Every Thursday evening we pick some Fantasy Baseball questions out of the mailbag, helping owners with trade offers, roster decisions and just plain chatter.

Jon Steineman Columbus, Ohio: With Randy Johnson's recent struggles and only a 5-5 record with an ERA over 4.00, do you think it's time to trade him while he still has some value? I was offered Aaron Hill and Francisco Rodriguez for Johnson. Right now this looks like a good trade. Do you advise holding on to Johnson?

B.B.: I'm sure I'm in the minority, but I would consider trading him. Whether this specific deal is good for you depends largely on what your needs are. Do you need a closer? Hill is an impressive young hitter with 17 RBI in 68 at-bats. He's an everyday player for the Blue Jays. Let's put it this way: It's not a bad deal for either side.

Amadeus Bowden, Baltimore, Md.: I have a slew of disappointing players on my team I want to get rid of. Some have been injured, others just not hitting well. Should I release any of these players especially with a number of quality players on the waiver wire: Bret Boone, Adrian Beltre, Craig Biggio, Felipe Lopez, Curt Schilling and Rich Harden.

B.B.: Without knowing what's available in your league, the one guy I would look to dump would be Boone. All of the other guys serve a purpose with the possible exception of Beltre, who has yet to prove he is not a one-hit wonder. Schilling and Harden might add quite a boost to your staff in the second half and the combination of production and versatility makes Lopez valuable.

Anonymous: I have been offered Jason Schmidt for Freddy Garcia and B.J. Ryan. My pitching staff consists of Eric Gagne, Mark Mulder, Matt Clement, Brad Penny, Bartolo Colon and Brandon Lyon. We start six pitchers and are in a 12-team, 5x5 Rotisserie league. Should I accept? We have a re-draft in a week where I could pick up a closer ... Todd Jones, Houston Street, etc ...

B.B.: I hope I'm not too late on this one ... Garcia alone is more valuable than Schmidt and Ryan is one of the best closers in baseball over the first two months. Schmidt has already been on the DL and has lost a lot off his fastball. Schmidt's ERA is approaching six, while Garcia is 6-3. (It's as if I read the question incorrectly. I'm still re-reading it.)

Steve Pavlides, Toronto, Ontario: I know this is a bit early, but I'm looking for some help for the distant future. I'm in a deep 14-team mixed league which allows for three keepers for next year, and I currently have Derrek Lee, Miguel Tejada, Alfonso Soriano, Bobby Abreu and Miguel Cabrera. Tejada is a lock, but which other two should I protect?

B.B.: That's a pretty impressive list to choose from, but we say Soriano because he's the best Fantasy second baseman in the game and Cabrera, just because he's scratching the surface of his potential. Is Lee a one-year wonder?

Tom Sigismonti, Floral Park, N.Y.: Danny Graves and Danny Kolb are both available on my waiver wire. Do you think either will be closing for a team this year?

B.B.: Braden Looper has been pretty solid as the closer for the Mets, so Graves will at best see action as his primary set-up man. Chris Reitsma has performed well in his brief stint as Atlanta's stopper, so it's hard to imagine Kolb getting his job back anytime soon.

Clint Welch, San Diego, Calif.: I recently offered one of my counterparts this trade: I will give up Cliff Lee and Khalil Greene in return for Chase Utley. Is this a fair deal?

B.B.: That's a lot to give up for Utley, at least at this point. In a few months, it might be a steal. Lee has been a pleasant surprise, posting a 6-3 record with a nice ERA and strikeout totals. Greene has scuffled a bit so far in '05 and has already spent time on the DL with a broken finger. If you believe Utley is the real deal, pull the trigger. You should be able to find a comparable replacement for Lee in a mixed league.

Joe Tregenza, Denver, Colo.: I am in a Rotisserie league and have Tino Martinez as my second first baseman. I would like to trade him, but I am having a hard time determining just how much to ask for in return. This is a rather deep league and, while I am not trying to put too much value on him, he is consistent and well above what is on the waiver wire. I would need either a replacement at first base or an outfielder in return. Who are some guys I could expect to get for him?

B.B.: I'd have to disagree with you on Tino's consistency. He was on fire for about two weeks and now isn't even starting over Jason Giambi. Be realistic with what you hope to get in return. He doesn't have nearly the value you think he has.

Sean Finerty, Sunnyvale, Calif.: I'm in a 10-team, mixed, points-based league. I just traded Roy Oswalt, Javier Vazquez and Wade Miller for Miguel Tejada and Kelvim Escobar. I'm pretty happy with the upgrade at shortstop (I had Khalil Greene before the trade), and I had pretty deep pitching, but I can't help but think perhaps I gave up too much and left myself a little too vulnerable at pitching. My pitching staff now consists of A.J. Burnett, Brad Radke, Jason Marquis, Brandon Webb, Glendon Rusch, Francisco Rodriguez, Dustin Hermanson and Keith Foulke. What do you think of this trade?

B.B.: With the jury still out on Miller, you didn't give up too much considering the staff you're left with. That being said, the news Escobar left his past start with more elbow problems couldn't have been reassuring. If he's headed back to the DL, this deal is a little lopsided.

Will Sisco, Bethesda, Md.: I was offered Carlos Beltran and Dontrelle Willis for Albert Pujols in a 10-team, mixed, 5x5 Rotisserie league. I have Phil Nevin to take over at first. Should I accept this trade?

B.B.: In a Rotisserie league, Beltran isn't as valuable because he isn't running due to a nagging leg injury. Dontrelle got his 10th victory Wednesday night, but he has been more hittable of late and needs to prove he can perform at this level over the course of a full season.

You can e-mail your Fantasy Baseball questions to bleacher@commissioner.com. Be sure to put Attn: Bleacher Banter in the subject field. Please include your full name, hometown and state. Be aware, due to the large volume of submissions received, we cannot guarantee personal responses or answers to all questions.