Justin Mason’s Baseball Chat – August 3, 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! You can also join the Sleeper and the Bust discord! https://discord.gg/ar7XUV9T

Jon Tayler: Is there any reason to hold on to Bo Bichette at this point? No homers or steals in a month, awful lineup around him… I’m leaning toward drop the next time I have to make a move.

Justin Mason: Depends on the depth of your league, but if you  have an enticing option to pick up for him, I don’t mind dropping in shallower formats.

AU86: Manaea, Wesneski appear to be 2-starts SPs this week – not mentioned on Podcast.  Manaea @CLE, @PIT and Wesneski TOR, @ SF – which do you prefer?

Justin Mason: I think I would go Wesneski. Chance that Manaea could be moved today and lose that 2-Start

tdmoc: shallow H2H points league – would you give up Nolan McLean to get Brice Turang?

Justin Mason: If I needed the hitter I could

bdubs: Hunting for wins…in my league, Drohan has a 2-step – v Pit, @ SD. I have an open spot. Worthy of a waiver claim for a one week stream?

Justin Mason: absolutely. Drohan has been great since entering the rotation. He should be rostered in all formats.

AU86: Replace J Dominguez with Spencer Jones in redraft?

Justin Mason: I dont I would. I still believe in Jasson over Jones talent-wise

Matt: In second place in our league, though with a small chance to win. I decided to go ahead and try anyway. With Mead and Jung out, I traded Walcott/R.Suarez for Machado. (I have Elly and Suarez was just a depth piece for a very good rotation). Needed closers so I traded Sproat for Jansen and M. Clark for Pagan. Best I could do in this league. How much should I hate myself right now, especially because of that last one?

Justin Mason: I am ok with it considering you are playing to win right now, but that one will hurt long term.

Jon Tayler: Am I better off sticking with Cal Raleigh through the final two months or playing C roulette? Best FA options are Yainer Diaz, Francisco Alvarez and Dalton Rushing (OBP roto league)

Justin Mason: Hate to say it, but I would drop him for Alvarez at this point.

AU86: Who will DET call up first – R Ryan or Jobe?  expect both to be rotation soon?

Justin Mason: I think Ryan is up first once hes healthy.

prbaseball: is Erik Miller an actual thing?

Justin Mason: Not really, but hes the best the Giants have so rest of the way, he is going to get saves.

ajstopes: Logjam at 2B and 3B – should I keep riding with Altuve and Willi Castro or would Nasim Nunez, Karros, Eugenio Suarez, Arenado, or Colt Keith?

Justin Mason: Give me Nunez and Suarez here

jorourke87: Hey Justin, am I crazy to think about benching Hunter Brown vs Toronto this week for a 2-start Cantillo (vs NYM, @CHW)? I think the schedule shifted so Cantillo didn’t make it into your pod discussion with Paul. Hunter has 2 duds in his last 5 and I’m not sure he’s fully healthy. If I don’t start Cantillo, does that mean my 12-tm 5×5 1st place team just doesn’t have room for him?

Justin Mason: I am still rolling with Brown here.

Paul: 12-team, H2H categories, I have a waiver move of dropping Luis Lara to pick up Dominic Canzone.  Worth the waiver move?

Justin Mason: yes it is

AU86: Expectations for M Clark ROS?  Impactful in OBP and SB?  Drop G Torres or J Dominguez for him?

Justin Mason: I would drop either for Clark. He probably has the highest upside of any waiver player rest of the way. He should draw a ton of walks and rack up SBs. The power is legit too but still developing some.

AU86: Need to drop RP (Saves+Holds with K/9) format – Speier, Zeferjahn, or  M Montgomery?

Justin Mason: Probably Zeferjahn

AU86: expect Mize to be dealt before 6p today?

Justin Mason: I do. I would be very surprised if he isnt dealt before the deadline today.

Mike: Who is the odd man out in the LAD rotation?

Justin Mason: Sheehan

Mike: Scraping the bottle of the barrel here, but would you take Gleyber over E. Duran or Edman in a 12 tm h2h league? Other options would be Grissom or Rengifo

Justin Mason: I am probably going Duran

Mike: Do you see Kade getting the call this week?

Justin Mason: No, I dont think they start his clock.

Hollis: Hi Justin, thanks for doing this. In a 5 x 5 redraft 12-team 5-OF league, can Esmerlyn be safely churned back to the wire to pick up some pitching. Or might I miss another heater or two somewhere down the road this season? Seems like regression (or pitchers figuring him out) has arrived. Much appreciated!

Justin Mason: yeah, he can head back to the wire, but always have him on your watch list.

Brian Martin: I’m in a 10-team keeper league. Teams can keep up to 5 players. I think I reasonably have 6 strong keeper candidates: Corbin Carroll, Julio Rodriguez, Kyle Schwarber, and Jackson Chourio, as well as Paul Skenes and Christopher Sanchez. The league has some modified scoring categories (conventional offense plus OBP and XBH; conventional pitching but with QS instead of wins plus WHIP and k//9). Does one of my 6 keepers stand out as an aberration? Should be trying to trade one “keeper” to gain depth and “win now” (I’m in 4th place) instead of holding on to a stud I can’t keep?

Justin Mason: Those are all studs worth keeping. If I am trading one, its Skenes since he has struggled a bit as of late.

Brian Martin: Bryce Elbridge hitting the wall?

Justin Mason: I think pitchers are adjusting to him and he needs to readjust back. I think he will be fine but maybe just not as great as he was when he hit the ground running at the callup.

Jor Algenson: Are you putting Witt in your lineup in your weeklies?

Justin Mason: I am. I think he will be back on Tuesday

AU86: Q Mathews or F Peralta ROS?  Peralta’s next 2 starts – @ COL, @ ATH.  I know TB is known for fixing Ps but will Peralta improve this season?

Justin Mason: I think I lean Mathews here, but I do think Peralta is a nice buy low for the rest of the season moving to Tampa.

Ray Liotta as Shoeless Joe: My league has had five trades this season…I initiated all five.

What are other tell-tale signs that it is time for someone to find a new league?

Justin Mason: If youre asking the question, thats the sign. If you want an active trading league, you’ll have to find a new one. My big one is are people being active after the All-Star Break? If not then they aren’t going to field competitive teams

Brian Martin: ROOKIE WALL

Justin Mason: I think I just hit it

Justin Mason: Point awarded

Epemstein: In a keeper league, how much better is R Suarez than Yesavage ROS and 2027? Is it a massive gap?

Justin Mason: Long term its Yesavage and its not close. ROS and maybe even just next year, Suarez has a decent size gap.

Paul: 12-team H2H categories. I picked up both Vladdy Jr and J Ramirez in trades over the last couple of weeks, hoping for a positive regression from them both before and going into the playoffs.  What do you see from these guys ROS, who’ve been pretty disappointing so far?

Justin Mason: I think J-Ram will be a stud rest of the way. Vladdy is a weird one to project. Still hits the ball hard and making the most contact of his career, but too much of it is on the ground. I want to believe and I would have bought low too.

hiphipjorge1: Does Franklin Arias potentially getting traded affect when he will be called up?

Justin Mason: I dont think he’s traded, but if he was, I think he is coming up after Sept 1.

jorourke87: RE: Cantillo, even if not starting his 2-step, would you hold him over Roupp or Bennett? I picked up Wesneski too, but I think he and one of these other 3 have to go

Justin Mason: I think I would drop him over them.

GatorKen: What should I do with Augustin Ramirez in dynasty?  Is he a drop or a hold?

Justin Mason: I think I would hold. I still believe in the offensive upside.

GatorKen: I have AAAA guys like H Kim and T Callihan in minors slots on my NL only dynasty team.  Do I hold these guys or dump for prospects?

Justin Mason: dump

hiphipjorge1: In a 16 team keeper league, would you trade a first round jose ramirez for a last round konnor griffin? Im on the cust of the playoffs but am looking more towards the future I’d say

Justin Mason: yes, I would.

Justin Mason: out of questions! keep them coming!

Salty: Smarter move – the Braves picking up Lane Thomas on the chance they may have to face Snell, Skubal, Wrobleski, T Scott etc. in the playoffs, or me for waiting on trading for Bryan Baker until after the deadline, that way the Rays don’t skunk me by trading for a closer or co-closer if I made the deal right now?

Justin Mason: I dont think the Rays are going to do that, but its always smart to hedge a little.

Justin Mason: Lane Thomas to the Braves seems like a perfect fit tbh

GatorKen: Is Grant Taylor the closer on the south side for the rest of the season?

Justin Mason: I think so

Hazmat Corntail: Am I crazy for giving Spencer Jones another chance? I feel like I’m playing out the old adage…

Justin Mason: Probably but I see the appeal.

Greg Pope: Best Northern California closer option…Erik Miller or Hogan Harris? Or is my RP2 situation as bad as the wild fires there?

Justin Mason: Miller

Justin Mason: Adell to the Guardians and Ward to the Mariners!

GatorKen: Thoughts on Arraez at 2B and Bryce back to the OF

Justin Mason: Im surprised they are going to move half of their lineup to different positions for Arraez seems a bit crazy to do at this point in the season. I hope it works for them, but as a Giants fan, I was happy with the return.

Epemstein: Blind auction in a salary cap league on Kade Anderson if/when he comes up. But you have to keep him for that salary next year (whatever you spend on him doesn’t matter for this year). $50 salary cap, AL only 10 team roto. What would you bid on him?

Justin Mason: That is really tough, but I am going to guess like $5

GatorKen: Jeez, poor Mike Trout

Justin Mason: I wish they would just trade him, but maybe he doesnt want to leave

Paul: I’ve been running out Ezequiel Duran and now Jacob Wilson윌슨 at SS, after having run out of patience with Geraldo Perdomo.  Perdomo is available still on the WW.  Which way should I go with shortstop the rest of the season?

Justin Mason: Wilson

HappyFunBall: With a 1B/SS/DH logjam presently (Harper, Murakami, McGonigle, Neto) if Harper does earn OF eligiblity I’m naming myself the big winner at this year’s trade deadline

Justin Mason: Point awarded!

Justin Mason: Harper getting OF eligibilty for this year and next is massive

jorourke87: Thanks for all the help today, headed out for a camping trip and hoping to get all my hard thinking for the week done this morning. With the Ward trade to Seattle that just went thru, do you think we’ll have a good picture of playing time by this time next week? I’m hoping for the same for Lane Thomas as well

Justin Mason: I feel like we should get a clear picture by the end of the week. I also dont think the Mariners are done so it could be solved if they do move someone like Arozarena.

Justin Mason: MORE QUESTIONS!!!

yochuckie: Contemplating starting Canzone over Julio this week? Five RHP. Canzone +800 OPS v RHP while Julio sub .700 No brainer, right?

Justin Mason: I cant do it, but it might be the smarter play

arendakessian: 12 team Ottoneu dynasty, FGPts season-long scoring. Currently in 1st place. Soto (was) my best hitter but injuries forced a trade. I managed to get Merrill and Cole for him, and flipped Merril and Cole for Kyle Tucker. My P/IP is the best in the league by a solid margin, and i have the second best P/G, trailing the current 2nd place team. Soto was a borderline keep going into next year, albeit at 0 surplus. Was this the right move?

Justin Mason: I think so because the Mets will be really careful with Soto considering their season is done. If he doesnt come back at all, I wouldnt be surprised.

AU86: How much FAAB for M Clark?  90%?  80%?  70%?

Justin Mason: If you have $0 bids, then I would probably go 80%.

AU86: Betts was dropped in my 13 team mixed redraft…any hope for him ROS?  Would be dropping G Torres

Justin Mason: I still have a little hope. I would do that

Justin Mason: MORE QUESTIONS!!!

docgooden85: Holliday or Cole Young in OBP roto?

Justin Mason: Holliday

Paul: Lodolo, Jobe, McClanahan, Palencia all on the IL, with no additional slots left.  If I have to drop one, who would it be?

Justin Mason: Lodolo for me

HappyFunBall: George Kirby – possibly broken? He was dumped in my 12x over the weekend, and I’ve got a waiver claim filed because maybe he’s just going through some things?

Justin Mason: He looked great last night. I think he will be fine.

AU86: Gelof is returning (supposedly) by the end of week…right after homestand (brilliant).  Need to drop someone – Dominguez (NYY) or Torres (DET)?

Justin Mason: Torres

Paul: Dean Kremer worth holding onto with a new team in Minnesota?

Justin Mason: nope. I dont think he is very good at all.

yochuckie: Pages or Reynolds ROS?

Justin Mason: Reynolds

Justin Mason: but close

Salty: You answered before that you think Kade stays down.  Do you think the M’s switch back to a 5-man rotation, or is it maybe a FO mindset that the 6-man works better for them?  Made a move for Woo partly on the hope they would switch back to 5 and we can get a couple of extra starts from him at the end of the season.

Justin Mason: I think they roll with a 5-Man for right now and possibly the rest of the way.

AU86: who is WAS new 1B?  A. Ortiz?

Justin Mason: Chaparro

docgooden85: Antonacci has 4 lefties this week – OK with starting Rengifo over him this week at MI?

Justin Mason: Nah, I would go Rengifo

AU86: Expect L Henderson to remain in MIL rotation ROS?

Justin Mason: I do

Jon Tayler: Any impact to Adell’s fantasy value going from LAA to CLE?

Justin Mason: I dont think it changes a ton for him. Maybe a slight upgrade if hits higher in the order

KCM25: Chase DeLauter has top __ OF upside

Justin Mason: 10

Robert: Urena. Why are many writers so down on Urena? I interpret very nice redraft and dynasty foundations. Thank you

Justin Mason: The WHIP issues. At some point that comes back to bite him. I do think he has value and there is still room for improvement in a young pitcher, but the control is a concern

HappyFunBall: Taylor Ward -> SEA. And with that all hope of him recovering his power stroke has evaporated

Justin Mason: Ward has the type of power that plays anywhere when he is right.

docgooden85: start Manaea over Bradish if he stays on the Mets and gets 2 starts? Kyle Harrison also an option (gambling on a return this week)…or Wesneski (I’m assuming 1 start there)?

Justin Mason: Im rolling with Harrison

Greg Pope: In a 15, pick one….Patrick Sandoval two step (CHW, ATH), Roupp (DET) or Baz (LAA)?

Justin Mason: Sandoval

Salty: With the Mariners getting Ward from the O’s, and Mountcastle seeming to have suffered a setback, does that cement CES as a permanent fixture in their lineup btw 3B/DH and maybe occasional 1B?  If so, is he startable in a 12 team league or still fringe?

Justin Mason: I think it does and he should be a nice dart throw in 12s.

robert91: Bench 2 in a points league – Harrison vs PIT, Taj @ MIL, Scott @ CLE, Cameron vs MIN, Wesneski vs TOR. Also would you rather have Cameron or Wesneski down the stretch (or neither)? Thanks

Justin Mason: I would rather have Wesneski down the stretch. Benching Cameron and Taj this week

AU86: will DET limit Melton IPs ROS?

Justin Mason: If they completely fall out of it, they could, but he hasnt racked up a ton of innings so its not a sure thing.

yochuckie: Are you starting Harrison this week v Pittsburgh even with the long IL layoff?

Justin Mason: I am rolling with him in a lot of leagues.

RKM: Does sending Mclean for Neto a solid deal? OBP/QS league

Justin Mason: I think so

GatorKen: Reading rumors of Adley to the Red Sox.  Seems crazy

Justin Mason: I am honestly shocked by this.

bmfan: Any thoughts on Mets return so far?  Thank you

Justin Mason: I havent had the chance to dig in but I was underwhelmed by the Peralta return

AU86: will Kwan continue to lead off for CLE?  seems he has regained his stroke…

Justin Mason: I think so

HappyFunBall: A. Ortiz = LHB, Chapparo = RHB. I’d expect WAS to be platooning at 1B unless one guy really separates himself

Justin Mason: I could see that.

docgooden85: Need to bench 2 in points this week – Adell, Bauers, Caglianone, Teoscar, M Busch

Justin Mason: Adell and Teoscar

yochuckie: Marsh at home v 6 RHP or MH2?

Justin Mason: Harris

yochuckie: If the O’s can trade Adley can Gunnar be far behind, and does anyone really want him?

Justin Mason: No way would they trade Gunnar

GatorKen: Trade deadline day is extra fun in “only” leagues,  So far, I haven’t lost any players to the AL.  Fingers crossed

Justin Mason: Good luck!

Justin Mason: I miss playing in Only leagues.

Robert: Just venting. I am dropping 2 of 5 Ottoneu leagues because of leagues are filled with mgrs scared to trade…

Justin Mason: I am in a league where no one will trade and it makes it very unfun

AU86: 13 team mixed redraft – need IP/QS/Ks – would you start Peralta @ COL @ ATH now that he is on TB?  Can they fix him that quick?

Justin Mason: I am probably sitting him outside of deeper leagues.

AU86: Devin Willaims for Logan Henderson – redraft.  Which side would you prefer?

Justin Mason: I think it depends on what I need. If I need saves, then Williams makes a lot of sense there. Henderson has a ton of upside tho

Ragbrai: It’s simmering so far today. Does the Christine trade deadline boil over in a couple of hours?

Justin Mason: its been a pretty wild deadline so far. I dont know how many more big trades there are left.

Jon Tayler: Rank these OF in an OBP roto league with 5 OF? McCarthy, Adell, Grisham

Justin Mason: thats the order

Ragbrai: SOLDS NL who accumlates more Megill or Diaz in LA?

Justin Mason: Diaz

Robert: You nailed it, unfun.

Justin Mason: I hate people who play scared. Its a game. Make it fun!

AU86: do we have baseball in 2027?  162 games?

Justin Mason: yes, but not 162

Ragbrai: Mize Moving? Brewers seem quiet so far.

Justin Mason: I think he does. I would be shocked if he is in Detroit tomorrow

robert91: 12T points – my end of bench bats are Gleyber/Edman/Canzone/G Mitchell, who’s the worst of the 4 and would you stream that spot or keep rolling them all out?

Justin Mason: Mitchell

Justin Mason: I would stream the spot

AU86: how abbreviated a season in 2027?  120 games?

Justin Mason: 120 seems right

Robert: Unfun because no nothing. No counters. No negotiations. No alternatives. All ghostting. Thank you for letting me vent

Justin Mason: Find a new league

yochuckie: I have Detmers going for a two start. Will a trade force me to yank him?

Justin Mason: yeah, I think he’s moving

Ray Liotta as Shoeless Joe: Defense is obviously a big part of baseball, but it’s almost unused in fantasy. What are the best defensive categories that you have seen that at least somewhat emulate defensive value? Our league currently does Double Plays Turned and Outfield Assists, but that makes first basemen more valuable as DPT machines.

Justin Mason: Ive never played in a league with defensive stats. I would love to see how it works!

GatorKen: Worse than people not trading is millionaires arguing with billionaires over money.  Let’s play ball in 2027

Justin Mason: A million is a lot less than a billion. I support the players

Ragbrai: Is the sane argument that others could have beat LA’d offer but chose not to and Basrball isn’t dead? Or that this is why a cap is needed.

Justin Mason: I know people are saying that a cap would fix this, but a cap wouldnt have changed the Skubal deal at all. The difference is the Dodgers are willing to take the risk because they have done a great job developing talent. That isn’t going away with a cap

Robert: I am abandoning after the ottoneu trades close and these are not H2H so i will not be hurting anyone elses positions. Vent #2….H2H abandonments

Justin Mason: I dont love H2H in part because of this.

AU86: Justin – Thank you for your multiple responses.  You are an encyclopedia of info!

Justin Mason: Thank you! I try to answer as many questions as I can so everyone feels like they get something from my chats.

Justin Mason: Speaking of which…

Justin Mason: SEND MORE QUESTIONS!!

GatorKen: Thanks Justin

Justin Mason: You’re welcome

Justin Mason: Brenton Doyle to the White Sox!

GatorKen: Oh wow.  Southsiders going for it

Justin Mason: Love to see them make moves here. Its going to be a really fun race

elfpants: Heard a podcaster yesterday claim MLB forced Detroit to take the Dodgers’ offer to add weight to the “we need a salary cap!” narrative. On a scale of Zero to prime era Steve “Psycho” Lyons, how crazy is this?

Justin Mason: It’s 1,000,000

Justin Mason: like that is completely insane. They got a good package for 2 months of a pitcher they couldnt resign

Rhetoric Flair: Is this just who Jackson Chourio is, or do you think he has another gear?

Justin Mason: I think he still has another gear or two. Im a believer there is 30/30 there.

KCM25: Vlad’s running out of time to turn it around. How worried are we?

Justin Mason: have to be worried at this point, but I would buy low if I could. I still believe in the talent.

AU86: assumig Manaea stays w/Mets…Manaea or Wesneski ROS?

Justin Mason: Manaea

GatorKen: Thoughts on Castillo in Chicago.  Reborn and continued slow death?

Justin Mason: Slow death

AU86: assuming Mize is dealt…both Ryan and Jobe coming into DET rotation?

Justin Mason: I think they both will be there by the end of the season

CarMars Favorite: Could you rank these starts ROS for a QS league: cole, G. Williams, ERod, Weathers, Detmers, T. Rogers, Boyd, C. Holmes THANKS JUSTIN YOU THE MAN

Justin Mason: Williams, Cole, Rogers, Boyd, Detmers, ERod, Weathers

Justin Mason: I have time for a few more questions! Send them now or forever hold your…

CarMars Favorite: Throw Webb into that list too plz?

Justin Mason: Webb behind Col

elfpants: (I figured. I just wanted to reference “Psycho” 🙂 )

Justin Mason: The insane takes on the pending lockout are maddening. The owners want something they wont get and will ruin their sport trying. Its terrbile

KCM25: Do you like Ty France to keep up this return to form going into 2027 or is this likely just a blip?

Justin Mason: just a blip, but Im riding with it for now

Jon Tayler: Thoughts on Quinn Mathews? Gonna roll with him for his next start vs COL but curious if you think he has ROS value

Justin Mason: I picked him up in every league im in just for the Colorado start and to see if he can build on it.

BaseballBundesliga: Do I remember you saying trade deadline in keeper leagues should be as late as possible? Right up to playoffs, even?

Justin Mason: YES!!!

Justin Mason: Keep leagues active as long as possible

Pirates Hurdles: Many would argue the sport is already ruined and needs fixing

Justin Mason: They are wrong

Justin Mason: Baseball is in a great spot right now. I understand people don’t love what the Dodgers are doing, but the fix isnt a cap. Its a floor and stopping the unlimited deferrals.

morganconrad: Shallow H2H categories league.  Keep disappointing Seager or Gunnar at SS?  Or finally time to drop for Stott or similar hot bats?

Justin Mason: Gunnar

HappyFunBall: “I heard a podcaster claim” is the modern equivalent of “A guy a the bar said”.  It means nothing.  Just stop.

Justin Mason: Point awarded

Robert: So i do not feel abandoned, May i be your last ?

Justin Mason: yes

Justin Mason: Thank you all for chatting with me!

Justin Mason: Ill be doing a live Deadline Wrap up pod tonight with Paul and Jason tonight at 10pm EST if youre up late!