Justin Mason’s Baseball Chat – March 31, 2025

Justin Mason: I will begin as soon as I have enough questions. 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!

Adenolith: I spent 85% of my auction budget on hitting and in the first week I produced 4 HRs, a .188 BA, and 2 SBs. I love and hate this game.

Justin Mason: I am feeling the same way in a few leagues. This is why I tell people to just not worry about the standings and enjoy watching baseball for the first few weeks.

Adenolith: Weekly lineups. Would you activate Gunnar this week over Luis Garcia Jr?

Justin Mason: I think I would

Guest: pirates good SB targets or are the marlins just trash at holding runners?

Justin Mason: That is something I am watching this week. They are leading MLB in SBs and if that is going to be a trend, I want to start picking up their guys on my wire like IKF and Pham. I grabbed IKF in a number of 15-teamers last night

Chucky: With Civale going on the IL who is their replacement? If it’s Logan He Derwin, would you swap him out for my stash, Birdsong?

Justin Mason: I honestly have no idea who they might bring up, but I would continue to stash Birdsong

Haze: Porter or Presley as Cubs Closer?

Justin Mason: Pressly for now, but Porter long term

JJP: Is Tylor Megill a decent injury replacement for Manaea in a 10 team NL only?

Justin Mason: Absolutely. He looked great in spring. Just needs to stay healthy.

Nestor: How panicked should I be? It was just the bats…right?

Justin Mason: Don’t be panicked yet. It’s just one start.

Pat: More likely early season success story to continue 12 team starter production – Manzardo or Wells?

Justin Mason: Wells

Matt W.: Last week was the joy of drafting. This week is the misery of everybody getting hurt. What are you doing with Josh Lowe and Colton Cowser?

Justin Mason: Really depends on the depth of my league, but anything 12-teams or deeper, I am trying to stash them

Hollis: Hi Justin,
I know it’s early, but of the following pitchers, would there be four you suspect you’d want to hold onto all season long:
J Jobe, C Mize, R Olsen, K Rocker, G Williams, Max Meyer, AJSS, Wesneski, T Sugano
Thanks!

Justin Mason: Olson, Williams, Meyer, Mize in a redraft

Williams, Meyer, Jobe, Rocker in a keeper

JJP: Santillan is already on a team (10 NL only), is there anyone else to grab in Cincy pen, or take a flyer on  a Col reliever? Player moves to active roster.

Justin Mason: I think that the Cincy job changes hand a bunch or is just a straight committee. Halvorsen in Colorado is super intriguing.

Mugghead: Reason to believe in a Soriano breakout or just an overreaction to a crappy CWS team? I need to stream pitchers in my Points league and worry I’ll regret dropping him in favor of Boyd or Ben Brown this week.

Justin Mason: I would hold Soriano over Boyd or Brown. I love the upside, but I am also not anointing him yet.

Da*n the Torpedos!: Which Tigers reliever should I pick up for chasing saves…or should I look elsewhere and wait for the next opportunity

Justin Mason: Breiske

Pat: Considering the injury, the awkwardness following the signing of Bregman and the DH tax, how concerned are you about Devers 1-10 (10 full blown panic)?

Justin Mason: like a 5. It’s too early to worry a ton

High5Ghost: 12 team mixed…would you roll with Hunter Goodman, Gabriel Moreno or Keibert Ruiz? Just looking for the best bat.

Justin Mason: Goodman is the best bat. Ruiz probably plays more though

JG14: Replacement for Cowser : Kjerstad ,Larnach, Pages, HGoodman,Deluca, LTaveras, Conforto . All seem as strong side platoon bats. 12T Mix Daily Roto. TY

Justin Mason: Give me Larnach for this week. The Twins only have one lefty on the docket against them.

Flyers: 10 team NL only – Suwinski hit the ball hard, anything there of value? Stowers?

Justin Mason: Stowers is going to play every day so I go with him. Just needs to keep the strikeouts in check

Bubba Quinn: Everyone is super high on Bubba Chandler as the #1 SP prospect this year. It seems like Quinn Matthews is the better prospect though. If you could pick one up to stash, which one would you choose? Would it be crazy to grab Quinn over Bubba?

Justin Mason: I think Chandler is the better prospect and likely up sooner.

Grasping at Straws: I’m baaack! I managed to hold Torkelson while also acquiring Soderstrom, and now I look smart. (1B is the only position batting over .250). Now my problem is my lack of a catcher. Will Soderstrom or Ben Rice gain eligibility soon? Do I ditch a 1B to pick up an uninspired option — Kirk, Amaya, Naylor, Jansen, Dingler, Endy Rodriguez — or do I punt catcher until Alvarez is back?

Justin Mason: I would drop Rice personally because I don’t think that neither Rice nor Soderstrom gains catcher eligibility soon.

TrampolinesInTheOutfield: Thoughts on adjusting projections for Astros pitchers going forward after watching Jose Altuve quite literally short-arm a catch  Saturday night…? Barring MLB implementation of trampolines in the outfield, dude will not be robbing many hitters of HR / extra bases.

Justin Mason: Playing him in the outfield is a massive mistake and they need to return him to second. I might adjust my projections on pitchers a little bit but not much.

Masyn Whiff: Ok, spring traning stats don’t count but they can be indicator of changes good or bad. How worried should we be on Maysn Winn after a 4 for 50 spring training and no hits so far, just lots of Ks?  No one pushing to replace Masyn in depth chart so he’s playing but man it’s been bad.

Justin Mason: Strikeouts and walks are two of the things in spring that can carry over so this is troubling. I am a bit worried but it is still early

BD: 13 team 5×5 roto league. No MI or CI positions, but 2 DH slots. I was offered Corey Seager OR Marcel Ozuna for Logan Gilbert. Already have Tovar, Swanson, Winn, Edman, Ortiz as SS options. And my pitching is Ryan, Ray, Rasmussen, Pivetta, Williams, Megill, Soriano, Brown, Soroka, Is giving up Gilbert worth Seager or orzuna?

Justin Mason: Nope. I want Gilbert over both

zsowelldtx: Am I benching Devers and C Walker until they’ve gotten back on track? 12-tm H2H league (no CI or MI, 3 OF) leaves decent replacement-level streamers…

Justin Mason: probably not. Devers is the only one I would consider benching of the two

Chucky: Done with Bedard? I’ve seen and heard the bad defense/bad luck syndrome being used as an alibi but this guy hasn’t been blue to get the first batter out. Is Santana the future in the Steel City?

Justin Mason: I am still holding Bednar where I have him, but I also have Santana handcuffed to him. I do think that he is next up.

Egg Danger: Better IL stash for this year and possibly longer: Jared Jones or Shane Bieber?

Justin Mason: Jones

Chucky: Whatcha doing with Max? If rest isn’t going to cure the thumb issue, is he done-zo?

Justin Mason: He is a drop in mixed leagues for me

SUSaki: Do you think Sasaki would’ve even started in the majors if it weren’t for the Japan series and PPI eligibility?

Justin Mason: I think he would have but I don’t think he would have if he was not such a massive prospect coming out of Japan. I think he needs time in AAA. I will be interested to see if he gets sent down or put on the IL.

Tim: Kyle Bradish worth stashing now in a 14t dynasty? I’d like extra quality SP depth but it’ll be a few month wait

Justin Mason: Nah

Guest: Time to worry on Ober?

Justin Mason: nope. Reports are that he had the flu and tried to pitch through it. I think he will be fine.

High5Ghost: Any interest in Victor Scott? What do you have him projected for?

Justin Mason: I had him projected for 8 homers and 31 SBs.

Damn the Torpedos & Yankees: My Cortes was hit & sunk by several torpedos.  What are the rules on bat specifications and if the torpedos continue these direct hits, do you think MLB steps in to ban them?

Justin Mason: Apparently these are legal, but I wouldn’t be surprised if MLB comes in and bans them at some point. We have seen MLB step in and ban things midseason (spider tack) so if this craziness continues, don’t be surprised if they decide to step in.

JJP: Tinoco on DL, grab Bender in NL only

Justin Mason: agreed

Why Not Zoidberg?: Between Leiter and Rocker, who are you adding?

Justin Mason: Rocker. I think his role is a little safer long term

DCS: Trying to plan out my last two starting pitchers in 14 team dynasty league— Holmes, Hart, Ortiz today, May tomorrow, Irvin later this week, and Hart and Ortiz later this week. Starting grant Holmes later already. Thoughts on which two?

Justin Mason: Give me Holmes and May

Tim: When Bello comes off IL, I’ll have a decision to make, which of these three would be the cut: Bello, Francis, Megill?

Justin Mason: It would be between Francis and Bello for me. If Francis is pitching well, I cut Bello

v2micca: 9 team NL only league.  I have never seen that split-change thing from AJ Smith-Sawver before.  Does it actually may him usable as a 5th starter?

Justin Mason: I think he is a viable guy in a lot of formats and probably locked into a rotation spot for a while.

Guest: Between Kochanowicz or Logan Allen로건, who would you add?  Any thoughts on whether Kyren Paris can be a contributor?

Justin Mason: I would go with Allen because the upside is greater. Paris is probably just a placeholder until Neto is ready.

Chucky: Do you fancy any of the Colorado pitchers on the road away from Coors that might be feasible streams? The league wide pitching injuries are coming fast and furious and experienced SPs are at a premium. Colorado SPs always seem to be available on WW…for obvious reasons.

Justin Mason: Nope. I just don’t trust them at all

Jon: Hola Justin! 10T mixed roto, can you rank these starters for me? R Fitts, Boyd, Megill, Verlander, R Olson. Thanks!

Justin Mason: Olson, Megill, Verlander, Fitts, Boyd,

Thanks Justin: Podapooloza fund raising and doing the chats.  Appreciate you.

Justin Mason: Thank you!

alexio: Would you be looking to stash Roman Anthony in a 10-team H2H Roto league? for reference, best currently available OF on waivers are: Wallner, Varsho, Walker, Kepler, Friedl.

Justin Mason: I think I would. He should be great once he’s up

JJP: Who do you think is the next injured pitcher? Maybe someone who is lower in velocity this past weekend?

Justin Mason: No idea lol. I hate to project that kind of thing.

Justin Mason: Out of questions! Send more!

Yeah Well Hiura Towel: Standard categories except QS not W’s, plus K/BB. Please rank these SPs: Springs, Rocker, Jobe

Justin Mason: Springs, Rocker, Jobe

Izzy: Is Jazz going 40/40 this year? I’m assuming 30/30 is a sure thing if he stays healthy.

Justin Mason: I think he could if he stays healthy but last year is the first time in his career he has stayed healthy so I wouldn’t bet on it

Dude: Royals just called up Tyler Tolbert! More SB in MiLB than Chandler Simpson

Justin Mason: Might be interesting in deeper formats.

Tatis Speed: Considering his healthy leg comments and his early steals, have you thought about bumping up his SB projections this season?

Justin Mason: I definitely would be right now. The Padres are second in baseball so far in SBs so that is really interesting.

Tim: Is Josh Jung officially Nick Senzel yet, or merely On The Way?

Justin Mason: Too early to say that, but man is that an interesting comp

Bender or Pagan: Who would you prioritize to pick up for us NL Only’s looking for saves right now?

Justin Mason: Pagan

Closer Chaos: who has most saves in these bullpens at end of season:  Dodgers, D-back, Padres (when does Suarez get traded), Phillies, & Reds?

Justin Mason: Dodgers – Scott
DBacks – Puk
Padres – Suarez (I don’t think he gets moved if they are competiting)
Phillies – Alvarado
Reds – Ashcraft

Johnny5Alive: I know it’s just two starts, and there was likely to be struggles, but any concerns about sasaki?

Justin Mason: I am concerned because I don’t think the Dodgers will just keep throwing him out there if this continues.

Guest: how are you out of questions?

Justin Mason: lol. Point awarded

Embarrassment of Riches: Dustin May is like my 9th or 10th best starter. Projected to easily hit my IP cap even if I don’t start him all season. Do I start him tomorrow?

Justin Mason: I would hold off and see how deep the Dodgers let him go.

Hollis: Complete madness to start Grant Holmes against the Dodgers? Or bold move that may pay off?

Justin Mason: Only if the only way to get the Marlins start at the end of the week is eating the Dodgers one

Chucky: Luke Jackson, Beau, Bedard, Vodnik/Halversn. ROS rank?

Justin Mason: Beau, Jackson Halvorsen

dave: What do you think of these new bats Yankees are using?

Justin Mason: I think its fantastic. It is within the rules and the Yankees are being innovative. I think every team should copy it and probably will until MLB bans them

Dude: Colt Keith 0-for-10. Breakout coming??

Justin Mason: Yeah, I am not worried yet.

Izzy: If Rocker is the safer choice, I’m not touching either.

Justin Mason: fair

Sasha: Hi, Justin … any thoughts on Cam Smith’s ceiling? If you’re “win now” mode and in a 12 team “forever” league, is a guy like Max Meyer enough of a return? Thanks!

Justin Mason: I want more back for Smith. I think he has 40 homer upside. I do love Meyer though. In a perfect world, I would get both.

Jim: Any worries w Ober?  Nola?

Justin Mason: Not on Ober. He had the flu. A little on Nola considering his volatility in the past, but I am not making a move there yet.

Lefty SPs w K’s: Without factoring in injury risk, rank these three lefties ROS. Luzardo, Ray, Gore.

Justin Mason: Ray, Gore, Luzardo

Guest: who am i most likely to be cutting by may … cortes boyd rasmussen gore springs

Justin Mason: Boyd

Let me Spend FAAB: Who will be the first minor leaguer called up that we’ll all go crazy for?

Justin Mason: Roman Anthony

Jud: Is this a buy-low opportunity for Crews? I’m worried about the profile (soft contact), and he’s hitting low in the lineup. Seems like a low AVG/power speed guy, which is a bummer.

Justin Mason: I think it is. I am not super worried about him yet

FWFB satellite: How do I find FWFB satellite league to win a spot in FWFB league?

Justin Mason: The TGFBI Satellites will have signups on TGFBI.com, but they aren’t open for next year yet.

Tyler Tolbert: How much FAAB you putting on this guy in AL only to replace Blanco, especially if you need steals?

Justin Mason: just a few bucks I think. At best he is in a short side platoon.

Rickey: How would you rank Jose Soriand, Paddack, Sean Birke, and Bido as pickups in a 12 team 5×5? Any strong preference there?

Justin Mason: Soriano is my preference over the pack.

Soriano, Burke, Bido, Paddack

Relievers: Alvarado in line for more Phillies saves than before? Seemed to be the preferred option and Romano bad outing.

Justin Mason: I think so. Plus with Romano’s health history, he scares me

David: Who would you start at Catcher if you have
Willson Contreras  and Ivan Herrera ?

Justin Mason: Contreras

Why Not Zoidberg?: Apparently Woo developed his sinker because his pitching coach said he’d buy him a 30-pack of Keystone Light if Woo could get something with 13 inches of run.

Justin Mason: Dude just needs to stay healthy and the Mariners could have another ace.

Andrew: 12 team h2h x6 with OPS, hit with OF injuries and now have to start crews and PCA, would you consider benching either and leaving a spot open or too soon to panic

Justin Mason: I never want to leave a spot open

Danielle cameo on Sleeper & Bust: With Danielle giving fantasy advice tidbids she needs cameo on Sleeper and the Bust pod w/you & Paul.

Justin Mason: She came on during the COVID shutdown along with Paul’s girlfriend. It was a lot of fun. Don’t see it happening again, but maybe in the offseason.

Cedric Schwellenbach: I’m considering trading my Wheeler for his Mookie. I need bats and he needs arms. Is this a perfect match or there some risks in either profile that I am overlooking?

Justin Mason: I think that is fair

Ken: Thanks for the chat, Justin. How real is Soderstrom? Also, is it crazy to play him this week over Vinnie P? A’s have three at home at three at Coors.

Justin Mason: I think he definitely has this type of power, but the hit tool is the question. I think it is better than he gets credit for. So long story short, yes.

Guest: Do you think Roman Anthony’s call up is now delayed by the hot start Abreu got off to this weekend? Are we waiting for the inevitable Story injury?

Justin Mason: I think Anthony comes up as soon as the Red Sox think he is ready. Rafaela can move to a super utility role if Roman is ready to play every day.

DCS: Dynasty 14T again— I’ve got Jared Jones, Ryan Weathers, and Shane Bieber sitting on my IL— who contributes most this year?

Justin Mason: Probably none of them, but I would stash Jones out of the group

Bleacher Bums: Most impressive SP so far, Hunter Greene, Gore, Gore or other?

Justin Mason: Gore for sure. The question is can he keep it up. He was fantastic at the beginning of the season last year too, but he struggles repeating his mechanics start to start, so I am not ready to buy in again quite yet.

2 Muncies: How are you feeling about S Burke vs Twins this week?

Justin Mason: I am rolling with him in a few 15 team leagues this week.

Chucky: Who you got in the Tampa bullpen for when the inevitable Fairbanks injury strikes, Uceta or Montgomery?

Justin Mason: Uceta

2 Muncies: Can McKinstry be useful at all to deep leaguers?

Justin Mason: I just picked him up in a few leagues last night because he is eligible everywhere. Love guys like that on my bench in deeper formats.

Bleacher Bums: Tommy Edman is going to be a top_ hitter at end of season?

Justin Mason: 75

dave: I see you’re projecting Ashcraft for Cincy saves.  What’s your thinking?  Better bet for ros than Bender or Tinoco?

Justin Mason: I think Ashcraft leads the pack in Cincy, but I do think it is a committee. I think the Marlins just don’t have enough wins to care about a shared role

Chucky: Better chance to close this season, Hodge or Alvarado?

Justin Mason: Alvarado

2 Muncies: Are we rolling with W Warren 2 starts, AZ and @PIT?

Justin Mason: In deeper leagues, yes

2 Muncies: Who will have more saves when it’s all said and done: Seranthony or Yennier?

Justin Mason: Dominguez

2 Muncies: Do you think Marc Church is the darkhorse for TEX saves?

Justin Mason: Probably not. Bochy likes the older more established guys.

Peanut butter cups: 12 h2h, QS instead of wins, sale vs LAD or olson vs CWS

Justin Mason: Sale

Hollis: I take it from some of your answers that you’re colder on the youngster Jobe than many. Is he just a year away in your eyes? Are you expecting Book of Job-like suffering for those who roster him this year?

Justin Mason: I like Jobe a lot, but I don’t know if he takes off this season. The strikeouts in spring weren’t there like I expected and the fact there was a question on whether he would be in the rotation  has me second guessing how safe his job is.

Tim: Without an injury, what’s a reasonable ETA for Lawlar?

Justin Mason: June?

Justin Mason: I am over time, but I have a number of questions left so I am going to speed round a bunch real fast

Festa: Do you think he gets called up as a long reliever? They mentioned that as a possibility on MLBTR but it seems like a very long shot…

Justin Mason: Nah, I think he stays in AAA until they need him

comish4lif: Just sitting over here, being jealous. We don’t have our auction until this Saturday…

Justin Mason: wow! I wish I still had a league to draft

Brewers Fanatics: Hi, Nestor Cortes in redraft 12 teams is worthy?

Justin Mason: I think he will be but I don’t know that I would start him yet

Adenolith: There aren’t a lot of closers on our WW, but I’m in a bit of a roster crunch. Would you drop Luis Garcia, Faucher, Crews, or Chris Martin? Shallow league.

Justin Mason: Martin

JT: Hi, 14 team, redraft, 6×6 h2h: Raisel Iglesias was just dropped into waivers after 1 week, good pick up right ? Who do I drop L. Erceg, K. Yates or AJ Puk ?

Justin Mason: drop yates

High5Ghost: Follow up…Victor Scott or Dylan Crews? You rushing to get either one of them in a 12 team mixed?

Justin Mason: I think I would go grab Scott right now. He is hot to start and it looks like the CF job is his

Sasaki: what chance does he have of getting sent down when, if ever, the Dodgers’ 5 other arms get healthy?

Justin Mason: I think he probably get 2-3 more turns in the rotation to figure things out and then gets sent down if not

MLB.tv: Did you have any issues with the MLB.TV app on opening day? Why does MLB seem to wait until literally as many people as possible are looking to trip and fall and look bad?

Justin Mason: everyone did. This happens a lot when big events happen. Video games struggle on release days. We saw Netflix struggle with some of their premium live events.

a man with no name: start victor scott over michael harris in a 15tm this week?

Justin Mason: I am ok with that, but probably wouldn’t

Mr. Redlegs: Do you think Liam Hendricks is worth holding onto in the hopes of future saves/holds? Or is he cooked?

Justin Mason: nah, you can drop

Marge Scott: Starting Rocker at Cinci today? Ride the lightning!

Justin Mason: Not in Cincy

Dos Muncys: 10 team AL only ros: G Arias or W Taveras?

Justin Mason: Arias

Torpedo Bats: Justyn-Henry Malloy gets the call sooner than later?

Justin Mason: probably not

Guest: how much patience with Shaw? i know it’s still March lol. how annoying his homer came as a PH tho

Justin Mason: Give him time. I think  he will be fine

Dos Muncys: Curtis Mead: spring breakout portends great things or mirage?

Justin Mason: Mirage, but I hope I am wrong

Dos Muncys: Could Dingler end up forcing a real timeshare or getting meaningful at bats?

Justin Mason: probably not

Smirking Bird: Heston Kjerstad worth a pickup in a 10T OBP mixed roto league with 5 OF? Currently starting Julio, Seiya, Riley Greene, Matt Wallner and Taylor Ward with Ohtani in the UTIL

Justin Mason: nah

Rooker: How long do I have to wait until Rooker is OF eligible (got to make 5 appearances in my league). I could really use that util spot

Justin Mason: it is going to be a while. Probably not until May

Justin Mason: Got to wrap up.

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!