Justin Mason’s Baseball Chat – June 8, 2026

Justin Mason: Good morning everyone! 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! You can also join the Sleeper and the Bust discord! https://discord.gg/ar7XUV9T

Vince: Hi! 12-tm, H2H, category … is Drohan (vs PHI) worth holding as SP? How would you value Drohan, Z. Matthew’s (@DET), Melton (vs MIN, @CLE)? Thanks!

Justin Mason: I would rather have Zebby and Melton over Drohan.

Danny: How we feeling about Wyatt Langford’s ROS outlook? Been solid since coming back, but April was UGLY and there’s always the injury threat looming.

Justin Mason: There is legit upside in Langford’s bat. I am not ready to call him injury prone, but he is definitely trending that way. The underlying skills are still good but I do think we overrated his meteoric rise through the minors and overlooked that he didnt get a ton of development time.

RAGBRAI: What do you see for Eldridge ROS stat wise?

Justin Mason: I am honestly a bit surprised by how well he is handling his promotion to the Majors. He is making a lot more contact than he ever has in the minors and not sacrificing power to do it. I doubt it keeps up at this rate, but this is a potential 40 homer bat and maybe more if he can make close to league average contact.

RAGBRAI: Does Mlod return this season as a starter? How do you seem him used and how is he best used? Is he a potential closer?

Justin Mason: I think he will. any injury will get him back in the rotation.

BDubs: 12 Team 4×4 Traditional Mixed Roto

Activating Langford – need to drop one of: T Ward or Ewing. Needs in all hitting cats. OR…keep both, bench one and can drop a SP: Messick, Lodolo. What say you?

Justin Mason: I would drop lodolo

Mike: Tatis for M Vargas.  Which side do you want?  Does it matter that it is a 12-team 5 OF H2H, so Tatis being OF eligible might be slightly more valuable in the abstract.

Justin Mason: Tatis

RAGBRAI: Is Del Castillo playig himself out of a job? When Kepler returns does Del Castillo get DFAed?

Justin Mason: I think he could get sent down, but I dont think he is DFA’d

Smitty: I have Vargas at 3B & Abrams at SS in my 12 team mix with OPS instead of BA. Riley has been alternating between UTIL and my bench. Would you trade Riley for Trea Turner & Bryce Miller?

Justin Mason: I would.

Hazmat: Rumfield seems to be slowing down to the point where the promise of Coors power isn’t really happening. Still holding, and what leagues does he still have value in?

Justin Mason: 15 team mixed and deeper

Nick: give up Riley and Melton (message cut off)

Justin Mason: still would

Otto Lopez: Sell high?

Justin Mason: I dont know that I would. Yes, he will regress, but that doesnt mean he wont still give you speed and a good average and I dont think anyone is overpaying for him

Troy Melton?: Which goes up first — my K rate or my ERA?

Justin Mason: both lol. I am going to guess the K rate

RAGBRAI: Runs/RBIs are fairly close between Bergman and Nunez.  Nunez is crushing SB and Bergman has 5 HRs to Nunez’s O, Plus Bergman has a better OBP. Making them similar in NL stat production.  Why am I unhappy with both? Will Bergman start showing more power?

Justin Mason: I think Bregman is just going to disappoint this year. The hard hit rate, avg exit velo are both down. He isn’t making the same level of contact in Chicago. Maybe its an adjustment period, but Im a bit worried. Nunez has been kind of who we thought he was. A ton of speed some on base skills and not much else.

Bat Boy: Is Luis Castillo worth chasing? (10 team dynasty league). He was recently cut and I have guys like Nola (probably the easy cut), Zebby, and even Nick Martinez and his magic his pixie dust may be running that seem like they could likely be dropped. Not looking as a keeper but depth arms is what I am chasing here. Thanks in advance Justin!

Justin Mason: In a 10, you should be able to find a little better, but I did pick up Castillo in a few leagues that are deeper and I think he is a viable streamer

Mike: Start Eldridge this week or wait and see (12-team, H2H, utility spot, so decent options like Busch at Coors)?

Justin Mason: Im starting him

Guest: 10 team AL and NL points league. My catchers are Adley Rutschman and Dillon Dingler, with Alejandro Kirk on IL. What should I do with Kirk when he comes back? I wanna trade him but I have a great team and don’t feel like I need anything…

Justin Mason: trade him. Even if its for a minor upgrade

Guest: Over/under Colt Keith HR: 5

Justin Mason: over lol

Justin Mason: point awarded

Guest: This is a trade I am requesting (10 team, mixed, points)…

Justin Mason: I dont know what question this is referencing, but in the future if you want to skip a line, hold shift and then hit enter

Guest: Should I start Ben Brown at SFG or Landen Roupp vs CHC?

Justin Mason: Brown

Wood: Craig Yoho worth an add in 16T S+H dynasty over Keaton Winn?

Justin Mason: yes

Mike: Zimmerman is very negative on Cowser.  What is your take in a 12-team 5 OF league with some options, but not great.

Justin Mason: I have been a big Cowser guy but the struggles with lefties in particular and his swing and miss issues have taken a lot of the shine off of him. I think he could be a good strong side platoon bat and the underlying contact skill have been much better over the last two weeks, but its a small sample and I dont want to overreact to that.

RAGBRAI: My pitching IL team seems stronger than my active team. Are you aware of any IL fantasy leagues? I could be crushing one if so.

Justin Mason: I need that format right now. The last month has been brutal.

Justin Mason: point awarded

Hazmat: Nola’s under the hood numbers suggest he could still be a deep league option. Is he anything more than a streamer at this point?

Justin Mason: Nah, just a streamer in good matchups

Hagen smith: Interested in stash for possible call up? Control has apparently been better of late, though three walks yesterday (to go with 9 ks)

Justin Mason: I think he is a viable deep league stash. Still worry about the control but the White Sox need another starter and he would make sense.

Guest: Travis Bazzana for Alejandro Kirk and JJ Wetherholt. Who wins this trade?

Justin Mason: Wetherholt side

Smitty: Really quick follow-up: Would you trade Riley just for Bryce Miller or is that not enough to get back for Riley?

Justin Mason: I think I would want a smaller piece back ontop of miller

Pete: Who would you rather have in a keep forever 14 tear 5×5 roto – Hoerner or X. Edwards?  Edwards is 2 years younger.

Justin Mason: Hoerner but its very close

MF LUDER: $260 salary cap dynasty league. Would you rather have Emerson Hancock at $1 and Chandler Simpson at $3 or Acuna at $65?

Justin Mason: Hancock at $1

Brandon Marsh Enjoyer: I’m in a competitive dynasty league where one team who has finished near the bottom of the standings for a few years in a row is pretty known for making terrible trades. By May/June, all the teams in the mix usually poach his good players for scraps and it has become a point of frustration in the league. And when I say scraps I mean the trades are almost always slam dunk wins for the team in the mix. Is there any reasonable way to handle this situation?

Justin Mason: This is tough. I am in a league with a trade committee that approves trades as a group in part to protect owners. However, I hate this. Part of the game is learning how not to lose trades and sometimes you are going to lose them. I dont like telling people how to manage their teams. If someone pays their money, they should be allowed to play the way they want within the rules.

Justin Mason: I guess I would ask these questions back: Is he enjoying it? Are his trades damaging the league?

Justin Mason: If he answers no to the first or you answer yes to the last, maybe you should replace him

Highway to the Dom Canzone: Start Suzuki or Canzone this week? (OBP roto league)

Justin Mason: Suzuki

JoeG: Who are the better adds : Muncy A’s or E.Arroyo ?  And Royce Lewis or N.Marte ? 12T Roto   TY

Justin Mason: Muncy and Lewis

caochad: Is Jake Mangum real? Been absolutely cruising since coming back and is tied for 10th in net stolen bases Hits at the bottom of the order but usually with Horowitz and Lowe 1-2 so the runs can be there

Justin Mason: He is getting pretty lucky in BABIP and hitting a ton of groundballs. He will regress, but there is a good amount of speed in the profile and he will play.

Zebby: A month from now, is Bolte an everyday player, a platooner, or back in AAA?

Justin Mason: back in AAA

Zebby: How you feeling about Gore ROS?  I’m not dropping him (AL-only league) but am I still “all in” or benching him against tough offenses?

Justin Mason: I think he is who he is at this point which is a guy that will be inconsistent start to start. more of a team streamer

Wild Joe Boyle: Looks like he’s only gone one inning in the last couple of outings. Are the Rays looking at converting him to a reliever? If so, is that anything?

Justin Mason: I will check with Jason and see if he has heard anything, but I doubt they make him a closer

Sad Hitter: Who do you believe is more likely to return to form: Corey Seager or Brent Rooker?

Justin Mason: Rooker

ML: Do you trust Cecconi at all? Not just against the Yankees again but for ROS. He seems to have reduced his walks and HRs in the last few outings but it’s such a small sample.

Justin Mason: Not really. I think he is just a back of the rotation guy that gives innings.

Datt Mamon: Need to reduce SP pace so limiting myself to Cole/Burns/Schlittler as locks for the time being and adding in a fourth or fifth depending. If you needed to sub in two SP ROS, who’d you pick in order: McLean, Luzardo/R. Suarez/Alcantara. Or matchups?

Justin Mason: I think that is the order

Showbusiness77: “Shoh Me Your Oh-Face”, still my best team name, or have you warmed on “Air Y/Jordans took it personally”, Also like “Schmitty-Schlitty Bang Bang”

Justin Mason: Schmitty-Schlitty Bang Bang is my new fav

Justin Mason: point awarded

Guest: 12t 6×6 roto, 3 spots pay. how far back is too far back to keep trying to compete: now, in a week, by end of the month

Justin Mason: So what I would do is make a spreadsheet of each category and then see what you would need  on a weekly basis to catch up. Using projections, you can figure out a better idea of how realistic it is that you can catch up. That being said, in a keeper league, I am typically making that decision in mid june.

caochad: Is there any contender that Senzatela could land on where he retains any of his value? even in solds leagues

Justin Mason: probably not. Maybe a place like Baltimore

Etteman: I’m embarrassed to admit he’s still on my roster, but is there any sense in holding Jo Adell with the belief that he does something? Is that pitiful?

Justin Mason: I still believe in the talent. He need to get more patient at the plate. the drop from 6-7% walk rate to 2.5% is killing him some, but he is also getting unlucky. The contact skills under the hood are fine. He’s still hitting the ball hard.

Justin Mason: Im also an Adell thruther

Guest: Trade Paredes for Cags?

Justin Mason: sure

Guest: Is Royce Lewis the guy who changed his swing and tore up AAA over 13 games or the guy who has gone 1 for 7 since he returned?

Justin Mason: I want to believe he is going to be a stud and I will continue to buy in on him, but I think there is a pretty high likelihood that he is the latter

Matt McLain: Weekend having you believe?

Justin Mason: not really. Wrote about him a bit in the Roto Riteup for today.

Zebulon: Will I regret dropping Zebby in a 12-team league, or is he just a streamer?

Justin Mason: he is a streamer in a 12, but a high upside one

Fools: NL only Picked up Dotel-  would love to hold onto him. What are expectations for him in your opinion?  Starter/reliever?

Justin Mason: I think he could be the closer in 2027.

Justin Mason: In a redraft, he doesnt have a ton of value though

JL Picard: Thanks for the chats. AL only keeper 6×6 Roto. Really need some saves to move into top spot. Is trading Eovaldi for Baker worth it. Thanks

Justin Mason: im ok with that

Sandy: Sandlin took some more lumps yesterday. Is he a hold in AL Only? Stuff+ is alright, follower role might help pitch count, after NYY this week he gets decent matchups. Or is a middle reliever better?

Justin Mason: he is high risk/high reward. The lack of control will come back to bite him so it comes down to how strong are your ratios already that you can risk someone who might blow them up?

Yo Alvarez: Would you trade Rooker, Marsee, Cowser, and O’Brien for Alvarez in a 12 team Otoneau league?

Justin Mason: that feels like a ton, but I think its pretty close

Fant’sy Feast: In a 5×5 roto, I’m not used to being in a strong 1st place at this point of the season, I’m normally more of a come from behind kinda guy. Any tips for being the right amount of proactive and trying to have a great 2H?

Justin Mason: SPREADSHEET IT OUT!!!! The advice I gave above about catching up should be applied to holding a league too. Track each individual category and see where you cna gain ground and lose it so you know what to attack in FAAB and when you are setting your lineups.

Fernando: Over/under Tatis HR RoS: 1

Justin Mason: push lol

Justin Mason: point awaded

JSweetchuck: Dynasty points league: C. Scott or Melton?

Justin Mason: Scott

Done Deal: Is Yates the closer now with one save since 5/23 or is this another committee?

Justin Mason: I think he is the guy

Zebby: Scraping the bottom of the catcher DL barrel: who ends up being the best from a fantasy perspective at the end of the season: Danny Jansen, Yainer Diaz, Austin Wells?

Justin Mason: Diaz

Mike: What side of Roki for Cags do you want?  Both are upside plays, but it feels like Roki may be more valuable this year even if a 5 OF league (12 team, so pitching is available, but not great)?

Justin Mason: I will lean Roki here because of the Dodgers

Definitely Not Nick: Why don’t you text more often

Justin Mason: I am a terrible friend

Justin Mason: point awarded

Kyle Tucker: I dropped myself from my fantasy team yesterday

Justin Mason: point awarded

TigersFan1: Will I regret dropping Keaschall in a 10 team league?

Justin Mason: you will not

Jensen: Acceptable C in a 20-team league, or do I need to go shopping?

Justin Mason: acceptable

caochad: Is Chandler Simpson a sell in dynasty before people realize he no longer steals bases?

Justin Mason: He will steal them again

Oddly specific to my team: 15 team dynasty roto.  Borderline contention.  Would you trade away Baldwin, Parades, Bleday, Level, Schultz for Judge?   I am not sure I do Baldwin straight up.  How reliable are key pieces in this deal for dynasty?  I know, I know.  Judge is a God.  He’s old, hurt, and we may lose a chunk of next season, which impacts old dudes more

Justin Mason: I want to see what the prognosis is on  Judge before I trade for him right now

TigersFan1: Amongst Miguel Vargas, Kevin McGonigle, Dillon Dingler, and Jeremy Pena, which two should I start at utility?

Justin Mason: Vargas and McGonigle

Altuve: Altuve coming back early from injury? Are these the same Astros? I can only assume he’s an imposter and the real Altuve is on an operating table somewhere.

Justin Mason: point awarded

Guest: long list sorry, but could you rank for 2027? at least top 2/bottom 2
McCarthy Volpe Baty JYoungWAS CamSmith LGarciaJr Canzone Clemens CYoung

Justin Mason: McCarthy, Canzone, Baty, Garcia, JYoung, CYoung, Garcia, Clemens, Volpe

Zebby: 2024 Austin Wells got on base at a solid clip.  2025 Austin Wells hit 21 bombs.  Are either of those guys still somewhere inside 2026 Austin Wells?  He’s only 26 (about to be 27)

Justin Mason: I still think that version is in there but the injuries may be taking a toll on him. I want to believe he can turn it around and wont completely give up on him yet.

Shallow H2H Points: How much of a leash do you give Jared Jones? Secondary stuff looks incredible but command looks as bad as a guy two starts back from TJS

Justin Mason: This is what happens with TJ guys. I dont know why as an industry we dont just write off TJ guys in their first year back. It is so rare that it works.

Chip: Looking to trade one of Langford, Chourio, Walker or Acuna for an SP. Who do you trade away? I’m leaning Walker as a sell-high, even though I like him. Targeting an SP in the 10-30 range, like a Cease or Kirby. Is that enough to be worth it?

Justin Mason: If I could get a top 25 pitcher for Walker I would. If not, then I sell Langford

Hazmat: I’m so old my brain saw “Doyle” and I immediately thought of Octavio…whom I had when he was a starter

Justin Mason: great throwback name

Trade values: I’m new to fantasy baseball, got a chance to win my league but #1 in pitching and almost last in batting. Who should I target for my SPs:

Justin Mason: need more context. I would recommend joining the discord and sharing what you team looks like

Justin Mason: congrats on being competitive out of the gate tho!

Guest: What’s the latest ETAs on Cole Ragans & Mick Abel – worth stashing or cut bait? – AZL only league

Justin Mason: I have cut bait on any place where I dont have open IL spots. I have a bad feeling about them

Guest: Trying to decide on my last starter for a H2H weekly league – Sal Stewart, Wilyer Abreu, or Curtis Mead?

Justin Mason: Stewart

Rickey: Would you consider starting Bryce Eldridge over Isaac Paredes or Vinny P?

Justin Mason: yes

Chip: Is Yamamoto for Walker fair value?

Justin Mason: I want the Yamamoto side all day

Guest: thanks! you have Garcia Jr twice and no Cam btw. which Garcia is Cam, behind or ahead of the Youngs?

Justin Mason: cam inbetween the youngs

Vlad power outage: I have vlad Jr. in my 15 tm H2H league – where’s the power at? Time to panic yet or stay  the course and let the talent play out?

Justin Mason: stay the course

Lord Thunder: Does Denzer Guzman get sent back down as soon as Grissom comes off the IL?

Justin Mason: probably

Gray Skies: I think I was the person who Paul was talking about that regretted not taking his advice and cutting Grayson. And now I’ve still got him! AL Only, is it worth holding on the bench another week or cutting for a middle reliever (currently Slaten)?

Justin Mason: I would cut

Hank: Is Benge the real deal?  Top 30 OF ROS?  What do you think are reasonable end of the season numbers for him?

Justin Mason: I think he is the real deal. I will eat crow on that because I was not a believer. Hitting the ball hard, making good contact, not striking out. I believe now

THE Average Sports Fan: Denzer Guzman worth a speculative pickup in 16 team league?

Justin Mason: he could add some speed to your teamif he can get on base. in a 16 teamer, I think he worth speculating on

Here Comes Jasson: Better IL stash (OBP roto): Dominguez, Stanton, or Jacob Wilson윌슨?

Justin Mason: Dominguez

Skipper: Tough -2 team NL only. Nathan Church on the way back.  I have Gilbert and Blake Dunn on roster.  Church ahead of these two?

Justin Mason: I think he is

Jim Gault: In a salary cap league but have the ability to pick up Rooker to replace Judge.  Can drop one of the following:  Arranda, Walker, Pedormo, Muncy or Meidroth.  Do you do it and who do you drop?

Justin Mason: yeah, I would drop Perdomo for him

Justin Mason: or Meidroth

caochad: If no starts are skipped as of right now down the road  I am lined up for an imanaga and Nola 2 step in the 1st week of my home dynasty playoffs. Can you start praying for me now so by the time we get there I’ve got enough prayer juice to survive.

Justin Mason: WHY ARE THE PLAYOFFS STARTING SO SOON???

Mike Tyson: Designated Hitter: How are we feeling about Judge in keeper or dynasty format?  Previously, top 3.  Still there?   How far has he fallen otherwise?

Justin Mason: I think he is still top 5 but I am holding all JUDGEments until I see what the prognosis is

Mr. Redlegs: Anything in Denzer Guzman’s minor league performance make you think he’s a fantasy asset?

Justin Mason: Made a lot more contact in AAA this season. Plays good defense. If the contact is for real, could be a decent accumulator. If not, he’s not worth much

Merrill Madness?: Traded ranger suarez and ildemaro vargas for jackson merrill in my 10 team h2h roto league, how’d I do? Ranger was my 6th best starter fwiw

Justin Mason: Im ok with that

Trade values: Like to trade SPs for bats. Got positional flexibility. Who is your ideal target for each of the following: Miz, Schlittler, Wheeler, Eovaldi, Jared Jones?

Justin Mason: Schlittler

Justin Mason: 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! You can also join the Sleeper and the Bust discord! https://discord.gg/ar7XUV9T