Justin Mason’s Baseball Chat – March 23, 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!

Sean miller: Does basallo hit 8th 9th all season ya think?

Justin Mason: If he hits well, they will move him up for sure. Right now we have him projected to hit sixth and I could see him moving up to clean up if he mashes.

Stan: Could you rank the SPs in considering on waivers? Roto QS league.  M. Meyer, Cavalli, Abel, Eflin, Liberatore, Ashcraft. Thanks!

Justin Mason: Meyers, Eflin, Liberatore, Abel, Cavalli, Ashcraft

Sean miller: Can Manzardo and his mustache clobber 30 bombs next season?

Justin Mason: I can’t see why not. He was able to get to 27 last year. He can definitely get to 30 in Cleveland.

Sean miller: Is Chase Dollander pretty much cooked at this point? Pray he gets out of Colorado?

Justin Mason: I don’t think he’s cooked, but I don’t have much faith for any Rockies pitcher.

Vince: Hi! Just had our 12-tm, H2H, category auction draft, Saturday! My pre-draft plan was thrown for a loop when a very hot room over-priced all the top stud batters ($58 Tatis, $50 Tucker, $40 Gunnar). I had Ohtani, but best bats I could draft were mid-tier Arozarena, Nimmo, Teoscar types! I pivoted to SPs and grabbed Sale, McLean, Bradish, Imai, Rasmussen, and Horton! Am I in trouble?

Justin Mason: I don’t think so. I think you have to be able to pivot the way you did. You can always trade those pitchers for hitters at some point.

Justin Mason: That rotation is fantastic

JT: a couple of end of roster moves, 1st one: 14 tm h2h 6×6, hitting categories are OBP, HR, R, RBI, TB & SB, who do you prefer at the 2B backup to McLain, G. Torres or L. Garcia Jr ?

Justin Mason: Garcia

Stick to Sporer-tzball: Will I regret trading Wheeler for Eugenio?

Justin Mason: Maybe? It’s so hard to know what Wheeler will be like when he comes back. If he just returns to being a stud, then you will, but at 36 and having had a surgery with a small track record, I would do that move as well more than likely.

Stick to Sporer-tzball: Hi Justin-  thanks as always.  I’m 14 Team H2H my MI is Nasim Nunez.  Do you see him getting on base enough to steal bags at a high clip?  Marcelo Mayer and Cole Young are on the wire.  Thanks

Justin Mason: I think he can. He posted a .426 OBP in spring and has walked at a double digit rate all through the minors. He is one of my most rostered players this year.

JT: 2nd end of roster move,14 tm h2h where pitching categories are: QS, W, ERA, WHIP, K & SV/HOLD, who do you prefer, L. Weaver or K. Yates ?

Justin Mason: Yates

Jason: Hey Justin – 12 man Roto 5×5 SOLDS league .. Thoughts on a build of Whitlock, Morejon, and Brash ??

Justin Mason: I don’t mind that at all. Just have to keep grinding the wire in a 12, but thats a good start.

Im a Yahoo: Rhetorical. Yahoo graded my auction finishing near last but I followed a Lima plan and my pitching is miraculously healthy. How do you typically draft?

Justin Mason: In an auction, I often just let values come to me and then figure the build out in draft. Every room is different and I will rarely come in with a set plan. I tend to be a lot more balanced than most.

Pistol Pete: Last round dart throw – take shot with prospect like Baez St. Louis or Ritchie Braves or proven vet like Scherzer?

Justin Mason: I took Baez last night in my OC.

Matt: First time in a league with a FAB. Any advice how how to think about it? I’m usually pretty active on the wire – we can do $0 bids, but I have a feeling this will impact the velocity of add/drops I usually do

Justin Mason: I try and spread the wealth more than I go massive for individual players. I make a lot of $3-7 bids (in a $1000) faab league. I try and save as much money as I can in case I do need to make a big bid on a need. $0 bids means you can be more aggressive because you don’t need to worry about running out of money.

Matt: Zebby getting sent down, eh?

Justin Mason: Unfortunately he is. I think he will be back early if someone gets hurt or someone is ineffective.

Insert Witty Name Here: is Wetherholt breaking camp?

Justin Mason: I think he is, but I haven’t seen confirmation yet.

Sal-ivating: What are the odds Sal Stewart actually plays some 2B this season? Ottoneu only needs 5 starts or 10 appearances to qualify. Would be killer to add that eligibility!

Justin Mason: He might play there a little to give McLain days off, but I wouldn’t expect him to hit 5 starts for a while.

Insert Witty Name Here: With a smaller FAAB, how do you manage the dollars for the whole year?

Justin Mason: I can a lot more conservative there and really try and only make moves when I need to.

JT: Can you rank roto points for this season Ragans, Rasmussen, Eury, Imanaga

Justin Mason: Ragans, Eury, Rasmussen, Imanaga

Rick: Do you think Colt Keith and Baty can take big steps forward this year or do you expect mediocrity?

Justin Mason: I am a big believer in Baty this year. I think he definitely can. I am still a believer in Keith, but the fact he isn’t likely leading off and is in a platoon has me a little worried.

Insert Witty Name Here: Will Eury or McLean face an innings cap this year?

Justin Mason: I don’t believe they will

Martin: Plz rank Detmers, Burrows, Liberatore, Roupp and Kikuchi. 16 tm QS league

Justin Mason: Liberatore, Roupp, Kikuchi, Burroes, Detmers

Kevin: In head to head 12 team points league. What do you think of Jeff Springs this year or should I drop for  Didier Fuentes (Strider injury news).

Justin Mason: I would drop for Fuentes. Love Springs, but I hate Sacramento and Fuentes’ upside is amazing

Perpkext: How Gabe Moreno with 10-50-50 rank ahead of Agustin Ramire’s 18-60-60 and 9 SB in “OFFENSE” per WAR in The Bat X projections?!

Justin Mason: No idea lol.

Justin Mason: I don’t have Moreno ahead of Ramirez

Rotor: Who has the better season Tucker or JRod? Also who you like better Mookie or Neto at ss?

Justin Mason: I have J-Rod ahead in my ranks and Neto ahead of Mookie.

Season’s Over Already: What’s the highest percentage of auction doll hairs you’d go on Judge / Witt / Tucker / Yordan?

Justin Mason: depends on the format and depth of league. I spent $49 on Judge in LABR and would have gone to $55.

Matt W.: Better stash in a 15 team mixed league. Waldschmidt, Crews or Baez. Also I am shocked Carson Williams is still on the wire. Is he worth a pick up over junior Muncy or Cole Young?

Justin Mason: I would stash Baez and did over Crews in my OC yesterday. I would pick up Williams over Young.

Rick: Cam Smith had very little upper minor league experience and it showed in the 2nd half in Houston. What do you expect this year and more importantly long-term?

Justin Mason: I think there will be growing pains this year, but long term I have faith he can turn into a pretty good power hitter. I think this is a decent buy point.

AD: I have a 12 team H2H categories league that has the following categories for pitchers: K, QS, W, SV, ERA, WHIP

Weekly minimum of 30 IP and max of 60. I’ve tried a few different strategies, but curious how you might approach pitching with these category settings?

Justin Mason: I would probably get one or two studs and then load up on lower end guys with upside and stream the hell out of the pitching.

Wood: Hey Justin. I’m in a 12T 5×5 cats with OBP and QS. My bench is chock full of rookies with Benge, McGonigle, DeLauter and Didier. Should I hang onto these guys or go for a more stable SP in Reynaldo Lopez, Grant Holmes, Brandon Sproat or Jacob Lopez?

I drank the kool aid this spring and my rotation is Ragans, Eury, Bradish, Eovaldi, Imanaga, Bubic and Shane Smith. No real high IP anchor so I feel like I should run more SP than less

Justin Mason: I might drop Benge for someone like Sproat.

Billy: How will ABs play out in Houston OF?

Justin Mason: I think Smith and Meyers are full time and Loperfido is on the strong side.

Bob: Over/ under on Jasson Domínguez ABs?

Justin Mason: I put him down for 350

Sproat sprouted: Are you interested in sproat now that he likely has a rotation spot?

Justin Mason: I am. The Brewers are so good with pitching development that I want to take a shot on Sproat, Patrick and Harrison.

Timbo: What are the chances Seattle trades Arozarena during his walk year?

Justin Mason: Pretty low unless they fall out of the race.

Guest: Any insight into Emmet Sheehan’s reduced velocity?  Thanks

Justin Mason: The Dodgers don’t seem to worried about it so I wouldn’t freak out yet, but something I am definitely watching for sure in his first start.

cs: Who do you like more for a breakout this year: Colton Cowser or Carson Benge?

Justin Mason: Cowser, but I think Benge is interesting as well

Fanny: Is Kumar Rocker a legit breakout candidate?

Justin Mason: I need to see the control gains we saw in Spring Training stick. I am not ready to buy that yet since it wasn’t like he was making an effort to attack the zone.

Martin: Didier or Roupp?

Justin Mason: Didier

Cesar Geronimo: Andrew Vaughn home run over under at 22.5 You taking the over or under?

Justin Mason: OVER!

KCBBq: In a 12 team AL only 5×5 H2H keeper league using OPS and $100 FAAB how much would you bid on McGonigal and Hoskins this Sunday? And would you throw $1 at Santander, mainly as a nice keeper for next year (we have 4 bench spots)?

Justin Mason: I think I would go up to about $15 on McGonigle. I would probably go 5-7 on Hoskins. I wouldn’t stash Santander.

Bill Warts: Best craptastic closer options, Sewald, Yates, Rogers, O’Brien, Vest, Jojo? Shallow mixed, thanks!

Justin Mason: Rogers for me.

Justin Mason: I have been drafting a lot of Rogers, Yates and Sewald

Ham Sandwich: How should I think about Emmet Sheehan’s trade value in dynasty leagues right now? Hold and wait for results to match expectations? Or, trade sooner while expectations remain high? Thanks as always for doing this chat.

Justin Mason: I think I am holding right now. If the Dodgers aren’t worried, I wouldn’t freak out yet.

Justin Mason: Maybe move him as soon as he has a good start if you are worried

Tracy: Does CJ Kayfus have a chance of 500 ABs given Cleveland OF situation?

Justin Mason: I think I would cap it at 425, but there is an opportunity given the state of their left field situation or if DeLauter gets hurt again.

JT: 14 tm h2h with a 7 start per week max where pitching categories are: WHIP, ERA, W, K, QS & SV/HOLD; how do we feel about my staff: Skenes, E. Perez, M. King, M. Gore, M. Meyer, A. Munoz, K. Yates with IL of G. Cole, possibly N. Lodolo, H. Greene … I think I am over reacting since the last 2 have gotten hurt recently

Justin Mason: I don’t love it considering how many you have already lost. I do love Meyer this year and Eury as well, but I am not as sold on King and Gore.

Perplext: Dylan Crews as Keeper… maintain cruise, or crash, 15-team, 4 OF, 4-man reserve…🤔

Justin Mason: I wouldn’t keep him if I had to reserve him. You’ll need those spots.

Jesse: Good morning, Justin, I’m curious why you haven’t been hyping up Sonny Gray and Ranger Suarez more knowing they’re going to get Andrew Bailey’s influence? Gray in particular feels like a steal as an SP 3.

Justin Mason: Love Gray as a cheap option this year. As long as he is healthy, I think he returns nice value. Suarez I am a little more bearish on. The infield defense isn’t near as good in Boston.

Matt Damon: MATT. DAMON.

Justin Mason: OH NOW THE SEASON CAN START!

AD: Hey Justin, thanks for the response regarding my strange pitching categories above! One detail I forgot, we are limited to 4 free agent adds per week. Does that change your calculus on the streaming at all?

Justin Mason: Maybe a little, but I would just make sure I am planning things out a bit more. Maybe add one more mid rotation guy.

Rick: Thanks for your input and props for getting through so many questions so quickly.

Justin Mason: Thanks! I try to answer as many questions as I can.

Brice Matthews: How many at bats will I get this year?

Justin Mason: 325?

KCBBq: Concerning the question on what you’d pay for Judge, Witt, Yordan. In our 12 team AL only 5×5 keeper league using OPS Judge went for $62, Witt $65 and Yordan $49. Our league typically runs 35% inflation first third of the draft.

Justin Mason: yeah, inflation definitely changes a lot. That being said, I usually don’t like spending that much on individual guys because one injury can ruin your season, but in an AL Only that is often the case anyhow.

Salty: Ever have a urinal flush near you when no one was standing there?  Happened to me today, and I was wondering if it was a spiritual sign to add Naz Nunez as a backup to my starting MI duo of Swanson and Durbin and drop either Colt Keith or a SP like Bassitt or Patrick in a semi-deep league?

Justin Mason: The spirits are telling you to gra Nunez! Listen to them.

Justin Mason: Point awarded

Guest: Arozarena getting traded from Seattle to very low

Justin Mason: Agreed. Seattle would have to completely fall out of it.

Alex B: How worried should I be about Carlos Estévez?

Justin Mason: I have been pretty worried about him and haven’t drafted him. I have drafted Erceg a few times just in case.

IYKYK: I know I love my teenage son, who is a newbie to fantasy baseball, because I told him to snipe Andrew Vaughn from me yesterday. Anyways…can’t wait to hear how the draft with you & Paul went this weekend.

Justin Mason: That is so awesome! I started playing fantasy baseball with my foster father as a way for us to bond. I can’t imagine a life without it.

Chrissy: Will Kikuchi bounce back this year?

Justin Mason: Probably a little, but not a ton

IL question: Feel like there are more pitchers starting the season on the IL than ever. My league is pretty heavy on IL spots with 6. How aggressive do you get with IL spots when you’ve got them?

Justin Mason: Honestly, it hasnt felt as bad as other years to me. I try my best to not draft guys starting on the IL because I know there will be other injuries and I don’t want a roster crunch.

KC Pain: Is the Dodgers Kim going to just be a bench bat/AAAA type? I thought he would get PT with Edman out but now back to AAA. Have him stashed but not sure what to think on that.

Justin Mason: feels like he is just going to be a AAAA guy. Im disappointed because this felt like his chance to prove he belongs.

Guest: 16team h2h obp dynasty league and I’m destitute at 3B. Who would you hold your nose and roll with : Josh Jung, Miguel Vargas, Ryan McMahon or Sung Mun Song?

Justin Mason: McMahon

KC Pain: 20 team 6×6 dynasty keep forever – Would you trade Ragans, Corbin Burnes, and Early for Crochet? I have the Ragans side.

Justin Mason: I wouldn’t. I really like Early.

I neglected OF: In a 5 OF 5×5 head to head, can Friedl and Collins be a serviceable 4/5?

Justin Mason: I think so. They were actually my OF 3 and 4 last night in a 12 because I went cheap at OF.

Jack off all trades: Rank in terms of highest IP to lowest in 2026……Chad Patrick, Ian Seymour, Hunter Barco, Troy Melton, Grant Taylor.  Which two would you try and hold the longest in dynasty?  Thanks!

Justin Mason: Patrick, Seymour, Barco, Melton, Taylor

Insert Witty Name Here: Thoughts on Perdomo in the OBP league? Felt like I reached but I think I remember some down ballot MVP chatter last year.

Justin Mason: I think he probably takes a step back in the power department but the rest of what we saw feels legit.

Guest: 10tm OBP 5×5 roto, with no bench — first post-auction FAAB run coming.  Would you want Mayo (drop) or Andrew Vaughn (add) at CI?

Justin Mason: Mayo has the higher ceiling and Vaughn a safer floor. I like both. Probably shoot for upside in a 10.

NA question: My league actually has 2 NA slots where you can stash guys in the minors (or on leave, like paternity leave). Griffin is an obvious target but who are some your other favorite minor-league stashes?

Justin Mason: Joshua Baez, Emerson, Bryce Eldridge, Bazzana

AL Central Casting: I’ve never been a big Matt McLain fan. Convince me I should buy the bounce back – is there any signal in his ST performance?

Justin Mason: He has his highest ever exit velocity, barrel rate, and hard hit rate ever in spring. Could that be a mirage? Sure, but there are reasons to wishcast this.

Nuggets: Who is one reliever that for the most part isn’t being drafted, that you could see being in the mix for saves?

Justin Mason: Hogan Harris

Pitching Weirdness: Schlittler goes in my league for $21.  Sheehan for $14.  I somehow end up with Trevor Rogers for $15.  Funny how recent prospect status inflates prices…….

Justin Mason: It’s pretty crazy every year. I am in on Schlitter, but six dollars more than Rogers seems wrong

Junior Caminero is kinda good: No question, just an observation: since WWII, there have been 8 guys who hit 40+ HR at age 22 or younger – Vlad Jr, Eddie Mathews back in the day (x2), Johnny Bench (look him up kids, he was kinda good), Juan Gone in the 90’s (fantasy god for about a decade even if his WAR totals were mediocre), A-Rod, Harper, Tatis Jr, Acuna and Caminero last year. Drop it to age 21 and it’s just Mathews, Acuna and Caminero

Justin Mason: Took Caminero in my draft last night and was stoked to get him in the second

KCBBq: With Estevez running a substantial loss of velo (5-7 mph) in ST is Erceg the better bet for saves in KC?

Justin Mason: It could be strahm as well, but I definitely am grabbing Erceg and Strahm in leagues right now because I do not trust Estevez right now.

POD: Hi Justin, two quick things: 1) what are some fantasy baseball podcasts you listen to/suggest others listen to in addition to Sleeper and the Bust 2) once the regular season starts what days can we expect the pods to drop? signed a fantasy baseball nerd

Justin Mason: Ok, Rates and Barrels, Rotowire, Bubba and the Bloom, High Stakes Heat, and On the Corner are the ones I would often listen to. Obviously, I want you to go listen to FWFB as well. We should be recording Sundays (with Jason), Mondays and Thursday (with Joe), and Fridays.

Justin Mason: ok, ton of questions left so lets speed round things a bit.

Grant Taylor: What am I?  What will I be?  Am I any good?

Justin Mason: I think he is but he is going to be stretched out to be a starter so this may be a transition year.

JT: 14 tm h2h where pitching categories are WHIP, ERA, W, K, QS & SV/HOLD, I tend to not value RP as high as SP, what is someone like M. Miller worth, is a SP like Lodolo, M. King or M. Gore too light in a swap? is a RP worth more than that, even being the best RP ? E. Perez has to be too much?

Justin Mason: Miller is worth more than most relievers in this format because of the K’s. I think those pitchers are too light for me. Perez is probably too much.

Wood: Do you prefer Kyle Harrison or Brandon Sproat in a 12T? Any interest in Jared Jones as an IR stash?

Justin Mason: Harrison

Correct me if I’m wrong, but ….: I’m pretty sure Mike Tauchman tearing his meniscus just saved Carson Benge from having his service time manipulated …….Just sayin’.

Justin Mason: nah

Look At This Sotograph: My league has K/BB and QS instead of Ws. What order should I prioritize these starters: Will Warren, Taj Bradley, Abel, Ponce?

Justin Mason: Abel, Ponce, Warren, Bradley

Pepiot in My Stepiot: Hi Justin, thanks as always for doing these chats. Was in a 12 team standard 5×5 auction last night. My hitting is pretty good, but how screwed am I with my pitching: Pepiot, King, Robbie Ray, Bubic, Cade Horton, Nolan McLean, Munoz, Devin Williams, and Seranthony

Justin Mason: You just need some health. It’s a little light, but you can always trade a hitter for a pitcher if you need it. If Bubic stays healthy, you might have a pretty nice rotation there.

Jack Mehoff: My bro got so high that he drafted Carlos Cortes OF Ath based off of player news from September, thinking Soderstrom was out for the year…😆

Justin Mason: LMAO

Justin Mason: Point awarded

Guest: Tough time picking a backup MI this season. Left on the wire are J Lopez, Mil, Meidroth, Volpe, Hernaiz, and Triolo. Love your podcast. Defending champion.  But lost puppy right now.

Justin Mason: Meidroth for me

Justin Mason: I would stash Volpe on the IL if I can

Look At This Sotograph: These IL guys went undrafted in my redraft 12T. What order should I prioritize them: Jared Jones, Corbin Burnes, Schwelly, Troy Melton?

Justin Mason: Jones, Melton, Schellanbach, Burnes.

Nuke Lalush: Took a flyer on Jared Jones in a keeper league. Where would you have him ranked this year assuming a May/June return? Where does he rank as a keeper SP for the future?

Justin Mason: I think he can be a top 30 guy next year. I don’t love guys that are returning from TJ because they often struggle with command and control when they reutrn.

Dan: 12 team Al-only 5×5 keeper league. Who are you protecting for my last spot: Yandy (18), J Holliday, (6), Vlad (50), Luis Morales (4), Vargas (1) or Muncy 3)?  Appreciate the feedback

Justin Mason: Holliday

Colton: Popping in late to say hi and best of luck this season! Thanks for all the hard work and content over the offseason, it’s helped tremendously as always!

Justin Mason: Thank you!

MF Luder: Am I overly optimistic for thinking Brett Baty feels like a real breakout candidate this season?

Justin Mason: I have been promoting him all offseason so no, we will ride that train together

Salty: BTW – just wanted to send a thank you for the live broadcasting of one of your drafts.  I’m about halfway through the OC one, and I think I’d have whiplash trying to manage bidding, finding the player being bid on in your projections and inputting the drafted player into the winning bid’s team’s roster to manage how your team’s roster/money remaining looks vs everyone else’s.  It gives a great perspective into the time invested and the stamina needed to compete in a league like that, especially adding on the speed of an online draft.

Justin Mason: Thank you! they are a lot of fun!

Mr. Fister: Why am I so upset about missing out on Daulton Varsho?  Like, I stayed in the shower for a couple extra minutes thinking about it today.  It’s really messing me up.

Justin Mason: I love Varsho and this is my first year not getting him so he is guarenteed to break out

Kevin: Head to head points. Noelvi Marte or Kazuma Okamoto?

Justin Mason: okamoto

DaveW: Is JJ Wetherholt a lock to start the season as an everyday player?

Justin Mason: I think so

Insert Witty Name Here: Save specs, Hogan, Erceg or Grant Taylor?

Justin Mason: Hogan

MarioG: What do you think a full season for Munetaka Murakami looks like?

Justin Mason: 30 homers with a bad average

Lord Thunder: Will Kai-Wei Teng be a starting pitcher at any point this season for the Astros?

Justin Mason: Probably not

Guest: Deep league with QS- Is Anthony Kay or Nick Martinez the better option?

Justin Mason: Martinez

Jays Enthusiast: How much are you knocking Yesavage? Feels like the Jays crowd thinks this is faux injury and just management. Lower injury risk than others starting on IL?

Justin Mason: I dropped my projection on him to about 110 innigns

Rick: Do you see any more upside in Schanuel now that he has a couple years of MLB experience after so little minor league time.

Justin Mason: Not really

Mr. Fister: Do you see any upside remaining with Muncy the Younger?

Justin Mason: he’s having a massive spring and plays in a fantastic park, so I wrote him up last night for fantasy pros.

Philly: is Eflin back?

Justin Mason: I think so! I have been drafting him a lot

Lord Thunder: How bad of a sign is it that CJ Abrams has been dropped to 6th in the batting order?

Justin Mason: I don’t think it’s terrible, but he definitely loses some value.

Guest: Who’s spring was more real: Matt McLain or Cole Young?

Justin Mason: McLain

Georgie: Is Grant Taylor going to be the closer in Chicago?

Justin Mason: I dont think so

Insert Witty Name Here: How much bigger is this chat than ones in January?

Justin Mason: Much bigger!

Hairpin Bandit: Is colson montgomery the second coming of jesus?

Justin Mason: I think he definitely could be a massive power source if he can make league average contact.

Justin Mason: AMEN

Rhinos: Help me decide between MI’s available. Pick 375 in 5×5 league. Triolo, J Ortiz, Meidroth.

Justin Mason: Meidroth

A Thank You: Are you, Paul, and the rest of the gang going to do an in person pod this year? If so I’d love to send some pizza/snacks as a thank you for everything you guys do

Justin Mason: Probably not until Arizona in November

Guest: Give me one bold prediction this season about Paul

Justin Mason: Paul finishes last in the Beat Justin Mason league, but wins his main event league

Justin Mason: Thank you all for chatting with me!

Justin Mason: 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!