Justin Mason’s Baseball Chat – August 4, 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!

Matt: Am I getting too cute benching Sonny Gray (CHC, @LAD) in favor of Flaherty (MIN)

Justin Mason: I think so. Especially with two on the docket for Gray

Vlad: Have to find a replacement for Austin Riley in a shallow 10 team league. Some OK options available, thoughts on Westburg or Max Muncy (LAD)?

Justin Mason: Give me muncy here. He was crushing it after getting the eyesight issue fixed. He would be atop tier pick up for me.

PG: Staring at a lot of bad options for a new Corner IF.  How would you rank Rice, Manzardo, Jung, and Clement?  Currently leaning Clement with Coors on deck

Justin Mason: Rice, Jung (if he doesn’t go on the IL, Clement, Manzardo

Matt: Is Birdsong worth dropping in a 16 team dynasty league if roster/IL space is thin?

Justin Mason: absolutely

Homer: I’ve been REALLY relying on Chandler Simpson for speed? Should I find a different avenue (aka is he droppable) or should I wait out this wrist injury? If different route is the suggestion, anyone on the waiver wire or coming up soon for a call up that matches his speed?

Justin Mason: I would wait it out if I could, but also Jakob Marsee was just called up and he has stolen a ton of bases with a good OBP in the minors over the last few seasons.

Guest: What do you think about Heriberto Hernandez?

Justin Mason: He has power and speed, so there is some interesting upside, but he struggles with consistent contact. Could hit .200 and strike out at a 40% clip. High risk/high reward

Rick: Should I bench Gore for his 2 start week given his significant struggles in his last two starts?

Justin Mason: I wouldn’t

TwoStartSandy?: Would you rather roll out Sandy for the two-start (HOU and @ATL) or Burns @ PIT?

Justin Mason: Sandy 2-Start

Jeff: Thoughts on Jakob Marsee as a long-term keeper option in 5×5?

Justin Mason: I am intrigued by him. I dont know if he ultimately hits enough to be a regular, but the MArlins have no reason not to see what they have in him this year and next.

Tony: Is Profar a must hold by any stretch in a 12tm 4OF league? Or post-PEDs not necessarily?

Justin Mason: I do think he is a must hold. Still making a ton of contact which is good, but it’s weak contact and too much of it is in the air.

bdubs: Pls rank ROS these OF’s – and only those worth considering -on the wire among: 
HRamos, Carpenter, Happ, Laureano, Grisham, Collins, Pham, Jesus Sanchez, Angel Martinez.

Any new closers you can suggest for saves to replace the dearly departed?

Justin Mason: Carpenter, Happ, Sanchez, Ramos, Grisham, Laureano, Pham, Collins, Martinez

Randy Rodriguez, Dennis Santana, Jojo Romero, Cole Sands

Galen: Chasing Wins and Ks in a 10 team AL only. Worth holding on to Luis Garcia (HOU)? Or do you think Houston will put him in the bullpen?

Justin Mason: He is not worth holding onto for this season in my opinion

jerry: 12 team league. lots of question marks for pitching this week – who am i 2 starting? soroka, slade, lauer. also – worth starting giolito at SDP?

Justin Mason: Cecconi and Lauer. I think Giolito is worth starting this week as well

Jason: Would you start Eury at ATL or Strider against MIL?

Justin Mason: Eury

dobs: Thoughts on J Lawlar rest of season?

Justin Mason: Hard to know if he will have any real impact this year. Still injured in AAA. He could be up in a week or so, but I want to see him on the field first

Kirk: Thanks for the chat Justin! NL-only roto. Drop either of Verlander or Pfaadt for Sears or Darvish?

Justin Mason: I think I would probably hold what I have for this week and then reassess.

Stan: Michael Burrows seems like an interesting add in NL-only. But that Pirates team… is it worth it?

Justin Mason: I think so. He has quietly been really good and the strikeouts seem to be improving as well. I think he is a sneak add in mixed leagues so definitely someone I want in NL.

Cris: Hello. 10 tm, roto. Chourio to DL. Who would you start in his place? Barger, Beck, Soderstrom……or could pickup Stanton. Thanks!

Justin Mason: Soderstrom

Ron: Start Royce Lewis or Jordan Westburg this week in ROTO?

Justin Mason: Lewis

Guest: Can you rank these guys for 2026? Riley Greene, James Wood, Oneil Cruz, Junior Caminero

Justin Mason: Wood, Caminero, Cruz, Greene

Tom: What to do with Marcel Ozuna? Droppable most places? Seems like he’s playing now at least.

Justin Mason: yeah, he is droppable

King: In a keeper league – I’m competitive this year and had tried to strike some deals earlier in the summer. After being rebuffed, owners are now asking for “best offers.” I find myself looking at the shortening calendar and wanting to significantly reduce offers for rental players. Certainly no piece of advice fits every league, but do you have any approaches or thoughts on this “remaining season” factor?

Justin Mason: I play to win now, so I am aggressive with these types of deals. I am not going to trade a future superstar for a minor piece, but dont be afraid to give up a future piece if it helps you lock down a title. Flags Fly Forever. Look at projections and see what an addition would do to your standings. I will say that I am less inclined to give up as much in a h2h format as opposed to roto because of the randomness of the week to week in that format

Marty: Am I silly to keep counting on Doyle to get going ROS?

Justin Mason: I still want to believe but I am silly as well

Dustin: Most likely to be a closer next year: Sands, Dennis Santana, Ferrer

Justin Mason: Santana

Elmer: Michael King rehab start yesterday. How much do you trust that he’ll be a fantasy boost down the stretch?

Justin Mason: A fair amount. When healthy, he has been great

Micah: Are there any more difference-making prospects on your radar for ROS impact?

Justin Mason: Where is Bubba Chandler? Jakob Marsee was just called up. At some point we should get Basalllo. Maybe an Andrew Painter debut?

Chucky: Starting Lauer @ Col/LAD over any of Sanchez @ Tex, Bibbe @CWS, ECab @ Atl or Strider v Milw? Points scoring format

Justin Mason: over Bibee

William Contreras: Shoutout Willy C for having his hottest stretch of baseball this week. Phew. Trust in his dynasty value? Injured hand be darned?

Justin Mason: Got to trust him at this point. I hope he is the guy he was previously.

Brad: Does Warming Bernabel settle in as an everyday player?

Justin Mason: No reason he shouldn’t on the rockies. Who else do they have? Though it is the Rockies and we don’t trust their decision making, but yes.

Chucky: Any chance the Giants call up Eldridge? Hate to be that guy who comps but am I seeing a modern version of Willie McCovey?

Justin Mason: I think he is up at some point, but probably not until the end of the month or september.

Ron: Rank the following ROS for ROTO that has both W and QS: Glasnow, Gilbert, Eovaldi, Pivetta, Suarez, Eury, Bieber. Thanks!

Justin Mason: Gilbert, Glasnow, Eovaldi, Eury, Pivetta, Suarez, Bieber

Hazmat Corntail: I’m hanging on to Josh Jung in dynasty, but am some point am going to need to make a drop for others coming back from IL. Would you sign off on doing so, knowing that I still have Barger and Bohm, with potentially Lawlar later?

Justin Mason: that’s tough but probably

Sam: Any thought on Johan Oviedo returning feo

Justin Mason: Not until I see him pitch. I will be watching him vs my Giants.

First Last: As someone with a last name that can also be a first name, do you often get people who accidentally refer to you as Mason? Pet peeve or par for the course?

Justin Mason: All the time, but I dont mind it at all. I much prefer it to people calling me Jason

Justin Mason: Point awarded

Chucky: Dynasty Keep 10 with no contracts. Who to stash Eldridge or Keaschall?

Justin Mason: Edlridge

Justin Mason: Need more questions!

Charles: Who closes for the Yankees in 2026?

Justin Mason: That is tough. Probably changes hands during the year, but I lean Bednar

Hank: You’ve pushed back on Paul’s love of Gavin Williams but he looks like a nice replacement while Miz is out. Who do you like between him, Singer or Gil (assuming Bieber stays on his rehab)?

Justin Mason: I probably lean Williams here

Justin Mason: Go for the upside in Ks

jerry: what OF to start this week – thinking im gonna lose steals regardless – ward, L butler, k carp, r anthony

Justin Mason: Carpenter

Crystal Ball: Could you please rank these keepers in Dynasty? Noelvi Marte, Ivan Herrera, Colt Keith

Justin Mason: Keith, Herrera, Marte

Marty: I’m planning to role into my h2h 16 team playoffs with Boyle, Bieber, Bradish, Roup and Wacha as my rotation. Am I going to get crushed?

Justin Mason: Are you going mostly relievers, but this is scaring me?

Guest: Chris Sale done for the season?

Justin Mason: I dont think so, but no reason for them to push him hard

Walt: Is Mickey Moniak a long-term asset or more similar to Bernabel — just hoping for playing time and power possibilities in COL?

Justin Mason: I dont think he is a long term guy at this point, but he will play

jerry: starting Kirk or f rod at catcher this week?

Justin Mason: Kirk

Mark: does Zac Gallen finish strong or will it be more of the same?

Justin Mason: More of the same

Vince: In 12-tm, weekly H2H category, w HD+S,  have Vesia, Dominguez and Abreau. Please comment and rank for ROS for HD+S/good ratios — these three, plus Iglesias, Deitmers, Little, Whitlock, Treinen? & Armstrong. Thanks!

Justin Mason: Domingues, Treinen, Abreu, Iglasias, Detmers, Little

Chucky: In fourth place with no pitching H2H. Would you offer Julio and Happ for Framber and Carpenter? Keeper with no contracts. Framber is a FA and who knows where he lands.

Justin Mason: I would if I am playing for now.

Saves: Best candidate to gather saves ROS? Jax, Whitlock, Lee, Treinen

Justin Mason: Treinen

Ron: Kirk or William Contreras ROS in ROTO that has both avg and obp

Justin Mason: Contreras

Jacob: 2 duds in a row, any concern with DeGrom going forward? do you think he gets skipped here and there down the stretch?

Justin Mason: No real concerns yet

Mark: Does Justin Crawford contribute this year?

Justin Mason: Probably not

jerry: keaschall worth trying to trade in a 12t hth keeper? making a playoff push

Justin Mason: depends on the return, but sure

Guest: How do you best trade the Seager and Freeman for FV?  Seems no one is giving up future value guys now even if you over pay. Any advice?

Justin Mason: It is always league to league dependent. Sometimes it is worth just holding unless there is an expiring contract situation.. Older players can often have more value before or at the beginning of a season.

Karma: Why is it sometimes more fun to root for your opponents’ starting pitcher to get shelled than it is to support your own guys? I think it’s likely because I’m a bad person, but I’m open to additional analysis.

Justin Mason: Because we love others feeling the pain we have felt. If you are a bad person than so am I

Justin Mason: Point awarded!

Guest: ROS pls rank: Strider, Kirby, Snell, DeGrom, Peralta

Justin Mason: Kirby, Strider, deGrom,Peralta, Snell

Michael: Thoughts on Bryce Miller ROS/moving forward in dynasty keeper?

Justin Mason: I still believe in him long term but this year feels like a wash out of a year

Dan: Can start 5 SP in 16 Team H2H but cant decide: Giolito, Gore (2 start), Morton, Lauer (2 start), Horton, Cease, Wacha – almost all of them have been pitching well lately.

Justin Mason: Gore and Cease

Guest: Are we high on Bader and/or Marsh for the rest of the season? Marsh has been fools gold for me for years but has been a bit better lately. Bader is hitless since being traded which is probably fluke but still

Justin Mason: I am not

bernie brewer: Does Logan henderson really just get two starts while miz is out, assuming other starters stay healthy?

Justin Mason: It looks that way

Dynasty: Better Dynasty option: Beavers or Marsee? Avg/HR/RBI/SB

Justin Mason: Marsee if you need speed, but I think Beavers is the more complete prospect

Micah: Any hope for Bibee to be 12-team relevant for QS this season?

Justin Mason: nothing more than a team streamer at this point

Dave: On yesterday’s Sleeper and the Bust, you said Judge has an injured UCL.  He does not.  His UCL imaging came up clean.  Think you may have given some listeners heart attacks

Justin Mason: Oh no. I had seen that somewhere. I am sorry!

Ken: Thanks for the chat Justin. Is Mize worth starting with his two step vs MIN and LAA? Need to make up ERA ground and he’s been bad last three starts. Zebby is the other option.

Justin Mason: If you need to make up ERA, then Mize is the better option. Love Zebby but the ratios are scary

Micah: In your opinion, when’s the best time for a fantasy league’s trade deadline?

Justin Mason: depends on the format. In a redraft, I think the end of the first or second week of August. In a short term keeper, end of august. In a dynasty, no deadline

Justin Mason: but I also have no issue with any league wanting to keep people active by having a late deadline

Anthony: Langeliers been FUEGO since the break. Where can he rank at catcher ROS? Is #2 behind Raleigh outlandish?

Justin Mason: I comped him to Cal prior to the season, so I could see it, but I think he is more than likely 3-5

Anthony: Who is more likely to return close to his former self the final 8ish weeks: Bibee or Ober. Neither is also an acceptable response

Justin Mason: Neither?

bdubs: Garcia – Tex, worth holding?

Justin Mason: until we see the status, yes

Justin Mason: if he hits the IL, no

jerry: giancarlo has been productive. should i start him over r anthony or l butler?

Justin Mason: nope

Ron: Tyler Freeman will have ___ BA ROS?

Justin Mason: .290

Chucky: ROS, Mookie, Otto and Westburg H2H 6×6 OBP

Justin Mason: Mookie, Westburg, Otto

Sal: NL 4×4 Roto, would you drop Lowe for O’Hearn or Laureano?

Justin Mason: for O’Hearn

Anthony: Is Chris Sanchez the real deal? Every start seems to be 6/7 innings with great Ks and very efficient pitch counts. Is he close to top 12 next year?

Justin Mason: I think he should be a top 20 guy for sure. 12 might be high, but I haven’t really looked at it

Anthony: Given the lack of 3B options, is Noelvi a passable every day play? Would you rank him top 10 ROS?

Justin Mason: Not top 10 ros, but I think he is playable as long as he is getting time.

Guest: Devers finally with a big game yesterday he finishes the season as a top __ overall hitter

Anthony: Is Yandy Diaz hot, or is that Mickey Mouse park also a major factor in his blistering streak right now?

Justin Mason: Yandy is hot. I the hit tool has always been good. Just needs to stay healthy

Protecc: OK that sent early. Lol. Consider his existence. But also what is Pages’ role in 2026 and beyond?

Justin Mason: Always hard to tell on a team like the dodgers who could spend money on players even when they have good ones on the team. Pages has made massive strides through the minors and in the Majors. I think he can be a 30/15 guy with a good average as long as he is playing. No reason for him not to be.

Dave: Strider over deGrom?  Show your work

Justin Mason: I think you can go either way with this to be honest. but the strikeouts on Strider give him a boost. Over his last 9 starts he has a 31% k rate. That is massive

Anthony: Is Mike Burrows a team streamer, or is he a half step above that? His FIP/xFIP are quite good!

Justin Mason: I think he is a step above.

Hazmat Corntail: Better C for dynasty: Goodman or Wells?

Justin Mason: Goodman

tortycraig: Mikael Garcia is a top ## 3B in 2026? Is he a keep at $5 over Gunnar at $26 now that he has SS eligibility? 5×5 OBP league w/ TB instead of HR

Justin Mason: I am not necessarily keeping him over gunnar, but I think Garcia is a top 5-10 3B.

Anthony: Will the change in scenery help Soroka pitch closer to his 3.3 xERA? That whip and K9 is tasty

Justin Mason: I encourage you to go listen to Paul’s and my discussion on him from friday’s podcast. Paul is higher on him than me, but I am hopeful.

Guest: Burleson or JSanchez? slight SB need

Justin Mason: Sanchez

Rob: I have rostered Vest, Santana, Rodriguez and Romero at RP  but need to drop one …Your thoughts 6×6 h2h …

Justin Mason: Probably vest

Rob: I just lost Aranda …Tork, Manzardo, Vaughn,Bernabell available at 1B. .. 6×6 H2H…Your pick of one to fill spot….THnx

Justin Mason: Tork

Phil: Thoughts on the Twins BP of Tonkin and Erasmo Ramirez to close the game yesterday….Ramirez was facing Ramirez.

Justin Mason: This looks like it will likely be a committee moving forward

Vince: In 12-tm, weekly H2H category, w Z Matthews, Baz, Boyle, Schuyler at back of my rotation … Soriano, Whisenhunt top waiver options! Is JT Ginn must add? Thanks!

Justin Mason: Soriano is the guy for me here. Ginn is interesting when he’s on the road, but I dont want him at home.

Charles: Thoughts on Kayfus in Cleveland?

Justin Mason: Kayfus is an interesting accumulator, but I worry he isn’t going to play every day.

Justin Mason: That’s all the time I have! I will begin at the top of the hour! 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!