Justin Mason’s Baseball Chat – April 6, 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!

Silverback: Hello! I need steals in a 12 team mixed h2h category league. Scott or nunez?

Justin Mason: Nunez for me.

Taco Grande: I know, too soon to panic. Still… is it too soon to replace Saves options of Jax and Abreu with Baker and/or Leiter? What about in SHOLDS leagues? Thanks.

Justin Mason: I think Jax is droppable, but unless youre going to just try and lock up Houston’s saves by getting Baker, I don’t know that it’s worth it.

Ashcraft: Am I a keeper?   would you keep me over Ryne Nelson?

Justin Mason: I think he could be, but I prefer Nelson

Guest: OBP league. 1 or 2 odd men out of: Barger Manzardo C.Smith C.Young Polanco Shaw

Justin Mason: I think it’s Young for me, but I wouldn’t mind holding him and dropping Barger considering Barger got hurt last night

Oof: Hey Justin, in a 10-team points league, how would you rank Wilyer Abreu, Jordan Walker, and Jung Hoo Lee 이정후 (he was top 25 last year at OF)? Is there an obvious top 2 or favorite for you?

Justin Mason: Ok, so for a point league, I would just run your favorite projection system through something like the auction calculator to see if there is an obvious answer the problem with points leagues is every league is different based on what the scoring parameters are.

Bench roles: I have both Logan Henderson & Klassen as reeves with both getting a taste this week in the bigs.  How long until either return as regular s at the major league level?

Justin Mason: I think there is a chance Henderson is back up quickly since he is performing well in the minors and Sproat is struggling. I think Klassen needs more time in the minors.

Roster crunch: 12 team redraft, we just added a single Keeper this year for the 1st time. I’m loaded at OF but couldn’t resist picking up Jordan Walker with his hot start to see if he can keep it up. But he’s not the only youngin off to a hot start. Cam Smith is cooking too and has 3 in Coors the next 3 days. Who do you like better there? I’m thinking they’re both probably smoke and mirrors, but hey, young players can and do get better, right?

Justin Mason: I think I prefer Walker just because his role is safer. Both should be rostered though in most 12s.

JR: Hi, 14 tm 6×6 h2h (OBP, HR, R, RBI, TB, SB, ERA, WHIP, K, W, QS, SV/HOLD)… was offered K. Brandish & I. Herrera for my M. King & J. Caglianone, is the pitching upgrade worth it with my current C being A. Ramirez and Jac being my current DH and I would need to find a BU OF, my staff has been hit hard already with Lodolo, Greene and G. Cole on it

Justin Mason: I think that’s fair, but I want the Cags side

Kate: How much are you buying what Emerson Hancock is selling?

Justin Mason: I am buying it somewhat. Velo is up and the stuff is grading out better than it ever has. It’s still a small sample, but Seattle is a great place to pitch so even when he levels out some, he will be protected some.

Broken Bat: i get that players will experience hitting slumps. They are random in nature, and then the hitter pops back to  But what do you think when basically an entire team slumps at same time coming out of ST, is it a reflection on team concepts- drills or a virus like a bad cold? Looking at you Seattle.

Justin Mason: If this was happening in June, would you even notice? Probably not. I am not worried at all.

Kate: What are the odds Mark Leiter runs with the closer role for the As?  Or is this just a committee all year?

Justin Mason: I think it is a committee all season.

Kate: How long do we think Kirk is going to be out?

Justin Mason: I believe he is being evaluated today so we should get news, but I would guess 4-8 weeks.

What?: Per Yahoo, there were 8 Adds of Yordan Alvarez today. What sort of weird league would have Alvarez on waivers?

Justin Mason: People do weird things.

Ben Johnson: Jordan Walker is here.

Justin Mason: I really want to believe and the underlying numbers are in line with what we want to see, but I am not jumping on the train quite yet.

Guest: I’m in a 15-team NL-AL points league that counts holds, so setup guys with good ratios are great. My RPs (Seranthony D, Chris Martin, and Keller) have been meh so far. Would any of Winn, Soto, Stanek or Sabrowski be a clear upgrade? Thanks.

Justin Mason: I think Soto and Winn are upgrades over Martin and Keller

Pistol Pete: Hey Justin, J. Marsee was just dropped in my 12 teamer for Jordan Walker. Thoughts on his ROS outlook? I know he has started cold.

Justin Mason: Not worried about Marsee at all. I would for sure pick him up.

Jake: How would you rank Soroka, Taj, and Mize? And think I’ll regret not scooping up Cam Smith if it meant dropping Adolis Garcia now?

Justin Mason: Mize, Taj, Soroka

TheGoodLand: 10t, 6×6, roto.  Better bench bat: Varsho vs. Colt Keith vs. Gimenez.  More need for speed but not desperate.

Justin Mason: Keith for me

AD: Hi Justin! Any shot the Cubs stretch out Brown with Horton out for a while?

Justin Mason: I think they go with Rea

Pistol Pete: Is Bryan King a good add until Hader returns in 3 weeks or will they still trot out Abreu?

Justin Mason: I think he is a good spec.

Save me!: Is Uceta worth a stash if you have IL slots? Jax looking bad.

Justin Mason: Nah, I think that is a committee I am staying away from

Guest: I have Chad Durbin in an AL only Roto League.  Time to surrender and go visit the free agent pool?

Justin Mason: Not yet. It’s too early. He is still playing every day

Ryan Weiss 와이스: Am I going to take a spot in the rotation?

Justin Mason: Yes you are and you are a sneaky good pickup right now

Kate: What do you make of the changes Janson Junk has made to his arsenal?  Our friend Nick Pollack seemed pretty excited after his first start.

Justin Mason: I am intrigued for sure. The stuff has been better and I live the sequencing. This is a tough two-start even if the teams he is facing have started slow. I will be watching these starts closely for sure.

Kate: Does Povich take over Eflin’s spot in the rotation next weekend?  Or was his long appearance out of the pen and indication that that’s how they’re going to use him for now?

Justin Mason: I think he does

Catching Help: Is Liam Hicks worth it for 10-team head to head points? Some skill changes (faster bat, squaring up better, better EVs) and has stayed in vs lefties (though a horrid woba).

Justin Mason: If you need catching help, I think Hicks is the top add.

Seiya Genesis: OBP roto league, who’s the cut when Seiya Suzuki comes off the IL this week? Miguel Vargas, Justin Crawford, Cam Smith, Trent Grisham

Justin Mason: Grisham

hot corner question: In a 14-team weekly moves league, I’m trying to decide between Royce Lewis, who has seven games this week, and Mark Vientos, who has six games and a less certain role. Who would you roll with for this week only?

Justin Mason: Vientos for me. I like the matchups better than Lewis having Mize, Skubal, Framber to start the week.

Hank Scorpio: Do you think the Yankees limit Ben Rice’s ABs versus LHP with three leftys on the schedule this week? Goldy has been fine, but you gotta let the hot hand swing the bat against everyone right?

Justin Mason: With back-to-back lefties on Thursday/Friday, I would expect he sits one of those and then maybe plays one.

BTinVT: Winn/Cards all star ceiling?

Justin Mason: I dont see it. Too many good SS in the NL.

JD: Harrison home to Wash or Ashcraft away at Cubs this week? Ashcraft has pitched slightly better; Washington has the 5th highest wRC+ currently; Cubs not hitting much; Harrison at home, Ashcraft away. Which one?

Justin Mason: Harrison

Steven: Garrett Mitchell anything? Good speed, hitting the ball hard (in the rare instance he makes contact)

Justin Mason: He’s the type that you run with when he is hot and drop him when he cools down. He’s hot right now

AD: Is Wrobleski sticking around to be interesting, or would Mlod on the pirates be a better pick?

Justin Mason: Prefer Mlod

E: Is Jose Fernandez showing enough to worth a spec add in deeper leagues? Thanks!

Justin Mason: He’s 1-for-12 since his massive debut. I think he probably isn’t worth much

RAGBRAI: Need to cut one when Strider returns, K Harrison or Singer?

Justin Mason: Singer

Walker, St. Lois Cardinal: You buying into me? Where would you rank me among OFs if it’s real? You have me over Wilyer and Cags?

Justin Mason: I am cautiously optimistic. Making league average Z-Contact with elite bat speed. Still not completely bought it, but I would pick him up anywhere he is available.

SP conundrum: Please rank these four starts this week: Cavalli @stl, roupp @bal, messick @atl, or boyle home against the cubs?

Justin Mason: Messick, Boyle, Cavalli, Roupp

Aj: Is foster griffin getting lucky babip or is he legit. Has great stuff+ numbers

Justin Mason: I lean towards he’s just been getting lucky, but I think that guys like him who have decent control and command with a lot of pitches can outrun the underlying metrics better than most so I think he can be usable

Silverback: How do you feel about Justin Steele ROS?

Justin Mason: Never trust guys coming off of TJ

Closer Chaos: Struggling to justify rostering both Robert Garcia and Griffin Jax with how bad they’ve been … if one has to go, who’s the odd man out?

Justin Mason: Jax

Guest: Going off of the Hancock Q, do we like him of Carmen Mlodzinski going forward?

Justin Mason: Mlod for me

TB saves: Is it Baker going forward?

Justin Mason: I think its a frustrating committee

Sproat Went Splat: Moving on from Brandon Sproat in a 12-team roto, who’s your pick from these options? Liberatore, Lowder, Roupp, Grant Holmes, Patrick, Nelson

Justin Mason: Patrick

Johnny: i am not sure if my question went thru, sorry, but should i start soto in a weekly league this week?

Justin Mason: I think so unless we get news beforehand. The fact they didnt put him on the IL already tells me they think he will be ok.

Pete: What do you make of Ryan Walker as the SF closer? Does he settle into the role or is it frustration all year with usage?

Justin Mason: Feels like it’s going to be frustrating. I would be specing on Killian right now

SteveZ: Most likely to be a top 30 SP ‘breakout’ this year? Harrison, Bradley, or Messick?

Justin Mason: Harrison

PointMaster: “Points awarded for making me laugh”

Justin Mason: Point awarded

Punk in drublic: what are your thoughts on a couple of Rockies, Rumfield and Troy Johnston to start the season?  Can they hold full time or near full time roles all year?

Justin Mason: I think they can because it’s the Rockies and there arent a ton of options. Prefer Rumfield because of the good hit tool

Bryan Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker: Should Bryan Baker be a spec add for Jax owners?

Justin Mason: yes

Mike: Open roster spot in NL only league.  Stash Didier Fuentes? I can see him getting called up within a few weeks once stretched out

Justin Mason: absolutely would if I could

PointMaster: “Points awarded for making me laugh”  Note: Return Key does not create a space.  Do the points come with some sort of barter system where we can trade them in for neat prizes?

Justin Mason: Earn enough points and I will replace Paul on the pod with you. Point structure is not public.

Justin Mason: Point awarded

Bullpen Arms: Better play in large league for holds/saves – Vest or Uribe?

Justin Mason: Uribe

Mickey Moniak: Is this my breakout year? Would you prefer me over Cam Smith in a 7×7 league that counts strikeouts?

Justin Mason: I would not

Minor League stash: Joshua Baez or Max Clark?  I feel Clark could arrive sooner out of the two

Justin Mason: Clark but I like both

Salty: I was going to ask a question, but Adell robbed that one, too…

Justin Mason: Point awarded

Guest: Anything to worry about with Buxton, Devers or Josh Naylor?

Justin Mason: nope

Him: Chase Delauter or Jac Cags ROS? (Roto)

Justin Mason: DeLauter

Guest: Boyle, Nelson or Slade this week? Must pick one.

Justin Mason: Nelson

Rob A: In a 2 RP format, worth dropping Kenley for Romano as RP2? Or overthinking it?

Justin Mason: I think you are, but Romano should be rostered

No Kings: Boyle home vs Cubs or Joey C HOME VS kc ? 12T Roto

Justin Mason: Boyle

Jon: Better streamer this week for roto: Grant Holmes @LAA or Lowder @MIA

Justin Mason: Holmes

Il stash: Who’d you rather stash for Qs points leagues: schwelly or Hunter Greene?

Justin Mason: Schwelly

Guest: test

Justin Mason: one…two…three

Rob A: Dustin May was dropped — add him over McCullers?

Justin Mason: nope

MS: His Jose Soriano for real?

Justin Mason: I think he is improving, but I don’t think he is breaking out.

Guest: How worried are you about Raleigh? I’m in a small league so plenty of catchers out there, but wondering if I should ride it out a little longer

Justin Mason: not at all. if this happened in June, you wouldn’t notice

Soto H2H?: I have to bench Soto in a H2H points league this week though, right? Over Friedl’s nice comfortable 7 game floor?

Justin Mason: I am not unless we get news today before lock

Eager student: Tips on breaking into baseball? Sorry its off topic

Justin Mason: Start a site or a podcast. If you do a podcast, invite as many big name guests as you can for added visibility. Be consistent. If you work hard, you will gain followers. Be shameless on social media in terms of how often you post or getting involved in discussions. Feel free to DM me with any questions or if you need help.

Sean miller: Brett lawrie a hold until we see if he comes out of retirement?

Justin Mason: Point awarded

Bob: Keep Logan Webb?

Justin Mason: If you drafted a guy in the top half of your draft, you should not be cutting him right now.

Guest: thoughts on nolan schanuel ROS?

Justin Mason: Is who he is. A guy without much power but a good hit tool and a nice walk rate. Doesn’t move the needle in most formats outside of deeper OBP leagues.

Guest2: Jordan beck a drop in 12 team obp?

Justin Mason: yeah

Silverback: Using the splat method looking for saves in a 12 team h2h mixed. Soto, Sands, Abreu, Baker?

Justin Mason: Soto

Hoarding SPs: I’m in a 12team H2H – W, K, solds, ERA, WHIP. Rank the following SPs: Chad patrick, kyle harrison, Reynaldo lopez, taj bradley, will warren, ryan weathers, joe boyle, rhett lowder. I have 5 of them and 3 of them are available in FA

Justin Mason: Patrick, Harrison, Weathers, Boyle, Warren, Bradley, Lopez, Lowder

Steven: Caleb Kilian actually a legit spec add in deep leagues?

Justin Mason: He absolutely is.

Guest: Hi Justin! I’m in a 6×6 H2H OBP + SLG league and wondering if I should cut bait on Torkelson for any of the following: Vargas, Rumfield, Burger, Bauers.

Justin Mason: I wouldnt yet

Homers Heros: Hello Justin, who is your favorite prospect in waiting to stash now who you think we shall see sooner rather later?

Justin Mason: Tolle

Carson: Justin, am I a fool for starting to fall in love with TJ Rumfield? He’s been a great pickup in my super deep 12 team dynasty league so far. I need an unbiased take!

Justin Mason: I think he is a better version of Schanuel in Coors. Doesn’t have a ton of power, but a good hit tool and eye at the plate, but will benefit from Coors a lot. Could be a 15-20 homer guy with a .280 average and a .365 OBP

Pete: Start 2 of these 4 this week: R. Ray x1 start; S. Baz x1; J. Junk x2; and M. Wacha x2?  Thanks!

Justin Mason: Ray and Wacha

Punk in drublic: Do you think Alex freeland will get a chance to take the 2B job with Betts out (it sounds like will get full time ABs until  Betts returns) or will it still be Edman when he returns?

Justin Mason: I think this is Freeland’s job for now. Edman hasnt even started a rehab assignment and I expect they take it slow with him considering his injury history.

Aj: Do you think Brent Headrick ends up valuable in a saves/holds league this year

Justin Mason: probably not

Soto?: Do I have to bench this guy, whose first game is on Tuesday night, while all my bench options start playing on Monday?  Or are you gambling on him playing enough games to do Soto things?

Justin Mason: I am gambling personally

Birdland: Why is Kremer not up in the starting rotation?  I understand the 4/9 date, but they instead went with Povich. However, Povich then pitched yesterday in clean up duty.  Lastly, Bassit stinks

Justin Mason: Bassitt stinks, but so does Kremer?

Annie Savoy: If Nuke LaLoosh of the Durham Bulls played in the ABS era, would he blow both of this team’s challenges in the 1st inning every time he pitched?

Justin Mason: Point awarded

Justin Mason: There has to be a sitcom coming about being an umpire during the ABS era

Johnny: Realmuto, Hicks or Dingler for H2H points 12 team catcher? Thank you !

Justin Mason: Hicks

Aj: Do you think connor philips works himself into relevancy in a SVH league

Justin Mason: I think he has for sure

Guy: What do you think of Tatsuya Imai so far?

Justin Mason: He needs to be able to attack the zone better or this will end very poorly. I am not ready to sell him yet, but I am watching him closely.

Levi: is there hope for the A’s rotation? Luis Morales, Jacob Lopez or JT Ginn have any value this year?

Justin Mason: I don’t trust pitchers in Sac

Two Step: Do you prefer Junk (CIN/DET) or Cameron (CLE/CHW) among two-starters this week

Justin Mason: Cameron

Sully: Is there a way to get reminders of when these chats are happening?

Justin Mason: I forgot to tweet it out today, but if you follow me on Twitter or Bluesky, I usually do tweet them out

Guest: In saves league, does Cleavinger (TB) have any value?

Justin Mason: Maybe when he is back he factors in but not until then

Steven: 14 team OBP – grabbed Manzardo after someone dropped him, worth holding onto for a bit to see if he turns it around?

Justin Mason: I think so

Yuuuuge: Sewald or G. Soto for Saves/Holds?

Justin Mason: Sewald

Guest: 5×5 roto 12 team, Utility Cam Smith or K. Griffin.  Thanks.

Justin Mason: Griffin

Why not Zoidberg?: I loved McLain’s spring and he seems to be walking a bunch but I’m in a league with ~112 starting hitters total and wondering if he’s safe to move on from this early. Could take a chance on a Cam Smith breakthrough, or use his spot to stream.

Justin Mason: I’d hold for now. Underlying numbers are fine

Benge Drinking: Carson Benge’s struggling so far (SB aside), would you drop him (12T roto) for any of Jesus Sanchez, Soler, Loperfido, Friedl or Beavers? Leaning toward no but curious what you think

Justin Mason: for Friedl I would

Jake: Brett Lawrie…(in Obi Wan voice), now that’s a name I’ve not heard in a long time

Justin Mason: He gets mentioned once or twice a month in these chats which is hilarious

Mike: Ashcraft for J Walker?  Who wins?

Justin Mason: Walker side (I hope)

Rookie: Shanuel or muncy this week?

Justin Mason: Muncy

Webb Slinger: If you are in a league with me, please drop Logan Webb

Justin Mason: same lol

Justin Mason: point awarded

Guest: stott or nunez as temp replacement for mookie?

Justin Mason: Stott

Ranger Danger: I finally won Suarez and it has not been fun. HOU beats up lefties so I give him a pass (I guess) then he was somehow worse vs SD. Did WBC mess him up or maybe he just hates me and wants me to be sad?

Justin Mason: I was worried about him coming into the season because Boston’s defense in the infield is not nearly as strong as it was in Philly. I think we are already seeing it.

Kreskin: Thanks for chatting. Need to replace Eflin. Arrighetti, Povich or is Weiss the move. 5×5 roto

Justin Mason: Weiss

Joey Joe Joe: Is Didier Fuentes worth a stash in 12 teamers yet?

Justin Mason: I think he is

Jimmy: This early in the year, how do you decide on when to move on from a player? Any hard and fast rules on how long you stick or is it arbitrary to the specific player.

Justin Mason: I think you should really be going case by case. That being said, ask yourself the question I have been responding with all chat. “If this was happening in June, would you notice?” You shouldnt be dropping anyone from the top half of your draft yet.

O: Which projection system would you trust to be the most “accurately reactive” to early season data? Or is the eyeball test combined with statcast data a better tool for predicting breakouts? I figure by the time the projection systems catch up, whatever guy I’m looking at will likely have raked for weeks and be rostered

Justin Mason: BAT X

3B: I’ve got Max Muncy, the Elder, playing some 3B and moving Jazz in there as needed. Is Gorman a better option than Muncy? Or swapping in J Walker and letting Jazz have all the 3B? (I’m mad I didn’t bid on Walker last week, he’s gonna cost more $$$ now)

Justin Mason: I still believe Muncy is the best out of that group

Sands of Time: Is Cole Sands worth rostering right now in a saves-only league? Is any Twins reliever?

Justin Mason: Probably not

Justin Mason: The twins wont win enough games.

Why not Zoidberg?: Better baseball name – Pickles Dillhoeffer, Puddin’ Head Jones, Johnny Dickshot, or other?

Justin Mason: Pickles Dillhoeffer

Justin Mason: Point awarded

Chris: Lots of Killian love. Like him or Keaton Winn better as a pickup in SV+0.5H league?

Justin Mason: Killian for me

Guest: Jordan Walker or Sal Stewart 10tm H2H with Ks and OPS?

Justin Mason: Stewart

momosoto: Points League.. Who do you prefer at 1B this week between Vargas(CWS) or Rumfield (COL) Both have 7 games scheduled.

Justin Mason: Rumfield

Austin Riley: Concerned about me, coming off 2 bad seasons and abdominal surgery?

Justin Mason: not yet

Guest: Eury sky high ceiling but command so terrifying… we give him a lot more slack than other bad command pitchers, but how much more should we give?

Justin Mason: I am not freaking out yet. I want to see him pitch a few more times before I am concerned

Hank: PCA and Elder for Schwarber?

Justin Mason: Schwarber side

Insert Witty Name Here: Any idea why Zimmerman capitalizes SLADE in his chats?  I’ll ask him next week, but curious if you know?

Justin Mason: Didn’t know he does that, but I kind of love it

Dan: What are your thoughts on aranda? Can he be a 30 homer / .280 average guy?

Justin Mason: I don’t think he can unlock that type of power in Tampa

Insert Witty Name Here: Rusty Kuntz is the best baseball name and it’s not even close.

Justin Mason: agreed

Guest: baker or soto for saves

Justin Mason: Soto

Vince: Hi! In 12-Tm H2H category … I now see that my drafted team not built to compete in SB. Would you drop Marsee for any of Daylen Lile, Dominic Canzone, Denzel Clarke, or Dylan Beavers – as a OF3/4. Please rank ROS! Thanks!

Justin Mason: no

The Last Braves Starter Standing: In an NL-only 5×5 league, does it make more sense to go after all the guys with the first name Braxton or all the guys with the last name Ashcraft?

Justin Mason: last name for sure

Justin Mason: point awarded

Aj: Do you like kai wei teng to stick around with the Astros? I’m in a 16 team categories league with 19 minor league spots and I like to stash minor league eligible arms in those spots (they lose eligibility at 125 career pitches)

Justin Mason: he should but I don’t know that he has much value

Andrew: I was wondering what would happen with a catcher ABS challenge with a 2 strike count and less than two outs with a runner on first attempting a stolen base. I think the play on the field takes precedent, so a catcher could tap his head then gun down a runner and get 2 outs.

Justin Mason: I believe that is correct

Justin Mason: Thats all the time I have! 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!