Gary Gramling answers your fantasy baseball questions

CANO CAN DO

	Can Robinson rake? Yes he Can-O. Icon Sports Media
	REACT: Send Gary your fantasy baseball questions Your name: Your e-mail address: Your home town: Make your case:

In last week's episode of the Fantasy Wizard Mailbag, I was openly weeping over the broken wrist of Philadelphia Phillies 2B Chase Utley ($7,000,000). I'm still counting the days to Utley's return to Philly's lineup (which, if all goes well in his rehab, will come in about three more weeks). I nominated a couple of possible replacements for equally-distraught Utley owners. Well, one of those replacements stepped up (and made me look smart) by becoming baseball's hottest hitter: New York Yankees 2B Robinson Cano ($5,700,000). Since the All-Star break, Cano is leading the majors in hits, is third in runs and OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage) and fourth in RBIs. Utley mourners, you have found your replacement.

FANTASY WIZARD TRIVIA CHALLENGE: CHAPTER 3

Before we present the latest question, a couple of corrections from last week. First, BJ from Ohio is actually BJ from New Jersey, which, it turns out, is a completely different state than Ohio. Also, Luke from Minnesota (another two-time winner) and Jasdeep from British Columbia (Canada) both sent in the correct answer just before last week's column went up. Therefore, Jasdeep and BJ each receive my respect and admiration, and I officially declare them to be "awesome." This week's question is a little tougher. Two weekends ago, Cal Ripken Jr. was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Cal used to share the infield with little brother Bill Ripken. It brought to mind another baseball brother pairing. The younger brother is in the Hall of Fame. The older brother made history in a much different way: He had the shortest career in major league history. Who are these mystery brothers? If you send the right answer, I will answer any fantasy baseball question you ask, AND give you my respect and admiration, AND officially proclaim you to be "Awesome."

FANTASY MAILBAG

Should I stick with Milwaukee Brewers 1B Prince Fielder ($4,900,000) or is there another guy that you like?
-Matthew, Georgia

Matthew, no doubt that Fielder has had a great season. But I never expected him to keep it up in the second half. Fielder is still very young (23) and a year ago he faded in August and September. For the price, he'll still be a good value from here on in. But I don't think Fielder will be one of the five most productive first basemen over the rest of the season. I'd definitely pick Philadelphia Phillies 1B Ryan Howard ($7,100,000), St. Louis Cardinals 1B Albert Pujols ($7,600,000), or Minnesota Twins 1B Justin Morneau ($5,900,000) over Fielder.

What do you think of Minnesota Twins 2B Nick Punto ($4,500,000)?
-John, Michigan

To tell you the truth John, I don't spend much time thinking about Nick Punto. I do think he'd make a nice utility player coming off the bench for a major league team, kind of like the role he filled the past two seasons for the Twins. But Punto isn't really a good enough hitter to be a starting third baseman, and the Twins have learned that the hard way this season. Right now, Punto and Chicago Cubs C Jason Kendall ($5,200,000) are the only players in baseball with an on-base percentage and slugging percentage under .300.

Will there be bonus points for the players who make milestones, like San Francisco Giants OF Barry Bonds ($5,900,000) breaking the all-time home run record or New York Mets SP Tom Glavine ($5,400,000) getting his 300th win?
-Emmett, Virginia

Sorry Emmett, no go. Bonds' 756th home run counted just the same as the first 755 did.

Should I make my team with all Colorado Rockies hitters? You gotta help me here Gary. I dropped a lot in the rankings and I really don't know why.
-Michael, Ontario, Canada

Just relax Michael. Rockies hitters are always good when they play at home, especially guys like OF Matt Holliday ($6,700,000) and 3B Garrett Atkins ($6,300,000). But keep in mind that almost every Colorado hitter is better at home than on the road, where the team averages nearly one run more per game. I can tell you that next week (Aug. 13-19), Colorado is on the road at San Diego then L.A. The week after that (Aug. 20-26), they're home for seven days. But regardless, I'd never recommend taking a major league team's entire lineup. The good thing about fantasy baseball is that you can mix and match different players from different teams.

WHY DON'T YOU ANSWER MY QUESTIONS? YOU ARE A HORRIBLE WIZARD?
-Andrew, Pennsylvania

Aw, come on Andrew. Look at all these questions I'm answering! I think it's pretty darn good for a first-year wizard. I'd be actually be willing to say I'm the best wizard on this website, much better than SIKIDS.com Ballroom Dancing Wizard Duane Munn. But I usually get more than 100 questions a week, so I can't always answer them all. Sorry dude!