one of those or just stream the spot?

Justin Mason: stream the spot

qane: Appreciate the chats a lot. Thank you. 12/5×5: Can you rank this group of mid-to-low tier multi-positional guys: Arias, Rengifo, Durbin, IKF, India, OLopez, Saggese.

Justin Mason: Rengifo, India, Lopez, Durbin, Arias, Saggese, IKF

Arraez: We’re still benching Arraez for this week at least, right? Even if my only MI backup is Acuna Jr? I figure he will sit out a few days while they make sure he isn’t concussed…at least that’s what I think they SHOULD do.

Justin Mason: yeah I would bench him. I assume you meant Luisangel Acuna not Jr.

Guest: Tanner Houck rebounded from the Tampa Massacre. Dead cat bounce or can he produce a sub-4.00 ERA ROS?

Justin Mason: Feels like the former. The underlying numbers are terrible and I just don’t trust him right now.

5×5 OBP: I have to bench one of Friedl (3 Coors games), Soler, or Manzardo this week in a 12 team OBP roto league. No obvious category needs this early. Who shall rideth the pine?

Justin Mason: Soler

Micah: Sending Kyren to get Manzardo in an OPS keeper league is a no-brainer, right?

Justin Mason: yes

bdubs: 12 team mixed Roto (hr,rbi ,ave, sb…w, sv, era, k/9). Currently in 2nd place with good balance in both batting and pitching. 
Considering dropping Castillo (Sea), Pepiot, Ramos. Which one(s) if any would you swap for any corresponding 1 to 3 of Roupp, Merrill Kelly 켈리, Kwan, Happ, Or stand pat? Swapping hitters for pitchers is ok given bench openings.

Justin Mason: I would swap Pepiot for Roup and Ramos for Happ

Jon: Better pickup for the week in a 10T OBP roto lg: Fraley, Lux, Meyers, Stowers or Arias?

Justin Mason: Fraley

Motley Crews: Dylan Crews – slow start in the rear view now?

Justin Mason: looks like it

Fresh Fish: Agustin Ramirez worth an add in leagues shallower than 15 teams?

Justin Mason: probably not yet

Benji: 10tm league do you think these guys should be rostered: Landen Roupp, Grant Holmes, Luis Ortiz, Tylor Megill

Justin Mason: Roupp and Megill yes. Holmes maybe. Ortiz no

Gordon W: Do you see Heliot Ramos finishing the year as a top 20 OF? Rank ROS Ramos, Suzuki, Reynolds, Nootbaar

Justin Mason: TOp 20 seems high. Suzuki, Reynolds, Noot, Ramos

Greg E: Does Mackenzie Gore finish the season as a top 20 SP?

Justin Mason: nope

Alex: Any pop-up relievers you are sure will take over their team’s closer role this season?

Justin Mason: Abner Uribe if Megill gets hurt. Porter Hodge, Kyle Leahy if the Cardinals trade Helsley

JG: Hi,

Justin Mason: Hi!

South Sider: Is Reese Olson droppable in a 16-team league? His next two starts are SD and @HOU, which isn’t inspiring confidence

Justin Mason: Hard to drop him in a league that deep but understand it with his schedule

Good morning Walltimore!: Dynasty league: Lawrence Butler or Carson Williams?

Justin Mason: Butler

Pope Francis’ Ghost: Jordan Hicks or Matthew Liberatore ROS: who ya got??

Justin Mason: Hicks

Jenkies: Hi Justin, in 14-team H2H 5×5, can you please rank Schanuel, Bell, Muncy (LA), and P. Smith at CI ROS? And a hitter for today: Wagaman or Fraley? Thanks again!

Justin Mason: Muncy, Bell, Schanuel, Smith

South Sider: Roster crunch in a 16-team, 6×6 league with OBP and SLG instead of AVG. Which infielder would you drop of this group? Eugenio, Gabriel Arias, Gleyber, India

Justin Mason: Arias

Happy Meal: 13tm std roto
Burger looking a little bit well done. Pivot to Busch or Hoskins? Tork has been holding down 1B.

Justin Mason: I don’t mind moving to Busch, but I think Burger will get hot at some point

Benji: 10tm 5×5 league – do you view Buxton as a hot hand to ride or anything more in this shallow format?

Justin Mason: hot hand

johnny5alive: Whats up with christian walker, and would you be trying to buy low? I am not sure the underlying metrics are screaming positive regression.

Justin Mason: In-zone contact numbers are fine. Swinging too much out of the zone. I think he will be fine, but there is some risk here.

JG: Hi, redraft league, who is better buy low candidate, T. Bibee or A. Nola? Both dropped in my league this week, would slot in as 5th SP on my team pushing Bubic to 6th SP.

Justin Mason: Bibee

RAGBRAI: What do you see Moniak doing in Colorado? Regular PT and at least okay stats?

Justin Mason: Seems like he is gonna play regularly in Colorado, but the skills have never really been that intriguing. Maybe a deep league accumulator.

Charles F: Ranks ROS schwell, Gore, Luzardo, Ober

Justin Mason: Schwellenbach, Ober, Gore, Luzardo

Danny: Seth Lugo just became available in my 12 team QS league. Would you pick him up for any one of Leiter, Tylor Megill or Grant Holmes?

Justin Mason: I would drop Holmes or Leiter for him

Neato: Zack Neto got dropped in my league right before he came back from IL. I’ve been running Tovar and just picked up Perdomo. How much do I bid on Neto? 13tm std roto $100 faab budget (I’ve got $80 left)

Justin Mason: I would go 20-25

Justin Mason: maybe less if you don’t have $0 bids

Shaky Closers: Hey Justin, in a 10 team NL-only 5×5 roto, how long should you stick with a closer who has bad ratios and not many save opportunities, like Halvorsen (or any Rockies closer), vs. the elite setup guys who might get 3-4 saves for the season? SVs have such an outsize importance that it makes me think twice…

Justin Mason: really depends on your team construct. How bad do you need the saves? If you need them badly, then it’s hard to move on from a guy that will get them. If you don’t then I think it is probably smart.

RAGBRAI: If McNeil is taking reps in the OF while rehabbing does that mean Baty stays upon his return? Baty seems to be finding his bat.

Justin Mason: I think so. With Siri out they need help in the outfield more

Gator: How concerned are you with the slow starts for R Greene, Vinnie P, and Semien

Justin Mason: not worried on any of them

RAGBRAI: We haven’t heard anything about Jones lately. Any updates? Is an August return realistic at this point?

Justin Mason: personally, I wouldn’t hold my breath he returns this season

JT: 14 tm, redraft, 6×6 h2h, still rolling out L. Garcia Jr at 2B and being patient, Albies on trade block, is B. Miller fair enough value wise to get Albies, if so is the upgrade worth it or should I continue to be patient with Garcia.

Justin Mason: I think that is fair enough value, but I would just hold

Broken Bat: Is there any short term positive outlook for Jordan Walker? 3 more strikeouts yesterday, heavy % of ground balls. Looks totally broke IMO. THOUGHTS?

Justin Mason: The talent is definitely there, but I am worried he never unlocks it. Or at least any time soon.

Gonzo: who wins best of 7 series? Miami or Colorado with Miami having home field advantage

Justin Mason: No one

Justin Mason: Point awarded

Walker Texas Ranger: Josh Jung just got dropped in my 10 team league – worth an add? Would have to drop one of Lux, Durbin or Rengifo

Justin Mason: I would drop lux for him

RAGBRAI: Would you rather play in a saves league or saves plus holds?

Justin Mason: Saves

Homers and Ks: I’m somehow excited about Heaney this year. Why do I hate myself? Seriously though, he seems fine right? Until the injury comes

Justin Mason: I want to believe because I have been a supporter for years, but I just cant after years of him crushing my hopes and dreams

CH: 10 team NL-only, looking to target Austin Hays in a trade for a SP, what’s the appropriate range to offer up? Roupp/Megill level, or someone lower like Tobias Myers coming off the IL?

Justin Mason: More in the myers level

Gator: Sell high on Mize?

Justin Mason: No, enjoy the ride

AL Central Casting: How concerned should I be in general about Casas? Even in a 12 team mixed league (OPS instead of AVG), the 1B options are not great and early trades don’t happen much. The numbers will get better, but is he just a platoon bat?

Justin Mason: I am pretty concerned. Just doesn’t make a lot of good in zone contact. I think he will have hot moments that are great, but the downs will recur too

RAGBRAI: I was included, accidentally I’m sure, in a signal chat amongst two league owners in a trade discussion. Is it fair and ethical to jump in with my own offer?

Justin Mason: lmao. Was it Pete Hegseth?

Justin Mason: Totally fair imo

Tim: Lane Thomas is still a hold in ___ leagues

Justin Mason: AL Only

Eric: I assume he gets a long leash, but what should my concern level be with Devin Williams?  From his underlying stats I don’t see any huge red flags other than his FB velocity being down ~1MPH

Justin Mason: I am not really worried

Broken Bat: Burger or E. Suarez rest of Season?

Justin Mason: Suarez

April in the D: Sell high on Tork or stay the course?

Justin Mason: Stay the course

Eric: Last update on Kirby was from April 7, when he “felt great” during some bullpen sessions.  It’s been crickets since then.  Should I assume the worst?  Is he droppable in a 12 team league?

Justin Mason: I think I would still hold, but I am worried that we haven’t heard anything yet

Guest: rank Jginn Lhenderson Dfesta in qs?

Justin Mason: Festa, Henderson, Ginn

RossN: I’m playing in a 10-team H2H points league.  I have too many 1Bs. (Naylor, Soderstrom and now, Aranda!!). I need to drop someone to bring Langford off the IL.  Is Aranda going to come back to earth?

Justin Mason: I think Aranda will for sure.

Dude: My team is a dumpster fire. Pat me on the shoulder and tell me it’s gonna be okay.

Justin Mason: It’s gonna be ok

Justin Mason: *pat pat*

Justin Mason: It’s still April!

Pope Francis Bowden: Thoughts on starting Bryce Miller in Boston? This is a daily moves league so I could sit him for that one and still get the Miami start on Sunday. Thanks!

Justin Mason: I still would

Cambo: Am I nuts for holding onto Kerking and Seth Halvorsen? I was hoping for some cheap saves but clearly their beginning of the year has not been clean. I’m also still sitting on Bednar. Maybe cut one or two?

Justin Mason: I would cut Halverson

Carlos Rodon’s Sweaty Jersey: Trade Kristian and Jason for Trea Turner? 12 tm points league. I have Hoerner and Nootbar. Current SS is Dansby.

Justin Mason: sure

Justin Mason: as long as it is not a keeper

Pat: Who is a good buy low SP target for my sell high on Eovaldi?

Justin Mason: Sale, Cease

Pat: There’s obviously regression coming from this first week, but couldn’t Austin Hays put together a really big year like .275 25/10 hitting in the middle of the lineup in Cincinnati?

Justin Mason: He could do the power but the SBs and average won’t be there. He is running really hot, but there will be a ton of regression

JT: 14 tm, redraft, 6×6 h2h, saves/holds is 1 category, can you rank the following: J. Alvarado, T. Megill, L. Erceg, K. Yates, L. Jackson, B. Abreu, H. Gaddis & C. Estevez

Justin Mason: Megill, Alvarado, Jackson, Estevez, Erceg, Yates, Gaddis, Abreu

JT: 14 tm redraft, 6×6 h2h, How patient should I continue to be with T. Casas & J. Burger as my 1B platoon with options being Y. Diaz, S. Steer, C. Santana & R. Hoskins available on Waivers.

Justin Mason: I am ok moving off of Casas for Steer or Diaz

Badcav: Correa or Abrams this week? 12 team points, no walks

Justin Mason: Correa

South Sider: Shane Smith has shown some promise. Do you think the White Sox just go ahead and trade him for prospects now or wait until the offseason?

Justin Mason: I think they will hold. He is cost controlled for a while

Trent: Is Pepiot still a hold in a 12 team mixed with QS instead of Ws or is he now more of a streaming option?

Justin Mason: I think more of a streamer

trotnixon: 13 tm; 10×10 roto; net saves + holds; in search of a replacement for Puk
A.J. Minter or Abner Uribe?

Justin Mason: Uribe

Yeah Well Hiura Towel: Willson, Correa, Vinnie, Burger, all hitting under .200! I’m mostly bitching, but are you worried at all?

Justin Mason: Not really worried about any of them outside of Correa’s health

High5Ghost: Corbin Burnes is a top ______ pitcher going forward….

Justin Mason: 30

Grant Holmes: Time to cut bait, worried about the control?

Justin Mason: depends on your depth of league

Guest: I’d AdolisGarcia worth holding onto or is he basically washed?

Justin Mason: I am holding

Yeah Well Hiura Towel: Rate Bogaerts, Correa, BLowe ROS?

Justin Mason: Lowe, Bogaerts, Correa

Taco Tuesday Eve: Industry seems somewhat split on what Ben Rice’s ultimate role is on this team after Stanton’s return.  How do you see his playing time shaking out for the rest of this year?  Also, do you believe he has what it takes to replace Goldy as the everyday 1B after this season or will the Yankees find yet another way to block him?  Thanks!

Justin Mason: I think the Yankees will find a way to keep him in the lineup

Justin Mason: Stanton will play when he gets back, but there is no guarentee when that happens or who else gets hurt in the meantime. If Rice is still producing, they will play him

Tim: Otto Lopez isn’t getting any steals in the middle of the order. Drop now or hold on in case he starts running again?

Justin Mason: I am ok dropping

Broken Bat: pavin Smith or Walker ROS.

Justin Mason: Walker

Christina: How loud are the alarm bells on Emmanuel Clase?

Justin Mason: They are getting louder

Chris: Worth dropping Tyler fitzgerald for a spec add on simpson? 12 team h2h categories league

Justin Mason: yes

Jonah Lanier: Are Aranda and Rice for real?

Justin Mason: Rice is. Aranda not

Pete: Best Pitcher to pick up for Rest Of Season Value – Dollander, Liberatore, Henderson, Gonsolin, McCullers, Hicks?

Justin Mason: I might lean Henderson here. I am intrigued by the stuff and oppurtunity.

Taco Tuesday Eve: Having asked the previous question…..how did I do on the following trade in 5×5 dynasty H2H roto?…..I traded Roupp @ $1 for Rice @ $1.

Justin Mason: I am fine with it, but I like both

Justin Mason: pretty fair

South Sider: India’s pull rate and flyball % are way up this season, yet he has no home runs. Is it too early to draw any conclusions from batted ball data like that?

Justin Mason: KC is a much tougher place to hit home runs in. than Cincy was for him. His xHR in Cincy would be three, but the power potential for him in Kaufman is much lower

Chris: too early to drop jasson dominguez right? would you roster lux over him?

Justin Mason: I would not drop him for Lux

Guest: Is Taylor Ward or Matt Chapman too much to give up for Landen Roupp?

Justin Mason: I don’t think Ward is

Bruce: Would Eury Perez to Baltimore make some sense?  Which bat (if any) would be enough for Miami?

Justin Mason: I think maybe in the offseason, but he isn’t getting moved coming off of TJ. Maybe a Mayo for Eury deal? Hard to gauge Eury’s value until he comes back

Brett “Sensei” W.: Any concerns on Witt’s lack of power thus far?  Will it come as it warms up?

Justin Mason: He will be fine

Charles: Please rank Tork, Vinnie p, Naylor, casas, Hoskins Ros

Justin Mason: Naylor, Tork, Vinnie P, Hoskins, Casas

Torpedo: Drop Jackson Holliday or hold on bench? No keeper 10-team H2H league.

Justin Mason: drop

RAGBRAI: Assuming Megill stays healthy doe he stay in the closer role? Is the Uribe talk just healthy concerns or something more? Megill seems to be pitching better lately.

Justin Mason: Yes. It is all about healthy for me.

Juice: Who’s the cut in obp roto Andrew Vaughn, Josh Jung, or Otto Lopez?

Justin Mason: Vaughn

Logan Henderson: They can’t send me down now can they?

Justin Mason: I really hope not

Justin Mason: They do have guys coming back though is my concern

Razor Ramon: Heeey YOU!  Who would you rather have at 2B ROS if you had to choose now……Semien or Westburg?

Justin Mason: Semien, but I have always been high on him and low on Westburg

Mark: Out of these IL SP’s, who are you highest on: Manea, Giolito, Darvish. Any a total avoid in a 14 team mixed league?

Justin Mason: Darvish is an avoid for me right now. I would roster the others

QS and A: Is Priester going to turn into a reliable 6 inning guy with the Brewers or do they pull guys in the 5th and 6th too much

Justin Mason: I don’t think so, but we have seen them make lesser talents work

Adam: Is Marsh cooked? Small-ish sample size, I know, but it seems that he can’t really be relied upon at all

Justin Mason: I think so personally

KC Pain: 18 team dynasty 6×6 give up Bohm+Meadows for Burger+C. Emerson?

Justin Mason: yes

PJ: Best bet for SB totals in 5×5 roto-Hoerner, Gimenez or Simpson?

Justin Mason: Hoerner

Time to mo vaughn?: you like either of Vaughn Grissom or Andrew Vaughn as buy lows in 5×5 dynasty leagues?

Justin Mason: nope

Question Asker: In a keep forever dynasty league how would you order Tork, Jackson Holiday, Kristian Campbell, and Soderstrom?

Justin Mason: Holiday, Soderstrom, Tork, Campbell, but I like all of them

Jose: If Manfred is allowed to lead MLB for another decade, will we have water traps in the outfield, home run targets in the stands that count for extra runs, and Aaron Judge hitting three consecutive times in the ninth?

Justin Mason: lmao

Justin Mason: point awarded

Justin Mason: I wouldn’t put anything past him

Pete: What is your level of concern on Clase?  Bad luck or are there skills concerns?

Justin Mason: I am a lot more concerned than I was in draft season. I still think it’s like a 5 on 1-10 scale, but I thought he was about as locked in as could be

Towelie: Anybody wanna get high?  Cody Bellinger has homered on 3 straight 4/20s.

Justin Mason: Should have bet that tbh

Mark: Should I be benching Adames for McKinistry or Josh Smith in a 14 team mixed league? Seems crazy, but…

Justin Mason: probably not

Mr. Fister: What would you rather see today…..Grienke pitching to Bartolo or vice versa?

Justin Mason: Greinke pitching to Colon

Mr. Fister: Glad to see that these guys are still kids at heart.  Did you see Webb’s interview go off the rails because of a fart in the clubhouse?

Justin Mason: That was hilarious

Justin Mason: I love baseball

Mr. Fister: If you watched The Last of Us last night, may I send a hug your way……..how sad…..I played the games, and still wasn’t prepared to watch it …..

Justin Mason: I haven’t ever watched it but it is on my list

GP: Will I regret cutting Keith Colt in a 15 team NFBC last night?  Added Emmanuel Valdez who already has the 1B/2B eligibility I was hoping for.

Justin Mason: yes

Micah: Who’s a better stash for ROS value (QS league): Bradish or Gipson-Long?

Justin Mason: Bradish

Mr. Fister: Miami is NOT trading Eury Perez.

Justin Mason: I don’t think so either

Olerud Slides: When does Bubba Chandler get called up? And what do you think his value is?

Justin Mason: I think he could be an SP2 right away. There is a chance he is up in May. Really depends on how the Pirates want to treat him

Taco Tuesday Eve: Henderson or Roupp?

Justin Mason: Roupp

KC Pain: Is JacCag(if he got hot) blocked by Vinnie P or would they dare to use him in OF? KC OF is so bad.

Justin Mason: I don’t think he’s blocked there. I can’t imagine the move him to the outfield. Maybe they move Vinnie P at some point, but one can always DH

Guest: Any chance for a Luis Robert rebound?  His hit% is way down, but its not like the CWS are going anywhere?  Maybe a change of scenery is in order (at a discount!).

Justin Mason: I hate the underlying numbers we have seen for the last few seasons. Maybe a change of scenery makes the difference, but I am not a buyer.

The Richard Fitt for a little bit: Is Mullins fully back, and trustworthy again?

Justin Mason: for now he is

Rick: I have Colt Keith, Jordan Walker, and Casas on my dynasty team. Can’t keep them all if they continue to play like this. How would you rank them long term? Would you be hesitant to drop any of them? Thanks

Justin Mason: Colt, Casas, Walker

Justin Mason: I don’t mind dropping either Casas or Walker

Guest: In dynasty league would you take Josue de Paula or roki?  I hate pitcher injuries

Justin Mason: Roki

Leo: Ben rice is to Chipotle what Jonathan Aranda is to _____?

Justin Mason: Taco Bell

Jerome: At this point, I would but a money bet that an Outfield of Maikel Garcia, JD Martinez, and some other random old fat guy, would outproduce in WAR, everything that the Royals are currently running out there.

Justin Mason: lol

Justin Mason: point awarded

Dude: What’s your go-to Chinese takeout order?

Justin Mason: Potstickers, walnut prawns, garlic chicken, something spicy

Need Some Good Bibes: Is Tanner Bibee broken? I am holding out hope but about ready to sell him for a box of cracker jacks and rockies tickets.

Justin Mason: I don’t think he is broken, but I am a little worried right now. Someone to watch right now to see if there’s improvement.

Shandy Koufax: Closer Speculation: Points league with no category for Holds, Pagan in CIN city or Megill for MIL

Justin Mason: Megill

Guy Fire-y: 12 team 5×5. Reasonable to trade Glasnow (with his injury history/innings), Soderstrom, and Dansby for Oneil Cruz?

Justin Mason: Feels like too much to give up

Jerome: So is Taco Bell, to be fair, but at least they’re open when I’m drunk.  This is a “what have you done for me lately” world

Justin Mason: Tastes great at the time, but you could pay for it tomorrow

Jerome: But Taco Bell is far superior to Chipotle, so I don’t get it.  Who wants to chew on a half pound of black beans and flavorless rice?

Justin Mason: This is not a bad take tbh

Justin Mason: Alright, that is my time for today.

Justin Mason: 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!