Justin Mason’s Baseball Chat – May 18, 2026

Justin Mason: Chat will begin at the top of the hour. 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! You can also join the Sleeper and the Bust discord! https://discord.gg/ar7XUV9T

Houzer: 5×5 Cats redraft- Freeman or Josh Naylor ROS?

Justin Mason: Freeman but close

Houzer: 5×5 Cats redraft- Bichette or Austin Riley ROS?

Justin Mason: Bichette

Get Carter: Carter Jensen dropped in my OBP roto league. As someone with Raleigh on the IL and Daniel Susac currently my C, that’s a no-brainer add, right?

Justin Mason: absolutely

henry gardenhoser: Did you see the Giants OF postgame celebration and ads

Justin Mason: I saw the celebration. Made me laugh.

Bruce: Hello!  5×5 (OBP), 12 tm league w/ 3 OF spots.  How close am I to dropping George Springer?  He’s 36 and battling foot injuries.  Even if his hitting rebounds some I’m not convinced the steals are there at all.  The projection systems seem (much) too optimistic to me.

Justin Mason: I think it’s ok to move on in a shallow OF league like that if there is a good replacement available.

brickma: Did you see the Giants outfield postgame celebration and are you still a Giants fan

Justin Mason: I did and I am

RAGBRAI: A lot of prospects have come up already. Who is lingering in AAA or AA and might be forcing their way in to being called up in the next four to six weeks?

Justin Mason: Jonah Tong, Max Clark, Walter Jenkins, JOshua Baez, Thomas White

Francis: Sewald keep the job when Puk comes back?  Committee?

Justin Mason: I think he keeps it initially, but Puk will be lurking if Sewald struggles

Zack: Thoughts on the Gelofissance in Sacramento? Ks and whiffs way down, contact up, less chase, improved swing metrics, more pulled flyballs … is he actually a viable player to roster long-term?

Justin Mason: There are some encouraging things, but he still is not a good in-zone hitter and struggling with breaking stuff. I don’t think this will stick. You can ride the hot streak, but it’s a sell high or jump off when it cools down type of situation

Zac Gallen: Is all hope lost for me? Worth starting against SFG in a 12 team Ottoneu?

Justin Mason: I think there is not much hope

OF: Hey Justin! Would you drop Waldschmidt for Lile, Bleday, or Steer? It’s a keeper league at round value and I took him with my last pick.

Justin Mason: I dont think id drop him in a keeper.

Guest: Am I crazy for targeting Cedric Mullins over Ewing and others this week? Fraley just went to the IL  Mullins has been awful mostly but hitting .343 over last 14 and just had that monster game right as he’s thrust into a full time role?

Justin Mason: I dont think you are crazy. I think a lot of people overbid on Ewing and Bolte this week. I saved my money and went for cheaper options as well.

Matt: Pick 2 or these 3 mediocre closers to start this week: Baker, Fairbanks, Seranthony Dominguez

Justin Mason: Baker and Fairbanks

Pete: Can you see AJ Ewing working his way into being the Mets everyday leadoff hitter (super high OBP in the minors and so far in the majors, even factoring in some regression)?  And if so, how excited should we be about the prospects of him hitting 1 every day from a fantasy perspective?  Thank you!

Justin Mason: The mets have shown they will lead off a rookie so I can see it. He just needs to make enough contact with that walk rate to keep the OBP high. I definitely think he can.

InsertWittyNameHere: In an OBP league, I have two major conundrums in hitting: Do I sub in Yandy for the Polar Bear? And what do I do between Austin Riley (heating up) and Miguel Vargas?  Vargas is also 1B eligible, so ::shrugs::?

Justin Mason: I am still going Pete. I would see if I could trade either Riley or Vargas. I like both.

Jac Jams: 12 H2H, league with OPS. Is it time to give up on Keaschall? I have a surplus of steals, and need power. Should I pick up Jac Caglianone instead of him?

Justin Mason: absolutely.

Guest: 2-5 start to season, beyond frustrated, have lost in all kinds of way, lacking homeruns and run prevention is my issue, 6×6 h2h where pitching categories are: W, QS, ERA, WHIP, K & SV/HOLD; my current staff is Skenes, Eovaldi, Meyer, Perez, Bradish (recently picked up off waivers) with an IL of Ragans, Cole and H. Greene, let me know if I should stay the course or blow this up, here are my rankings in league thus far, 3rd in K, 4th in W, 4th in WHIP, 8th in SV/HOLD, 13th in QS, 10th in ERA

Justin Mason: stay the course.

RAGBRAI: Does Tatis hit a HR by June 1? Will anybody notice if he does?

Justin Mason: I think everyone will notice and yes I think he does

Justin Mason: point awarded

Closer: Who would be your go to pickup rn if youre looking for a good dart throw for saves ROS?

Justin Mason: Tony Santillan

Timmy K: Wetherholt or McGonigle ROS?

Justin Mason: McGonigle

Andre: Do you have a preference for Bazzani vs Ewing in a 12 team h2h league? do you think both are up for the rest of the year?

Justin Mason: I think I prefer Ewing a bit more, but there is a harder path for him to stay up once Robert is healthy. Though that is a big if and I think I would still lean Ewing

Roman: Is it time to sell for whatever I can get? He hasn’t looked good and he’s hurt. He always seemed more good than great.

Justin Mason: In a keeper/dynasty, no. In a redraft, sure

Roto Oh No: When do you start playing for next year? I’m holding down 9th in a 13tm roto lg. It’s already broken off where the top two teams are 20 points ahead of the third place team (who I am 20 points behind).

Justin Mason: I usually wont consider selling off until mid-June. You can still gain or lose a lot of ground.

Mike: Everyone seems to be all in on  Sheehan, including favorably ranked for this weeks matchup. should i be rostering him in a 10 team h2h points league?

Justin Mason: I dont think he needs to be rostered there, but he is an option for streaming there. I am not as high on him as others are.

Corey, down and out: Assuming Seager hits the IL with his back woes, any of these hitters worth grabbing off the wire in an OBP roto lg? Manzardo, Baty, Johnston, Willie Castro, Varsho, Mullins

Justin Mason: I picked up Baty this week in tout.

Rob A: Would you start a 2 step Jake Irvin over a 1 start Kyle Bradish in a 15 team mixed pts? Related question: why do I have Jake Irvin on my roster?

Justin Mason: Bradish. I don’t know why you are rostering Irvin. He is not good

Logan and Jared BFFs: Hi Justin! I just need you to send prayers or magic or whatever to Logan Webb and Jared Jones. I need them both to be amazing ROS.

Justin Mason: I am hoping you get what you need from Webb. I am more skeptical on Jones considering it’s his first season back from TJ.

Guest: Who’s performance feels more sustainable Kyle Leahy or Trevor Mcdonald?

Justin Mason: McDonald, but his role isnt as safe.

Jac Jams: Alternative option over Jac is Spencer Jones, but I already get to watch Oneil Cruz strike out one of three at bats

Justin Mason: Jac. point awarded.

Mike: 10team h2h points league
TJ Rumfield and Moniak streamers for Home games or must roster?

Justin Mason: home streamers

Catcher in the Ryne: Feeling frustrated that good arms like Ryne Nelson and Connor Prielipp are on the wire in my roto league, but with a rotation of McLean/Luzardo/Imanaga/Eovaldi/Ray/Rodon/Bryce Miller/Harrison, there’s no swap worth making, right?

Justin Mason: yeah, you should see if you can trade one of those guys for a bat to go pick up Nelson or Prielipp

Jim: I have to sit one for the 1st half of the week. Freeman, Guerrero, Stewart, Muncy, or Arenado. Please help. Thanks!

Justin Mason: Arenado

Guest: I thought the deal with Seager is that he at least hits when he’s playing! I don’t like this struggle AND hurt combo

Justin Mason: The bat speed is down. The Z-Contact is worse. Maybe it’s the back and he has been dealing with it all year, but I am worried on him. He was one of my most drafted players this year and I am regretting it some.

Mike: Ewing or Jung in utility in 12-team H2H this week?  Jung has been awful over the last several days, but travels to Colorado, which would normally be a must-start.

Justin Mason: Ewing

Ken: Burger seems to be coming alive.  Drop E Carter for him?

Justin Mason: yes

Mike: Emerson or Waldschmidt in a 12-team, 5 OF H2H league, but with a limited SS wire options at this point?

Justin Mason: Emerson

Rob A: Fairbanks over Latz or nah

Justin Mason: yes

MF Luder: 18 team dynasty league: AJ Ewing or Matt Shaw?

Justin Mason: Ewing

Mullins a Change: Drop Grisham for Mullins in a 5OF OBP roto and ride the hot streak? Could also cut Stott

Justin Mason: sure

RAGBRAI: Is Tejay Antone worth keeping and eye on? Could he become the Reds closer at some point?

Justin Mason: I am keeping an eye on him right now because that Reds job is fairly open. Still think it will lean Santillan if they dont go with a committee, but I am watching the usage on all their guys right now.

InsertWittyNameHere: Need SB’s and 2B seems to be the place to get them.  OBP league and I’m between Weatherholt, Rocchio, Keaschall and Mclain.  I think I have them in the correct order, but I worry about the rookie wall with Weatherholt.

Justin Mason: Go with Wetherholt

Bill: 13 team mixed redraft using QS and K/9 – pls rank: Sproat, Urena, B Garrett, B Brown, M Kelly – thanks

Justin Mason: Brown, Sproat, Garrett, Kelly Urena

GT: anything to worry about with Tucker, I know there isn’t but my offense isn’t offensing at rate I projected and my 1st round pick is main reason

Justin Mason: not worried at all

Mike: Is Bichette or Emerson the starter for you in a 12-team H2H?  Bichette has been awful,  but has seven games.  Emerson is the great unknown at this point.

Justin Mason: Give me emerson and four lefties on the docket for him

Who’s Houser?: Can you please explain how the A’s could not score off Adrian Houser? Why do they hate me?

Justin Mason: sometimes miracles happen?

Justin Mason: point awarded

DatDawginhim+: full disclosure: braves fan here. Is there something stuff+ might be missing about Elder? Was listening recently to sleeper podcast and got a laugh out of you clowning his 80s stuff. How many more innings would he have to keep this up for us to rethink his profile? I’m a stuffist myself, admittedly. My eyes and the results are telling me he’s a 3.7 guy (fan math), which seems viable for 12 team.

Justin Mason: to be honest, I would need to sit down and watch more of his starts. The numbers definitely don’t bare out what he  has been doing, but I do agree that the numbers don’t always tell the whole story. I will try and watch his start vs the Nats this week.

Saves galore: Leading my league in saves by a healthy margin thanks to the trio of Smith, O’Brien and Baker, but is that a group I can count on all season long (injuries notwithstanding)?

Justin Mason: I think it can

Dan: What are your thoughts on marsee and stowers? Are they both startable in 12 team h2h leagues? Any final stat line predictions? Thanks!

Justin Mason: Stowers is the guy I thought he was in draft season. A ton of power, but not a great contact profile. Think Jake Burger and his streakiness. Marsee has a different issue. He makes a ton of contact, but too much of it is in the air and he doesn’t have the power for those not to turn into flyouts especially in that park. Marsee needs to lower his launch angle to where it was last season.

John: Have Torres (DET) returning from IL.  Weakest MI is Winn (STL).  Martinez (CLE) is available and qualifies at 2B/OF.  Kwan (CLE) is weakest OF.  What should I do?  Drop Winn and Kwan, pickup Martinez and activate Torres?  Thanks

Justin Mason: I probably stick with Torres and pick up Martinez, but none of these guys are super interesting

Steve: How are you feeling about l butler rest of season? Seems like there’s been some bad luck..

Justin Mason: He is definitely getting unlucky some, but the skills we saw in 2024 aren’t as strong anymore and I dont think he will fully rebound to that. He is better than this though

Guest: Jhostynxon Garcia getting the call…is he worth an immediate add in deeper leagues?

Justin Mason: I think he is worth a spec pick up in deeper leagues. Not completely sure how solid his playing time is though. Could be on a short side platoon. Some upside if he can make contact, but he has never really done that.

Guest: Standard cats – do you have a preference between Jung and Steer or are they basically interchangeable in your opinion?

Justin Mason: they are pretty close

Guest: Gilbert vs Harrison RoS (I know…) is QS vs W the difference?

Justin Mason: Seems weird for this to even be a question, but I think Harrison is the right answer here. Gilbert when healthy is a stud, but I cant help but think he isn’t healthy.

Ransofast: Would you trade 3 years of cheap keeper Konnor Griffin for an unkeepable Judge or Ohtani plus a couple fringy pieces?

Justin Mason: If I am trying to win now, I can see doing this, but I do think unless I really think I can win now, I am holding Konnor for dear life.

Guest: This has flown under the radar because of how bad they have been but is Devin Williams back?

Justin Mason: He is and it was a matter of time.

Shoot Your Shota: Nick Pollack over at Pitcher List thinks Imanaga is a potential sell-high given some velo slips in his last couple of starts. What’s a reasonable trade return for him look like in roto?

Justin Mason: with the state of pitching right now, I would expect a top 50 player back

MF Luder: How long should I wait before I panic over Logan Gilbert?

Justin Mason: Should have panicked about nine months ago

My name? MY name?!: Would you trade meidroth for mayer and baker in an al only?

Justin Mason: yeah

My name? MY name?!: Or, al obp, daily moves: Schneeman or Taveras?

Justin Mason: Schneeman

Steve: When Hader returns, which guy gets dropped in a Saves-only league: Sewald, Uribe, or Latz?

Justin Mason: Latz

Guest: Need to resist the urge to drop kwan or Merrill for a young OF (Ewing, Marsee) in a points league right?

Justin Mason: I can drop Kwan for either

Tony: trade Sal Stewart for Tatis – redraft?

Justin Mason: It feels crazy to say no, but I think I am saying no

Jarren Durran: Scale of 1-10 how dangerous is trading for Jarren Durran in a deep-as-it-gets AL Only Roto right now? Think he regresses positively? Is he just a brand name platoon guy, even if he sticks with boston?

Justin Mason: Underyling numbers are better in May. I think I would buy here.

Guest: is there any baseball job description less fulfilling these days than Dodgers minor league outfielder? “please maintain a huge wRC+. no there will never be an opportunity to get called up because there are dozens of you (dozens)”

Justin Mason: Point awarded

Justin Mason: Its maddening that the Dodgers are so good at evaluation and development that they have an army of reserves

Guest: How long until the Giants trade Ryan Walker to the Yankees, I’m holding in a solds league for him to finish his Camilo Doval career arc?

Justin Mason: point awarded

The Emerson Also Rises: What should we expect from Colt Emerson? Do you think he’ll stay up once Donovan is back?

Justin Mason: If he hits, he will stay up and Young will be the odd man up. If he doesn’t he goes back down

RWFTF: h2h points league – do I drop Seiya for Bleday?

would you take any of O. Lopez, Stewart, Wetherholt, I. Vargas over Ketel Marte?

thank you!

Justin Mason: no and no

False Springer: Would you drop George Springer for Jac Caglianone in a 12T roto with five OF?

Justin Mason: yes

Ginn’ed up: You and Paul were so excited about Ginn. Where does he rank (ros, not just vs the Angels) vs Schultz and Cantillo?

Justin Mason: I would have him a little ahead of Schultz and behind Canitllo.

CJ Baseball: Is it crazy that I benched T. Rogers with a two step this week for Aaron Cicale?

Justin Mason: with how rogers has looked, I understand it

SVs: Jack Perkins or Caleb Kilian worth hanging onto at this point? They are not only not getting the 9th but they are hurting my rations (and my feelings).

Justin Mason: Perkins no. Killian yes

Smithers: Thoughts on Nasim Nunez? Is it worth rostering guys to help one category when they’re such a drag on everything else?

Justin Mason: usually not unless you really need that one cat

mzpejp: Rumafield or Vaugjhn? I can only keep one.
Alao, please rank Gonzales (Pitt), Baty, Semien.

Justin Mason: Vaughn

Sam: redraft QS – Drop Sproat for Lugo? Kelly?

Justin Mason: Im holding

Guest: 15 team 5×5 roto with OBP.
what do you make of the struggles of Ketel Marte and Steven Kwan?

Justin Mason: I think Kwan is just slowing down and he didnt have amazing power to begin with so the combination of a slower bat with the lack of pop  seems like a drastic drop off. Marte will be fine.

Chip: Favorite Corey Seager replacement: Crawford (if healthy),  Meidroth, Nunez, Walls.

Justin Mason: Crawford. Nunez if you need speed.

Zebby: are you a believer (redraft)?  looks like he MAY only have 1 more spot start if Taj is back next week.  would be dropping Urena

Justin Mason: I am a Zebby guy and I think the twins would be crazy to not keep him up if he pitches well in his next start. I would make the move.

mzpejp: Please rank Gonzales (Pitt), Baty, Semien. Thanks

Justin Mason: Baty, Semien, Gonzales.

Andre: do you know how fangraphs calculates their HH rates? they seem much different than statcast

Justin Mason: I dont but I can look into it.

Stream away: Best streamer option in this group? McGreevy vs PIT, Griffin vs NYM (wouldn’t start him in ATL), Eddy Rodriguez vs COL, Martin Perez @ MIA/vs WSN, McDonald vs CHW, laying down in the middle of the freeway

Justin Mason: Griffin

C2: Deep AL Only roto, Gasper or Heim for my second catcher?

Justin Mason: Heim

Andre: how long of a leash are you giving Bolte in 12 teamers? K% has seemed okay but not a whole lot to show for it yet

Justin Mason: Not super long. I am not as high on him as others are. I think he will get exposed at the Major League level.

Oddball Herrera: Keaschall – has he been exposed as swinging a wet noodle, or is this just an adjustment period

Justin Mason: He will be better than this, but I was not high on him coming into the season and continue to not be.

Stephen Kolek: Stephen Kolek?

Justin Mason: I like kolek, but with Ragans coming back, I think he is out of the rotation.

InsertWittyNameHere: Can’t drop Eury just yet, but is there any hope under the hood that better days are coming?

Justin Mason: I think we as a community wishcasted a bit with Eury coming off of TJ. I do think better days are coming, but I think the inconsistency will remain as well.

Jimmy: Need to drop one in a 12tm QS league, EROD, Peter Lambert or Cade Cavalli? Thanks Justin

Justin Mason: Lambert

Schilling & Pence: Are you starting Max Meyer with a two step Atlanta (first) and the Mets?

Justin Mason: yes

Guest: Have a trade offer, I give up Ronald Acuna for Chris Sale or Christopher Sanchez. Which of the pitchers should I take?

Justin Mason: Sanchez

1B surplus!!: I ended up with Vladdy Daddy Jr, Freddie Free and Yandy D on my team – all only 1B eligible and therefore can only start 2 of the 3. I’m a little light on pitching in my 6×6 H2H 15 tm league. Who would you dangle out there to help upgrade my arms?

Justin Mason: I would dangle either Freddie or Yandy

Pat: Drop or hold Grayson Rodriguez after bad start vs Dodgers?

Justin Mason: I am holding. It was the dodgers and the stuff looked good.

Andre: is bryce miller a drop in 12 teamers if this piggy back non sense continues?

Justin Mason: yes

JWargs: Reid Detmers or Roki Sasaki ROS? 12tm roto

Justin Mason: Detmers

Imai: Am I droppable in all formats?

Justin Mason: yes

Justin Mason Englert Humperdinck: Does the potential of a labour dispute next year impact your approach to rebuilding in a keeper league at all?

Justin Mason: It probably should. I think I am definitely looking more at 2028 than 2027.

JWargs: Emerson > Jackson Holiday ROS? 12tm roto

Justin Mason: I think so

QS/OBP League: Recognizing team needs/surpluses, who wins a Rooker for Joe Ryan trade?

Justin Mason: Rooker side

Dave: Stott or Ewing RoS?

Justin Mason: Ewing

Guest: so are you sending prielipp back down already to manage innings?

Justin Mason: I hope not

Guest: i traded freddie freeman for cal raleigh early in the season in an 8 team ottoneu points. is there any world in which that doesn’t feel like an awful trade by end of season?

Justin Mason: I think both will be fine by the end of the season

Why Not Zoidberg?: Sonny Gray or Mize ROS?

Justin Mason: Gray

Jackie Chiles: Aside from the weather heating up, do you have any hope for Soderstrom?

Justin Mason: underlying numbers are totally fine. Easy buy low right now

Indy Sighsieve: Hi, Justin. Should I start AJ Ewing, Keaschall, or Gelof at 2B this week? Josh Jung or Casey Schmidt at 3B? Thanks!

Justin Mason: Ewing and SChmidt

Ottoneu points 8 team taco league!: Can Ben Rice keep this up?

Justin Mason: I am a believer

Trade for Bat: What level of starter would it take to get a guy like Murakami? Messick? Schlittler?

Justin Mason: I would not give up a pitcher like that for him. Murakami’s contact profile is super scary. He is a sell high for me

Guest: this is jp crawford’s EIGHTH season in seattle? I thought it was like 4

Justin Mason: I remember when they drafted him. It’s crazy

Jax of All Trades: Any juice to Griffin Jax as a SP? Is he worth a roster spot in a 12 teamer to see if there’s anything to him?

Justin Mason: I definitely want to watch him this week. The stuff isn’t as sharp in the rotation and I just don’t know if there will be enough juice as a starter.

Guest: 12 team, H2H points; Sale or Misiorowski ROS?

Justin Mason: Sale

Bench: Herrera, Basallo or Dingler in 1-C shallow mixed?  Herrera does everything well except hit fly balls, while Basallo clearly seems to have the most long term upside.  But does Herrera’s significant volume lead swamp them all in the end?

Justin Mason: Herrera for me

GT: Trade proposal, Is Gunnar Henderson worth Perdomo and Busch/Langford in a keeper league where I won’t be keeping Gunnar since Skenes was chosen in same round and is my keeper, 14 tm 6×6 h2h where categories are OBP, HR, R, SB, HR, TB and my OF is currently Tucker, Wood and DeLauter

Justin Mason: I am not doing this with Langford, but I would do Perdomo and Busch

Paralysis: When we’re trying to evaluate pitchers, how should we balance Swstr% vs CSW% vs Stuff+ vs all the other different metrics we could look at, or should we just take the K-BB% as the end result of all those things?  I’m thinking of guys like Warren who has the stuff and the K-BB, but not the Swstr to support it, or Meyer/Sheehan types who have the K-BB and the Swstr but not the Stuff.  Should we avoid bad fastballs altogether?

Justin Mason: I think you should look at it all to develop the picture you are trying to decipher. For instance with Warren, he has always been good at stealing strikes while I do think the strikeouts regress, maybe not as much as the swinging strike rate suggests. I think we as a community try to apply the numbers evenly across the board, but that is not a great process in individual cases and we need to look at the players in their own context.

Justin Mason: Thank you for chatting with me today! 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