Best of Fantasy411 Twitter chat
MLB.com fantasy guru Fred Zinkie fielded questions from fans during a live Twitter chat at @Fantasy411 on Thursday. Check out the chat transcript below, and follow the @Fantasy411 Twitter handle and MLB.com's fantasy home. Questions and answers have been edited for clarity.
@tigerbulldog13: Would you rather own Kevin Jepsen or Carson Smith for the rest of the season?
Fred Zinkie: Go with Smith, who has a better chance to collect saves.
@mattmorris712: Should I acquire Steven Matz for Starling Marte? I have Marte and need pitching in a deep keeper league.
Zinkie: Don't overrate prospects. While Matz could be great, Marte is great right now. You could want an ace for him.
@mymanjamey: Would you trade Jose Altuve for Alex Rodriguez?
Zinkie: I likely wouldn't. And I know Rodriguez has been excellent this season. But Altuve should net a better return.
@TG2121: Who wins this trade -- Albert Pujols and Matt Carpenter for Jason Kipnis and Scott Kazmir?
Zinkie: Fairly even, but I lean slightly to the Pujols side. Both Pujols and Kipnis are regression candidates.
@hada0401: Who will be the better closer for the rest of the season: Jim Johnson or Ken Giles?
Zinkie: Because Johnson and Jonathan Papelbon are two of the most likely relievers to be dealt this month, I lean toward Giles, who could be next in line in Philadelphia.
@PG3Phil: Who has more upside: Matt Wisler or Brian Johnson?
Zinkie: Both pitchers have notable upside, but I will take Wisler because of an easier initial path in the Senior Circuit.
@Chrispy_17: Who should I drop: Marlon Byrd, C.J. Cron or Brandon Moss?
Zinkie: Despite his recent power surge, I would drop Cron out of that group. Moss and Byrd are already stable power sources.
@YisroelStern: What do you think about adding Erasmo Ramirez in a 12-team league? He has been pitching very well lately.
Zinkie: I'm all for it. This seems like a mostly sustainable breakout.
@WilcoWacko: In a league that awards points for saves and holds, please rank these relievers: Jason Motte, Jim Johnson and Carson Smith?
Zinkie: I would order them Smith, Motte, Johnson.
@christschirky: Which two outfielders should I drop: Josh Hamilton, Billy Burns, Gerardo Parra, Matt Holliday?
Zinkie: I would drop Hamilton and Parra. I believe that Burns and Holliday need to be owned in all leagues.
@ericlubanski: Who wins this trade: Jose Bautista and Lance McCullers for Carlos Correa and Carlos Martinez?
Zinkie: Four players with volatile second-half value in that deal. I would take the Correa side. He is terrific, and I prefer Martinez over McCullers.
@willyd09: Please name some pitchers that are heating up for a solid second half, and I should target via trade.
Zinkie: Erasmo Ramirez, Eduardo Rodriguez, Kendall Graveman, Mat Latos, Gio Gonzalez, Jake Odorizzi.
@MTrinidad10: Should I trade away Carlos Gomez for Starling Marte?
Zinkie: Very similar players. Marte has played better this season, but this feels like a lateral move.
@charliefusar141: Is Jayson Werth worth a stash?
Zinkie: Yes. He is among the best stash candidates at the moment.
@Ynal_Alouri: Please pick two 2B/SS: Marcus Semien, Brock Holt, Neil Walker, Jace Peterson and Danny Espinosa.
Zinkie: Semien and Walker. I would put Holt in third place.
@patsrule23: Who is the outfield equivalent to Adrian Gonzalez in a trade?
Zinkie: Aim for a lesser name with better production, such as Brett Gardner, A.J. Pollock or Charlie Blackmon.
@brianle53115041: Would you rather own Joe Panik, Devon Travis or Rougned Odor?
Zinkie: I would choose Panik. I know the power/speed isn't great, but he is reliable.
@JMcDonald_91: Would you accept Lance McCullers and Matt Moore for Carlos Gonzalez?
Zinkie: I know CarGo has struggled, but that isn't enough for him. Moore may not be a mixed-league factor.
@RAULJIMENEZII: Would you rather own Aaron Nola or Brian Johnson?
Zinkie: I would rather own Johnson. He is already in the Majors, and he should have more support.
@bmclaughlin39: Would you trade Starling Marte for Miguel Sano, Garrett Richards and Aaron Nola?
Zinkie: In a one-year league, I would be inclined to stick with Marte and look for pitching on waivers.
@PonteTyler: Would you accept Cole Hamels for Andrew Heaney?
Zinkie: Heaney is off to a nice start, but he is still miles behind Hamels in fantasy value.
@JDamiano23: Who do you think will have a bigger second half, Jon Lester or Jake Arrieta?
Zinkie: Arrieta, by a wide margin. He is terrific.
@jmitchem: Should we expect Matt Holliday to play well out of the gate in the 2nd half?
Zinkie: I think so. He wasn't going to swipe bases anyways. His plate skills should be fine.