Justin Mason’s Baseball Chat – July 7, 2025

Justin Mason: I will begin at the top of the hour! 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!

Hazmat Corntail: 14t dynasty (standard 5, QS), please rank these SP for RoS and beyond: Ober, Cecconi, Priester, Bello, Soroka

Justin Mason: Cecconi, Ober, Bello, Priester, Soroka

Derek: Listening to your discussion with Jason yesterday about Royce Lewis, 12 team keeper league with tons of pitching but weak in hitting – I offered this: Michael Harris and Kumar Rocker for Royce Lewis and TJ Friedl.  The other owner has an old team so I’m trying to sell him some youth?  Thoughts?

Justin Mason: I love this deal. You get the best player for this year in Friedl and the highest upside player for now and the future in Lewis. Great job

Tim: ROS and beyond: a) Otto Lopez,  b) Ha-Seong Kim, c) they’re the same guy d) they’re the same guy, but Otto also has 2B eligibility for ‘26 already

Justin Mason: I still lean Kim here for the future even though he is older. Lopez probably for this year because I just dont know how quickly Kim will shake off the rust.

Stuck in the Middle: 10-team, 6×6 (OPS).  Better ROS: Tovar or Otto Lopez?  Need R, AVG and OPS.

Justin Mason: Tovar

Hank: Thoughts on Woodruff after his start yesterday?  Definitely looked better than many expected.  How would you compare him vs. starters like G. Williams, Bibee and Gausman ROS.

Justin Mason: I was really impressed with his first start. Definitely better than I expected out of the gate. I think there will be bumps along the way after such a long layoff. I would have it Gausman, Bibee, Woodruff, Williams, but I can see a world in which Woodruff is the best out of that group

Arms, Troubles: Could you rank these arms: Slade C, Colton Gordon, T Rogers? Are they all above the rp threshold (Matt Brash) in an al only?

Justin Mason: Cecconi, Gordon, Rogers. I think they are all above brash for me

RAGBRAI: Do the Brewers trade from the seemingly/currently surplus of their pitchers for a bat? If so, OF or IF bat?

Justin Mason: I would be surprised if they did considering how quickly that depth can disappear

Bench Press: Hi! Bench bat in a daily AL OBP league: Michael A Taylor or Sam Haggerty? Would love steals but also everything else. Could also go with a reliever (Brash, Armstrong)…

Justin Mason: Haggerty if I went with a bat. Brash if you go with the reliever

A’s Good as it Gets: Ginn and Perkins have both looked interesting out the fka oakland pen. Would you buy either, especially with sevy maybe leaving?

Justin Mason: Nah, Severino isn’t going anywhere.

PG: What’re we doing with Rasmussen?  Opener for “a few starts”?

Justin Mason: They are limiting his innings and he probably only has 70 left. I think I am benching for right now

Beck and Call: Rank these OF in a 12-team OBP league please? Jordan Beck, Austin Hays, Sal Frelick, Lars Nootbaar

Justin Mason: Frelick, Nootbaar, Hays, Beck

Chris: Ryne Nelson has been on quite the streak with some pretty nearly FB metrics.  K’s are little light but seems like the breakout is real.  Time to buy?

Justin Mason: I think now is the time to buy. The stuff is really good and he is commanding it. The strikeouts may be lower than we first thought they could be, but I could also see a jump at some point.

WMQ: I’m ready to deal Skenes and need the most bang for the buck offensively (namely HR). League has been reluctant to trade, so need to make a juicy offer. Thinking of going for Bellinger, PCA or Vladdy. Thoughts on anyone else that would be a better option?

Justin Mason: If I am moving Skenes, I want a stud. Can you get someone like James Wood or Corbin Carroll or even Juan Soto? Maybe even Kyle Tucker?

RAGBRAI: Riley/Costallanos or Perdomo/Sheets. NL only, which side do you want? Is it close?

Justin Mason: Riley side. Not close

Lord Thunder: Are we going to find that Corbin Carroll came back too quickly from injury? Should he at least have done an MiLB rehab?

Justin Mason: I hope not. Too early to tell

RAGBRAI: Does Gallen get traded or has his stock dropped too much to make it worthwhile?

Justin Mason: I dont know that the Diamondbacks are sellers. The are 4.5 back in the WC. That is a hot week away from closing that gap.

Joe Boyle’s Right Arm: 12 team standard points, cut Schwellenbach/Hunter Greene/Bryce Miller/Snell? Hang on and let ride?

Justin Mason: Definitely cutting Schwellenbach. Would consider cutting miller. Probably holding Snell and Greene if I can

Jon: Luis Garcia Jr was dropped in my league (5×5 OBP roto). Worth a pickup? I’m desperate for steals and could use MI help but wonder if he’s actually a difference maker

Justin Mason: He is probably only stealing like 8-10 more bases at the high end. So if that is what you are in need of, you may want to take a gamble somewhere else.

RAGBRAI: What do you see N Marte doing ROS?

Justin Mason: Some pop, a bit of speed and a mediocre average. The problem with Marte is the hit tool is inconsistent. We could see a massive hot streak or a massive cold one or a combination of both.

RAGBRAI: Crews back post ASB? Would you drop Baty, Lux or Nootbar for him?

Justin Mason: I would guess he is back towards the end of July. I would cut Lux to stash him.

Christina: Boyle got snapped up in our dynasty league as soon as he got called up, and I am feeling FOMO. Do you buy the improvements, and am I right to be disappointed on missing out?

Justin Mason: I do kind of buy them but I need to see him be able to control the stuff consistently. Yesterday was a great sign that he is moving in that direction.

Guest: if Otto Lopez and Jesus Sanchez played each other’s positions for Miami would their fantasy hype also be flipped?

Justin Mason: I dont think so.

Broken Bat: How serious is a fractured elbow long term? Better than surgery for sure, but who else had this type of injury and recovered to return to effectiveness?

Justin Mason: I am sure there are comps out there, but nothing I can pull off the top of my head. Definitely good that the ligaments are intact, but I have no idea if it’s a precursor to further issues or not. Something I will need to dig in to

bdubs: If Phillies trade for a legit closer – Bednar? – would Thomson continue “floating closer” usage? My greatest deadline fear: trading one of my closers who subsequently loses his role.

Justin Mason: I think if they do add a bullpen piece at the deadline this is exactly what happens. They love committees and I dont see that changing.

Guest: Trying to decide between Sheehan and Boyle. Leaning Sheehan just because he seems to be actually starting. Thoughts?

Justin Mason: Boyle for me

teoscar: am i still hurt (and now my danged foot too)

Justin Mason: Sounds like the foot wont be a problem. I think he will be fine

ransofast: when are you starting to worry about low 2024 IP SPs? Rasmussen management has already begun, but Bubic, Roupp, Clay Holmes, etc are all getting up there already

Justin Mason: I am starting to worry about it now with guys we know are going to be limited. Roupp may have that problem, but the Giants are in a dogfight in the WC so I think he could get pushed. Worried Bubic could be one that gets limited down the stretch if the Royal start to fall out of the race.

Max: Gallen or Alcantara ROS?

Justin Mason: Gallen

RAGBRAI: Does Seigler get enough bats to be fantasy relevant this year? Is he someone to watch for next year?

Justin Mason: Unlikely relevant this year or next year most likely. Just not a good enough hit tool

JDW: Who do you like as my 3rd OFer this week: Profar, Cam Smith, or Corbin Carroli? Should I start my stud, or is it better to wait and see on Carroll. Thanks for your help every week.

Justin Mason: Start your studs

JDW: Who do you prefer: Baz on a 2 start this week (DET and BOS) or Brandon Walter vs my Guardians? 12 tm 5×5

Justin Mason: Baz on the 2-start. He has been great on the road

Guest: Odds Bednar gets dealt? Is now the time to move him if you still xan?

Justin Mason: I would say it’d 60/40

JDW: I’ve been holding B Doyle on my bench, he didn’t play much but had a good week at the plate. Should I continue to hold out hope? Or drop him for a SP like Charlie Morton or Ryne Nelson or even a stash like Painter? This is a 12 tm 5×5 redraft

Justin Mason: The underlying numbers on Doyle are still pretty good. I think he should bounce back. I do worry that the off the field family stuff he has been dealing with is holding him back from being able to concentrate on baseball which is understandable, but I would still buy right now.

Mike: Points league. Any interest for Cam Schlittler now that Yankees are calling him up?

Justin Mason: Absolutely. A ton of upside and a spot in the rotation with Clarke Schmidt done. Take the gamble right now

Phil: 12 team H2H. 1) drop one from Langeliers,  Agustin,  Rice 2) drop one from Warren, Gavin, Edward Cabrera

Justin Mason: Rice and Warren

Bill: W Perez, Collins, Burger, Toglia ROS –  redraft

Justin Mason: Burger

KDan: Pls rank for keeper league (contending next year, can only keep two): Burr, Tomlinson, Gillis, Oswalt, and Chappelle.

Justin Mason: Burr, Chappelle, Gillis, Tomilnson, Oswalt. Cant go wrong with any of them. Point awarded

RJ: 12tm H2H – If you had Eugenio Suarez and someone offered you Austin Riley, would you take it?

Justin Mason: yes

KDan: What is Jesus Luzardo? …Other than frustrating.

Justin Mason: Nailed it!

RAGBRAI: Is the quickest way to move up in WHIP and ERA to cut high ERA SP (ie ERod) and grab RP? Do you have to balance the gains against lower Ks?

Justin Mason: ERA and WHIP move a lot more than people realize. Todd Zola has done research on this. I would spreadsheet it out and see how many good innings you need. I often think that multi inning relievers can help a lot over guys that are decent starts, but hurt your ratios.

Look At This Sotograph: How the hell does Burger have the same number of RBIs as Gunnar?!?

Justin Mason: This is maddening. I need Gunnar to mash in the second half

Guest: clemens or raley for obp 1b

Justin Mason: Clemens

MT62: Witt or Tucker ROS 12T H2H Standard Categories

Justin Mason: Witt

Lord Thunder: Does Bubba Chandler get called up soon … or at all this year?

Justin Mason: I think he is up in August

Jackson: Is it worth stashing Both Bubba Chandler and Sam Basallo in Dynasty even if one is taking up a spot on my roster?

Justin Mason: as long as you are not in it to win it this year. These are top tier prospects. Do not cut them in dynasty

Near, Tovar, Wherever You Are: Looking to add an IF with an emphasis on R, SB and OBP, how would you rank these candidates? Luis Garcia, Zeke Tovar, Zack Gelof, Jake Cronenworth, Miguel Vargas

Justin Mason: Tovar, Garcia, Gelof, Vargas, Cronenworth

K2: 10-team NL only Roto Keeper — Would you rush to activate either Glasnow (IL) or Sheehan (Minors) this week? Possible drops would be Casparius, Birdsong, Burrows, or D.Fuentes. (Sheehan can be kept in minors permanently — Glasnow would have to be up by end of All-Star break)

Justin Mason: I would activate Glasnow for sure. probably sheehan too. Dropping Cas and Burrows.

Look At This Sotograph: How do you like Trevor Rogers and Brandon Walter ROS? 12T QS-not-W, K/BB

Justin Mason: Prefer Walter but both are probably team streamers at best.

bdubs: Tyler Freeman mixed league relevant or NL only?

Justin Mason: I think he is deep mixed league worthy. Leading off in Colorado means something.

Jackson: With Gelof back, thinking of trading Hoerner for pitching help.  Leading in AVG, so I’m thinking I could take the hit there for a big power bump particularly with the Sacramento summer.  Q is whether you think Gelof will have about the same SBs as Hoerner the ROS?

Justin Mason: I think it will be fairly close. Maybe a difference of 3-4.

Look At This Sotograph: I’m looking at leaving one of Nimmo/Adell on my bench, as well as one of Kurtz/Cam Smith, in my 12T cuz I just have no room. Given that scenario, would you trade Cam, Nimmo and Jacob Wilson for Gunnar Henderson?

Justin Mason: Seems like a lot to give up, but I dont think it is out of the question. Henderson is a top 20 player ROS by projections.

JR: 12 team 5×5: Is Bubba Chandler still worth holding? I have Chase Burns now and am getting the itch to either find a buyer or send him to the wire

Justin Mason: I think so

JR: With how bad the Nats are, is there any concern about them “load managing” Wood and/or Abrams down the stretch?

Justin Mason: I am not worried about that for hitters.

Guest: Does Harris in ATL still have time to turn things around this year or do we expect more of the same?

Justin Mason: He could get hot at any point. This is the problem with guys that don’t have good command of the strikezone, they are really streaky. However, this is a similar profile to PCA so you could see a massive second half or more of the same.

RJ: 12tm H2H 5×5 with OBP chilly Matt McLain for 7 games at GABP or hot Rafaela for 7 at Fenway this week?

Justin Mason: Going to go Rafaela here

MacGruber: 12 team dynasty obp. Doyle, nootbar or Jake Meyers? Which two do I hold?

Justin Mason: Doyle

Lord Thunder: How much should the CWS rue not trading Luis Robert sometime in the last several years when he still had value? Any chance he’s DFA’d at this point?

Justin Mason: I dont think they DFA him, but they almost have to hold him to see if he can recoup value

Mustin Jason: Give C Simpson get back W Langford in 5×5 Roto (OBP)?

Justin Mason: absolutely

Sam: Jacob Lopez flash in pan?  Anything there for 2H?  13 team mixed redraft

Justin Mason: I think we have to expect volatility with his profile. He is still a bit raw and pitching in a terrible park. There will be great starts along the way with that swing and miss, but it’ll be hard to predict.

Christina: Are we stashing Tanner Houck? If so, if what leagues?

Justin Mason: We are not

Winker Taylor Soler Fry: Will Warren @ SEA or Soriano v TEX

Justin Mason: Soriano

Adenolith: Wondering what to do about B Lowe this matchup. Could be out with an oblique injury but Id have to make a drop to repla e him that id rather not make

Justin Mason: They made it sound like it was precautionary. I would wait to see if he is in the lineup today, but I understand moving on if he isn’t

Guest: you just gave PCA owners a heart attack lol.
how was this for a win-win trade in the pre-draft part of a keeper back in February: PCA for Woo

Justin Mason: Sorry! I just cant get past PCA’s complete misunderstanding of the strikezone. I think he will have massive cold stretches at some point. That being said, the defense and speed will always keep him in the lineup. That trade worked out well for both!

Idiotic Failson: Lawrence Butler – does he have the juice to be a top 10 OF next year (points league)?

Justin Mason: Top 10 may be a bit high, but close especially in that park

That’s what she said: When will the Royals move in the fences?  Every team can hit the ball out of Kauffman Stadium except for the Royals.  Seems like the opposite of home field advantage.

Justin Mason: As a Giants fan, I empathize. I dont think they will move in the fences though

That’s what she said: I’ve recently traded for Buxton and Yelich, and just now realized that I’m one awkward sneeze away from losing half of my outfield to injury.  Fingers crossed

Justin Mason: Good luck! Point awarded

Salty: Non-fantasy question – a pitcher is allowed two pickoff attempts per at-bat, but if the catcher attempts a pickoff after the pitch, does that count as well, or since the pitch was made it’s not counted towards the two attempts?

Justin Mason: I dont think it counts because it’s about disengagements, but that is a really good question that I am not 100% sure about

Jack off all trades: What is with the Twins and this neverending supply of uber-talented players that just cannot stay on the field?  Buxton, Lewis, Kiriloff, Miranda, Keaschall, Emmanuel Rodriguez, etc ……..

Justin Mason: Being a Twins fan must be brutal.

Salty: Is it a knock on me or the education system in general that it took me five minutes to get the Richard Marx/socialism reference in your last pod with Paul?

Justin Mason: We are nerds with history degrees so sometimes we make references just for each other lol

Joe Boyle: Reminder to all that Joe Boyle got called up.  If he’s available, you should go pick him up yesterday.

Justin Mason: I just missed out on him in faab and it is killing me today

Takis Fries: Where’s Ben?  He skipped his chat last week, as did Eric.  I’m not mad at him, just disappointed

Justin Mason: I am sure he will be back, but it wasn’t my turn to watch him

Guest: Ive been offered Rasmussen and Profar for Merrill. Considering Ras’s innings situation, Ive got to reject it, right?

Justin Mason: yeah, I am not taking that

Julian: Prayers for Texas!

Justin Mason: Absolutely! Stay safe if you are in an affected area. Definitely hoping people are ok. As a person that has had to deal with fires in California, these types of disasters are petrifying.

Justin Mason: That is all the time I have. I will begin as soon as I have enough questions. 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!