Justin Mason’s Baseball Chat – September 22, 2025

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!

Hazmat Corntail: Have Brenton Doyle and Josh Lowe effectively become the same guy, albeit from different sides of the plate? I have both and am trying decide if either are worth keeping for next year, or we’ve already seen their best work.

Justin Mason: They are definitely not the same guy. Doyle has a much better contact profile and has just been unlucky with the way the season has gone. Lowe is a much more boom or bust type of hitter that will run extremely hot and cold. I would expect a bounceback from Doyle in 2026.

Matt: Just tell me the Mariners are the best team in baseball please!!

Justin Mason: ummm… no? but I am rooting for you!

RAGBRAI: What can I expect from Gallen next year. Second half seemed to be much better. I have him for $28 in NL 5×5, 11 teams. Do I throw him back?

Justin Mason: I dont know if it is an injury that he has been hiding or whether the skills have just completely broken down over the last couple of years. I am out in 2026, so I would throw him back.

RAGBRAI: The hardest part is this time of year in a weekly league. Tied for second with a path to first. All I can do is sit and watch. Do the Fantasy Gods ever truly come through at times like these?

Justin Mason: They giveth and taketh away. I have had amazing moments in the final days of the season but I have also had soul crushing ones. Keep the faith and hope that they come through for you this year. Make sure to come back next week and let me know if they do.

larry: With streaming options pretty thin which of the long releivers would you go with? Phillips, Melton, Fishor, Burns or Mlodzinsk. This is for a 12t h2h catergoty Yahoo league where ratios plus possible win are important.

Justin Mason: Lean Melton here

Ken: Thanks for the chats this season! To bolster AVG and a lesser extent Runs in the final week, should I go Kyle Teel over Agustin Ramirez, considering their matchups this week? Also, which one sits between Jo Adell, Tyler Soderstom, and Jacob Marsee considering the same categories.

Justin Mason: Still going Ramirez and would probably lean Marsee here as well, but could consider Soderstrom

Guest: Need wins and ratios, pls pick one to sit, Bradish @ NYY, Wells vs TB, R. Suarez. @ Min, Horton @ NYM.  Thanks.

Justin Mason: Sitting Wells

Second Fiddle: In an OBP league where my offense has totally collapsed, is it time to drop Teoscar for Lile?

Justin Mason: Probably not especially with Lile hurting his knee yesterday. Chances are he doesnt play as much

RAGBRAI: Chourio was on the IL for a spell but still seems to have stumbled a bit this year. Though maybe that’s just me. He still could hit 20/20.  Do you think a healthy 2026 gets him to 30/30?

Justin Mason: I definitely think he could challenge for a 30/30 year in the near future. Underlying numbers are great and just needs to stay healthy.

Guest: 12 Team AL only, very close in standings with strikeouts and WWHIP.  How do you rank Bello, Early, Cantillo, and Cecconi?

Justin Mason: Bello, Early, Cantillo, Cecconi

Guest: THANKS and THANKS for the season of enjoyment AGAIN!

Justin Mason: Thank all of you for chatting with me this season! I will be doing chats throughout the offseason so make sure you are coming back to keep me company!

The Batman: Tied for second in my OC. Down 1 in wins (and up five on the next person), tied in saves (and 3 from first), down ten in Ks. Season on the line. Ks will be my make or break I feel. Would you go five closers, four starters for the build or four closers, five starters?

Justin Mason: So this really depends on matchups, but I tend to lean starters here.

Dave: Need a QS without allowing HRs. Mcgreevy at SF today?

Justin Mason: no thanks

Brighter Future: Would you prefer to have Barger or Westburg next year in an OBP League?

Justin Mason: Barger

Insert Witty Name Here: Have the ship locked up. As a victory lap, I spend the rest of my FAAB on random players that elicit a silent chuckle to myself. Any players you’d recommend for this year? Sixto Sanchez is one of my personal favs.

Justin Mason: Richard Lovelady.

Justin Mason: Point awarded

Dave: Can Casey Schmitt be a 105-110 wRC+ guy next year?

Justin Mason: no, he cannot

Justin Mason: I fully expect the giants to sign or trade for a second baseman

Guest: second straight september my offense has died. am I just not moving fast enough? but it still seems like, for instance, Brandon Nimmo should have a higher ceiling in the final week than Heriberto Hernandez

Justin Mason: So I highly recommend at the end of the season doing a full deep dive into your team. I start with the draft and then work through every decision month by month. It has really shown me my mistakes in logic, but also were I was just unlucky. Especially if you are a multi-league player like me, it becomes pretty obvious where you went wrong.

RAGBRAI: Between Pagan, Santana, B Keller or Saalfrank do you seem any of them as viable closers for their teams next year?

Justin Mason: I think Pagan and Santana are the most likely out of that group with Santana being the top of the list. The Pirates wont pay for a closer on the market and I could see the Reds just running it back with Pagan.

RAGBRAI: How would you ranks Crews, Marsee, J Ortiz and TFreeman for overall production for next year in a NL 5×5?

Justin Mason: Crews, Marsee, Ortiz

ingles: AL only 5×5 – Need to a pitcher, Melton or Yesavage this week?  Need ratios & Ws

Justin Mason: Yesavage

Second Fiddle: Is Stewart worth picking up for Baty? Love the talent, but worried about the playing time

Justin Mason: I dont think so

IL for Days: Need saves and to not annihilate ratios. Vodnik (@Sea, @SFG) or Akin (TB, @NYY).

Justin Mason: Akin

Insert Witty Name Here: Annual debate for rules next year: what are the pros and cons for QS, Wins, or IP? Also, innings cap or starts cap? In a league where there’s always two or three low participating teams, it’s hard to find the perfect balance.

Justin Mason: I prefer Wins and no innings/starts cap personally. QS are just too hard in today’s games and IP really favors the players that will put in max effort, but I dont like leagues that cap things because I feel like it penalizes those same teams.

Jesus Made: What are the chances I make the big leagues next year?

Justin Mason: I would say pretty low. like 15%?

Justin Mason: He just hit high A and is only 18

Justin Mason: Need more questions!

Guest: Pick two, Priester at San Diego, Sandy vs Mets, and S. Smith at Yanks and at WAS. Need Ks, a W would be nice, and protect ratios.

Justin Mason: Priester and Sandy

Justin Mason: Smith at the yankees scares the crap out of me

Insert Witty Name Here: In preferring wins, you don’t mind that there’s a lot of factors outside the pitchers control that gets the W?

Justin Mason: There is no perfect system. I do play in a QS + W which is kinda fun and evens that out.

Uninvited Guest: Do you think Bradish can tame the yanks for a second straight start?

Justin Mason: He has been so good that I wouldnt doubt it. I am rolling with him in a few leagues.

RAGBRAI: Singer at $6 seems reasonable for next year. Am I right or delusional? I’m happy with the year he had.

Justin Mason: yeah, you have to be happy with the progression he has made in Cincy. In spite of a much worse park, he has lowered the walk rate and kept the homers in check. I think $6 is totally fine

Q: How much faith do you have in Verlander these final two starts? Need Ks and any QS start I can get

Justin Mason: I think the Giants will do everything they can to give him a shot to win to just rack up Ws for his career.

Justin Mason: so a good amount

RAGBRAI: Olson worth 37 in NL 5×5 or is a decline coming?

Justin Mason: That is going to be close, but I think he may just fall short of that. I will be starting projections on Sunday so ill have a better idea in a week or two.

Guest: Hi Justin.  Pick one to keep in a 12 team roto one C, 3 OF league : sale, Abrams, Naylor (all 6th round), R Suarez (12th) or Goodman (22nd).  Thanks!

Justin Mason: Probably lean Sale in the sixth here but the the 12th round closer is interesting

Guest: Need HR and Runs, nothing on the waiver…Keep Blaze in the line up or switch with Mullins, Castellanos or J.T. Realmuto?

Justin Mason: Keep blaze

Bballdaddy: How high does Nick Kurtz go in drafts next year?

Justin Mason: Second round I think

Lord Thunder: Will Noelvi Marte or Mark Vientos provide more value in 2026?

Justin Mason: Marte

RAGBRAI: What is more important to me…your help in the offseason with my keepers and who to go after or help in season on when to cut and who to grab?  I feel I talk to you more than my wife some weeks.

Justin Mason: probably the in-season stuff. Keepers and draft stuff is very important but the leagues are won in season. I also talk to you more than my wife a lot.

Justin Mason: point awarded

Guest: How high do you see Bryan Woo going in roto drafts next season?

Justin Mason: I could see him being a second or third round pitcher in a lot of leagues. So much upside and finally stayed healthy for a full year.

RAGBRAI: Winn or J Ortiz next year if you had to pick one.

Justin Mason: Winn but close

Bballdaddy: What are your thoughts on Sal Stewart, ROS and for next year?

Justin Mason: I just have a hard time finding the consistent playing time for him and his defense is an issue which wont help considering they traded for Hayes in order to improve the infield defense.

Lord Thunder: Can Max Scherzer still be a solid 5th starter next season?

Justin Mason: I think so. Just depends on health and where he signs. There is a really good chance that he just walks away after this though.

Pointy McPointerson: In a points league final week, need to start 1 of Gray @SF, Boyd vNYM, Valdez @LAA, Waldrep vWSH, Bradish @NYY. Who you got? Thanks for all your chats this year, Justin!

Justin Mason: Gray

RAGBRAI: Thoughts on an only league rule…if player is traded out of league you lose the player but get choice of any player coming back (our current rule) or should team be allowed to keep player stats from the new league?

Justin Mason: I prefer just being able to keep the players stats that left, but that rule is really interesting. How do you determine who gets which players if multiple teams lose guys?

Holding on!: thanks for all the help this year between the articles, chats and pods. trying to hold a 6-point lead in NFBC Auction Championship. Have Gore Verlander & Seymour as 2-starts. Picked up Teng v Colorado on Friday and have Ginn v Houston and. Would you be comfortable benching Boyd v NYM in Chicago and Ryan v Phillies in Philly? They’ve been so brutal the past few outtings.

Justin Mason: I would not start Teng over Ryan but the rest is fine. Teng has zero idea of where the ball is going half the time and I doubt he goes five. I will be at that game though so I hope I am wrong.

Nate: What does peak Noelvi Marte look like?

Justin Mason: I could see a 25/20 season if he stays on the field. Maybe even more power than that, but it’s hard to believe it will happen at this point.

Pepped Out: Pepiot was great in 5ip starts, sat for tiredness, then walked all the blue jays. Safe to start @bal? Other choice is Trevor Rogers at nyy…

Justin Mason: Give me Rogers

Bballdaddy: Who are you more excited to see for a full season? Misiorowski, Burns, Mcclean? Yesavage, Early, Tolle? So pumped for this new generation of exciting pitchers!

Justin Mason: Mis for sure. I am super excited for this crop of pitchers though. Dont for Ian Seymour too who is one of my favorites

Nate: Do we see Konnor Griffin next year?  How early?

Justin Mason: If we do it’s probably not until late. The Pirates wont be super aggressive but I am kicking myself for trading him in a dynasty league this season.

Carter Jensen: Cut either Salvy or Kirk for the final week of the hot(ish) Carter Jansen? Is he the Marriota-y understudy that will lead me to victory?!

Justin Mason: I would be ok cutting kirk for the chance the hot streak continues.

Lord Thunder: Does Cal Raleigh have a legitimate chance to go 1-1 in drafts next winter and spring?

Justin Mason: no, but he will definitely go in some first rounds.

Guest: Closing in on my innings limit in an Ottoneu points league. Targeting Wednesday to try to max out my innings, with Greene, Cease, Gray, and Baz scheduled to go. Going to add another pitcher slated to start on Wednesday to put in my last SP slot and max out my points, so I need to start auctions today. How would you rank Wells vs. TB, Scherzer vs. BOS, Kolek vs. LAA, Bradley vs. TEX, and Kikuchi vs. KC? Appreciate the input!

Justin Mason: Kikuchi, Wells, Kolek, Sherzer, Bradley

Gavin Williams: Is Gavin gonna get that last day start vs the rangers?

Justin Mason: Really depends on how the race shapes up over the week. I would say yes if I had to choose now

Toby: Bregman not opting out, right?

Justin Mason: I dont think so

RAGBRAI: Highest priced guy lost gets first choice. You only get to pick from players involved in that particular trade, not just any player. It worked well but losing a guy at the deadline can hurt, especially when ‘stars’ are more likely now to be traded for minor leaguers.

Justin Mason: This is a really cool twist. I might just keep it because it is so different and innovative

Nate: Any early thoughts on the players expected to be posted this year?  Kazuma Okamoto and Tatsuya Imai.  Will they be draftable?

Justin Mason: I honestly have no idea on these guys. Tim McLeod is my go to guy for these types of questions.

Paddy: Looking ahead to 2026, do you expect these upside arms to be in their teams’ rotations out of camp? Early, Yesavage, Tong

Justin Mason: I think Yesavage and Tong would be the ones I think have the best shot, but I do think all three will be given an oppurtunity.

RAGBRAI: Looking forward to going to Brewers playoff games next month. Do I see Misioroski as a starter or out of the bullpen?

Justin Mason: The pen

Justin Mason: more questions?

Lord Thunder: I’m trying to think of something funny enough to earn a point.

Justin Mason: point awarded

Justin Mason: I am easily amused at this point of the season

Wood: From a dynasty perspective, standard 12T, who are some guys you’re targeting to trade for/away in the offseason?

Justin Mason: So I am always looking for guys that have good underlying skills growth and then on the flip side wanting to move guys with volatile profiles coming off of good years. Ill have better names for you when I am deep into projections, but looking at guys that have increased their contact or power metrics but maybe it didnt show in the surface stats are something I tend to target heavily in the early offseason.

Marvin: How much wood would Kerry Wood carry if Kerry Wood would carry wood?

Justin Mason: Point awarded

Eaton Mess: You were talking up nate Eaton on the podcast, but will he play with Abreu back? Him or canzone this final week?

Justin Mason: Canzone for me unless I really need the speed

Uninvited Guest: I’ve bought in hard on the Austin Riley breakout for the past two years. Is it time to temper expectations, or is next year the year?

Justin Mason: I think it will really depend on the price for me. Skills are fine, but he has struggled to stay on the field

Lord Thunder: Do you think Bubba Chandler is in the Pirates’ rotation next season? What about Mike Burrows for 2026 and beyond?

Justin Mason: I think both are mainstays in the rotation next season.

RAGBRAI: Do you do a “points awarded” total at the end of the year? Might be a good article in looking back at the jocularity of the chats.

Justin Mason: This is actually a fantastic idea. I am going to do this next year. A collection of funny comments that made me laugh article would be a great october piece. I might even go back through the chats this year and pull them.

mario: At what age do you start thinking of age as a concern? 32? 33? For example, I’ve never thought about Rodon and Age at the same time, but now that he’s 32, I wonder if I should

Justin Mason: I know Jeff Zimmerman has done a lot of work on this, so I would definitely check with him. I do things more on a case by case basis, but I know he does have really good research on it.

RAGBRAI: Do you think Megill is healthy enough to help Milwaukee in the playoffs? That’s a long time off.

Justin Mason: I am worried about it considering he isnt likely to get much work beforehand, but being a reliever makes it a bit easier.

James: Do you think CJ Abrams finds more consistency next year?

Justin Mason: I kind of think this is who he is because of his super aggressive approach.

Yogi: Where does Jacob Marsee rank among outfielders in 2026. Thanks Justin.

Justin Mason: Tough to guess before I have started my projections but 25-30?

Uninvited Guest: I have followed the “no rabbits” advice every year, but end up finishing near the bottom in steals every year. Is it time to reevaluate? Is there room for a rabbit like Chandler Simpson or even Caballero?

Justin Mason: I prefer not to do the rabbits because when you do and something happens, it leaves you in a hole. For instance, Jacob Young was someone I had in a lot of leagues and when I didnt get his 30-40 SBs, I was forced to really work the wire hard. I prefer if I am going to do it, it be on someone I am not spending a top half of the draft pick on it.

Matt Damon: MATT. DAMON.

Justin Mason: point awarded

Yogi: Loaded in outfield for 26. Best to trade one. Opinion? Salary after name. J Chourio (14), J Merrill (3), J Wood (7), Marsee (2).

Justin Mason: wow, this is crazy loaded. I might see what gave me the best haul back, but all things being equal, I think that is probably Wood.

Guest: Impossible to answer Tigers bullpen question for you… I have Will Vest and Kyle Finnegan but only one spot to fill for my lineup. Saves and holds are separate categories and I need help in both. Do you see Vest’s struggles of late pushing him out of high leverage work or does Hinch stick with him? This feels like a coin flip.

Justin Mason: I think Finnegan is the guy here

Cooter: 13 team league, 5×5….I need as many HR as possible….added Crim, Schneider, Schanuel and JP Crawford to find some HRs………any waiver wire sleepers for power left to consider?

Justin Mason: I think Crim off of this list is the one I would go for, but check and see if Paredes is available since he just got activated from the IL.

Lew Ford, Mustang: Eliminated from contention in an Ottoneu 5×5 and looking for some closer darts for next season. Any suggestions?

Justin Mason: Ryan Fernandez, Connor Cooke, Peyton Pallette

Speedy G: With an eye toward next year, which of these OF do you like – focus is primarily speed/average, but power upside never a problem:  Dylan Beavers, Victor Scott II, Jake Mangum, Evan Carter

Justin Mason: Beavers, Scott, and Mangum

jerry: want to quickly gloat – joined a 12 team keeper where the team was so bad that they let me in the league for free. i sold all the stars immediately and turned them into big name prospects who were close. then i went and flipped all those guys for young big leaguers. i got real lucky on a couple trades, picked up the right dudes, and won the league in my first year. thanks for some helpful advice along the way.

Justin Mason: Congrats! Love to hear these types of stories!

RAGBRAI: As we close out perhaps your final in season chat I just want to echo what others have said, thanks for the insight and advice. Always seems like great questions followed by great comments. Always fun to be involved in or read the transcript later. Go Brewers! The playoffs should be fun!!

Justin Mason: I really appreciate all of you for making these so fun this season. It has been a truly fun experience to share my monday mornings with you all and I cant wait to do it this offseason and in 2026!

Justin Mason: 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!

Justin Mason: Enjoy the final week of the season everyone!