Nick Fruscello: Hello again and welcome to Fantasy Friday. I hope you all had a great Fourth of July weekend. The landscape of fantasy baseball has certainly changed since the last chat. CC Sabathia has joined up with the Brew Crew and making my prediction about the Brewers being a playoff team that much more realistic. But not to be outdone the Cubs went out and acquired potentially the best pitcher in baseball, Rich Harden. From what I had been hearing, Harden is on a lot of your waiver wires. I would hope he's not at this point. If he stays healthy he will go on a serious tear against the NL in the second half of the season. I also read on the Denver Post yesterday that the Rays and Rockies are talking trade. The Rays want Rockies closer Brian Fuentes and the Rocks want highly touted pitching prospect David Price, however the Rays won't consider trading Price unless Matt Holliday is involved. Holliday getting traded could seriously shakeup things in fantasy land. There still 20 days till the trad

Nick Fruscello: There still 20 days till the trading deadline and apparently anyone is fair game.

XmaNdawg: Willy Taveras or Michael Bourn? For steals obviously

Nick Fruscello: I would go with Taveras. Bourn has an awful on base percentage and I could see him being replaced by backup OF Darin Erstad if that continues.

XmaNdawg: I was offered Rich Harden for Evan Longoria. I could use the pitching, but Longoria is my only 3rd baseman.

Nick Fruscello: Well it looks like someone is taking my advice and trying to cash in Harden while his value is still high. Depending on how much of a risk taker you are, I would hold onto Longoria. Other hot pitchers will come along and you can snap them up off waivers. Harden is an amazing pitcher, but I can't recommend trading an all star 3rd baseman for a pitcher with injury problems.

HBK: Where will Richie Sexson go now?

Nick Fruscello: Good question. I personally think the Pirates should give him a go, what do they have to lose. He'd definately be an upgrade over LaRoche. Anyone that claims him will get a quality power hitter for next to nothing. Just because he didn't pan out in Seattle doesn't mean he's "lost it". No one will ever be a power hitter for a long period of time playing half your games at Safeco field.

malkin71: Since we all know you're a Wings fan, I've been dying to ask you, what's your take on that rat Hossa leaving?? Have you seen that YouTube video by HossaHater of the Marian Hossa t-shirt getting destroyed by fireworks? Classic

Nick Fruscello: I think he did exactly what he said he wanted to do.. play for a team that has a chance to win the championship. With the Pens losing all these free agents and coach Theirren staying for the foreseeable future, I think he made the right choice. Yes, I did see that video, several times actually and you're right it is a classic. Although I wonder what he'll do if Marcel Hossa signs with the Pens.

malkin71: Where do you see Hossa going now in fantasy drafts? I thought he would have been first round material if he stayed with the Pens. I'm thinking 4th or 5th round now. He won't be on Detroit's top line and they play defense first. His numbers won't be as great as they could have been.

Nick Fruscello: He won't drop that far. I think he was a lock for the first round if he stayed with the Pens, now I see him as a 2nd or 3rd rounder. His game fits the Red Wings system perfectly. He'll get 40 goals and 30-40 assists.

theWellHungarian: what up Nick? did you ever think Hossa would go to the Red Wings?

Nick Fruscello: Hey man, what's up? I really never saw that coming. I know the Wings almost completed a trade for Hossa in February, but it didn't pan out. Plus, I had heard Hossa wanted to play for the Wings, but the only way that would happen is if something bizarre happend and something bizarre did happen, he took a one year deal. He passed up 10 mil a year with Edmonton and Boston to go to Detroit, so he really is all about winning, which I must say I respect.

Orpik_is_s_god_among_men: I just want to say that I hate Marian Hossa. How much do you think his point production will dwindle in Detroit? Don't you think Hossa is the type of scorer who relies on a strong assist man? Surely he won't play on Detroit's first line, so who's gonna Hossa's Sid in Detroit? He won't have one and his weaknesses will quickly expose themselves, just like in Atlanta.

Nick Fruscello: I'm not entirely sure he won't be on the Wings top line. They may move Zetterberg to a line with Frazen and Samuelsson which worked out pretty well in Game 5 of the Finals and have Datsyuk with Hossa and Holmstrom. Like I said before Hossa will have another one of his typical seasons, 40 goals and be a solid all around contributor.

theWellHungarian: lunch for today, Sheetz, Quiznos, or Subway? just kiddin ... Need to fill Middle Infield: Alexi Casilla or Ryan TheRiot?

Nick Fruscello: I like the spelling of Ryan Theriot there. Both are pretty much made from the same mold and you really can't go wrong with either one. I'd go with Theroit simply because he's more consistent and he's been doing it for longer than Casilla. Oh and go to Sheetz, they make the best pepperoni sub ever

Orpik_is_s_god_among_men: Which baseball stars (if any) who had a below average first half of the season do you think will come alive after the All-Star break

Nick Fruscello: Prince Fielder had a below average start to his season. He's currently on pace for only 30 homers after smashing 50 last year. I think he'll rebound in a big way in the second half and get up to 40 homers while the Brewers make their run for the playoffs.

Orpik_is_s_god_among_men: Did you ever notice that the 'A' key is way to close to the 'S' key for people like myself who have fat fingers?

Nick Fruscello: The 'A' key is also very close to THE SHIFT key as well, Orpik.

ajt123: Pirates go over .500 rest of the year?

Nick Fruscello: They're doing better than I thought they would this year, but with the Brewers, Cubs and Cardinals all in a tight playoff race and the Pirates playing against them a lot, I don't see it.

MLB_ALL_STAR: Is Bonds coming back?

Nick Fruscello: I doubt it. There was talk about him going to the D-Backs earlier in the week, that's not happening now. If Bonds does come back it will be to an American League team that needs a DH and needs a little bit of power. The Yankees may consider him and the Red Sox may as well with Big Papi on the DL, but I don't think anyone wants the media circus that Bonds brings in their clubhouse.

MLB_ALL_STAR: Who is the first half fantasy MVP?

Nick Fruscello: I think without a doubt its Josh Hamilton of the Rangers. This guy went undrafted in a lot of leagues and is batting 309 with 21 homers and a league leading 91 RBI's and stil has 3 more games before the break. If he doesn't end up with the MVP award at the end of the year, I'd be shocked.

SheroWasGod: Should Pittsburghers now adopt the term "pulling a Hossa" for someone changing conditions of a previous deal/statement? Or perhaps we can refer to it as being "Hossa'd"?

Nick Fruscello: I would go with "He was just a rent a player for the playoffs"

ajt123: how long of an extension do you think Therrien gets?

Nick Fruscello: I hope he doesn't get one at all. I think the Pens will never win a Cup with him as their coach. His only strategy going into the Finals against Detroit was to complain about the officiating. This team is too talented to have this coach.

ajt123: Do they let Staal play all next year before trying to extend his contract?

Nick Fruscello: I would approach him about signing an extension, but I wouldn't make it the top priority right now. He might be good trade bait for a new top line winger.

ajt123: Are you going to the AllStar game? Will you even watch it?

Nick Fruscello: I wish I was, but I'll be watching the MLB all star game from home as long as my wife lets me

SheroWasGod: Was Maholm for real last night, or was it more a case of a subpar Yankees batting roster? Is he worth picking up for any fantasy leagues, or was that a flash-in-the-pan performance?

Nick Fruscello: When he first came into the league a few years ago, I picked him up right away because I thought he'd play like Zach Duke and he did alright. Since then, I wouldn't recommend him on any fantasy roster no matter how desperate your pitching is. I think last night's performance had more to do with Melky Cabrera, Justin Christian and Jose Molina.

ajt123: Wow, who do you think would be the best fit as coach of these young Pens?

Nick Fruscello: I'd like to see John Tortorella take over as head coach. One of Theirren's flaws as a coach is he didn't play his best players enough. He tried to give everyone equal ice time. When you have superstars like Crosby and Malkin they need more than 19 -21 minutes of ice time. Tortorella knew that in Tampa Bay and used his big guns as often as he could. I'd like to see him do the same here.

SheroWasGod: I suggest replacing Therrien with Brian Engblom or Keith Jones. Would make about as much sense as what Tampa Bay is doing... and it would return a "respectable" mullet to the Pittsburgh hockey scene.

Nick Fruscello: The Barry Melrose hiring still baffles me. I guess he really sounded like he knew what he was talking about on ESPN.

ajt123: Think management will even try to sign Nady, or is he as good as gone?

Nick Fruscello: I wouldn't put it past them. The Pens have supposedly had an interest in Nady for years, but I don't think they need him.

Nick Fruscello: Alrighty guys, it was great to be back. Lots of good baseball and hockey talk today. I will see you all next week!