Justin Mason’s Baseball Chat – February 2, 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!

Datt Mamon: Are you fully in on Keaschall or do you have doubts

Justin Mason: I’m not in at the price. I think he could be a very good player, but a top 150 price on an unproved guy that missed time with injury and doesnt have a ton of power feels a bit high for me. I think he gets pushed up because second base is bad and people love a shiny new toy

M: How do you value multi-position eligibilty? In an auction league how much more is a player worth if they are multi eligible?

Justin Mason: It’s more of a tie breaker for me than anything else. We all love guys that can play all over because it makes in season management a little easier, but that should be built into your auction price. If you want to bump him up a buck or two, I get it, but these players are often overvalued because of their eligibility.

CleverName: Hi Justin, happy Monday! Hope the Super Bowl isn’t causing you too much of a headache out in SF. I’m in a 10 team keeper league where we can keep up to 8 players each. Would it be crazy to essentially think about the draft starting at pick 80?

Justin Mason: Took me like five hours to drive to and from SF yesterday, so the Super Bowl being here is not my favorite thing lol. With these types of keeper leagues, I always do mock keeper lists. Try and guess which players will be kept and then work from that list until the keeper deadline is official.

Punxsutawney Phil: Should we slightly devalue Dodger starting pitchers in shallow leagues since they will likely miss time over the summer due to a sore body part/load management?

Justin Mason: I wouldnt. That is always the thinking until we actually get in season and teams dont have the depth to fully cover when real injuries happen.

COJason: Good morning.  In a 10-team H2H keeper, I have OF’s JRod, Tatis, Roman Anthony, Wyatt Langford, and James Wood.  I currently have no 1B.  Should I trade Tatis for Devers to fill the opening?  Thank you!

Justin Mason: You should be able to get more from Tatis than just devers, so I would not do that.

Groundhog: Even with injuries in 2025, Chourio produced a 21/21 .270. All the projections expect a repeats but with a full 650 PAs. Was all issues last year injury related or should I be worried about someone I expect to be a perennial top30 overall player.

Justin Mason: I expect him to be that top 30 guy with a return to health. I think the projections are pretty light on him and my projections are going to be a little better in the power and speed departments.

E: Hey Justin! 14 team h2h dynasty league. Would you trade mookie betts and either shane mcclanahan, spencer strider, or drew ras for gunnar hend? I have excess pitching and am willing to deal.

Justin Mason: yeah, id move Betts and McClanahan for Gunnar in dynasty

DJ: I just joined my first-ever Best Ball draft (10-team points) and we’re about to start the draft. Any advice on how the strategy shifts from a standard points league draft?

Justin Mason: Make sure you run projections on the points. Every points format is different and without pickups, you dont want to under or overvalue players. Next, Make sure you prioritize guys that WILL play. everyone loves rookies and injury risk, but without in season pickups, you can take zeros if you arent careful. In a 50- round draft, I would only draft five guys that are injured or not likely to debut at the beginning of the season. Volume is massive. Make sure you have multiple backups at each position in case of injuries. Multipositional guys are massive if they have multiposition eligibility in the format. Some dont and just give every player one position.

jesse: Is it worth keeping Jasson Dominguez at $10 in a 10 Team AL only $260 league? Next year he’d cost $14. Been waiting on him to break and feel like I need to decide fish or cut bait at this price.

Justin Mason: I think I would cut because I dont see the path to playing time until there is an injury.

South Sider: Hi Justin, I’m in a 16 team OBP league, 6 keepers, you can keep forever, but they move up one round each year. Is Holliday (14th round) a fair return for Gunnar (3rd round). I plan to keep Lindor and Seager in a late rounds.

Justin Mason: I prefer Gunnar here personally

Legion of Doom: Is Perdomo a keeper in keep unlimited years, in 12 team , 5×5

Justin Mason: depends how many you keep, but probably

Ottoneu: In an Ottoneu league, I have $86 to address 19 roster spots. I have a solid team at this point, particularly on the pitching side. Generally speaking, do you think it is worth allocating more remaining money to one or two bats, or do I just try to spread it around, as most of these guys will be bench players day-to-day.

Justin Mason: depends on the depth of the league, but I tend to think I would rather spread it around. I am not a big Ottoneu guy so Chad is the person to ask.

Marty Supreme: How soon is too soon in keep 4 unlimited years 5 x 5 for Konnor Griffin? First round ?

Justin Mason: I’m not taking him near the first round. I think unless I am not competiting this year, I wouldnt take him until the fourth at the earliest

John: General thoughts on Colson Montgomery? Top prospect, highly ranked, but scuttled in AAA for 800 PA, then comes up and blasts 21 homers in about 70 games. Is he a future star, or someone likely to flame out in 2026? Someone to get in now or sell high on? 12 team dynasty, head to head points.

Chooch: Is Colson Montgomery going to whiff his way back to the minors or hit 40 HR in the majors?

Justin Mason: Two montgomery questions in a row so lets answer these together.

Justin Mason: Montgomery is going to play, but I dont think he’s a 40 homer guy. The strikeouts are going to be an issue but he showed better contact skills in the upper minors and held his own last year well enough in the Majors. There is a risk that he strikes out too much but the White Sox have no reason not to play him. He could be a 30+ homer guy this year for sure with like  .230 avg.

JoJo: Is Vinnie P the next Freddie F?

Justin Mason: I def think he could be Freddie without the steals. HE is probably more of a .280-.290 hitter but I think there is legit power and I love the hit tool.

E: Final keeper question for a 14 team h2h dynasty league. carter jensen (behind hunter goodman), bryce eldridge (behind vinny p), or addison barger (no one else at 3rd could try to reaquire in draft)?

Justin Mason: I probably try to reacquire Barger at the draft.

hanstone: 12 team mixed dynasty. Dylan Beavers gonna hit well enough to stick on the Orioles lineup all year? Does Beavers steal ABs from Cowser if his K% stays at 30%?

Justin Mason: I think Beavers could in a strong side platoon, but I do worry about the amount of outfielder on this team after the addition of Taylor Ward. Right now we have Beavers on the strong side with Tyler O’Neill, but are they really going to have O’Neill be just the short-side when they paid him? Any struggles and Beavers could get sent back down which scares me.

John:

• Hi Justin, pick one to keep: Sale 6th, Jhoan Duran 6th, Bednar 11th.  Already keeping: JRod, Soto, JRam, crochet, Gilbert and woo.  Generally don’t consider closers, but this year seems a little different.  Thanks!

Justin Mason: I’ll take Duran since you already have so many SPs

Robby: Is David Bednar locked in as Yankees closer?

Justin Mason: As long as he pitches well, no reason to think he cant lock that down all season

Paddy: Is Schwarber a top 5 hitter in leagues with OPS?

Justin Mason: most likely yes

Paddy: Seem like everyone is in on Sal Stewart as a breakout. Do you have playing time concerns after the addition of Suarez?

Justin Mason: I dont have tremendous concerns. I think he plays over Steer.

Trappy: Does Riley Greene have another gear and become a superstar this year?

South Sider: We’ve seen .350 OBP Riley Greene, and we’ve seen 35 HR Riley Greene. Do you think we could see both in the same season?

Justin Mason: Two greene questions in a row. I dont think we see him put it all together and become a superstar. When he hit 36 homers, he did at the cost of his contact skills and approach. I think he is still figuring out who he is and he will be valuable, but I dont see the next level coming yet.

Paddy: As a Giant’s fan, do you anticipate Heliot Ramos taking another step or more of the same?

Justin Mason: More of the same

Guest: I have a keeper decision that I’m not sure about. I don’t want to go into much detail though. Do you think I should do it or not?

Justin Mason: Point awarded!

Daro: Will I be ok if I trade JDuran while replacing him with BReynolds?

Justin Mason: I wouldnt do that

South Sider: Andrew Vaughn hit .198 with a 3% walk rate with the White Sox. He hit .308 with a 9% walk rate with the Brewers. Do you think we should expect him to be this guy all year? I mean, he had a projected 70 hit tool coming out of college.

Justin Mason: I am a huge believer in Vaughn as long as he is healthy. I think he could be a massive power/average guy and should have all the plate appearances in Milwaukee.

Guest: Savant has a section that shows player HRs by park. Do you know, is that if they hit all their HRs in that park, or just if they switched home parks?

Justin Mason: If they hit all their homers in that particular park

TooDamnTall: In dynasty would you be looking to sell O’Neil Cruz?

Justin Mason: I would wait for a hot streak and then sell

Adenolith: Does WBC participation concern you for your drafts? Maybe less so hitters, but it makes me want to fade the starters a couple dollars.

Justin Mason: I dont think there is good enough data to suggest we fade WBC players.

BigD: What are you doing with Jo Adell? Will he hit 37 HR again, or get sent to minors?

Justin Mason: I am a long time believer in Adell and while that probably makes me a bit biased, I still believe. he has made gains every year in the hit tool and while he hit just .236 last season, he deserved better. I think there is some prospect fatigue, but I am a buyer on him

Salty: I’m having a hard time finding a sleeper team to win their division.  I just think with the CBA issue, the haves are really gunning for it this year to accumulate as much revenue as they can, at the expense of the have nots.  Are the Yankees (4th place Steamer projection) or Rangers sleeper-ish enough?  Any teams you like ahead of the start of spring training?

Justin Mason: Rangers are an interesting team because no one in the West really improved. The Royals are a really fun team to keep an eye on as well. For all the shade we throw at the Pirates, they made some interesting moves and have a ton of young talent.

Bog: Will Arraez be platooned in SF? What were your thoughts on the signing

Justin Mason: I dont think he will be. I’m not a huge fan of the signing because he is so bad defensively, but there is no such thing as a bad 1-year deal so at least it’s not a long term investment.

Lord Thunder: Is Tatis ever going to reach the 30 homer level again?

Justin Mason: I think he will at some point, but he needs to put the ball in the air more to do it. He definitely has the power and approach, but a 34% flyball rate isnt doing it.

Jake: What kind of year do you think Eury Perez has?

Justin Mason: I think he could be a top 15 starter this year

Justin Mason: the only thing that holds him back potentially is the Marlins not helping him with wins.

Guest: Does first base feel like the deepest position to you? And in 12 team leagues, are you comfortable with a lower-end starter? Ie. Aranda? Tork?

Justin Mason: It is super deep and unless I get a guy I love earlier, I am waiting for Tork/Vaughn/ Aranda later

Hercules Hercules!: What are the final statlines for Sal Stewart and Moises Ballesteros and with Big Sal qualify at 3rd and Moises Grande at C going forward?

Justin Mason: I dont think Stewart plays much third nor do I think Ballesteros plays catcher. I dont have my projections handy right now, so the other part, you may have to come back for.

Dave: Does Yandy Diaz have a bounce back year? He has really solid power numbers a few years ago and saw a drop last year.

Justin Mason: I think he is who he is at this point and going back the the trop wont help the power numbers

Hercules Hercules!: Which lefty prospect bat ends the year with more HR: Jac Caglianone, Owen Caissie, Daulton Rushing, Carson Benge, Kevin McGonigle, Samuel Basallo, JJ Wetherholt, Colt Emerson, or the field?

Justin Mason: Basallo

Justin Mason: Need more questions!

South Sider: How soon do you think we’ll see Max Clark in Detroit this year?

Justin Mason: Mid-season? Hard to tell with how good the Tigers are. If they need him and he’s hitting well he could be up sooner, but they could also afford to keep him down if he’s not

Paul: Do you view Yanier Diaz as a top 10 catcher this year? Is there still more growth?

Justin Mason: I have him at nine right now, but I dont see a lot of growth there for him at this point

Hercules Hercules!: Which wounded sparrow returns with the biggest vengeance: Christian Scott, Gavin Stone, Drew Thorpe, or Drey Jameson?

Justin Mason: Scott

Hazmat Corntail: 14t dynasty league, 7×7 (standard five with QS for SP): if you can only keep two of these three, who do you keep: Boyle, Henderson, Messick.

Justin Mason: Henderson and Messick

Lord Thunder: Will Max Anderson be up with the Tigers at some point this season?

Justin Mason: I think he will but he needs an injury or two

Lord Thunder: If healthy all season, Bubba Chandler will be the Pirates’ second-, third-, fourth-, fifth-best starter? Or worse?

Justin Mason: second

Salty: I was thinking maybe the Pirates, too – Btw their good pitching and a Cruz comeback, that’s the start of something.  Cruz’s K-rate is brutal, but considering his high EV/HH rate, a .260 BABIP was probably a bit unlucky last year.

Justin Mason: I love Cruz’s raw skills but he has such a bad hit tool that we are always going to have big ups and downs until he fixes that and I honestly don’t know if he can

Bart Oates: How do you view Junior Caminero as a dynasty asset?  Inflated stats last year at Steinbrenner field? Likely to stick at 3B or real risk to move to 1B in near future?

Justin Mason: Caminero’s power plays anywhere. He actually hit more homers on the road than he did at Steinbrenner last year so I am not worried about that at all. I think he moves to first at some point, but not in the near future

Lord Thunder: Do you dig into NPB players potentially coming over to MLB, or do you wait until they’re posted to be interested?

Justin Mason: I tend to wait until they are posted or there is talk about them being posted in the next season. Usually start looking for those types of guys in September/October and I go and talk to people that cover the NPB

Justin Mason: Need more questions!

Hercules Hercules!: Given what you just said, which NPB player are you the most bullish on for 2026?

Justin Mason: Okamoto. I think he is a really good pure hitter. I definitely will be watching Imai and Murakami in spring for different reasons

Lord Thunder: Chances that Romy Gonzalez gets significant playing time this season?

Justin Mason: Seems like he is at this point. I really thought Boston would go get someone else to play second though

JT: Why isn’t Cam Schlittler a top-100 arm? What’s different between him and Eury or McLean?

Justin Mason: I have him right below those guys, but I do agree that people are sleeping on him a bit. Was really impressive last season. The park is a little scary but the stuff is unreal if he can control it.

Guest: Is there a way to counter an all RP strategy in a H2H cats league? Regular season, it’s not really a big deal, but when 2 week playoff matchups come, it’s a fairly big advantage in 3 categories.

Justin Mason: you can do it yourself or you can go 1-2 elite starters and the rest relievers.

Lord Thunder: Of the highly rated young starting pitchers who debuted last season, who is the best long term?

Justin Mason: McLean

TB: It’s my first time doing an Ottoneu league. Do you have any recommendations for doing a team for the first time?

Justin Mason: oh, I am not the guy to ask. I am not a very good Ottoneu guy. Chad is the man for those

Hercules Hercules!: As a thought experiment: which ‘upside type’ are you generally gonna prefer: the Michael King Special (aka a guy who did it before but got hurt) or the Nolan McLean Cuisine (aka a rookie who showed out in a limited role but hasn’t truly ‘done the do’ in MLB over a sustained period of time)?

Justin Mason: The McLean type

Positions: In a 14-team dynasty points league I have sad trombone noises at 3B (Jordan Lawlar) but Elly De La Cruz at SS and Corey Seager at UT. Do you think either of those guys could move to third in the next couple years or should I be looking to trade from some good OF depth for a starter at the position? Thanks, Justin.

Justin Mason: I dont see either moving to 3B personally

Adenolith: It’s my first time doing an NFBC league this year. Any advice?

Justin Mason: Volume wins. People love to take risks, but what really pays off are the guys that play day in and day out. Taking on injury risk with no IL spots can sink you. Pitching goes a lot faster in these leagues and FAAB is much more competitive. I have a bunch of High Stakes NFBC primers coming out on Fantasy Pros this month and next month, so definitely check those out.

Guest: How would you order Landen Roupp, Ian Seymour, and Braxton Garrett for 2026?

Justin Mason: Roupp, Seymour

JT: Geno back in Cinci! Does that make him a big target for you in H2H cats at 3B? Feel like you can take him or Chapman and not be too far behind

Justin Mason: yeah, love him heading back to Cincy

Lord Thunder: Who’s going to put up a better season, Carroll or Tatis?

Justin Mason: Carroll

jesse: Is Jackson Holiday worth $13 in a $260 10 team H2H AL only keeper league?

Justin Mason: probably

Hercules Hercules!: Is it time to give up on Jordan Walker and Heston Kierstad?

Justin Mason: I am not completely giving up on them because they are so young, but I am not really a huge buyer at this point.

Cromulent: Thoughts on Evan Carter? He is a lot higher on the FG OF ranks than his ADP would suggest. Worth a premium, esp in dynasty?

Justin Mason: I dont share the optimism on him. Injury prone and a platoon guy

Bart Oates: When would you expect to see Kevin McGonigle this year and where do you think his long-term defensive home will be?

Justin Mason: I think he will be up pretty early and playing SS for the Tigers

Adenolith: I feel like 2B is really shallow this year and I want one of the Big 2, but the guys over at Rates and Barrels seemed to think it was reasonably deep and they were willing to wait. Where do you fall?

Justin Mason: I think its a bit of both. There is not much high end talent, but it goes deep for deeper leagues. So if youre in a 10 or a 12 team league, it looks really bad because you arent considering a lot of the guys those of us in deeper leagues are looking at.

Salty: Considering the drafts you’ve completed so far, have you noticed any specific positions where you’re finding discounts, or are you focused on a more player-by-player basis to find discounts on the guys you like?

Justin Mason: I go player by player. I run my projections through the ADP and see where I think the bargains are

Adenolith: Bro… churning through the questions today. You’re in mid-season form and it’s not even spring.

Justin Mason: Thank you! I try to go as quickly as I can so I can answer as many as possible.

Shawn miller: Where would Brett lawrie rank in your top 10 3b if he were still playing and better and healthy?

Justin Mason: oh man, I fell hard for him. He’s definitely top 5 in my heart

Justin Mason: Point awarded

Justin Mason: That’s all my time for today.

Justin Mason: That’s all my time for today. 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!