Justin Mason’s Baseball Chat – August 18, 2025

Justin Mason: I will begin when there are enough questions! Get your questions in! 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!

RAGBRAI: In an NL only 5×5 with OBP…if/when Riley returns does he replace N Marte? Marte is retainable/Riley is not.

Justin Mason: Absolutely. Riley is a stud when he is on the field.

John: Need 1 C in 12 tm H2h pts for this week only: Ben Rice, Yanier Diaz, Willson Contreras

Justin Mason: I lean Diaz here

RAGBRAI: In NL 5×5 would Lawlar’s return displace J Ortiz? I can keep Ortiz but not Lawlar.

Justin Mason: That one is close if Lawlar isnt keepable. Ortiz is hot and moved up the lineup, so I might go that direction

Bmouthy: Would you rather get a stud player for your fantasy team or your actual team?

Justin Mason: My actual team for sure. I want to win in fantasy, but that glory isnt the same as your team winning.

PG: Worth dropping Herrera for Ben Rice at C?  1 catcher league obviously

Justin Mason: Yes, I would do that.

PG: Expectations for Bradish ROS?

Justin Mason: I wouldnt have high expectations because of the time off, but for deeper leagues, there isnt a ton out on the wire that can have as big of upside as Bradish

RAGBRAI: What do you see for McLean ROS of the season.  Many starts? Bullpen? Shut down? Does he make OD rotation next year with their current staff?

Justin Mason: I think he could be a very impactful pitcher down the stretch for fantasy. He probably is in the bullpen late and for the playoffs, but He should get at least a few weeks in the rotation here as the Mets jockey for position. He has been great in in the minors and as long as he keeps the walks in check, the upside is very nice.

Greenmtnboys: Hello, OBP 5×5 11 tm roto keeper.  Three-way tie for 2nd place, Butler (bench) and Volpe.  Want to drop one for and SP…most points available for wins and ratio’s.  Drop one or both?  P/u T. Freeman and Zebby for this week.  Thanks.

Jason: Do you think Shawn Armstrong is the guy moving forward for Texas with Matons recent struggles?

Justin Mason: I do think that is the most logical option with who they have currently available

BD: Semien, Cronen, India, Blaze… any of these a replacement for McLain? Anywhere else to look?

Justin Mason: I guess I might ride the hot hand with Blaze there

Kevin: How high in the draft would you guess Hunter Goodman will go next year as a catcher-only in a 12 team 5×5 league?

Justin Mason: He went as the fourth catcher off the board in my three sport league. That seems about right

Guest: Shallow league looking at some rough drops. How would you rank these guys for the next month – Eury, Bieber, E. Cabrera?

Justin Mason: Cabrera, Eury, Bieber

Gregg: For a C2, would you prefer Basallo or Moreno (on rehab)?

Justin Mason: Basallo

Jimmy: Which of these after the all star break sad outfielders has the best finishing kick? Cowser, Ramos, Happ, or Jasson?

Justin Mason: Ill take Cowser as long as he is healthy

30: Morning Justin! In dueling returns from TJS, 2025 has offered some up-and-down results for Eury (more up) and Sandy (more down). What do you think is the outlook on each for 2026?

Justin Mason: I think Eury is potentially a top 10-15 starter next year. The stuff is so good and once we are more removed from the TJ, I will feel better about his ability to command and control it effectively. Alcantara should bounce back some, but there is always the chance he is just never the guy he was. I will likely have him as a top 30-40 guy next season

MayDay: Hey! How deep a league for starting Dustin May today vs. BAL?

Justin Mason: 15

Datt Mamon: Brief details: My SPs blew up (in a bad way) very early and I started a rebuild. Ranger Suarez, however, has been good (even though it didn’t matter). At our deadline, I had the chance to deal him straight-up for Bubba Chandler. I passed. Should I have done it?

Justin Mason: absolutely you should have

Guest: Any concerns with Robbie Ray and an innings limit?

Justin Mason: I dont think so. I havent heard thats on the table

Last Bat: Bench bat, daily moves, AL OBP. India, Meidroth, Canzone?

Justin Mason: India

Slayed: Two duds in a row for Slade C. Time to jump ship?

Justin Mason: In a shallow league, yes

Jason: How would you rank arrighetti, darvish, schlittler, zebby, verlander and Sheehan?

Justin Mason: Zebby unless my ratios are a place I can lose a bunch of points

AAA: Have those ‘Julio and Vlad Jr have been draft busts (again)’ storylines died down yet this year?  I’ll take ‘disappointing’ 30-30 100-100 & .300 30hr 100-100 seasons every year in the second round.  Sometimes it’s about floor.

Justin Mason: This is always crazy to me. Maybe they dont always return first round value, but the value in picking guys like this is that they always return great value by the end of the season. Buy low on these guys anytime they struggle

RAGBRAI: With only weeks left to play is there still time to make significant gains in OBP category? If I am .3223 is it possible to get to .3300 and move up three spots?

Justin Mason: Ok, so what I recommend is spreadsheeting this out. What would it take in your league to make that kind of jump. It’s different for every league depending on the depth and the other teams involved so its a hard question to answer, but the short answer is the ratios move a lot more than people normally think at this time of the season

Argh-ms: Hold a bad save spec (Maton, Grant Taylor, Enns) or a better set-up man (Matt Brash)?

Justin Mason: Brash

Guest: what is going on with Spencer strider? Does he regain his form next year?

Justin Mason: Two bad starts recently has ruined his line a little, but I think he is still a top 10-15 guy heading into next year

Randy Choate: Let’s hear about your favorite sandwich

Justin Mason: I love a good philly cheesesteak. Unfortunately for me, I have yet to find one living in the Bay Area. I miss the east coast sometimes.

Justin Mason: Point awarded

Guest: No consistency with Tanner bibee, any signs he can  regain last years form over the next 6 weeks? Or is he just a streamer going forward?

Justin Mason: Streamer for this year

Darth Sabean: At the beginning, all was hope and promise and beauty. Now, things are grim, with frustrations mounting and absences increasing. And you can’t help but wonder if the halcyon days were just a product of what could’ve been, and the current bleak slog is how it’s going to be, and maybe things were never that great in the first place–and that someone else catching your eye is not a sign of moral failing but a realization that something new must come along for your to truly live.  12 team H2H keeper, drop Rutschman for Baldwin, Kirk, Dingler?

Justin Mason: Drop kirk

Justin Mason: Two points awarded for creativity and making me laugh

Adenolith: Playing a meaningless h2h cats matchup this week against a team ill face in the playoffs for the 2 weeks after this one. Wondering if I test my playoff strategy now or hide what Im going to do when it matters. Or maybe it doesnt make a difference?

Justin Mason: Probably doesnt make a difference unless you really think it would make them change theirs.

RAGBRAI: With Jung Hoo Lee 이정후’s catch of a ball with his knees, do you think there is a chance he gets traded to the Savannah Bananas in the off season?

Justin Mason: That was the most insane thing I have seen in a bit. I wonder who we would get back from the Bananas though. That might be the sticking point.

Justin Mason: Point awarded

Justin Mason: you all are on fire today!

E: Caught a lot of injuries over the past week in my 12 team roto. In first place, but top three are very close. My IL is overflowed now, are you dropping any of Wheeler, Kyle Stowers, Max Muncy, Aranda, Michael King, Kyle Bradish? Or do I wait and see about recovery news over the next few days?

Justin Mason: I think you can drop Stowers and Wheeler here for sure. Maybe even Muncy since oblique injuries usually take 4-to-6 weeks to recover from and there is only six weeks left.

Carson: Please help me cope about Aaron Nola after yesterday (woof)

Justin Mason: That was rough. At least football is starting soon?

Kyle: Keeper league – is McClain worth keeping? Any better expectations for next year?

Justin Mason: I really want to do a deep dive on him this offseason. I was expecting a bounce back all season and it just never came

Novak: Amattos in San Jose great cheesesteaks

Justin Mason: Ok! I will definitely check that out when I am in SJ next. Thank you!

RAGBRAI: I’m glad I didn’t activate Nola for his first start back. Is he safe to activate now? How do you see ROS?

Justin Mason: I think it is a gamble, but it’s not a bad matchup vs Washington at home.

Idiotic Failson: Some people do self destructive things like text their toxic ex or get in a bar fight when they are in a period of self doubt, I decided to roster and start Aaron Nola

Justin Mason: Point awarded!

Justin Mason: I am really laughing hard today guys. Thank you so much for keeping it going well this late into the season

John: Pick 1 for this week only in a 12tm H2h pts: Xavier Edwards, Michael Harris II, Brian Reynolds?

Justin Mason: Reynolds

Aaron: It seems like Ben Rice’s expected stats have been outpacing his real ones all season.  Are they more likely than not to converge ROS?  His xwOBA leads the league over the last month plus.  Been frustrated with Michael Busch at 1B and looking at replacements in my 10 team 6×6 (OBP) league.  Vaughn, Manzardo, Schanuel, Walker also out there.

Justin Mason: I dont know how Vaughn is still available. He should be on a roster with how hot he’s been. Grab him and hope it continues.

Toby: 16 team 5×5 league. Better Hail Mary this week for starting pitching. Two time Dustin May or one time Cade Povich or just grab a Brewers set up guy with 8 games on the schedule. We get holds/saves points.

Justin Mason: Grab the set up guy

Justin Mason: Need more questions or more jokes

Guest: Which of Tucker PCA and Suzuki has the best chance of a strong finish to the season

Justin Mason: Tucker and Suzuki

Tim: Is Wheeler going to be a keeper consideration for next season or is the nature of his injury such that any production going forward will be a question mark?

Justin Mason: I think he is going to be a massive question mark. At his age with this issue, it could be the end of the road

Guest: Does Logan Gilbert finish the year as a top 10 SP?

Justin Mason: No, he missed too much time

RAGBRAI: Do you think Pagan and Santana keep their closer roles next year?

Justin Mason: Santana could because the Pirates are cheap.

Tim: Where do you envision having PCA in your rankings for ’26? Thought I was set in a league where we keep 6, but he has forced his way into my thinking this season.

Justin Mason: I think he will be much lower in my ranks than other people’s. I would guess he is probably just inside of the top 100 for me, but I have been a detractor from the jump

tortycraig: Also shoutout Randy Arozarena – post-hype stud this year in my OBP league for $6

Justin Mason: A great bounce back season. I wish I had bought back in more.

tortycraig: Had a great crop of closers but lost Felix and Helsley so I’m down to Fairbanks and Megill. Best to just backfill those spots with strong ratios / innings in the absence of real save opps right now? Feel good on my starters and hitters.

Justin Mason: So this really depends on your standings. You need to figure out where you can gain the most or lose the most ground there and cater your decisions to that. The stretch run is all about the strategy and less about the actual talent of the individual players.

3 man bench: 3 man bench, daily moves leagues. Most of my bats are starters, but those categories are tight. Worth having 2 bench bats to toggle into days off, or better to have 2 RPs who can just be in the lineup regardless?

Justin Mason: As I just said above, attack the close categories. If you have the best chance to gain/lose points in pitching, attack that. If it’s hitting, attack that. Dont worry about balance as much as you worry about the categories right now.

Guest: Pls rank ROS Vinnie P, Naylor, Olson, Torkelson

Justin Mason: Olson, Naylor, Tork, Vinnie P

KDan: Via Roster Resource and RL, O’Hearn/Iglesias are platoon buddies. I do not like this. Do you?

Justin Mason: I dont but at least O’Hearn faces five righties this week.

Idiotic Failson: I had both Bregman and Ramirez on my roster due to a trade earlier in the season. I turned my expensive (and borderline droppable) Ramirez into a cheap and keepable Drew Rasmussen and Noah Cameron. Auction dynasty, how’d I do?

Justin Mason: I think you did great. I like both of their future outlooks.

Tim: In a league where I need SB, is Caballero worth starting every night, even on nights when he’s not in the starting lineup, because he’s just better and runs more than whoever else is out there on the waiver wire?

Justin Mason: If that’s what your team needs, that is a very smart gamble

RAGBRAI: Is Del Castillo AZ’s starting catcher next year?  What does AZ do with Gallen?

Justin Mason: Moreno is still the starter because of his defense with Del Castillo being the #2 guy and getting DH Abs..

Pitts: will Skenes be limited down the stretch? Top 10 value ROS?

Justin Mason: I think they should let him go especially in what is going to be a Cy Young season, but there is risk because it is the Pirates.

RAGBRAI: For rest of season how would you rank Nola, Gallen, Gore, McLean and E Rod?

Justin Mason: Gore, Nola, McLean, Gallen, E-Rod

Justin Mason: That was tougher than I thought

Tiggers: Does Riley Greene regain the form from the first half of the season or does the slump he’s in continue? Top _ OF going into next year

Justin Mason: I think he is kind of a gamble right now. The talent is there, but the underlying numbers in the second half kind of back up this struggle. I am going to say he is a 20 OF next year

Guest: stream v marlins or just pick up caballero for steals

Justin Mason: Caballero

Nick: In a 12 points league would you start Gore, Ober, Priester or Miz over a 2 start Jack Leiter?

Justin Mason: Gore

Deep Fried WHIP: Fried has been terrible for 6 weeks.  Does the lack of pure strikeout stuff make him matchup dependent the rest of the way?

Justin Mason: I think he is still pretty close to a must start in NY.

Guest: are holds actually predictable. i feel i should have way more

Justin Mason: I havent done the research on it to be honest, but my gut feeling is not very predictable.

Cb: Will Chris Sale be useful in September?

Justin Mason: Probably not very

Matt: 26 team dynasty salary cap. I am really not competing. I give up Nick Pivetta 5,900,000(25-26) for Felix Bautista 3,000,000(25); 5,000,000(26) Shane Baz 750,000(25); 1,000,000(26) and Danny Jansen $1.75M (25) $2.5M (26)$3.25M (27) .    I think I should hold and build on my pitching staff next year. What is your opinion?

Justin Mason: wow that’s tough, but I lean getting the cheaper Baz and Bautstia if you can resign them.

Samuel: Is the Phillies outfield cursed? Kind of joking, but mostly serious

Justin Mason: It’s been rough but I think they attack that this offseason

Razzballs: How much stock do you generally put in the razzball weekly projections? They have Caleb Durbin as a great start this week with the 8 games

Justin Mason: I dont put a ton of stock into weekly projections, but any player with eight games in a week when others have five is intriguing.

Tim: How many ABs do you see for Basallo ROS?

Justin Mason: I dont know how they will do it, but there is no reason for them to bring him up and not play him full time rest of the way

Carlos: Are you buying a big finish to the season for Correa?

Justin Mason: Not really

King: Giants are 2-6 in games I’ve attended this year. Haven’t seen a win since the first week of May. I’m usually bringing people to baseball games to spread the gospel of garlic fries and good times, but I honestly think I’m turning folks off of the sport at this point. Thoughts? Prayers?

Justin Mason: I have a terrible record in recent years of going to Giants games and seeing them lose. I almost feel as if I am the one cursing them. That being said, I have a few more games on the docket for this season and am hoping to improve their draft slot.

Justin Mason: Point awarded

JT: Flaherty vs HOU tonight or Zebby @ CHW on Friday as my stream for the week ?

Justin Mason: Zebby

Dr. Funk: Any advise for making up WHIP this late in roto?

Justin Mason: Good ratio middle relievers in good parks.

Justin Mason: really attack the schedule here

Ron: Pick two to start tonight in ROTO: Teoscar, Trout, Langford

Justin Mason: Teoscar and Langford

Hazmat Corntail: Why does it saying you’re chatting at 1pm when you’ve already been at ig for half an hour?

Justin Mason: I dont know. My chat starts at Noon and I have no idea why it’s saying 1

Guest: On a scale of “yes” to “definitely yes”, how confident are you that Jakob Marsee will be a more inner-circle hall of famer than Trout?

Justin Mason: Point awarded

Albert: Is now a good time to stash Lawlar? Blaze seems to be cooling down and the Dbacks don’t seem to be making a playoff push.

Justin Mason: Yeah, I think Lawlar should be up very soon and will play every day when he gets here.

Guest: Unfortunate situation for me today, can only start one of Strider (vs. CWS) or Logan Gilbert (@ PHI) because of starting lineup cap-space constraints. Wins/ERA equally critical for me. Who do you roll with?!

Justin Mason: That’s tough. Strider has the better matchup so I will go that way

JT: Rank the following 2B options where offensive categories are OBP, HR, RBI, R, TB & SB: Albies, McLain, O. Lopez & Boegarts … mind you i have been running out Albies for way too long, I need a wake up call

Justin Mason: Bogaerts, McLain, Albies, Lopez,

HTown: looks like Yordan will be back over the weekend, what do you project for him for the ROS?

Justin Mason: Now he that he will be back, I assume he will be the player we expected down the stretch. They were very careful with him, so I believe he will be great.

Justin Mason: That’s all my time! 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!