Justin Mason’s Baseball Chat – February 9, 2026

Justin Mason: Chat will begin shortly. 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: Do you think S. Alcantara’s second half bounceback is real/sustainable heading into 2026?

Justin Mason: I think that his second half is more indicative of who he will be. Pitchers almost always struggle in their first season back with their command and control, but he looked more like the pitcher he was prior to the surgery in the second half.

Tony Soprano: James Woods is a top 20 dynasty player in 5 x 5 ?

Justin Mason: Yes, he is. There may always be hit tool concerns that prevent him him from becoming a top 10 guy, but I do think he is in the top 20-25 dynasty players right now.

Dadbauer: What’s your initial reaction to this morning’s Brewers Red Sox swap?

Justin Mason: I literally just woke up and saw this so I havent had time to truly process is, but its a really interesting trade. The Red Sox get the infielder they desperately needed. The Brewers will see if they can turn former top prospect Kyle Harrison into a stud pitcher. Kind of a win/win deal. Makes Jett Williams an interesting buy if he is going to compete for the starting shortstop job.

Guest: Keep Vinnie P for $12 or Cole Ragans for $19?

Justin Mason: Vinnie P

Pumpsie Green: Without injuries to others, do you see Matt Shaw getting 400 AB’s?

Justin Mason: I don’t, but injuries happen and these things always tend to work themselves out. I think he finds 400 PAs one way or another.

Guest: Justin I play in a 12 tm dynasty and I don’t know what to do with Michael Harris. I play in an average and obp league. I got him free off the waiver wire. Would you keep him ? His profile bothers me but everyone says he’s talented.

Justin Mason: I think I keep him and try to flip him if the cost is free. I don’t trust him as a consistent asset in fantasy because the plate skills re so bad. It will lead to massive hot streaks and massive cold streaks. That being said, if you can be patient and flip him on a hot streak, there is profit to be made.

Johnny 99: Andy Pages or L.Butler ? 12T mixed roto  Thanks

Justin Mason: Pages for me.

Justin Mason: As much as I loved Butler coming into last year, the hit tool really regressed in 2025 and I am not confident he gets back to that.

Broken Bat: Seems many bullpens are heading into ST with Committee Closers. Multiple options, a position that the closer changes like 40% year to year. What pens seem most unsettled to you (maybe just name four)? IMO, Tigers already layered up with Jansen, Finnegan and Vest. I actually think VEST is best out of that group. Where do you see potential change coming?

Justin Mason: It definitely feels like the makings of a messy year for closers in fantasy. Texas seems like a place that could be up in the air especially with a new manager. St. Louis may have a closer battle or just a committee. I do not know what they will do in Arizona or Washington. This is why I invest more at the draft table for closers than others do. I do not want to be chasing saves all year.

Coach Klay: 15 Team Dynasty 2 Catcher Avg League: Thoughts on a Ketel Marte for Luke Keaschall, Jonah Tong, and Francisco Alvarez trade?

Justin Mason: oh this is an interesting one. I lean towards the trio just because I love the upside on Tong and in a 2-Catcher league Alvarez has a ton of upside too.

Datt Mamon: Outlook for Lowder this year?

Justin Mason: I think he starts the year in AAA and is the first man up when they need a starter. I was a big fan before the injury and he should now be completely healed from that. A deep sleeper with no price attached in most formats.

WA: Need help filling our TGFBI satellite league! Thank you!

Justin Mason: If you want to win your way into a TGFBI league for next season, you can do it by entering and winning a satellite league! https://tgfbi.com/satellite-leagues/

Justin Mason: Thank you for the reminder!

Rick M.: I haven’t heard much about Gavin Sheets this offseason but it seems like the Padres will give him a chance to play 1st base everyday. Any excitement there?

Justin Mason: I don’t think he will repeat what he did in 2025, but that doesn’t mean he wont have value. He should play on the strong side of a platoon in San Diego, hit 15-20 home runs with a mediocre average. Makes sense to draft in deeper formats.

Sahil: How are you valuing Isaac Paredes this year (both in standard and OBP leagues) given the uncertainty over what team he’ll be playing for and his exact role? Do you foresee him gaining 2B eligibility (or any other position)?

Justin Mason: I really thought he was going to end up in Boston in a deal that sent the Astros an outfielder, but with the Durbin trade today, that seem unlikely now. I do think he could be traded at some point, but the Astros may decide he is more valuable to them as a reserve infielder since they have an injury prone guy in Carlos Correa at third and an old guy in Christian Walker at first. I don’t think they would move Altuve back to the outfield, but they could and try and fake it with Paredes at second.

Johnny 99: With 3B looking top heavy; would you reach for Riley at pick 45 in a 12T roto? Jram, Jazz, Manny, JCam all would be gone.

Justin Mason: I dont think I would reach that high for Riley, but I do think he is a tad bit underrated at pick 73 right now. Third base does get gross, so I could see myself pulling the trigger around pick 60 to ensure I get him.

CJBaseball16: What do you expect more this year? Os bats bounce back after not making playoffs last year? Royals bats come alive with fence shift? Rays pitchers put up great numbers and bats struggle with shift back to the Trop?

Justin Mason: I think I expect the first and last most. The Orioles have a sneaky good lineup with upside after their offseason and the youth up and down that lineup. Moving back to the trop for the Rays pitchers will be massive.

Doc Metal: What do you expect from Waldrep, Strider, and Sheehan this year? Thanks for the chat!

Justin Mason: I think both have really interesting upsides on good teams. For Waldrep, it will be all about whether or not he can maintain the control gains we saw at the Major League level and I am a bit skeptical, but he did do a great job of attacking the zone, especially early. Someone to watch closely in spring training.

Sheehan is similar. He has nasty stuff and is on the best team in baseball, but I worry about his ability to control  and command it consistently. The bigger issue with Sheehan is the price. He is already going in the top 150, so you need him to hit somewhat to pay off the asking price.

CJBaseball16: Who are some of your under the radar pitchers for deeper leagues? Ie guys that maybe people think won’t make the rotation but you do, or who are coming off down years?

Justin Mason: I dont know how off the radar Parker Messick, Zebby Matthews and Chad Patrick are, but I like all of them. If Jonah Tong finds his way into the rotation, I think he has ace upside. Payton Tolle and Connely Early do not have rotation spots right now, but they will find themselves there at some point and have great upsides. If Reynaldo Lopez is healthy, he could go back to being really good. I still want to believe in Brandon Pfaadt. The stuff is too good if he can command and control it. Slade Cecconi showed some promise at times last year and is still young. There’s a ton of these types of guys

Rick M.: try to decide between Kris Bubic and Ryan Weathers as my last keeper in a 20 team league where we keep 14. Thanks

Justin Mason: Bubic

Nick: 12 team keeper league, 7 keeper max, standard draft. Would you keep Edwin Diaz for an 8th round pick or Ben Rice for a 13th? Thought Rice would be getting 600+ PAs this year but Goldy coming back clouds things a bit.

Justin Mason: Diaz. I am bummed by the Yankees bringing back Goldy

Robert: It seems like Colton Cowser might be the starting CF for the Orioles this season, do you think he bounces back this season ?

Justin Mason: He should with a return to health. I have always been a fan.

South Sider: What’s your outlook for Eugenio Suarez back in Cincinnati? At age 34, I’m worried he’s on the brink of his production falling off a cliff.

Justin Mason: I think he will be the power guy he always has been with big ups and downs. Moving to Cincy makes his price more expensive, but he should mash

seddrah: Is Saalfrank really closing in AZ like Roster Resource suggests?

Justin Mason: I think it’s a committee with him and Ginkel leading the way. I wouldnt be surprised if they traded for someone or brought in another arm via free agency though because that is not the arms I want in the ninth

Looser: 8 team H2H points hitters & pitchers; draft pk 6.  Skubal or hitter?

Justin Mason: Skubal depending on the points structure.

Salty: Did you know all stadiums have humidors?  I thought it was only the launching pads, but Pham-graphs mentioned PNC’s was broke last year.  He didn’t mention if it was used for the baseballs or to hold the cigars for when teammates have babies.

Justin Mason: Point awarded

robertj102: The Red Sox have a 3B! Is Caleb Durbin a name worth considering in deep leagues?

Justin Mason: absolutely. The park wont do him many favors for his power, but he has a great hit tool, speed and will pick up 2B eligibility where he didnt already have it. I do worry the price will jump some after this move, but he is definitely on my radar.

Looser: lol …. Hit microphone by mistake, Siri TV

Justin Mason: ok, that made me laugh lol

Justin Mason: point awarded

JT: H2H Cats 12 teamer with QS… Been looking at early season park factors from Kiri Olers article last season… any cold weather east coast/midwest arms you like to draft late for upside?

Justin Mason: honestly, not something I have put in my process, but I will reconsider that.

Hazmat Corntail: Where are you on Josh Lowe in 14-15t dynasty leagues? The upside looks pretty good in my UT slot, but the downside makes him a WW guy outside of any hot streaks. Would you keep him over guys like Jung or Schanuel, or even a distant rookie like Long or Clifford?

Justin Mason: I am very interested to see how he looks in spring. I think he will get plenty of run in Anaheim and it’s a sneaky fun lineup they have put together. There will be big ups and downs because the hit tool isn’t great so if you want to move on, I understand.

Look At This Sotograph: Thanks for doing this chat Justin! I can keep two value keepers: Woodruff 12th round; Cade Smith 13th round; Bradish 15th round; Ben Rice 15th round. I’m leaning Woodruff & Bradish.

Justin Mason: I agree

Lou: In a 10 Team AL Only with a $260 cap, would you keep Walker Jenkins and Jasson Dominguez at $10 if that meant you could keep them next year at $14 and 2028 at $18

Justin Mason: I don’t know that I would keep Jenkins at that price, but I do think Jasson is debatable. I just worry about the playing time out of the gate if everyone is healthy. I dont think I keep either if I am competing this year.

Ben: Name a few SPs outside the top 50-60 at position that you are most excited to roster this year

Justin Mason: Ryne Nelson, Troy Melton, Grayson Rodriguez, Zebby Matthews, Ian Seymour, Jonah Tong, Andrew Painter, Chad Patrick, Tyler Mahle, Payton Tolle, Slade Cecconi, Zach Eflin, Brandon Sproat, Rhett Lowder, Nick Martinez

Lord Thunder: Is this season a bounce-back for Luis Robert Jr., or more of the same?

Justin Mason: More of the same

South Sider: The White Sox signed Eric Fedde today, presumably to be in the rotation. Do you see any fantasy relevance there?

Justin Mason: not really

BTinVT: Sheets numbers much better when not a DH. Do you put stock in that.

Justin Mason: There is a ~10% DH penalty for guys who play there regularly, so that makes sense. Maybe with Andujar at DH regularly, Sheets is a bit better.

CJBaseball16: I feel like I’m going to be one of the few on Austin Wells again this year. I get it have to supplement with some decent avg guys, but I feel the rice Hype, plus the deepness at the position overall has Wells as a nice late dart throw

Justin Mason: I tend to agree. I think there is a sneaky good Wells season coming at some point for Wells. His swing is perfect for that park and the hit tool is better than people realize.

Beano: NL 10 team 5×5. Who plays 1b for the Rockies? Who plays 1b for the Marlins & new: who plays 3b for the Brewers?

Justin Mason: Rockies – Blaine Crim
Miami – Liam Hicks
Brewers – Joey Ortiz

Broken Bat: In the Cubs pen… Maton or Harvey handcuffed to Palencia?

Justin Mason: I dont think I would worry too much about the handcuff there. Palencia is the guy unless they bring in someone else imo

ACC: How many homers you have down for Perdomo this year ??

Justin Mason: 13-15

CJBaseball16: Is it possible Cashman brought back Goldy to lower Rice’s ADP to a sensible place? The helium was just getting way too high

Justin Mason: lmao point awarded

Ice Cream Helmet: 11 team 5×5 roto. I can keep 2. Here are my keeper ‘values’ per my rankings.
$11 Neto
$9 Webb
$5 Vlad Jr
$5 Arazarena
$4 JRod

Who do you like? Philosophically, go by straight $ value or grab better talent at less discount?

Justin Mason: I’ll take the cheap Vlad and JRod

Sherf: Konner Griffin makes an immediate impact upon coming up?

Justin Mason: I still think he starts the year in the minors, but there is a ton of talent there. Hard to bank on a 19 year old to hit out of the gate so I would say his start probably looks more like Jackson Holliday’s. There is massive upside though and that could look foolish by the end of 2026.

CJ: lol No but actually talk about Goldy’s impact on Rice — how much is this hurting his value?

Justin Mason: I think it hurts a fair amount. A lot of his value was going to come from playing every day at first with catcher eligibility. I still think he gets 500+ plate appearances, but he isn’t getting 600+ now.

Trader Bob: The Brewers have to move Turang to SS, I wonder if they will try Frelick at 3B again.

Justin Mason: I am interested to see what they do or if they go out and try and pick up a Paredes type on the cheap.

JT: H2H Cats 12 teamer – I’m considering reaching a round and taking Ketel mid second round and pushing 1B/OF down… can you give quick thoughts on Tork, Aranda, Burleson and other late 1B/OF you like?

Justin Mason: I really like all three guys and throw in Andrew Vaughn as well as a guy that is tremendously underrated in drafts this year. I think Tork will do what he did last season. If Burleson can keep the gains versus lefties he had last year, he could be a stud, though I am skeptical he does keep those gains. Aranda has a really interesting profile and as long as he is in the lineup, I think he will be productive

Justin Mason: ok, thats my time! 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!

Justin Mason: also sign up for a TGFBI satelitte league at https://tgfbi.com/satellite-leagues/