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Former Tiger Nook Logan is finally showcasing his speed in for the Nationals. Logan has three steals in the last seven days.
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Speed on the CheapLast week I talked about targeting Underperformers and Sleepers via the trade. This early in the season, it’s still all about getting the pieces you need on the cheap. A quarter through the season, you’re starting to see areas where you’re starting to slide, but there’s too much time left to make a hefty investment, particularly in a category like stolen bases. As guys start to get called up to cover injuries, or hit solid enough in a platoon situation to warrant more playing time, you can start to backfill on the cheap. This obviously works the best with counting stats such as HRs, RBIs and SBs, as a guy doesn’t need a ton of at bats to make a dent in the standings.
Now it’s important to emphasize that there is still a lot of ball to be played this year. You don’t want to start benching solid players just because they aren’t stealing bases for you. For example, I’m not suggesting that you bench a guy like Twins OF Michael Cuddyer, who’s very solid across the board for a part-timer like Cubs OF Angel Pagan just to pick up a couple steals. What you want to do is pick up these guys if you have an open roster spot due to injury or an absolute tank job, and play them sparingly as temporary injury fill-ins or off-day replacements.On occasion a few of them play well enough to
warrant an everyday spot in deep leagues, but I’ll make note of who those guys
are.
Let’s look at the wire.
Nook Logan, Center Field,
Washington Nationals – Over the last week, Logan has swiped three bags for the Nats,
while hitting .333 with three RBIs. Logan
could always fly, but inconsistency and injuries have kept him from the field.
He has the wheels to average three steals a week as long as he keeps getting on
base.
Angel Pagan, Left/Right Field, Chicago Cubs – The Cubs’ outfield
is admittedly
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Pagan is making the most of his at bats, contributing in every category.
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over-crowded, but Pagan has made the most of his opportunities as
a part-timer, hitting .368 with a HR, four RBIs, and two steals in 19 at bats over
the last week.
Emil Brown, Left/Right Field, Kansas City Royals – Brown is
one of those guys that has the ability to do a little bit of everything when
given the playing time. With Billy Butler back at AAA, Brown has come alive,
hitting a respectable .278 to go along with a HR, nine RBI’s and three steals
over the last two weeks. He’s a guy that
you can afford to play regularly when he’s hot.
Michael Bourn, Left/Right Field, Philadelphia Phillies – Bourn is truly nothing more than a part-timer at this point, with Shane Victorino, Pat Burrell and Aaron Rowand anchoring the Phillies outfield. But when this guy gets in, he’s lightning fast. In ten at bats over the last month, Bourn has four hits, four stolen bases, and four runs. So essentially he steals a base and scores a run every time he gets a hit. MAJOR SLEEPER ALERT!!! If the Phillies move a player near the deadline to bolster their pitching, Rowand has really been the only name mentioned as expendable. If he goes, Bourn takes over in center for good.Carlos Gomez, Left Field, New York Mets – Gomez is speedy
prospect that’s seeing playing time for the Mets while Moises Alou recovers
from injury. He’s currently hitting .333
with only one stolen base for the Mets, but this is the kicker: He had a
combined 105 stolen bases between A and AA over the last two years. This kid can and will run.
Center Field, Florida Marlins – With starting center fielder
Alejandro De Aza on the DL, the Marlins have been using a
combination of Alfredo Amezaga and Reggie Abercrombie as his replacement. Both players can run, and are worth watching,
though there are rumors circulating that Jeremy Hermida might be shifted over
to center now that he’s healthy.
