Live Chat With Rick Wilton: Wednesday, Feb. 17th, 2 pm ET

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 4:03 am

One of the best Live Chats we have each year is with Rick Wilton, injury expert for Rototimes.com and Fanball's Owners Edge. We've already scheduled two Live Chats with Rick before Draft Day, with the first one coming this Wednesday at 2 pm ET.

Let's load up this thread with plenty of questions for Rick. I'm sure all of you have plenty of injury questions that are weighing on your minds. Load them up here and Rick will have time to answer them in advance. Thanks all.

Thanks Rick for jumping into our Live Chat and good luck with all of the questions. I'm sure you already know there are many injuries to talk about and we'll try to get all of them covered in 90 minutes or less. Thanks much.

Red Sox Nation · Post by **Red Sox Nation** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 4:23 am

Hi Rick,

What SP's scare you in 2010 due to workload concerns from over usage or huge innings spikes? Thanks

MadCow Sez · Post by **MadCow Sez** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 5:10 am

Aloha Rick,

I read Beltran's injury as much more significant than has been let on based on the firestorm created by the surgery timing. What's your take on his return?

Cheers!

Ryan C · Post by **Ryan C** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 5:29 am

Hey Rick love the work you do- a few questions I have heading into the season:

-Do you any reports on Shaun Marcum and his recovery from TJ surgery?

-How worried should we be about Ervin Santana heading into the season? How soon before the elbow blows out?

-Two prominent Hip injury guys from last season were 3B Alex Rodriguez and Alex Gordon. Do you see these players having any recurring problems related to this injury?

-Last question is Multiple Choice:

Group A: Johan Santana, Brandon Webb, Jake Peavy, Group B: Tim Hudson, Ben Sheets, Kevin Slowey

Group C: Erik Bedard, Brett Myers, Dice K

All these guys come into the season with varying health/durability questions. If you got to choose one from each group to go into the season with which three do you want? Is there anyone on these list you want no part of this year?

Thanks Rick - Look forward to reading your columns this year.

Chest Rockwell · Post by **Chest Rockwell** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 5:50 am

How much credence do you give to BJ Upton's disappointing 2009 being related to the injury?

What are your thoughts on him for 2010?

rkulaski · Post by **rkulaski** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 6:51 am

Rick,

3 parts for you:

1. Many seem worried about Morneau this year. Would you be concerned about drafting him? Are you concerned about his power this year returning from wrist surgery? What about his back- it is my understanding he is returning from a stress fracture and not a disc injury. Should this play a role in our thinking in regards to the risk of a re-injuring his back?

2. J Santana and B Webb. Who are you more concerned about returning to form this year and why? Are NFBCers getting it right in slow drafts... Johan in the 4th, Webb in the 9th or does one pitcher seem like a better value than the other?

3. Any batters or pitchers with an adp in the top 10-12 rds that you would absolutely avoid at this time?

Thanks for your time today. Take care.

Rich

sportsbettingman · Post by **sportsbettingman** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 7:08 am

No surprise here, but these are the players I'd most like to hear about how their recovery is coming along for 2010...I'll even make it my "All-Risk" starting lineup!

C: Ryan Doumit

1B: Justin Morneau

2B: Rickie Weeks

SS: Jose Reyes

3B: Edwin Encarnacion

OF: Josh Hamilton

OF: Adam Jones

OF: Alphonso Soriano

SP: Johan Santana

SP: Brandon Webb

SP: Edinson Volquez (slow "locked" draft)

RP: Chad Cordero (is he still alive?

)

Thanks a bunch!!!

[ February 15, 2010, 01:09 PM: Message edited by: sportsbettingman ]

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 9:01 am

Rick, I want more from Lance's list. With Rickie Weeks now suffering two separate wrist injuries, is there a concern that this is going to be a recurring thing with him? Is there any hope that he can play a full season without either injury coming up again, not to mention another ailment that he's known for? The Brewers have no choice but to stick with him for now and hope for the best and by all reports they think he is going to have a bustout year. Do you believe any of it?

Thanks again for joining us on Wednesday for the Live Chat. Oh, and don't give too much information away because you have a few NFBC leagues to win yourself!! Thanks for competing again and good luck.

Foo Dog · Post by **Foo Dog** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 9:35 am

Hello, Sizemore was on average #5 last year and now he is going 15 to 20 spots later this year. Still in his prime age wise, can he get back to 30/30? Would you take a shot at him in the 2nd? Thank you

Joe Sambito · Post by **Joe Sambito** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 5:49 am

The second tier of closers, has a few guys that I have red-flagged, are my concerns legit for the following guys?

Billy Wagner

Mike Gonzalez

Kerry Wood

Rafael Soriano

Joe Sambito · Post by **Joe Sambito** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 5:50 am

We know of some hip injuries with hitters, but what about power pitchers? Is Brett Myers likely to bounce back and be a 175+ K guy again?

Joe Sambito · Post by **Joe Sambito** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 5:51 am

Any early word on Jurrjens?

Joe Sambito · Post by **Joe Sambito** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 5:54 am

Last one from me (for now), Why all the mystery with Freddy Sanchez's injury? It looks like a terrible trade by the Giants even if Alderson becomes a batboy. Ralistically are we looking at a May 1 return?

rkulaski · Post by **rkulaski** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 4:00 pm

Last 2 for me since I will be working and making a living at 2pm so I can comfortably afford signing up for more nfbc leagues:

1. Can you update us on the type of surgery/procedure Beltran had on his knee? What do you think his chances are to be back in the starting lineup by mid May?

2. What are you hearing on Troy Glaus' shoulder? Healthy entering spring training?

thanks again for your time today, Rick. -Rich

freddiezee · Post by **freddiezee** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 10:49 pm

Hi Rick,

In your opinion, are catchers too risky in terms of injuries to be taken in the first two rounds of fantasy drafts? Obviously talking about Mauer and Martinez here.

I'd also like to know if you think pitchers are too risky to go that high too? Talking about Lincecum and Halladay here.

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 1:07 am

Rick, the NFBC is offering free insurance on the top 100 players this year.

Just for fun, your best guess on five players of the top 100 who will be disabled for 60 days.

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 4:11 am

Adam Jones and Carlos Gonzalez are toolsy, but have "Fragile" where their name tag should be.

Talk about how they will, or will not, stay healthy this year.

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 4:22 am

Tim Lincecum's fastball velocity has dipped the last two years.

It hasn't hurt him on the field yet.

Medically, is there something that can be read into the trend?

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 4:30 am

Are the Mets really as stupid as they look when it comes to injuries?

Ryan C · Post by **Ryan C** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 4:38 am

Matt LaPorta is a big part of the Indians future and an intriguing dilemma for fantasy owners this year. He is coming off hip and toe surgery but was cleared this week to begin baseball activities.

The Indians are rumored to be bringing back Russell Branyan, who began his career in Cleveland, as insurance in case LaPorta isn't ready. What are your feelings regarding LaPorta heading into ST?

Ryan C · Post by **Ryan C** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 4:45 am

Another late round target of many (myself included) this year is Detroit 2B Scott Sizemore. Most fantasy owners don't know anymore about him than what we've read on Rotoworld or seen in the projections. He broke his ankle last year and reports are that he'll be ready for the spring. Any updates on his progress and if he'll be able to run on that ankle?

Ryan C · Post by **Ryan C** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 4:52 am

Well - why not one more.

Rick - I've been blowing smoke on these boards about CC Sabathia and pouring ice water on anyone who gets overly excited about the guy.

I keep saying that he could be due for one of his patented oblique strains this year. I'm kinda just having some fun here - but should we be more worried about CC than we should the other SP's that will be drafted in the first 5 rounds?

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 4:54 am

Brett Anderson, Ben Sheets, Justin Duchscherer.

Will any of these A's starters be pitching by the end of the year?

Who has the best chance of making it through the year without injury?

Joe Sambito · Post by **Joe Sambito** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 4:55 am

Roy Oswalt opted for rest this off-season, to me that means he put off taking care of a lingering back issue, thus is still at risk, once the rigors of the season begin. Is rest enough? And specifically for Oswalt?

Joe Sambito · Post by **Joe Sambito** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 4:57 am

Nolan Reimold had an achille issue? Is he good to go? Are achille issues the type that re-occur, or once your past it, it's behind you?

[ February 17, 2010, 10:58 AM: Message edited by: Joe Sambito ]