Justin Mason’s Baseball Chat – September 14, 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

Jon Tayler: Debating cutting Hoerner in a roto OBP league as he’s gone cold and I need power. Would you drop him for Amador?

Justin Mason: Sure. The Rockies are at home for the next ten games.

Jon Tayler: Rank these OFs for this week please (OBP roto)? Stowers, Canzone, Montes, Emmanuel Rodriguez, De Paula

Justin Mason: Montes, Canzone, De Paula, Stowers, Rodriguez

Jon Tayler: Who’s the choice at C going forward: Kirk or Bernal?

Justin Mason: Bernal

beyou02215: In a league where I need wins pretty desperately in a 5×5 roto.  How do you navigate the final 2 weeks – particularly the final week – when so many rotations are up in the air and starts are so commonly changed/postposed/skipped?

Justin Mason: Im looking for pitchers with three starts that preferably has two of them this week. It’s a nightmare and a crapshoot this time of year so youre going to need to just take shots and hope to not get unlucky.

Justin Mason: Avoid teams next week that have playoff spots locked in ie Dodgers, Brewers, Braves, Rays, Yankees.

Dr. Funk: rank this week in H2H where QS and IP are categories. Pivetta, Webb (if he goes), Quantril, Ryan Johnson, Wesneski, Boyd

Justin Mason: Webb, Boyd, Johnson, Quantril, Pivetta, Wes

AU86: Victor Mesa or Max Clark ROS?  OBP and SLG (not AVG) league.  Thanks

Justin Mason: Mesa

AU86: Re: V Mesa…faces 1 RHP/5 LHP this week…I know he has quality splits in minors v LHP.  Do you see him getting everyday ABs or platoon?  TB loves the platoon.  Thanks

Justin Mason: Theyve been giving him full run, but this might scare me off a bit to be honest. Cant imagine he plays every game given that.

misterjohnny: I’m 5 saves ahead and have Duran and Montgomery. 2nd has Miller and O’Brien. I can replace Montgomery with Sheehan for the last two weeks. He faces SF twice. There are four teams ahead of me in wins (1,2,3,4 wins up). Should I make the switch? We don’t have daily moves.

Justin Mason: I think that is safe to do

wrongdog5: In a keep-forever (no penalty), would you rather keep angel genoa, luke keaschall, or heriberto hernandez for next year?

Justin Mason: I think I lean Keaschall here, but its pretty close for all of them.

AU86: D Myers or N Church ROS?  Need Runs/OBP.  Thanks

Justin Mason: Church

Jon Tayler: Sit or start McLean against PHI? He’s been an auto-start for me all season but I’m running full steam into an innings limit (just 54 left) and his last start has me nervous

Justin Mason: I am still rolling with him

Mike Brez: Rank for this week only? Peralta, May, Ryan, Jax (x2), Ryan Johnson (x2). Foster Griffin, Kremer (x2). Thanks Justin!

Justin Mason: Ryan, Jax,  Johnson, Peralta, Griffin, May, Kremer

Hazmat Corntail: Is Victor Mesa Jr a thing? It seems too good to be true to snag a multi-cat threat out of nowhere this late in a season.

Justin Mason: The defense will keep him in the lineup even when he struggles but the underlying contact numbers are pretty good. I don’t think the power is super legit but the speed, contact and defense are enough. Talked about him on the Sunday pod with Jason. I would go and take a listen.

AU86: Pallante or Javier ROS?  QS and K/9 format

Justin Mason: Pallante. Give me that Giants start this week.

Salty: Are you like me in 25-30 years looking forward to weighing whether or not to pick up Victor Victor Victor Mesa Jr Jr?

Justin Mason: Point awarded

wrongdog5: Going into draft season next year, who will be ranked higher, Josh Jung or Willy Adames?

Justin Mason: Adames and not close

Salty: In case I don’t get the chance next week, just wanted to say thanks for the content and the chats!  Sometimes I get more ideas and thoughts from the answers you give to other chatters questions then my own.

Justin Mason: Thank you! I have enjoyed chatting with yall all season and we will continue to have chats in the offseason!

Daniel Ackerman: Do you like Quinn Matthews 2 step with SF and WSH more or J Soriano with DET and TEX? h2h cats

Justin Mason: Mathews

sactown 2: Starting Tong today?

Justin Mason: I am. It is a bit risky but the skills were good in the return to the Majors.

CarMars Favorite: When do I commit to dropping Cags this week. H2H keep-4 league where he would maybe be my fourth (I have other options) but if I need the pot I’ll have to move on. What should be the last straw to dump him. 16 tm h2h in playoff finals.

Justin Mason: I really love him long term so I would have a hard time dropping him if he is a potential keeper for me.

CarMars Favorite: Any largely available SP streamers this week that you would 100% avoid? I’m in the finals of H2H this week and wanna avoid landmines.

Justin Mason: ok, so the way I approach this is by looking at matchups. I am attacking teams the next two weeks. Looking at the bottom teams that are rolling out AA lineups (I’m looking at you San Francisco). Obviously, I am not streaming terrible pitchers, but matchups are always the best thing to look at for streaming but especially this late in the season.

AU86: Quantrill has been pitching well.  However Schumaker said that he was working through back tightness.  Enough worry to drop him for Pallante?  Javier?  Thank you.

Justin Mason: I would be ok dropping him for Pallante

sactown 2: I picked up Mesa and forgot about all the lefties. Keep or swap out for Bateman, Bazzana, Amador, C. Smith or Jac?

Justin Mason: Jac for me

Jon Tayler: Just need to vent: both Sheehan and Painter losing their wins IN THE NINTH made me want to tear my head off. Fantasy baseball is totally healthy and fun

Justin Mason: it is rough this time of year especially when a win or two can make a massive difference

Peter Castro: Hi Justin, do you think Lazaro Montes, Hector Rodriguez and Josue DePaula have everyday jobs next season. Trying to determine if they are worth keeping. Thanks!

Justin Mason: I think they all will be given shots. De Paula will depend on how he hits.

Hazmat Corntail: What do you make of Brooks Lee heading into next year? The uptick in power was nice, but he didn’t seem to make many improvements across the board, making it seem unlikely he’ll repeat. The SS eligibility is nice though…

Justin Mason: I dont think the power is very legit. Just doesn’t strike the ball hard enough consistently. I would expect that to come down. he could honestly have a marsee type disappointment next year as it looks like a similar profile. This is coming from someone that was high on Lee coming into this season.

Peter Castro: Do you think that Justin Martinez closes for the DBacks next season?

Justin Mason: I do

randziegler: Playoff Week #1 with standard 5×5 scoring categories!  I need 8 starting pitchers from the following for this week: Cease, Detmers, Woo, Jared Jones, Framber Valdez, Bibee, Sheehan, Griffin, Burke, Dustin May, Cantillo, and Cristian Javier.  Your ranking help is much appreciated!

Justin Mason: Cease, Detmers, Woo, Jones, Sheehan, Valdez, Bibee, Javier

Salty: What are your thoughts on picking up Reynaldo Lopez vs someone like Bassitt hound in a two week H2H final?  Lopez has an outside shot at three starts (@CHC/vsCIN/@MIA) with the Miami game the last day of the year.  I like that potential most about him, but it’s also like playing with a stick of dynamite with the ratios, and if he loses that last day it sort of defeats the purpose.

Justin Mason: I think it is worth the risk. Lopez probably isnt a starter in the playoffs so he could actually just go five and help keep the bullpen rested on that last day.

sactown 2: Riley or Burger for this week?

Justin Mason: Burger

AU86: Redraft format…drop either/both McLain (CIN)/C Montgomery (CWS) for either/both Mesa (TB)/M Clark (DET)?

Justin Mason: I am ok with both drops

Hazmat Corntail: How would you assess Butler’s season? Promising second half or is he bound to disappoint us again?

Justin Mason: ok, so I am somewhat intrigued here. He is making more in zone contact and hitting the ball hard consistently. The park will help for next year again. We have seen these underlying skill changes before and then seen them disappear, but depending on the price, I might be in next year.

Hazmat Corntail: Can we finally be done with Jordan Romano? SAGNOF is a thing, but when it comes to that he seems to define “butthis face”

Justin Mason: yeah

Justin Mason: point awarded

jorourke87: dang, realized I might have called you Jason – having Sporer Syndrome with all y’all’s J-named colleagues

Justin Mason: I dont fret about that atp lol. I have a twin brother named Josh so I have spent my life getting called the wrong name

jorourke87: Hey Jason, who do you like for a last starting hitter for this week, mostly trying to maintain a .005 lead in Avg: with Jonah Cox adding 2B I had him penciled in to replace an underperforming Genao at MI. But rotowire lmk Story has a hit in 12 of 13 since returning. Maybe I start Cox and Story and bench Durbin (currently UT, but that was from when I was trying to gain in SB)

Justin Mason: oh there it is lol

Justin Mason: I think Story and Cox is the right answer here

AU86: Bassitt (@ NYM, TOR) or Warren (@ AZ, BAL)?

Justin Mason: Warren

Wayne Kiger: Playoff time. H2H points, which two to start this week:  Skenes, Pivetta, Cease or Gilbert? Thank you.

Justin Mason: Cease and Gilbert

Hazmat Corntail: On a scale of 1-10, how successful was DeLauter’s rookie year? Any particular areas you could see improvement in next year?

Justin Mason: I will give it an eight. yes, 14/10 isnt winning any leagues, but he makes a lot of contact and hits the ball really hard. A small tweak to the launch angle and he is a potential star.

cswanso6: is there any reason to hold onto Robbie Ray? He has @Col and @LAD.

Justin Mason: no

Ragbrai: I recently picked up Bandura and Amador, do you see them as contributors next year?

Justin Mason: I think Amador can for sure. He seems to be getting the run at second base and he is the perfect fit as an accumulator there in that park. Bandura is org depth.

jorourke87: Twin sibs (especially same gender) should have very different names imo

Justin Mason: right?! I keep telling Josh he needs to change his name but after 41 years, I dont think he will

Justin Mason: Point awaded

Justin Mason: Made it through all the questions! Lets keep it going!

Eugenio Velez: Instead of Trading Block we should have Unavailable Block

Justin Mason: I like this idea! I hate having to tell everyone in my league that there is no chance I am trading x player. Often I will put something in the memo section if there is one.

Hazmat Corntail: How many more times do you think Michael Wacha keeps churning out QS-loaded seasons? He was a quiet rotation asset this year in particular for the most part.

Justin Mason: He just keeps doing it and clearly the Royals believe he can considering they didnt move him at the deadline. I will continue to buy because the price is always too cheap

dirtypuer: just lost in the semis of my playoffs, but wanted to thank you for all of your advice over the course of this season!

Justin Mason: Bummer! Thank you for coming in and being a part of the chat all year!

AU86: G Torres benched in favor of younger talent ROS?

AU86: G Torres or McLain ROS?

Justin Mason: Seems like they want to see what they have in other guys so I will go McLain here

Ragbrai: Have you ever looked back at suggestions you make in the chat to see if they turned out or not? If so and your predictions are more often correct than not, are you available to be kept on retainer for predraft consultations? Actually if you are. more wrong than right, that still could be heklpful.

Justin Mason: So I dont go through the chats just because there are so many of them, but I do a lot of offseason articles looking at where I went wrong and were I was right. I break down each individual team and my Bold predictions from the beginning of the season. I dont worry as much about individual players unless there was a massive skill change, but I look at my processes and see if there were flaws in my thinking. I think its an important exercise to get better as a player and analyst and I dont’ shy away from looking where I made mistakes publicly.

AU86: Expect Rafaela back on Tues 9/15?  Any setbacks that you are aware of?

Justin Mason: sounds like he wont be back by then, but aiming for a weekend return.

kswissreject: Finally going to drop Colson Montgomery.  Need a SS for the championship (OBP league).  Uninspiring choices. Tovar with his week in COL, Sanoja, Bogaerts with 4 games in COL, Hoerner, Pratt?  Just keep Colson? Thx.

Justin Mason: Tovar gets 10 straight in Colorado, so I think I would go there

Ragbrai: Harrison at $4 in a NL 5×5 is okay for next year right? He is bound to turn things around right?

Justin Mason: I would love a $4 Harrison in NL Only.

AU86: Justin – Thank you so much for your timely responses during these chats.  Very helpful and appreciated.  Not to mention S&B Episodes and everything else.

Justin Mason: Thank you! I know not everyone stays plugged in during the offseason, but I have some fun stuff planned for chats, articles and the pods.

asim5720: Would you drop Freddie Freeman for Pasquantino or O’Hearn? I’m worried he sits ~5 in a row w/o and IL stint

Justin Mason: I could do that for Vinnie P

Hazmat Corntail: Will there be any leagues outside of NL-only where you’d be in on Carrigg next year? I know you haven’t been impressed, but am wondering because if he keeps a lineup spot in COL, he might still be a decent accumulator

Justin Mason: I doubt I will have any shares in mixed leagues. Just a boring profile and who knows what the Rockies do with the new front office.

seymour114: Vinnie P or I Herrera?

Justin Mason: Vinnie P

Philip Christy: If you had to choose one, would you keep Tolle/17th round or Logan Henderson/22nd round?

Justin Mason: Henderson but I want both

seymour114: I always look forward to these Monday chats – thanks for doing them.

Justin Mason: This is starting to feel like my funeral lol

Justin Mason: need more questions!

Woody1937: Cut my finger this morning and proceeded for haphazardly handle the vinaigrette for my salad…I remembered the first ingredient in the dressing pretty quickly

Justin Mason: lmao

Justin Mason: point awaded

seymour114: Scared about starting Langeliers in a weekly?

Justin Mason: I am rolling with him. Talent is too good

Hazmat Corntail: To follow up on Carrigg, would you sign off on dropping him in a dynasty assuming Raffaela does come back this season?

Justin Mason: yeah, I would

AU86: Justin – How many regular season MLB games in 2027?

Justin Mason: 100

jackiechiles: For this week…Carrig, Bogearts, Rocchio, Peck or Volpe for my SS?

Justin Mason: Bogey

Philip Christy: Thanks Justin. My league has slots for LF/CF/RF. Do you think Ben Rice/1B-only is a better keeper, or Jordan Walker/RF-only, for next season?

Justin Mason: I would lean Rice here, but I dont play in any LF/CF/RF leagues so I don’t know how that breaks down. I just think that Rice is the safer profile.

kswissreject: Thx for Tovar.  SVH, adding Bradgley Rodriguez, Justin Martinez, Evan Phillips, Edgardo Henriquez, Soto/Weaver?  Already have Mason Montgomery, Juan Morillo, so somewhat hesistant to repeat teams, but maybe overthinking it.

Justin Mason: Give me Rodriguez here

Kevin: over/under 0.5 Saves for Jacob Webb ROS?

Justin Mason: over, but probably barely

AU86: if you were scheduling an in-person auction for 2027, would you feel comfortable scheduling it around Memorial Day?

Justin Mason: I would honestly just wait until we have news. They wont just straight into the season. There will have to be ramp up time for pitchers.

jackiechiles: Keep J Ram or Machado for 3B in my keeper league? No salary or anything like that in this league…just straight keeper.

Justin Mason: J-Ram

Churlayla: On Aug 9 I traded Y. Alvarez, J. Caballero, A. Rutschmann for L. Butler, L. Keaschall, S. Langeliers & Franklin Arias. (AL-only, there are salaries and expiring contracts involved, I’m re-tooling, they’re in win now)

Justin Mason: This makes sense and the return is nice especially if the Alvarez contract is expriing

Churlayla: Ooops, how’d I do?

Justin Mason: you did good!

Justin Mason: QUESTIONS!

kswissreject: Another since you said you needed more Qs!  Next year, keep 4, OBP.  Top 4 seem to be some combo of Miz, Rice, Eldridge, Carroll, Walker, Jones, Raleigh, Baldwin.  Leaning first 4, thoughts?

Justin Mason: Miz, Rice, Carroll for sure. I lean Walker here for the fourth

Kevin: I’m rolling with Carrigg (7 games at home) this week over CJ Abrams (only 5 games, slumping badly)? how dumb is that?

Justin Mason: no, I would do that too

AU86: S Murphy or Ballesteros ROS?

Justin Mason: Ballesteros

buzzingthalami: Is Matt Shaw a full time player next year, somewhere somehow?

Justin Mason: Doesn’t feel like it

Justin Mason: still young though so he could turn it around

Ragbrai: The talk was Weaver would be the closer for the Pirates. He isn’t. What do you see his role next year being?

Justin Mason: elite setup man

Churlayla: Do you have any idea what the White Sox intentions for Grant Taylor are for next season? Stretched out? ‘Pen Swiss Army Knife? I have an extension decision to make.

Justin Mason: I think he is stretched out to start. I think they need to see if he can do it and in a shortened season, it might be the perfect set of circumstances to not overwork him.

Ben: Hey Justin! Any strategy for identifying relievers who might be closers next year?

Justin Mason: So I am just looking for good skills in spots where an opening could occur. Cubs, Washington, KC

Ragbrai: Does Dion start in Washington next year and what kind of numbers will he pit up if he does?

Justin Mason: I feel like the Nats have to prioritize SPs in free agency. I dont think Dion is much more than a fifth/sixth starter and they should bring in guys to block him

Churlayla: How shortened of a season are you thinking?

Justin Mason: I think we get about 100 games

Kevin: standard 5×5 H2H. Eldridge or Naylor at 1B this week?

Justin Mason: Naylor

jackiechiles: Thanks for doing these Justin! Durbin, Gelof, R Palacios, or Bazzana at 2B this week? 14 team mixed OBP league.

Justin Mason: Durbin

Brian Burns: Thanks for the Monday chats…5×5 11T OBP, need runs, sb, and obp – short a UT spot.  Bogaerts (4 at Col) Bateman, Cox, Moreno, Jeffers or Tork.

Justin Mason: Bogey

Justin Mason: actually give me Cox if you need the speed

AU86: drop McLain for De Paula?  redraft.  need Runs, power

Justin Mason: yes

sactown 2: Would you take Vinnie or Jac over Burger? A lot of people talk about Rangers Park as a home run killer.

Justin Mason: Burger. His power plays everywhere

Charles Bengal Tiger: Will Luis Robert Jr. play in another game this season?

Justin Mason: I dont think so

Ragbrai: If this feels like your funeral, will you still be doing chars in the afterlife? I’m sure we will still have questions.

Justin Mason: Chats from the great beyond would be fun

Justin Mason: point awarded

Hazmat Corntail: Is DJ Herz a stash for next year? I know he’s pitching again, but haven’t heard much

Justin Mason: it would have to be a pretty deep league.

Kevin: How come I haven’t seen much chatter about how Corbin Carroll has been just kinda…OK this year? Is this the ceiling?

Justin Mason: nah, the ceiling is much higher. Just a weird year in arizona. I think we can still see the 30/30 or better version in the future

Ragbrai: Will Betts and Lindor lose value in next year’s drafts due to the lack of SBs?

Justin Mason: Betts will for sure. I think Lindor will be worth spending up on. Injuries ravaged his season, but he is finishing strong

Charles Bengal Tiger: Did Tatis Jr. salvage his draft stock with his play the last few months?

Justin Mason: he absolutely did. He could be a first rounder with second base eligibility next year.

Churlayla: ~1/3 of the season gone. Does that change auction strategy? Closer churn via FAAB?

Justin Mason: it will change a lot of the strategies including FAAB. Shortened season will push people towards upside because there isnt time for regression. Quick decisions will be even more important.

buzzingthalami: Justin Crawford hasn’t developed as I expected.  Do the Phils stay patient with him or do their 35-yo OF acquisition thing over the winter?

Justin Mason: I think they will be paitent. No reason to bail on a 22 year old.

Brian Burns: Follow-up would since you said cox…over edman? Then I can use bogey too.

Justin Mason: id do that

Charles Bengal Tiger: If you were the Dodgers would you pitch Ohtani at all?

Justin Mason: I would not

kswissreject: Walbert or Wesneski this week?  Both sucked last week.  With move limits and picking up Tovar/Bradgley, can’t replace both.  Lean Walbert.

Justin Mason: Walbert

Ragbrai: Tatis worth 40 next year in an NL 5×5 with $260 budget?

Justin Mason: yes

Ragbrai: How would you rate Eldridge’s seaspn? Do you see him taking a step forward next yeear?

Justin Mason: 8/10. The hit tool has been much better than I anticipated and he looks the part of the pedigree. I think he is a future star

Kyle O’Brien: If Henderson stays healthy are we talking about him as a potential ace next year?

Justin Mason: absolutely

Charles Bengal Tiger: Does Rafael Flores see regular playing time (or at least semi-regular) next season?

Justin Mason: I think they should give him the chance, but there are a lot of catching options in Pittsburgh

Churlayla: Jose Soriano @ $10 extend or let expire? ($5/yr to extend)

Justin Mason: what is the size of the league

Ragbrai: Spelling doesn’t count iagainst us n these chats, correct? At least for questioners.

Justin Mason: nupe

Justin Mason: point awaded

Kyle O’Brien: Thoughts on Luis Mey as the Reds closer of the future? He was showing improved swinging strike before the 8 run implosion.

Justin Mason: I think he is definitely a guy they should consider as the future.

Hazmat Corntail: Troy Melton is a top ___ SP heading into next year

Justin Mason: 40

Wayne Kiger: H2H points Naylor or Pasquantino this week, lean Naylor.

Justin Mason: Naylor. I grabbed him off the wire in a league last night

Churlayla: 12 team. AL-only, 23 rostered, 9-10 pitchers (we use a “Super Utility position, can be either)

Justin Mason: I think Soriano is worth that in this format

Charles Bengal Tiger: Will Ethan Salas top 200 at bats next season? Or will he spend too much time back in AAA?

Justin Mason: I think they will give him run. I expect them to move on from Fermin or Campusano

Ragbrai: Can we have one offseason chat where you post questions and we answer them?

Justin Mason: omg, that would be so fun!

Justin Mason: ok, a few more minutes left. time to send your burning desire questions!

Churlayla: Worth extending? (I generally don’t go more than year on pitchers. Those elbows and shoulders…tricky bee-yotches)

Justin Mason: I never extend pitchers in those formats if they lock me in. I hate getting burnt

Hazmat Corntail: Are we going to let Devin Williams hurt us again next year?

Justin Mason: I will if the discount is good enough. Underyling skills were much better than the surface numbers showed

Ragbrai: Who is the player you cut that you most regreat and who did you keep for to long that you most regreat?

Justin Mason: I cut Tyler Mahle after he was traded to Atlanta in a league. Thought moving away from SF would be bad lol. Held onto Nick lodolo too long

Charles Bengal Tiger: Not a question, just wanted to say how impressive it is the way you churn through it all!

Justin Mason: Thank you! I really try and answer as many questions as I can

Justin Mason: Thats my time! Chat will begin at the top of the hour. 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