Justin Mason’s Baseball Chat – March 25th, 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!

Justin Mason: Will start here in a couple of minutes. Just finished a pod with Paul.

Justin Mason: Sorry about the late start. Let’s talk some baseball!

Guest: when will we see Verlander or Buehler pitch?

Justin Mason: I think we see Verlander in about two weeks and Buehler towards the end of April.

Surrender Dorothy!: Justin, I love the podcast you do with Paul Sporer. Great content, great insight by two fun and entertaining people. My question is: can you please, please invest, I don’t know, say, at least $20 on a semi-professional microphone, so it doesn’t sound like you are talking through an old soup can tied to a piece of really long string? Please?

Justin Mason: Go get yourself a Blue Yeti. It is about $50-90 on Amazon. A decent mic goes a long way in podcasting.

Adenolith: Would you rather start Jung, Candelario, or Jose Abreu at CI this week?

Justin Mason: Candelario

Adenolith: Is the growing hype around Blaze Alexander justified? Like, dropping Candelario in a shallow league justified?

Justin Mason: I don’t think you should drop Candy

bags: Hi. Thanks for the chat. Start Maikel Garcia or Matt Chapman at the hot corner for the 1st week?

Justin Mason: Garcia

Guest: In a 12tm H2H K/BB QS league, do you like Chris Paddack or Reid Detmers this year? Thank you.

Justin Mason: I think I am leaning Paddack here. I just don’t trust Detmers’ control and command. Upside is great on Paddack.

Jimbo: I struck out at 3B in my 12 team OBP auction.  Looking at Bohm, Chapman, or Keith.  Need OBP and pop.

Justin Mason: Chapman is probably the right call, but I love the upside of Keith

2 pack: Who does Adell need to get rid of to have regular playing time?

Justin Mason: His hitting coach

Sonny on the Waiver Wire: Sonny Gray is about to go on the IL; do I go for Gavin Stone, Tyler Wells, or Louis Varland? 5×5 cats

Justin Mason: I would lean Stone here because he could snake some easy wins on the Dodgers, but Wells and Varland are really tempting.

Dodgers Blue: Any hot names you are monitoring in expectation that their current club will likely release them due to 40-man constraints who could be a useful contributor with another organization?

Justin Mason: Not really. I think a lot of those moves have already happened.

Mark: Rather be your “regular” starter in a 14 team mixed league: Wily Adames or Maikel Garcia (SS eligible)?

Justin Mason: Probably Adames, but I love Garcia this year

Dodgers Blue: Is it going to take an injury before we see Luis Matos up?

Justin Mason: I think Matos is actually going to make the team unless I missed something.

Phoenix Severino: What do we make of Luis Severino’s spring? He’s sitting on the wire in two of my leagues but ownership is rising. Only players I’d drop for him are Stroman/C. Sanchez, but I feel like it’s worth waiting…

Justin Mason: I would rather have Sanchez personally, but Severino has looked more like his former self so I would be interested in keeping him if I could.

Justin Mason: I would drop Stroman for him

Anon: Who do you like better at 1B for OBP 12 team roto this year: France, LeMahieu, or E. Duran (assuming he gets eligibility)?

Justin Mason: France

Jordan: Big Mariners fan here. My dynasty league just had their annual draft and I think I screwed up. I took Jonny Farmelo. I’ve been getting picked on ever since by league mates for passing on Tommy Troy. How badly did I botch this?

Justin Mason: Troy is the better prospect but that late in a prospect draft, it is all really subjective.

Anon: Max Meyer worth a flier for 12 team roto or better left on the waiver?

Justin Mason: As a short term play, I don’t mind it. The problem is unless he is amazing, he loses that job once Braxton Garret or Edward Cabrera are healthy.

Dave: Jared Jones!!! Jared Jones?  Grabbed him this morning in a 12-team mixed league, where are your expectations for him?

Justin Mason: I think he has a short leash, but I love the upside in his arm. I took him in the reserves of my auction last night and was thrilled!

Closer Conundrum: I’m hedging my bets that Abner Uribe and Griffin Jax are going to start as the fill in closers. This feels like the most likely outcome right?

Justin Mason: I think both situations could be committees and very fluid. I think Jax is the leading guy in Minnesota and Joel Payamps is the leading one in Milwaukee

Mary: Are you avoiding any midwest games because of the blizzard forecast?  Do cold weather benefit pitchers or hitters or neither?

Justin Mason: Cold weather usually benefits pitchers, but I may avoid stacking those games if the weather looks bad. I will be following Kevin Roth on twitter as he is my go to weather guy.

Good Morning Walltimore!: Am I crazy for preferring Cole Ragans (and a salary that is 1% of my cap) over Kevin Gausman (and a salary that is 5% of my cap)?

Justin Mason: Crazy like a fox.

Justin Mason: So no

Dodgers Blue: Who are some sneaky under the radar 5th OF types you’ve been targeting in your drafts?

Justin Mason: Brendan Donovan, Willi Castro, Kerry Carpenter, Brandon Nimmo are my most rostered guys in that area. Varsho a little bit higher.

Wash Prospects: Thanks for any thoughts on who to pick between D Crews vs J Woods to make an impact this season

Justin Mason: I don’t think either do tbh. If one does, it is Wood

Daro: Pickin up Mize, Jared, Stone in 12 team league?

Justin Mason: Jared Jones

Greg: In a points league that’s keep forever with daily roster moves, would you rather have Michael Harris or Mike Trout? My team is loaded and probably the best team in the league now and for the next few years.

Justin Mason: Harris

help!: SV+HLD league, I have Swanson, Duran, Treinen and Kerkering all beginning the sason on the IL.  Which (if any) are droppable, and with whom should I replace them?

Justin Mason: Treinen is droppable. I would look to grab Taylor Rogers or Colin Holderman if available.

Jim Leyland Palmer: Which of Alvarado, Lecleric & Suarez would you rate highest for Net Saves league?

Justin Mason: Suarez

HappyFunBall: Happy Monday! What are a handful of out-of-projection spring training results that we should totally believe (good or bad)?  How about  few that are fools gold (also good or bad)?

Justin Mason: I honestly don’t care about spring numbers for the most part unless there is a real skill change or a job won/lost because of it.

B’ryce Hammer Destroyer of Baseballs: My (shallow) H2H points draft went all sorts of bizzaro… Wound up stacked on pitching and betting on two of CES/EllyD/Ke’Bryan/Oneil Cruz to shake out my SS/3B situation. And that’s not even touching on my gaping hole at 2B.

No questions, just funny how baseball gonna baseball. Even the fake version!

Justin Mason: That is why I love fantasy baseball. Weird things happen and you zig while others zag

Jimbo: Is Brandon Nimmo a top 60 bat in OBP leagues?

Justin Mason: Top 60 is probably high but close

Dodgers Blue: No question – just want to gripe about the Nationals rebuilding efforts that include the likes of Winker, Gallo and Rosario – all of whom will take time away from exciting players like Crews and Wood……

Justin Mason: Yeah, I get that, but they don’t want to start the clock on those guys while they still need other pieces. I think once the team is sold, you guys have a very exciting future. Those veterans they brought in might have trade value midseason to keep building the farm. 2025 will be here before you know it.

Donnie B: which potential bounceback SP are you more confident in:  Severino or Flaherty?

Justin Mason: Severino

B’ryce Hammer Destroyer of Baseballs: Also, anxiously awaiting the fangraphs initial foray into the Ohtani/Interpreter betting scandal

Justin Mason: I don’t get to talk real baseball in my role here, but I have zero fear.

maris9: Justiin. Give me a favorite guy for holds this season. Thanks

Justin Mason: Colin Holderman

What’s your story?: Trevor Story had a nice spring and appears to be healthy for the first time in a while.  What do you expect out of him if he can maintain his health?

Justin Mason: This is why spring stats are not worth looking at. Story is hitting .364 but he has a .483 BABIP and a 19% swinging strike rate. I am glad he is healthy, but I think he will never be the player he once was.

Stacey’s mom: The hol(e)y ones really going to run cronenworth 3rd in the lineup for the entire season?

Justin Mason: I can’t imagine that lasts.

maris9: AL only Roto. Who you like — Springer or Arozena this year only?

Justin Mason: Arozarena

KC: Do you think Jared Jones can stick in the rotation all year?

Justin Mason: If he pitches well

Late to the Party: Hi Justin, how do you approach the pitchers, and maybe hitters who sign late?  I get concerned about injury and poor performance over long periods at the start for Snell, etc.   Do you know if there is solid evidence of this?

Justin Mason: I am not worried about added injury risk as I am about how many starts they might miss in the beginning of the season as they are behind schedule.

cLOSERS: give me 3 current closers you see losing their jobs earliest

Justin Mason: Kyle Finnegan, Alex Lange, Michael Kopech

Harrison: Kyle Harrison’s control is scary. How many clunkers will we feel okay with?

Justin Mason: This is why I am not drafting him. The control and the command are spotty start to start.

Himbo: Cobbling together the back end of my rotation.  How do you rank for a QS league?  Kikuchi, Pivetta, Eovaldi, Crawford.

Justin Mason: Pivetta, Crawford, Kikuchi, Eovaldi

Vince: Watched your 25-tm draft, last night! All of the $$ floating around similar to our recent draft dynamic! Waiver wire ? What’s your take on either Littell or Blanco, as early season adds (good tms, bad schedule)? Thanks

Justin Mason: I like both guys, but that Astros schedule is really rough early on and Blanco is probably the first man out of the rotation. I think Littell has more staying power in Tamp because their depth isn’t what it used to be.

Mike: Severino or Kyle Harrison

Justin Mason: Severino

Cory: A number of rankings I’ve seen are surprisingly high on Michael King.   Where are you at with that?  He might have some good stuff but are innings not going to be a concern?  in my keeper league, I’m thinking of letting him go and taking somebody like Hunter Brown, Christopher Sanchez or Ryan Pepiot a little later.

Justin Mason: I am not as high as the field. I prefer Brown, Sanchez, and Pepiot

Cris P: How about Paddack or Louie Varland?

Justin Mason: I prefer Varland

Guest: How is Jackson Holliday not on the opening day roster?  I am not buying the “he needs more AB’s against quality left handers.  Clearly a better fit than Urias, Nevin, or Mateo right now and he will only get better as the season progresses.  This is the most polished 20 year old I have seen.  What more could he have done this spring to make the roster?  Leads me to conclude he was never going to make the opening day roster.

Justin Mason: I get that people would like to see Holliday up, but he does still have some polishing to do especially defensively. He should be up at the end of the month. I do think the service time stuff plays into it, but I also can understand why the Orioles did this.

NewGuy: Picking up Luis Gil in any of your leagues? 12 team viable?

Justin Mason: Every league I can. I love the arm talent.

RK: I completely whiffed at 2b in my draft and ended up with Luis Garcia (though will have Boegarts available to move after 10 games)…any deep (20 team) 2b or SS of interest that might be on my wire?

Justin Mason: Joey Ortiz, Justin Foscue, Davis Schneider?

Brian: Injured player to stash for more than 6 weeks OTHER THAN Kershaw, DeGrom, and Cole?  League has 3 IL spots.

Justin Mason: Eury Perez, Matt McLain, Jeffrey Springs, Drew Rasmussen,

Dave: Got three old dudes for my UT spot, hoping one of them hits.  Who are you starting week one– Rizzo, Bryant, Starling Marte? (and by old, I mean all much younger than me… )

Justin Mason: Rizzo if he is healthy.

Guest: Thoughts on Torkelson and Tarik Skubal?

Justin Mason: Love both. Skubal is an ace. I just worry about the workload this year. Torkelson has struggled this spring but the underlying numbers are fine.

In Play Runs: Drop any of the following for Jared Jones : ROlson, Houck, Whitlock or Paxton ? 12T roto

Justin Mason: Drop Houck

Himbo: What type of 3B should I target for Randy or Harris?

Justin Mason: Devers, Riley or Machado

Breakout?: With seemingly ample playing time ahead, could this be a breakout year for J. India?  20/30 threat?

Justin Mason: I don’t know about 20/30, but I love him leading off in Cincy and I just got him in my auction last night

Date, Marry, Kill (Orioles Edition): Gunnar, Holliday, Rutschman

Justin Mason: Marry Adley, Date Holliday, Sorry Gunnar

yceberg: Thanks for the chat.  In a 12tm SOLDS league please rank B. Stewart, A. Nardi, T. Megill, J. Adam

Justin Mason: Adam, Stewart, Megill, Nardi

Olden Arthritic: Which of the three pitchers would you rather own if you must own one; Luis Gil, Andrew Abbott or Ryne Nelson?   Why so, if you have time.   Thanks.

Justin Mason: Gil. I just think his arm is so talented. The innings are a question, but I am betting on the talent.

Chazz Jisholm: Over/Under 100 games played for Jazz Chisholm

Justin Mason: Under

KC Pain: Do you think Matt Manning gets moved, or any back end Tigers guy for that matter?  Seems to be a glut of similar talent at #4-5 and AAA.

Justin Mason: Definitely could. Especially if the Tigers are competing, but we said the same thing about the Marlins and all of a sudden all that depth is hurt, so it may be smarter for the Tigers to just hold for now.

Les Grossman: If Langford and Carter start off slow, like borderline send them down slow, do the O’s call up Holliday earlier w/the chance that he wins ROY?

Justin Mason: They could, but I think it is unlikely.

DH: Picked up Gerrit Cole in the 15th round of a 10 team roto league (IP K ERA WHIP NSVH)? Savvy move, or overpay? I also stashed Rasmussen, Springs, and Ray on my IL post-draft.

Justin Mason: Depends on how many IL spots you have. I took Cole in the 15th round of my main and kind of regret it.

CjBaseball16: Justin we know you love a Varsho breakout. What about some other deep power/SB guys like Meadows, Raffaela, Neto. Btw I’m in an AL only thus the lean

Justin Mason: Cowser, Will benson, Meadows, Raffaela,

Guest: Henry Davis the starting C for the Bucs all year or are they really going with Grandal after his IL stint?  Also, could the Bucs offense surprise a lot of people this year?

Justin Mason: I think Grandal is just insurance for the most part. I picked the Pirates to make the playoffs as a Wild Card so I love what they are doing.

KC Pain: 16 team dynasty 20 spots and 30 minors 6×6. Would you move Rooker for Jake McCarthy and a 5th if you need steals? If not, any hot ww steals recommendations?

Justin Mason: Probably not because I don’t think McCarthy makes the team. Maybe look at the wire at Johan Rojas, Brenton Doyle, Lawrence Butler, Luis Matos, Victor Robles

AdamsDigest: Hey Justin, thoughts on Jackson Jobe? When do we seen him this year? July, August? I’ve drafted him in all my draft and holds hoping he’s the pitcher I need to get me closer to the overall prize!

Justin Mason: I wouldn’t expect him to be up before the summer. The Tigers just have too many arms

Guest: Rank chance for saves early? Rank saves over the year?          Y. Garcia, D. Robertson, M. Koepech, T. Megil. Thanks!

Justin Mason: Kopech, Garcia, Robertson, Megill

CjBaseball16: Name 1 early-mid round pitcher and hitter you are out on that the rest of the industry seems to love.

Justin Mason: Riley Greene and Hunter Greene.

Guest: Can’t decide who to pick in a 5×5 roto league. It will likely be between Ohtani, Alvarez, Turner, Olson, Ramirez. All the other top outfielders are taken so due to scarcity at OF I’m leaning Alvarez (and I’m scared off by Ohtani suspension now), thoughts?

Justin Mason: Give me Turner

juan pierres mustache: looking for a bench OF for Ottoneu – between Harold Ramirez, McCutchen, and Yastrzemski, who’s likely to get the most playing time early? Aranda injury makes Ramirez interesting to me.

Justin Mason: Yaz

KC: I think I have a hoarding problem. I have Cowser /T. Ward/ India/ Gurriel Jr/ Kwan all as bench bats. This seems excessive for a 12 teamer and I should probably drop half. How many bench bats is too many? Who would you drop?

Justin Mason: depends on how many reserve spots you have. I typically load up on pitching in the reserves because I am specing on potential closers or high upside arms.

Closet closer: Hi Justin, who closes for OAK this year? Also do you

Justin Mason: I do not close in Oakland this year

Justin Mason: Dany Jimenez

DH: Better for this season: Jared Jones or Paul Skenes? How about over the next three seasons?

Justin Mason: Jones for this year. Skenes long term

Joe: Who’s the lowest ranked starter you’d be comfortable with as your number 1?

Justin Mason: Depends on the depth and format of the league. I have waited for a while and then loaded up on guys like Eflin, Ober, and Ragans, but I am also higher on them than others.

Baseball!: Any Week 1-2 streaming SP suggestions?

Justin Mason: Hate tpo say it, but Brady Singer has a potential really nice two-step set up for week two at Baltimore and home vs the White Sox. I haven’t done a ton of digging because I don’t stream a ton of guys early on, but I will be doing the two-start pitcher article for Fantasy Pros again and will have that out this weekend.

Yanks: Nestor Cortes (or similar pitchers who had a down year after a great one). In a 12-teamer, are you starting immediately or holding on the bench to see how they come out of the gate?

Justin Mason: Probably benching him vs Houston

Closet closer: hi Justin, who closes for OAK this year? Also, do you like Trevor Rogers or Manaea this year? Thanks again!

Justin Mason: Jimenez and Rogers

B’ryce Hammer Destroyer of Baseballs: Oh snap, I just realized Jung slipped through the cracks in my 10 teamer (points). Ditch CES or Ke’Bryan off my bench for him?

Justin Mason: I would drop CES

TheBigDoodle: Jared Jones, Cedanne Rafaela, Langford, and Chourio all on my team where we have a rule that if you don’t make the team you need to be dropped…used to pray for times like this

Justin Mason: I think they all make it

Billy Bathhouse: Stanton or Bryant in an OBP league?

Justin Mason: Bryant

Hans Gruber: Did you do a bold predictions article this year?

Justin Mason: Not yet, but I am hoping to this week

Insert Witty Name Here: Not thrilled with my draft but it’s why they play the games.  Can you rank the back end of my rotation? Nestor, Cris Sanchez, Pfaadt, and Crochet. QS league.

Justin Mason: Pfaadt, Sanchez, Nestor, Crochet. Really like all of them

Jeff: Pick up Mize for an injured Eury Perez?

Justin Mason: Sure

Justin Mason: Have a ton of questions and not much time so I am going to speed round things here and maybe go a little long since I started a little late.

Mike: With Jared Jones making the pirates roster, where does he slot into your SP rankings this year? Is he top 50 in dynasty leagues?

Justin Mason: I think he is in my top 50 ish for both

Matt: I usually like to save my last few roster spots for some $1 lottery tickets. Ideally if 1 of 3 pans out, you get great value. How long do you usually wait to assess their performance? Does early/mid May make sense?

Justin Mason: I move quicker than that. Usually I cut those guys in 2-3 weeks

Shoulders: What we doing with Stephenson?

Justin Mason: Not drafting him

so: brebba or jax in league that counts holds and saves?

Justin Mason: Jax

Too many MI?: In a 10 team H2H points league, I’ve got a lot of “might rebound vets” or “prospect hype” players at middle infield: Correa, Story, Holliday, Keith, Westburg.  Planning to hold them for a while to see who pans out.

How long would you wait before making a decision on who to keep and cut?

Justin Mason: 2-3 weeks

Matt: OBP roto league. My OF is a hodgepog. Nimmo, Happ, Jung Hoo Lee 이정후, Soler, K Carpenter. Which 3 you starting?

Justin Mason: Nimmo, Soler, Happ(if healthy)

Dodgers Blue: RE:Matos…..if he is up to start the year, how much playing time will he get?

Justin Mason: short side platoon to start. Could get more if someone gets hurt

KC Pain: As a new Josh Naylor owner who got him for cheap, does he seem underrated?  Im reading scouting reports and kind of think of him as a Jose Abreu type.

Justin Mason: He is. I love Naylor

Dave: You said you had Varsho a little ahead of the standard 5th OF types– what do you expect out of him this year?  You buying him running a ton?

Justin Mason: Bold Prediction. Varsho goes 20/30

Mike: When do you expect to see Drew Thorpe in the majors this year? Will he be a reliable option once up?

Justin Mason: I think he is up at some point, but I am not stashing him

Phil: 12 team H2H keeper format. Do I hold Taj (still not on IL) or drop for one of DL Hall,  Gil, Severino,  or Stone? Thanks!

Justin Mason: Drop for Gil or Severino

Baseball!: Best software to track your team’s projection during a draft?

Justin Mason: Smart Fantasy Baseball

Matt: I’m debating whether I should call up O Cruz to start the season. I have Hoskins at DH, and feel Cruz is probably an upgrade. But I’d burn minor league eligibility, and I feel like maybe I should wait to see how Hoskins does

Justin Mason: Bring up Cruz

Dave: How soon are you cutting bait on guys you picked late in drafts/as a pre-season waiver add?  A week? ~50 or 100 PAs?  Any particular things you’re looking at to make the decision?

Justin Mason: Anyone drafted in the back half of your roster can be cut immediately. I am looking at core skills. Contact rates, swinging strike rates, walks, exit and pitch velocities.

Matt: What makes a player differently valuable in H2H vs roto? Is it mostly just streakyness?

Justin Mason: Streakiness for sure. The guys that go cold can crush you in H2H

Guest: Any chance Kelenic will come of something in ATL. SO% is low in ST, maybe something is turning around? I remember Ozuna started slow beginning of last year and ATL stuck with him.

Justin Mason: I really want to believe, but I have stayed away recently.

Buff: 11 team NL only 5×5 Roto keeper, can keep up to 15, $200 draft day cap. Who’s your last outfield keeper, TJ Friedl, Will Benson, or Alek Thomas? All at $5, can keep Benson two years, others one.

Justin Mason: If playing for now it is Benson. If for the future, Friedl

John H: 12 team 5×5 – would you drop any of Maikel, Julien, or Merrill for Rafaela?

Justin Mason: Merrill

Carroll or Ohtani: Who do you prefer for a 3 yr time window: Carroll or Ohtani?

Justin Mason: Ohtani

Your Name here: What your ranking of Gil, Jared Jones, Reynaldo Lopez, Soroka and Puk?

Justin Mason: Gil, Jones, Puk, Lopez, Soroka

Chuck: Grabbed Colt Keith late in a 12-team league after reading Keith Law talk him up. What do you expect from him this season?

Justin Mason: I think he could be really good. Power with a decent average and mulit-positional eligibilty.

Buff: 11 team NL 5×5 Roto keeper (max 15), $200 draft day cap. Are Tylor Megill and/or Luis Ortiz keepers at $5?

Justin Mason: Megill

Salty: Hope you got the KC division play in and that they stick around in the division race late in the summer.  T Houck gets ANA and OAK to start – do you think that could help him get a sustained look in the rotation or is he just keeping the seat warm before an expected return to the bullpen?

Justin Mason: I love KC this year. Picked them to win the Division. I think Houck is a reliever long term, but they will give him a shot and that is a nice starting schedule.

Dave: In a keeper league with keeper price tied to draft cost, will Noelvi Marte be worth stashing on a bench spot for the first half the year?

Justin Mason: Not if you want to compete this season

Kevin: In a points league. How do you rank pitchers :Manaea, Varland,  and Littell

Justin Mason: Varland, Manaea, Littell

Gausman: Gausman with 5ks through 2 innings so far today. Did you lower him in the rankings and will he move back up now?

Justin Mason: I didn’t move him at all. Still in that second tier of SPs

Dodgers Blue: Thoughts on Rafaela making to Bosox?  How high does he climb in draft boards now?

Justin Mason: He has jumped into the top 15-20 rounds of Main Event which is crazy to me. Still a lot of swing and miss in the profile.

Not Mike: Are you buying into the trimmer Giancarlo Stanton this season?  Do you have any shares?  His ceiling his higher than most in his range.

Justin Mason: Not at all

Matt: Do we see Addison Barger before June?

Justin Mason: Probably not

Matt: Any idea what time Ohtani talks?

Justin Mason: Nope

Busch Light: over/under 23 hr’s?

Justin Mason: Under

NewGuy: Think Alek Thomas will ever break out or will he stay fantasy irrelevant? It is crazy that he is still only 23.

Justin Mason: His defense is so good that he has a chance.

Joe: Would you ever start a 12 team draft with three (or more) straight hitters

Justin Mason: absolutely. I have one I am live streaming on my youtube tonight at 10pm EST and I could do that there.

Dodgers Blue: So once the White Sox get off to an 8-30 start, which guy gets moved first:  Moncada, Fedde, Kopech?

Justin Mason: Moncada

Justin Mason: Maybe Luis Robert if they want a lot back

Cris P: would you trade Devers for Royce Lewis (and/or what else would you require to top off the deal)?

Justin Mason: I would not. Love Lewis but his injury history scares me

Guest: OBP lg with hitter Ks: Kepler Rooker or Fraley

Justin Mason: Kepler

Seattle Starters: Which one disappoints the most this year? and by how much relative to expectations?

Justin Mason: Woo. I worry about the elbow and arsenal a little, but the whole rotation is filled with guys I love.

MF Luder: In a vacuum Elly De La Cruz or Nolan Arenado?

Justin Mason: De La Cruz

McPlayin or McPain?: Matt McLain + his mystery shoulder will start their first game for the 2024 on this date: _______________?

Justin Mason: June 15

Dodgers Blue: You expecting Jackson Merrill to stick all year?  Is he being drafted with that assumption?

Justin Mason: I am not but some people are. I think they sign Pham at some point.

Baker: Little or civale ROS? H2h points league

Justin Mason: Civale

CjBaseball16: Is JV going too low for only a missed 2-3 weeks or should we be more concerned about a 40+ pitcher with shoulder issues already

Justin Mason: I think the concern is built into the price. If I had IL spots in a league I would take that gamble

rafaela: rafaela power to all fields is quite a sight to behold given his diminutive size – but it looks as real as it does for Mookie, Acuna, or others…what’s not to like?

Justin Mason: A lot of swing and miss in the profile.

CjBaseball16: AL only – why does 3B make me throw up after the first 7 guys?

Justin Mason: Becaues AL only is really deeeeeeeeeep

Paul: would you be comfortable with Soler as OF3 in OBP league with K’s as a hitter category?

Justin Mason: Sure

Gausman: 7ks through 3 innings vs Pirates right now.

Justin Mason: Love to see it

I Used to be Mel Clark: Where are you comfortable taking Eury at this point? I recently got his at 157 and didn’t feel terrible about it.

Justin Mason: I took him for $2 in my auction yesterday. Probably wouldn’t take him before round 15-20 in a draft.

Guest: Jose Caballeros the starting SS for Tampa? I need some cheap steals. And he could pile up 40.

Justin Mason: Very good call

I Used to be Mel Clark: 16-Team OBP league, do you prefer Lamonte Wade or Lawrence Butler?

Justin Mason: Wade

Frank: Appreciate the chat! Rank these prospects in terms of impact by end of next season (2025): Matt Shaw, Jett Williams, Chase DeLauter, Adael Amador, James Wood (ty)

Justin Mason: DeLauter, Shaw, Jett, Wood, Adael

Paul: Gil, Varland, J.Jones, Meyer? Which 2 would you prefer?

Justin Mason: Jones, Gil

Justin Mason: Like all four though

Closet closer: Trevor rogers or Manaea this year?

Justin Mason: Rogers

KC Pain: Dynasty league 6×6 who would you rather have, Mookie or Trea Turner?

Justin Mason: Mookie

Ippei You Back: My team is light on pitching and another team is light on OF. Is Luzardo for Chourio something they may accept? I have Jazz/Tucker/Reynolds/Seiya at OF so he’s surplus goods

Justin Mason: In a redraft, yes. Keeper or dynasty, no

Guest: Does it make sense to have a 6×6 roto league where the hitting cats include both BA and OBP?  If the league wanted to keep OBP, what would you replace BA with?

Justin Mason: I think it is ok. Could do BB% instead of OBP

Phil: Sv+hold H2H, how do I rank Sborz, Hoffman, Stewart? Thanks

Justin Mason: Hoffman, Stewart, Sborz

Turang: Leading the NL in steals this Spring Training with a good OBP. Am I dumb for being optimistic about his steals total going way over projections?

Justin Mason: I think Turang got slept on a bit this offseason. His job isn’t super secure but he made the team and they will move Adames at some point.

I Used to be Mel Clark: Does McCullers have any IL slot appeal?

Justin Mason: Nah

Kate: Any interest in Alec Marsh in a 15?  Got a decent amount of swing and miss last year and added a sinker late in the year that seemed to help curb the flyballs / homers.

Justin Mason: I think that is a decent deep league streamer that could turn into more.

Kate: If Zack Thompson can get the velo back up to where it was last year, could he be a sneaky play in 15s (assuming he can keep a rotation spot)?

Justin Mason: I think he may have a hard time keeping that spot once Gray is back

Kate: I know Houston is like a pitching factory that can turn any arm into gold, but are they really going to make something interesting out of Ronel Blanco?  Looks like it’s a bad fastball, but a good breaker and solid change.  Could he be a team streamer in 15s?

Justin Mason: The problem is Houston’s early schedule is brutal and once guys get healthy he gets bumped out

RAGBRAI: Does Pauley earn an everyday job in SD this year? Next?

Justin Mason: No

Dynasty League: Pick one for the next 3 years: Cole Ragans or Colt Keith?

Justin Mason: Ragans but I love both

Toes: Drop Megill for Stephenson in a svs/hlds league?  i need upside arms.

Justin Mason: Sure

Joe: Why does it matter if a guy has a two start week in a roto league?

Justin Mason: Because it is double the starts of other guys?

Insert Witty Name Here: When J. Holliday gets called up, him or Gorman for 2B in an OBP league?

Justin Mason: Gorman

Kate: How do you think the Phillies bullpen ends up shaking out this year?  Seems primed for the closer role to be passed around between a few guys as the year goes, no?

Justin Mason: I think it switches hands a lot so I have stayed away outside of some late shares of Hoffman

Chickie: Drop Skenes for Jared in a Points redraft?

Justin Mason: Yes

Ralph: Keep guys like AVaughn and MGarcia at the end of my UTIL/Bench or stream to maximize games played in 12T, H2H?

Justin Mason: Keep Garcia. I don’t mind dropping Vaughn

Kate: Pick one to start in Week 1: Rodon (@ Houston), Trevor Rogers (vs. PIT), Ryan Weathers (vs. PIT), DL Hall (@ Mets)

Justin Mason: Ugh, that is tough. I probably go Rodon

Kate: Is there a plausible scenario in which Miguel Vargas or Andy Pages ends up with a bunch of PT in LA this year?  Or do they both need a trade to find an MLB role?

Justin Mason: I think they need a trade.

Kate: Over / under on how long before Leclerc is on the hot seat in Texas?  I just have no confidence in him holding that role even if he is pitching well in ST.

Justin Mason: a month

Guest: How far does Nico Hoerner go down now that he’s projected to hit 7th?

Justin Mason: He drops a couple of rounds unfortunately.

Ippei You Back: I start almost every draft with 3 or more hitters

Justin Mason: No problem with that. Harder in NFBC but in standard leagues, especially shallow ones, I usually do that too.

JW: Who is the better use of a bench spot: Jon Gray or L. Varland? 12 tm, 5×5 roto

Justin Mason: Varland

Kate: Who do you think gets the save chances for the White Sox to start the year?  Do they go with one of the vets (Brebbia, Wilson) or do they actually let one of the young(er) guys take the role like Kopech or Leasure?  I find it hard to believe they would let Leasure grab it right out of the gate if for no other reason than they don’t want to pump up his arb case for him.

Justin Mason: Kopech to start, but I think it changes hands

KC Pain: Would you trade Burger for Cal Raleigh if you had Arenado already? 5×5 dynasty.

Justin Mason: In a two catcher league, I can do that

Chuck: India or Keith for a bench bat in 12-team H2H? OBP/SLG league.

Justin Mason: India

Ippei You Back: Chourio is how good relative to Corbin Carroll’s rookie season? 70% production? 50%? Similar?

Justin Mason: 60%

Steve: How would you rank Mize, Whitlock and Crochet?

Justin Mason: Whitlock, Crochet, Mize

E: Best in order of speculative save opportunities: hoffman, hunter harvey, james mcarthur?

Justin Mason: Hoffman, Harvey, McArthur

In Play Runs: Alex Cobb a good sneaky IL stash for a deep mixed roto ?

Justin Mason: Yes, should be back in a couple of weeks

Bryan Woo: You’ve mentioned his elbow a few times this off season. Weren’t the Mariners just managing workload last year for a guy with little professional experience? Seems weird to fixate so much on a likely phantom injury.

Justin Mason: For me it is just a tie breaker. If I have a guy ranked closely, I will always lean towards the guy that didn’t have an elbow issue last year. Like Bryce Miller and Woo go around the same spot. I lean Miller because of the elbow

Justin Mason: I also don’t love Woo’s arsenal as much

E: Would you swap out Logan Allen for Trevor Rogers? Last starter on a 14 team h2h.

Justin Mason: Sure

Dmdraft: Your thoughts – Number 1 position, snake draft, 10 teams – draft three hitters or 2 and best starter available?

Justin Mason: Depends on how the board falls, but I tend to go three hitters there.

Youngblood: Who should I keep, Charlie Morton or AJ Puk, as a SP?  NL only, head to head.

Justin Mason: Morton

Twine: Who do you like more as an upside platoon OF:  Kiriloff or Wallner

Justin Mason: Wallner

Jo: new to fantasy baseball. in a 16tm h2h category league where we start 9 hitters and 5 pitchers (2sp,rp,2p). we have 6 bench spots, and daily lineups with 60 adds for the season. how should i treat my bench makeup in terms of batters/pitchers?

Justin Mason: Usually I go three and three, but if I have a lot of positional flexibility, then I might go an extra pitcher.

Joe: I asked the two start question because roto leagues aren’t scored weekly

Justin Mason: but typically the pick ups to stream are weekly. If you can make daily pick ups, then two start weeks are meaningless.

Jacob deGrom: Are you stashing me in any of your leagues with multiple IL spots?  Could be back in June.

Justin Mason: Not unless I have unlimited IL

Justin Mason: Ok, I went a good bit over.

Justin Mason: 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!

Justin Mason: I also have a live stream draft tonight at 10pm EST and a live stream auction at 8pm EST on Wednesday that links will be posted as articles on the site.