Baseball Prospectus - Chat with Mauricio Rubio

Chat: Mauricio Rubio

Welcome to Baseball Prospectus' Wednesday February 26, 2014 7:00 PM ET chat session with Mauricio Rubio.

Join Mauricio for an after-dark fantasy chat.

Mauricio Rubio: She’ll say “I like spanish guys” and even though you are not Denard Span you’ll say “I like you”. Womp womp, let’s go.

Mikey (Peoria AZ): Thanks for the chat. In a 10-team mixed with 8 keepers, which are the first 8 picks, is Jose Abreu worth drafting in the 9th round ahead of possibly craig, butler, belt, trumbo?

Mauricio Rubio: I don't think so, but I'm not the biggest Abreu fan. See Below.

Jon Snow (The Wall): Thanks for the chat. Took over a last place dynasty team last year and took it to 2nd place with some adept maneuvering. Here is my lineup: McCann, Fielder, Kipnis, Reyes, Donaldson, Puig, Bautista, Granderson, Holliday and Taveras. Scherzer, Wainwright, Anibal, Cole, Wacha, Rosenthal, Soriano. My question is this, I have a couple aging OFs(Grandy and Joey Bats) I have the #2 overall pick this year and am torn between Jose Abreu and Kris Bryant. Abreu will add to my team being competitive for 1st this year, while Bryant is the much better overall future contributor and could take over an OF spot. What say you?

Mauricio Rubio: Typically I'm for drafting guys who can help you right the hell now but I'm not sure Abreu fits that mold. There are legit questions about his bat speed that worry me on a few levels. I'm cautious with him. I would select Bryant over Abreu.

Jake (State Farm): Is this the last year to jump on the Alfaro train before he explodes? Or will it take another year for the numbers to get closer to the potential?

Mauricio Rubio: Man in the right circles that train already ran away. Just go with it, as Octavio Paz said, "Love is an attempt to penetrate another being, but it can only be realized if the surrender is mutual."

Gary (New Jersey): What's the likely role for Gausman this year? Will he be in Baltimore as a reliever or AAA??

Mauricio Rubio: I think he'll be a reliever this year as I think the Orioles believe he will help them this year in that role

dancini (Pittsburgh): I'm in a 17 auction keeper/snake supplemental draft H2H 5x5 Cuts need to be made (guys on the block) Starlin castro 25$ Chase Headley 22$ Christian Yelich 9$ Denard Span 1$ I think I may attempt to release and redraft Castro (is this a good 2014 move with some decent options like Brad Miller in auction if this fails) and Christian Yelich.. PECOTA doesnt really have him setting the world on fire and hes not the greatest against lefties. For category sake (steals .BA) is span the better value at 1$

Mauricio Rubio: Yeah I think so. Span is going to hit around .280 with 20 steals this year. Castro is too expensive and Yellich is too far away.

Aceathon (Texas): "after-dark fantasy chat" Phrasing?

Mauricio Rubio: I'm pretty sure it was intentional. I'm bumping "Turn Off The Lights" by Teddy Pendergrass right now. Candles are lit, I'm pretty happy.

Mac (Chicago): You're the Cub inside scoop guy - odds of shark being dealt by opening day? And when they do can that actually land a good, possible #1 arm?

Mauricio Rubio: It's off the board. Rumors are pretty quiet right now but they tend to heat up whenever Jeff Samardzija is involved. #1 Arms are rare as hell, I don't see them netting a top tier arm for Shark, but with this FO you never know.

Joe (Indiana): What do you expect from Hyun-Jin Ryu this year? Regression?

Mauricio Rubio: We talked about this a bit on Flags Fly Forever, I do expect him to come back a bit as the K Rate isn't exactly eye popping. He's going to be a good #3 I think but I'm not sure about him being a Top Of The Rotation guy.

PrestonH (Dallas ): Who would you rather have for this season, Martin Perez or Xander Bogaerts?

Mauricio Rubio: Xander, but I skew towards MIFers who show any type of offensive promise.

dshemie8 (Montreal): Is Derek Norris worth a pick in 23 round(keeper)?

Mauricio Rubio: Oh absolutely. He's Bret Sayre's pet but I think he has 15-15 potential and that's crazy valuable out of a catcher.

Mike (Chi-town): I had asked Ben this same question - goldschmidt $32 or Matt Adams $10 - $250 auction league - 5 keeps (Harper, Bogaerts, Castellanos, Kershaw are my other 4)

Mauricio Rubio: I think there's a good chance that Goldschmidt produces more than $35 of value. It's tall timber but I'd keep him over Adams.

dzemens (Michigan): Love your articles, thanks for hosting another chat! What SP prospect do you think has more long term value/projects better, Max Fried or Kohl Stewart?

Mauricio Rubio: Thanks! I think Stewart has more potential but it's a tight one between the two.

Andy5 (MKE): Any idea who rises from the wreckage at 1B for the Brewers? I'm thinking Reynolds, but it's not pretty whoever it is.

Mauricio Rubio: I think it's going to be Mark Reynolds and it's going to be .220 with 20 HR's ugly. Juan Francisco figures to get AB's there too.

guy (lincoln park): Dynasty Lg Prospect draft. Which of the following would you take: Stephenson, Giolito, Frazier, Butler, Stroman, C. Seager or Odor?

Mauricio Rubio: He's getting blown up a lot, but give me Giolito. I understand the injury risks but the reports I've read on him are explicit.

Hank (Springfield): How do you feel about Devin Mesoraco this upcoming season? He never received consistent playing time with Dusty at the helm, think the departure of the skipper and Hanigan will make him a top 10 fantasy catcher this season?

Mauricio Rubio: He has to figure out RHP before I feel comfortable giving him top ten potential. He's going to play, so that part is solved. He has to learn and adjust now.

Pie (In a tin): Do you prefer Coldstein or Joldstein?

Mauricio Rubio: Gonna answer two Pie questions here, both are important.

I prefer #Craig because it conveys a sense of importance in a situation where there really is minimal importance. After all, it's just Craig.

Forced to choose, Coldstein is my preference.

Pie (In a tin): What Cubs prospect are you most excited about?

Mauricio Rubio: Javier Baez and it's not particularly close. He's my unicorn.

Luis (The Bay): Thanks for the chat! I have the #2 rookie pick( with international guys like Tanaka and Abreu available) who would be your top choices in order(Bryant,Gray,Tanaka,Appel,Abreu)? Is your #1 choice significantly more valuable than your #2? So much so that you would try trading up to guarantee getting him?

Mauricio Rubio: Bryant, Tanaka Abreu Gray Appel. I think it's a tight list, I wouldn't trade up if I was at #2 as I think Tanaka will help now while Bryant will be the better player long term.

Craig Goldstein (Duke University): What do you expect from Billy Hamilton this year?I've tried to get him in every league (trade wise), but no manager will budge.

Mauricio Rubio: Well #FakeCraig, he's the most interesting and most difficult player to project for 2014. I think he's going to be like Vince Coleman, hit for a lowish average while stealing 50-70 bases. That's if he plays all year.

bloodmoney (detroit): cole or wacha ? pick one while held at gun point

Mauricio Rubio: Gerrit Cole. I love them both but Cole is my guy here.

Jordan (Atlanta): Do you see Stanton a part of the next great Marlins teams?

Mauricio Rubio: A year ago I would have said no, now I'm not so sure. They are an interesting bunch this year and they could be good really quickly. I think he sticks around for it.

Jed (Bumble Bee Tuna): Who provides more offensive value over the course of their career Profar or Rendon?

Mauricio Rubio: I'm going to say Profar based on Rendon's health profile. If Rendon can stay healthy it's really close, but he has to play 140+ for me first.

Sleep (Train): Better holds+saves guy in a deep dynasty: Joe Smith or Cody Allen

Mauricio Rubio: Cody Allen, but that assessment is based on me thinking he's the better pitcher.

Omar (Baltimore): Yo. You come at the king you best not miss....The Wire, or Breaking Bad??

Mauricio Rubio: It's The Wire. Seasons 3+4 might be the best TV I've ever seen.

Matt (Ann Arbor): In my vanilla yahoo 11 teamer with ops and holds (6x6), we can keep our last round pick the next year as a second-to-last pick. So need a guy that could contribute this year and next and maybe be a top 75 player to keep in 2016. Been eyeing a few, how you rank them for a case like this? Wanna win now, too. Russell, Baez, Ventura, C-Mart, Polanco, Franco. Guys like Posey, Meyers, Pineda have been huge in these picks. Thanks

Mauricio Rubio: Baez – Ventura – C Mart – Franco - Russell - Polanco. Baez has the highest ceiling and the most risk here, I think. Ventura is likely a ROY candidate and if he can find command and a CH he's going to be deadly. Martinez might be a closer or a starter. Franco is knocking on the door but it remains to be seen if he can stick at 3rd (I don't think he can) Russell is 19 and probably too far away for this type of league. Polanco might help across a few categories but nothing really jumps out fantasy wise. BTW, this all changes for dynasty formats.

Hoppy (Scotland): I have Tanaka for $1 in my 16 team H2H dynasty league (a very lucky speculation pick in our 2013 minor draft), but I'm not very optimistic on his chances in 2014 or beyond. Far, far, too much hype. What do you think about trading high on him before the season starts? I have a couple of offers on the table, Choo at $22 or Latos at $18 straight up for him. Tasty enough to bite or hold out for more?

Mauricio Rubio: I'd hold out for more but I'm a greedy guy. I think either is a fair offer. Read your trading partner and assess.

Fun-ctionary (DC): What are some good strategies for auction money allocation in a first-year dynasty league? (I'm looking for the very basics; it's my first auction draft. For example, how many guys do you recommend buying in the $25-$40 range? How many in the $15-$25 range? That kind of thing.) The specs, in case you need them: $260 budget, 22-player MLB roster, a separately-drafted squad of MiLB players (no spending of the auction money necessary). Thanks!

Mauricio Rubio: Set a budget, I like going 70%-30% Pos. player to Pitcher. Understand what it means when you buy a $40 dollar player. Utilize a value system so you know what you're buying. For example on Flags Fly Forever we talk a lot about what a player produced in a given year. We have player forecast tools on BP that you can use as a subscriber so find those, get good value on players, learn to love the one dollar bid wins late in the auction, spend all your cash and don't overpay for MiLB guys.

Kyle Drabek (TheT.O.dog): Everyone's talking about all the possibilities for the 5th Blue Jays starter, but no one seems to be talking up me. Why not, I'm healthy again.

Mauricio Rubio: It's probably got something to do with your walk rates over your career. You've pitched in MLB for parts of four seasons and have had a BB% over 10 in three of them. That being said, I'm not a big Esmil Rogers fan and I don't trust Brandon Morrow at all. It's likely you and Sean Nolin will be in the mix.

SydFinch (CT): Better long term Dynasty value in a points league (that does favor power), Buxton or Baez???

Mauricio Rubio: Depends on how much it favors power, but I lean Buxton here for the added steals dimension. And I love me some Javy.

Will (NJ): If the keeper tax is -4 rounds from previous season's draft slot each year, how early is it worth taking Baez, if at all, this season?

Mauricio Rubio: Best case scenario is that he comes up after the Super-2 date this year, which I don't think happens. I think he comes up and stays next year. I'm waiting until at least the double digits, personally. I wouldn't want to draft him quite yet in that format.

Big L (NJ): If I wanted to start non-closers in my RP slots (akin to something like the LIMA Plan), which relievers would you target this year?

Mauricio Rubio: the aforementioned Cody Allen. Pedro Strop, Junichi Tazawa, there's a host of Set Up guys that would make good options here. Those are the top three that came to mind for me, though.

OB1 (NYC): Does springer make the team out of spring training or do I look for a back up center fielder now. If so is Eaton a good back up. in a points Dynasty league.

Mauricio Rubio: I would cover with a backup because even if he makes it you don't want to be overly reliant on a rookie. Eaton is a good option, depending on how deep/shallow your league is.

Alex (Anaheim): Do you think Sabathia is a good bounce-back candidate, or should I steer clear?

Mauricio Rubio: You know, he's got declining velocity, he's been hurt a lot more the past 2 seasons and he's pitched close to 3K innings in his career. At 33 that's a package of stuff I just don't like. I would steer clear.

Brad (Sudbury): Who do you like better this year and for next three years in AL only 5 x 5 league, Machado or Profar?

Mauricio Rubio: Machado for both short and longer term outlooks. Profar's pretty damn good but I think Machado is a monster.

Drew Hutchison (Simple Minds Concert): Forget someone re: Blue Jays rotation ?

Mauricio Rubio: Oh you'll be around, splitting starts and filling in when needed.

I won't forget you again (I probably will)

Jim (Tampa): I hold the contract for Heaney, Eddie Butler, Giolite, Nate Eovaldi, cosart. which one will help me this year cause one has to go. Where do you see cosart at the years end??

Mauricio Rubio: I'd get rid of Cosart even though he's at the MLB level. He's hurting you at this point.

Gila Monster (MA): Do you ever look at things like pitch value/whiff:swing,# of plus pitches when ranking pitchers?

Mauricio Rubio: All the time. Brooks Baseball is a must for valuing pitchers, I think. It helps understand why things are happening/have happened (like what Francisco Lirano did to LHB with his slider last year).

John (CT): Power & speed combination: who are your top five AL picks this season?

Mauricio Rubio: Mike Trout
Jason Kipnis
Alex Rios
Coco Crisp
Shanf Victorian

Sumner (The beach): Is this the year that Strasburg has an ERA under 3, avg 10.5/9 K rate and wins 18-20 games. Can he get to 200 + innings?

Mauricio Rubio: I don't think so, not because Stras isn't a good pitcher but because that's happened exactly 10 times in the 100+ year history of baseball.

Philips (In my car): Can X. Bogaerts be a top 3 SS by next year, can he put up similar numbers as HanRam did his second year or even his first year?

Mauricio Rubio: Miiiiight be too aggressive as I really like Ian Desmond. Players usually take time to develop into impact starters.

DServi (Maryland): What should we expect from RA Dickey this year?

Mauricio Rubio: 200 IP and load of knuckleballs. Anyone who tells you they can predict what a Knuckleballer will do year to year is lying.

John (Colorado): What do you expect from Eddie Butler this year? Cup of coffee sometime this year in Coors?

Mauricio Rubio: I think so. IF he does get to the Major League level it will be an abbv. stint. I think his profile will play well in Coors as well but we've said that before about guys who flamed out there.

dcapofari (NY): Hosmer is way overrated IMO, your thoughts on him

Mauricio Rubio: I love Hosmer.

I find that the term overrated is absolutely in the eye of the beholder. To you he may very well be overrated as your circle of baseball friends/people constantly talk him up to be something he isn't. I think he's going to be a very productive 1B over the term of his career.

Greg (Atl): Saw your answer about Strasburg, what are your expectations of him, top 5 arm this year?

Mauricio Rubio: That's what I expect given the talent level. Previous arm issues scare me off a bit and he has to hit 200 IP for me to put him at the top but I expect he'll prove a lot this year.

Bruce (MI): NL only 5x5 roto league. Which four do you prefer?Kershaw/Greinke/Ryu/Samardzija or Wainwright/Lee/Hamels/Liriano

Mauricio Rubio: You know, I think I prefer the Waino side of the equation. Kershaw is an absolute stud and the best pitcher in the league but Adam Wainwright isn't far behind and I trust Hamels/Lirano more than I do Ryu/Samardzija.

Ziggy (Top): what are your long term thoughts on Miguel Sano? Comes up as 3b, moves across the diamond to 1b and splits time with MauerPower there at DH within a few years?

Mauricio Rubio: I think he'll stick around 3B for a few years, but this is a much better question for the Prospects team.

NightmareRec0n (Boston): Are you riding the Chris Tillman train? The movement on his pitches is insane according to pitch f/x, his velocity is back up, and his mechanics are above average.

Mauricio Rubio: I'm not on it full time but I think there's something there. He has to fix his homer happy tendencies but I think he's going to be a solid mid rotation guy.

RMR (Chicago): Zack Cozart: SS Sleeper? He's got 15 HR power and stole 30 bags in the minors at a good success rate. New Reds coach Bryan Price wants the team to be more aggressive on the bases and Cozart finished strong in 2013. He's got the potential of doing .270/15/15/70/70 in a traditional 5x5.

Mauricio Rubio: Definitely a sleeper but I wouldn't expect too much out of him. He's only stolen 4 bases in his MLB career so I doubt the 15 SB upside.

Carmen (San Diego): Are the Buxton / Trout comparisons without merit? What do you believe crosses over between the two if at all?

Mauricio Rubio: I can't really sit here and tell you that Buxton will come up and light the world on fire and produce 8+ WARP in his first two seasons. I understand where the comp is coming from but I'm not the biggest comp fan.

I think Byron Buxton will be Byron Buxton and I'm excited to see what that will be.

Jake (California): In my dynasty league (10 keepers, 12 players) I'm looking for a 2B that has some upside or could break out in 2014. The list of available players is pretty bleak, with guys like Murphy, Lowrie, Kendrick, Dozier, Walker, and Guerrero heading the list. Help me!

Mauricio Rubio: Yeah 2B is kind of bleh right in the middle Neil Walker and Howie Kendrick aren't bad options to be honest. I kind of like Howie to continue on producing in 2014.

Murphy gets a bad rep because of a few different reasons but he can help you in fantasy. Of the guys listed I'd probably go Kendrick Murphy Walker.

Sumner (The beach): Homer Bailey has gotten better every year, does he step it up more this year and have a career year?

Mauricio Rubio: I think Homer Bailey's 2013 was pretty damn good and if he repeats that production it will be a win. Breakout potential is there considering the pedigree but I'll take 2013 Homer Bailey.

Dylan (Rhode Island.): I love Justin Upton, he has all the raw talent in the world. But I am worried about his plate discipline...He doesn't make a ton of contact. He whiffs a lot. Are we looking a Jay Bruce with a tiny bit of speed?

Mauricio Rubio: You know, I still think an MVP year is still there even considering the godawful Whiff/Swing% numbers on Fastballs he posted last year. It's likely that he's a low average power guy who can steal 15 bases but I still believe, Dylan.

I still believe.

Philips (Cali): Do you see Porcello taking the next step to more of a #2 pitcher?

Mauricio Rubio: I think #2 is too aggressive for Porcello, but I do think he improves this year because the defense behind him is improving. I think he's going to have a solid year.

dcapofari (ny): In a keeper league I traded Buxton for Cliff Lee, Des Jennings and Salvator Perez. contracts in this league, should I hang myself?

Mauricio Rubio: This is a really good example of how you execute the "Trade highly touted prospect for a slew of good talent" maneuver. Well done, man. I like this trade for you.

Chesty (New Bern ,NC): H2H with SB,Ave,Runs,HR,RBI,XBH,I have the 4th pick.Who do you like at that pick from C.Davis,Goldschmidt,McCutcheon.

Mauricio Rubio: Andrew McCutchen
Paul Goldschmidt
Chris Davis

In that order.

Silverback38 (VA): What are some pitchers with the highest ceiling in the 2014 MLB draft (not named rodon, hoffman ,and kolek)?

Mauricio Rubio: This is a good question for Jeff Moore, but the guy I like a lot is Tyler Beede. I've heard that he has a lot of ceiling if he can figure out the command. Todd Gold wrote about him here: http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=22837

Justin (STL): Dynasty League looking for a second baseman for the future. Who do you like more, Mookie Betts or Rougned Odor? Or is there someone else you think could be more promising?

Mauricio Rubio: I like Odor better, Arismendy Alcantara is right there with him too.

Mill (Lodi): Really appreciate the chat! Who are some guys you would target after the first 15 or so picks in a rookie draft(that includes international players). I have picks 17 and 18. Would you try to package them together to move up a bit? Thanks

Mauricio Rubio: Assuming you mean rookie draft as in new signees to an established dynasty league I think outside of the top 6 guys:

Kris Bryant, Jose Abreu, Masahiro Tanaka, Clint Frazier, Jonathan Gray, Mark Appel

it gets really clogged in the middle. I would trade the lower picks to get into the top 6 because you're talking about guys like Colin Moran and Austin Meadows down there. It's ok, but not ideal.

Walker (Ohio): Who would you rather have for this year only, S. Castro or X Bogaerts?

Mauricio Rubio: This year only I'll go with Starlin Castro (Sorry Ben).

Xander will be the better player when it's all said and done, though.

Jake (Kalamazoo): Would you want Hosmer or Heyward in dynasty?

Mauricio Rubio: Give me Hosmer.

"He allowed himself to be swayed by his conviction that human beings are not born once and for all on the day their mothers give birth to them, but that life obliges them over and over again to give birth to themselves."

-Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Larry (ETown): How do you feel about Yelich this year? Must own in standard formats?

Mauricio Rubio: I'm really high on him this year, just don't tell any of my leaguemates that. He's not going to provide a lot of power but I think he'll hit for a good average and he'll help out in the SB category.

fsumagic (TX): In a 12 team dynasty 2 round prospect draft, I'm looking at taking a 2B. Which one will help more down the road: Eddie Rosario, Jonathan Schoop, or Mookie Betts?

Mauricio Rubio: Rosario will likely be the best hitter of the bunch but I dunno if he sticks at 2B. I'll go with Schoop here.

Baylor (Texas): Can Gallardo turn it around and get back to where he used to be?

Mauricio Rubio: I hope so, but I'm doubtful. He lost velocity and his K rate was down last year. I don't believe too much in his production after he returned from the Hammy.

Frank (Minnesota): In a dynasty league, who do you think is the better player to keep of the two. Delino DeShields or Mason Williams? Now that Delino has moved to CF, I don't think Williams is necessary to keep.

Mauricio Rubio: DeShields but he's got his issues too. The issue with me RE: Mason is how little the rest of his game has developed. He might be a better player in real life.

Luke (Schenectady): Thanks for doing the chat, Mauricio. Could you rank these OF based on offensive production five years from now - Christian Yelich, Gregory Polanco, Albert Almora, Clint Frazier, David Dahl.

Mauricio Rubio: Yellich - Frazier - Dahl - Almora - Polanco, but I think it's tight.

Sumner (The beach): Do you see Drew Smyly having a good year this year?

Mauricio Rubio: I think so. Transitioning from a reliever to a starter is an iffy proposition. There are a lot of success stories and a few guys (most famously Joba) who failed.

I think he'll be fine this year.

TA (Memphis): Do you see Carlos Martinez getting that 5th spot in the Cards rotation. Joe Kelly isn't that good.

Mauricio Rubio: He has to develop a third pitch first, so I think it's unlikely this year. The Jamie Garcia shoulder issue helps the cause but he has some development to do.

JoshC77 (Columbus, Ohio): I have been in a 14-team mixed keeper league (23 man rosters) with daily lineup changes (5X5 plus holds and OPS) for the last three years. After years of success in roto, I have struggled mightily in this league. In roto leagues, I preferred a balanced approach (4 and 5 category players whenever possible) and try to eliminate rostering players that are sinkholes in categories (i.e. Adam Dunn's batting average). I have tried this approach in H2H and it seems like I am more susceptible to variability than other teams (i.e. my average baseline of category numbers each week is lower than most teams...so unless my players have coordinated good weeks, I lose). Should I consider loading up in certain areas (i.e. go all-out for power hitters or starting pitching) with a smattering of everything else to keep me modestly competitive in those categories? Is there some subtlety to H2H leagues that I might be overlooking? Any general "rules of thumb"?

Mauricio Rubio: I like punting categories in H2H and shoring up other ones, so yeah that's viable. I tend to punt SB's and Sv's the most in H2H leagues. You're also going to want to pay attention to match ups way more than you're used to in ROTO. Streaks will kill you and platooning is a must for guys who need it.

Also guys like Trumbo (who fade in the second half) will really hurt you if you're not careful with his playing time.

Matt (San Fran): Would you rather have Sanchez or Cole? I was suprised to see Sanchez so low despite his quasi-Cy Young performance and elite whiff rate.

Mauricio Rubio: I would rather keep Sanchez as I think he's more likely to produce better numbers than Cole in 2014. For the future I'd much rather have Cole.

Victor (Dumfries): How would you rank Adalberto Mejia, Nick Kingham, Lewis Thorpe, and Vincent Velazquez?

Mauricio Rubio: - Kingham, Mejia, Thorpe and Velazquez. I like Kingham's profile.

Crippler (New York): Please help settle a debate I'm having with my fantasy partner. Wacha or Gray for this year? Both $1. Wacha or Gray for next 3 years? Who is/will be the better fantasy pitcher? Thanks!

Mauricio Rubio: I'm assuming Sonny Gray, and I'll take Wacha.

Frank (Lexington): Jorge Alfaro or Gary Sanchez - who is the more valuable fantasy player in 3 years?

Mauricio Rubio: Gary Sanchez just based on ceiling.

Joe (TX): Thoughts on Japhet Amador. Any chance he can be a guy?

Mauricio Rubio: I'm a noted fan of fat Mexicans who can't field and have a power bat, but I don't think this story ends well.

Seth (Dothan): Do you see B. Lawrie improving, or is he is what he is, an injury waiting to happen that will only be about. 10/15 guy instead of a 20/20 guy?

Mauricio Rubio: I think he improves and I still believe in the 20/20 guy but he sure doesn't make it easy to believe in that ceiling.

OB1 (NYC): Desmond Jennings has he reached his peak?

Mauricio Rubio: I think he adds a bit more power but yeah I think this is it. It's a pretty good peak to be honest. It's not the type of production I was hoping for but 10-14 HRs and 30 steals? Not bad.

Big boy (On the couch): Do you see A. Garcia doing much this year? Just read he might hit 2nd in the White Sox lineup.

Mauricio Rubio: He's got a lot of tools and not a whole lot of polish. Him hitting second would be interesting to say the least. The White Sox have an interesting lineup to shuffle as I think De Aza, Viciedo and Garcia all shuffle playing time and batting orders. I don't feel comfortable with Beckham batting second either which leaves limited options.

You could have Alexei hit second or De Aza but I can see more than a few AB's for Garcia in the two spot.

Chase Headley (SD): I was really high on myself as a sleeper coming into 2014 for a 20/10 with nice OBP bounce back. Then I went out and got injured. Should I view this as a problem in drafting me as a sleeper now?

Mauricio Rubio: You should take it into consideration but I'll still be drafting you. The calf strain will put you behind schedule which isn't something you want from a sleeper candidate.

Still, I'm pulling trigger on you if I can.

10 minute warning.

Firstname Lastname (College University): If Nick Franklin is dealt to the Rays, does he get sent to AAA or does he push Zobrist into the OF and start playing 2B?

Mauricio Rubio: I don't think he gets sent to AAA, Jake. The Rays get pretty creative with their lineups, he'll find time if he gets traded there.

Baylor (Texas): Will Oakland let B Moss hit lefties this year, could he hit 40 bombs if he got 600 ABs?

Mauricio Rubio: Knowing Bob Melvin I wouldn't bet on getting more time against LHP. Moss saw less than 100 PA's against them in 2013.

I don't think he has 40 bombs in him, which isn't a sleight. Tall order in that park.

Kila Ka' aihue (TX): I'm I still the AAAA player of your dreams? With my 24 HR and 21% BB rate in 94 games in AAA....EVEN PECOTA LOVED ME

Mauricio Rubio: I just can't get there with you man. We'll always have Kansas City.

Matt (San Fran): Can we have a chat one day where you all just participate and rate our draft?

Mauricio Rubio: Maybe, can it be like Mystery Science Theater?

Greg (Atl): Nice chat, does Latos become an ace this year, he's been god, but can he have a Scherzer type year if he stays healthy?

Mauricio Rubio: I think a Scherzer type year is just out of his reach. He's a good pitcher but that's another level.

Sumner (At the beach): Does 271 innings from Wainwright worry you about his production this year, meaning, do you think he could have. Verlander '13?

Mauricio Rubio: I think the main issue with Verlander stemmed from the outings where he went for 120+ pitches down the stretch and into the playoffs. He ran out of gas that postseason against the Yankees, it just didn't seem that way. IIRC he only generated two swings and misses in that game.

I didn't see that with Waino's PC's. It's a concern but I think it'll be different.

jlarsen (Chicago Suburbs): Is there anyone worthwhile drafting on the Whitesox outside of Sale? Dunn? Eaton

Mauricio Rubio: I would've said De Aza but that's clogged now with Eaton. Ramirez is interesting at short, Garcia is a decent late round flier, Nate Jones will end up getting owned but I doubt he's draft worthy.

In short, yeah but it's not attractive.

ob1 (NYC): who would you take if you had to chose one? Felix Doubront, or Matt Harrison for this year

Mauricio Rubio: Doubront, I like his arm and he did very well as a starter last year.

Walker (Ohio): Can Kris Davis hit 25 + HRs? Do you like him more than Abreau?

Mauricio Rubio: I don't think so and no, I would go with Abreu over Khris Davis.

Brian (Mass.): How many years as a top 5 3B option do you think Beltre has left?

Mauricio Rubio: 2 at most. It's hard to be elite.

Mark (Omaha): Do you think Marcus Stroman ends up in the rotation?

Mauricio Rubio: I do, I typically do have the shorty bias but everything I've read on him has me believing

Gotribe31 (DC): How much does Jonathan Gray's parent club affect your MLB expectations for him? Can he be a fantasy ace in Colorado?

Mauricio Rubio: Not too much, actually. I believe in the profile. I think he's going to be a frontline starter.

???????? (????????): The main reason why absolutely no one is chatting about watch and therefore the things that you should engage in right now. ????????

Mauricio Rubio: There was a lot of spam this time around.

I think we're done here

Mauricio Rubio: Thanks for the questions guys, I had a lot of fun. Apologies if I didn't get to yours.