Justin Mason’s Baseball Chat – June 24th, 2024

Justin Mason: Chat will begin shortly. In the meantime, please follow me on all my social media’s (twitter, tiktok, facebook, youtube, bluesky, mastodon, threads, post, 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!

Jim Leyland Palmer: Would you hold onto Fedde in a 10tm?

Justin Mason: I think he should be a team streamer at worst in a 10-team league.

Dave: I have O’Hoppe slotted in at C right now, with Willson Contreras poised to come off the IL in a 1-C league.  Which one would you be looking to deal?

Justin Mason: I would try and see what I could get for O’Hoppe, but at the end of the day, in a 1-catcher format, the difference between the two is small enough that I would probably shop both and see what the returns look like so I could maximize value.

Jim Leyland Palmer: Is Noelvi Marte an all formats pick up?

Justin Mason: Absolutely. I think he should play regularly once he is on the roster.

Adenolith: Small h2h league – would you be taking Loperfido or Nolan Jones?

Justin Mason: I think for me it is Jones. I just don’t know what Lopefido’s playing time looks like once Kyle Tucker returns.

Mason Jar Head: Looking for wins and ratios, strikeouts don’t matter. Can start 3. Any thoughts? Skubal vs Phi & @LAA, Ragans vs MIA & CLE, Crochet vs LAD & COL, Grayson vs CLE, B. Miller @ CHW, Skenes @ ATL, and Flaherty @Phi.

Justin Mason: Ragans, Skubal, Miller

Steven: Thoughts on Hunter Goodman? Can we

Justin Mason: He is surprisingly making good in zone contact so while this may be an extended hot streak, I think we should be riding it for right now. Playing time should be safe for the time being because of the Rockies injuries.

DH: 16 team league – how likely are the following prospects to have an impact this season? Holliday, J. Walker, Caissie, Festa

Justin Mason: I think Holliday and Walker will definitely be up and making an impact at some point. Festa likely comes up if there is an injury in the rotation, but his impact will likely be determined by his command and control.

DH: What the heck are the Rays doing with Shane Baz?

Justin Mason: I honestly don’t know. Always hard to predict what the Rays are going to do with their young players. I would hope he is up soon.

Louis Copp: I am commissioner of a redraft espn points league where people lose interest pretty quickly each year I charge each person $50 to participate, so I benefit because it’s easy money for me. The question, it it ethical for me to keep running this league? Everyone participates in the live draft, so there aren’t completely zombie teams. And thy choose to opt in each year and do play for a few weeks. So I’m not being a total *******. On the other hand, it’s not really as competitive as if I found new owners so maybe I’m violating the spirit of fantasy baseball

Justin Mason: This is a really good question. If the same people keep signing up year after year, then I don’t really see the problem. Maybe you need to step up into higher competition if it boring you. At the end of the day, people get what they want from it. Maybe for your league mates, it is more about having fun with their friends at the draft and for you it is more about winning. If you are happy with winning and they are happy with drafting, is there really a problem?

Roster set up: 6×6 (hld, nsv), 3 sp, 3 rp, 5 p, 6 bench. Started the season with 8 starters, 8 relievers, but have made a lot of nice sp pick ups and am now at 10-6. Am I just giving away the relieving cats? Or good to rely on solid starting pitching?

Justin Mason: I prefer to rely on good SP because it tends to be a little more reliable, but if you are losing the relieving categories regularly, maybe it is time to go to 9-7

Tyler Black: Thoughts on dropping Neto for him in 6×6 (hits and avg) 12 team? Like the Pos versatility (1b,2b,3b) but concerned about playing time

Justin Mason: Black probably is a strong side platoon bat, but I think he should stick in the lineup at least for a while. If you can use that level of production, I don’t think you have to move on.

KC Pain: 18 team dynasty 6×6 would you trade Gausman+Stanton for Trout?

Justin Mason: I feel like you are giving up too much

LCA: I need to drop one of Bryce Miller, Ober, or Gore. Leaning Bryce after his latest implosion against Miami, though Ober hasn’t been a lot better aside from Oak starts. Thoughts?

Justin Mason: This is really tough because I like all three. I guess I lean Ober here.

KC Pain: Is Blanco a top 25 SP ROS? Every time I doubt him he seems to do well.

Justin Mason: I am not ready to go that high, but top 40, yes

Tim: Im in a 14t H2H dynasty, 7×7 (standard 5, TB, BB) and am ready to move on from Campusano at C, I have Ballesteros stashed. Is there anyone here that has more upside ROS and beyond than Campy while I wait on the Cub?: Goodman, Stephenson, Wells, Naylor, Fermin, Lee; other prospects available are Cartaya, Tait, the injured Quero

Justin Mason: No, not really

The Stache: Schneider has been serviceable in my 12T Pts, but has recently been riding the bench more and dropping down the order. Any long term concern or try to ride it out given lack of production from other TOR bats?

Justin Mason: I have never liked his underlying skills in spite of them slightly improving this season. I have no problem moving on.

Bdubs: Can only keep 2, need steals in a very bunched category. In a vacuum, keep which 2 ROS : Josh Lowe (on WW), Happ, or NMarte (current stash and would have to bench Bregman when called up). Thx!

Justin Mason: Marte

Gary: Last year guys like Olsen and Mize emerged as successful late season pickups. Do you see anyone on the horizon who could provide a boost ex: Christian Scott? come playoff time

Justin Mason: I really like Scott, but I just don’t know how the Mets use him down the stretch as a rebuilding team. I like Spencer Schwellenbach and Brandon Pfaadt as names that have been better than the surface numbers have suggested

KC Pain: Are there any players you are targeted as buy lows because you feel confident they will be traded and it will greatly benefit the player?

Justin Mason: Hard to know who will be sellers in this market right now because of the added playoff teams. White Sox players for sure, so Robert, Crochet, and Fedde are options. I think The Blue Jays could be sellers, so Kikuchi and maybe Bichette if they decide they won’t get an extension done. Maybe Carlos Estevez gets moved to a better team? Brandon Finnegan should get moved so Hunter Harvey could be the closer in Washington. Paul Goldschmidt could be a big bat that improves his stock with a trade. Michael Conforto?

Batman: Heston Kjerstad is up again. Does he 1. Get enough playing time to roster? 2. Play well enough to be rostered?

Justin Mason: It is so hard to tell what the Orioles will do with him. I would love to think the Orioles will give him full run, but we saw last time around that they are ok just letting him (and other prospects) just sit on the bench and then go back down.

jim: what to do with vinnie p? 12m tm h2h league. 1B slot is already covered so he would have to fill a UTIL slot which he hasnt been doing. how do you feel about cutting? we can only use the BABIP excuse for so long, right!?

Justin Mason: I still believe in Vinnie P. He is hitting the ball hard and making great in zone contact. I may go to my grave believing he will be great and never actually see it, but I am not giving up on him.

Idiotic Failson: Re the guy with the $50 fantasy league – When I was in college I used to play the EA Sports NHL hockey game with some roommates. We’d start a league with a fantasy draft from the beginning. We’d usually get about 10 games into the season and start over. We began to realize the fun for us for whatever reason was just drafting the team – it scratched some weird itch. Anyway – maybe your friends just like and get excited the draft and don’t care about the results.

Justin Mason: I love this analogy. Sometimes it is not about having fun for the same reasons if you are all still having fun

Why not Zoidberg?: I’m in first place at 9-4 on the season. I’ve won 5 matchups with only 5 categories, and only 1 win has come with more than 6 cats. So my question is – would you rather be lucky or good?

Justin Mason: I would rather be lucky lol

Joe: How does Ronel Blanco keep out performing his stuff+, savant etc stats? What is happening re so few hits allowed that the stats are missing, or is it luck?

Justin Mason: I think having that changeup and being able to throw it as much as he does while mixing in his fastball and slider well helps keep hitters off balance. Sometimes it is not a matter of pure stuff what you mix things well and have good command.

JD: Are the Yankees gonna do some Matt Carptenter Magic on JD Davis

Justin Mason: Probably not, but they will take the chance for free and then see if they need to make a move at the deadline.

Guest: Which 2 would you NOT start 12T Points? Thanks – leaning the last 2. GRod vs Cle, Shota @SF, Ober @Sea, Jared @Atl, King @Bos

Justin Mason: King and Ober

Guest: 1-C 12-team H2H OBP. My catcher is Jeffers, but he’s cooled, and is playing less. On the wire: Sean Murphy, D’Arnaud, Garver, Goodman. Who’d you like ROS?

Justin Mason: Murphy

TMONEY: In  a keep forever, who do you like moving forward?  Trout or Machado?   I’m in 3rd this year, trying to stay in the money….I might be able to get Trea Turner instead of Machado?  How do you rank for future?   We have 9 catergoires:  singles, 2b, 3rb, HR, RBI, RS, k’s, walks, batting average

Justin Mason: I think I move Trout only because of his health issue and if I am competing this season, I want a guy I believe will be on the field.

Zorro: When Massey comes back I have to decide to activate him or stand pat with Miguel Vargas, Winn, David Hamilton and drop one of these three. 15 team standard redraft H2H. Your thoughts?

Justin Mason: Drop vargas

Bench Bats: Schneeman vs. Justin Henry-Malloy (OBP league)?

Justin Mason: Malloy

Ian: Albies for Ober and Junior Caminero..too light for him?

Justin Mason: I think this is ok

jim: are you holding off on kjerstad in shallower leagues until he has a full time job?

Justin Mason: yes

jim: its been hard to get a good read on bryson stott. he was great last year, bad to start, hot streak now back to being borderline unusable. is this just who he is? super streaky?

Justin Mason: I think the bad start isn’t indicative of who he is. I think he is a really solid hitter that makes a lot of contact and he will be good rest of the way.

Catcher to Cut: Cut one (2C OBP league): Kirk, Korey Lee, Austin Wells

Justin Mason: Kirk

Alex: Do you think Kjerstad gets enough playing time to be relevant in a 12 teamer?

Justin Mason: Probably not

Red E 2 Puke: Otto 4×4: league is looking at a trade of $48 Freddie Free and a $42 loan for $5 CES and $1 Xavier Issac, going from a low standings team to second place.  If ever is trade is veto worthy, is this not it?

Justin Mason: I mean I don’t like the trade but is it defensible? I think it is. The rebuilding team is looking to shed salary and if he thinks those players are going to be good for his future, I get it.

Idiotic Failson: When do you start selling? I’m in the bottom half of the standings in half of my leagues. I have some decent pieces, but have been hit by random underperformance (Bichette) and injuries (Cole). I really feel like I could either just wait it out or start charging a premium for guys that can help other teams go all in.

Justin Mason: This is the time I start thinking about it. Take a deep dive into your standings and make an honest assessment of where your team is at. If you think that you should rebuild, get in while the deals are really good, but if you think that your team can rebound and other teams that sell will slide behind you, stay the course

Not my usual name: Is Kelenic just on a warm streak or has he done something to live up to the hype?

Justin Mason: I think this is more of a hot streak. While the contact numbers are better over the last 30 days or so, he still has a 15.6% swinging strike rate and he is running a .361 BABIP.

Joey Baggadonuts: 12-T H2H points (no penalties for k’s by hitters), keep 9. Do you prefer Josh Lowe or Burleson, both this year and in the future? In the middle of a rebuild, so primarily future-focused, but trying to set myself up for a decent showing in our consolation bracket too. Could potentially acquire either in trade. Thanks!

Justin Mason: Lowe

Brad: Who would you rather have ROS: Fry or Willson Contreras?

Justin Mason: Contreras

Spach06: I have Riley, Lewis, and Marte at 3B.. need to add an arm, is Fried + a closer too much to ask for Lewis? 12 team h2h categories with QS

Justin Mason: I don’t think it is enough

Guest: Thanks for chatting!  12-team head to head, standard scoring:  Do you like B. Donovan, Jose Siri, TJ Friedl, or Jake McCarthy as an OF pickup if Marte hits the IL?

Justin Mason: Friedl

Jose: Any idea why Depth Charts (ROS) projections are unavailable atm?

Justin Mason: No idea

BravesFan: Been holding Baz all season.. league-mate offered me Snell and Romano.. would you make that deal? I feel like Snell and Baz are both lottery tickets

Justin Mason: I don’t think I would

M’s Fan: What do I do with Julio?

Justin Mason: Nothing. He will be fine

Guest: Can you rank Eflin, Pepiot, Bassit? gotta drop one

Justin Mason: Bassitt, Eflin, Pepiot

Bob: Would you rather have Spencer Horwitz or James Wood ROS?

Justin Mason: Horwitz. I just don’t think the Nationals have any reason to bring up Wood until they can preserve his rookie eligibility for next season

Christina: Jeremy Pena just got dropped in the 14t dynasty I’m in; I have Abrams at SS but that’s it until Marcelo Mayer gets called up someday. Run or walk to put in a waiver claim?

Justin Mason: Neither?

Happy to Be Here: between Woo (2 starts but who knows how many innings…), Reese Olson (vs Angels), Ober and Kutter, which would you leave on the bench? Thanks!

Justin Mason: Olson and Ober

James: I’ve been keeping Megill rostered because of his potential, but he’s been killing me lately. Do you see him emerging from this funk or should I drop him for now

Justin Mason: I think you can drop him

Marcus: Please rank for ROS. Gore, Flaherty,  Lugo

Justin Mason: Gore, Flaherty, Lugo

off the schneid: Schneeman and Schuemann need a podcast or comic strip. Who do you like better in an obp league?

Justin Mason: Schneeman

Justin Mason: also, point awarded lol

curious george: Hi Justin – you holding Kikuchi in a 14 team mixed league, or cutting bait? He was a pleasant surprise early on but has very up and down lately

Justin Mason: I think I am still holding but benching right now.

Guest: I am intentionally mismanaging 2 of my roster spots for emotional reasons. Am I stupid?

Justin Mason: I do this sometimes and I am stupid, so maybe?

Justin Mason: Also, point awarded

Max: Thoughts on Ryan Pepiot ROS? Worth holding in a 12 team H2H categories league?

Justin Mason: No, I think you can drop

Chonker: I drafted Jasson Dominguez in my 15 team nfbc league with no IL slot. I’ve been holding, but with the latest oblique news I dropped him last night. Did I make a mistake? Would also appreciate an update on christian scott or shane baz if you have any news. Thanks!

Justin Mason: Yeah, you have to drop Jasson in NFBC.

Justin Mason: As far as Baz and Scott go, it will be totally up to their teams on whether or not to push them in what may be lost seasons. I think both teams are likely sellers at the deadline, so I wouldn’t expect a ton.

NL-only 3B: In my NL-only roto, I’m using either Jake Burger and Eugenio Suarez at 3B because I’m a masochist (and there’s not much on the wire). Any hope for either of these two or fill the spot with someone like KNewman? Would the DBacks call up Devyson De Los Santos?

Justin Mason: I think I would stick with Burger here. I still believe in him as a power bat

Guest: MI glut on my 12 tm H2H mixed OBP — who’s your pick between Gleybar or M Garcia rest of season.

Justin Mason: Garcia

Guest: do you think stone lodolo or houck have innings limits this year. Wondering if i should trade for someone without any. Tied for first place now. It’s a keeper league and they all can be kept cheap

Justin Mason: I don’t think they should have any limits.

Justin Mason: Ok, I have about ten minutes left and a lot of questions, so I will speed round things.

Guest: why am I not into Friedl as much as some people? thinking I’d rather have Yandy (even though I know the 2 HR in 3 days doesn’t mean he’s back to being a 20 HR guy)

Justin Mason: I think Yandy will be fine, but he still doesn’t elevate enough to be a real power source. I am a Friedl truther so take that for what it is.

Broken Bat: Is it now or never for Hoyer the GM of Cubs? I mean, he has had enough time, hired the most expensive mgr. In Baseball and the results are not there this year or if you go back to opening day 2023, the Cubs are under .500. He must mke. Bold trade to save his job… yiu think?

Justin Mason: I hope they make some big moves at the deadline because this is a strong team, but that hasn’t been the case in recent years.

Catch you on the flip side: Going back to the O’Hoppe/Contreras question earlier, I have the same two catchers, but in a dynasty league. Who would you rather have for the next couple years?

Justin Mason: O’Hoppe

KC Pain: Is there a metric to explain what is going on with some guys getting caught stealing? Abrams had 47 steals and 4 CS last year. This year 11 and 8. I think Siri has 7 steals and 6 caught. I cant imagine they just lost the ability.

Justin Mason: I honestly don’t know the answer to this, but I can look into it

Guest: Would you look to sell high on Skenes in a head-to-head league, the idea being that his innings limit will limit him during fantasy playoff time?  Would buying low on Betts while Betts is on the IL be asking too much?

Justin Mason: I don’t mind this play at all. I do think they shut him down at some point.

Coop the Boomer: Code Povich or Cole Irvin for a 2 start pitcher this week?

Justin Mason: Povich

RB: 12-team dynasty league, competing this year, only 2 N/As. Who do I roster in hopes they either come up / make an impact or I can sell as hype builds: Carsten Williams, Deyvison De Los Santos, Christian Scott, Jackson Jobe?

Justin Mason: Jobe and Scott

jose: im in a 12 team category league head to head im in second place. Rank these OF who can i drop Jazz Chisolm, Josh Lowe, Tyler Oneil, Spencer Steer, Ande Pages, Seya Suzuki… I have kyle tucker in and Mookie Betts on IL

Justin Mason: Chisholm, Seiya, Steer, O’Neill, Pages

Steve: Will Tork come back up this yr?

Justin Mason: He should at some point

Rank ROS: Snell, Blanco, Rodon, Gallen, Pivetta, King

Justin Mason: Gallen, Pivetta, Blanco, Rodon, King, Snell

Guest: Are you trying to buy low on Carroll?  He’s shown signs of life recently.

Justin Mason: I don’t think I would unless I got him really cheap

Guest: Which streaming Spencer option do you like better for this week: Turnbull or Schwellenbach?

Justin Mason: Schwellenbach

Jax: Soderstrom or Wilson Contreras ROS? Soderdongs has been mashing lately!

Justin Mason: Contreras

Skoolboy: I need power and just offense in general. Maikel Garcia and Nico Hoerner are killing me. I’m considering dropping Garcia or Hoerner for Josh Smith?

Justin Mason: Nah

Kate: I’m assuming Winker is getting moved at the deadline right?  What are the odds he ends up somewhere that he doesn’t fall into a platoon?

Justin Mason: I think he platoons no matter where he ends up

Dmx: No pitch clock in the 9th inning. No ghost runner for teams in first place. What say ye???

Justin Mason: I like the first one. Not the second

KC Pain: 18 team dynasty 6×6 decimated by injuries and Julien at 2B.  Would you add Dylan Moore or Rojas at 2B or keep playing Valdez and his platoon bat?

Justin Mason: Valdez

Steve: Yandy Diaz for Bryce Miller in real and fantasy?

Justin Mason: No

Eric: Neto/pham/soderstrom/massey ROS

Justin Mason: Neto

Ke’Bryan Hayes: Worth holding as Royce Lewis insurance? Thoughts on Hayes v. Neto, Keith, Noelvi? (6×6, h + avg, h2h cat, 12tm)

Justin Mason: Marte

Steve: Is Robbie Ray gonna be decent when he returns?

Justin Mason: I think he won’t go deep enough in games to matter in fantasy

Quick one: Rotation is Lugo, Bryce Miller, Flaherty, J Jones, Houck, Snell. Am I ok ROS or should I be buying?

Justin Mason: I think you should be ok, but I don’t trust snell

E: Brice turang – sell high or is he for real? Babip seems a bit high but not sure of there’s more going on.

Justin Mason: I think he is for real for the most part. Amazing in zone contact.

jim: would you give luis castillo and stott for julio? fair?

Justin Mason: I think that is ok

Clayton: What is the best course of action for Ober and Montgomery?  I am skeptical of both to say the least.  And is Assad rosterable?

Justin Mason: I think Ober will be good ros. Montgomery not so much.

Alex: Is Tommy Pham 12 team mixed worthy?

Justin Mason: depends on how deep the benches are but yes

KC Pain: Do you find it easier to be more logical in fantasy baseball than football?  Something about baseball has me more detached and I can go, “naw I screwed up” “he sucks” “cut or trade” and even when i am wrong it doesnt bother me. In football, I have a dude who would be batting .048 and no power, and I convince myself he is a start because he is going to get 2 TDs and 150 yards.  Sorry for the random shower thought but the guy mentioned the emotional mismanagement above.

Justin Mason: In football you have to be more reactive and while stats are important, they can change so quickly in a season with so few games. I do think it is common to be more detached there because injuries play such a huge role.

Eric: How are the Cardinals winning games?

Justin Mason: Baseball

Paul: You are a machine

Justin Mason: I know

Snell: Why are you so low on me?

Justin Mason: Because you can’t find the zone

Streaming Spencer: How could this question leave off Arrhigetti?!

Justin Mason: Point awarded!!!!

Jim: Jordan Walker will be no better than Nick Senzel.  There, I said it!

Justin Mason: Wow! I disagree but appreciat the boldness

Saul Pporer: Is Pablo gonna be a stud from this point forward? I mean…I know it was Oakland, but…

Justin Mason: yes

Justin Mason: Unfortunately, I have to wrap up. Please follow me on all my social media’s (twitter, tiktok, facebook, youtube, bluesky, mastodon, threads, post, 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!