The
stolen base is a funny thing. Teams don’t really run like
they used to. I wish they did. While I admit that I was not watching
them much in the 80s, my loyalties have always been with the Cardinals,
and Whiteyball was all about the stolen base. So, I have always been a
fan of the steal, and baserunners that can make things happen make my
mouth water.
Over
the next few weeks, we are going to take a look at each division and
some of the stolen base threats in each. This week, we kick things off
with the National League West speedsters.
No
matter what kind of league you are in, chances are you will need a lot
of stolen bases in order to be successful. If you are like me and
always look at the next trade to contemplate, you might want to
consider picking up someone on this list who you might not have
considered to be a big threat on the base paths.
Kazuo Matsui, 2B, Rockies:
Matsui should really be owned in every league. He is batting .333 since
joining the Rockies in late August last year. He has 19 stolen bases in
that time frame, just 57 games. This year, Matsui already has 11
despite missing some time to injury, and should come close to breaking
30 steals, if not more, this year. Consistently getting on base is the
key to his success, and he is a threat to run every time he gets on
base. People forget that while in Japan, Matsui had consecutive seasons
of 50, 62, 43, and 43 steals. This guy can run.
Willy Taveras, CF, Rockies:
Staying with the Rockies, Taveras has been a great stolen base threat
this season. While not an RBI guy – what leadoff hitters are?
– Taveras is on pace to finish with close to 40 steals. This
is of course nothing new for Taveras, as he had stolen 67 bases in his
two full seasons with the Astros. If you need stolen bases, Taveras is
somehow available in about half the mixed leagues out there despite his
.321 batting average and all those steals.
Dave Roberts, CF, Giants:
Roberts has been hurt much of the season, but in just 28 games, he has
seven steals. Roberts is no stranger to the stolen base, having stolen
49 bases last season. Roberts is just now getting off the DL, and is
worth getting if you need a spare outfielder with proven speed ability.
The only caveat is that he might not be able to run like he wants to
coming off of his injury, but he should be able to get some steals
nonetheless.
Juan Pierre, CF, Dodgers:
It seems rather obvious, but Juan Pierre is in the top five in the
National League in steals again. He has 19 and on pace for 50 stolen
bases. Pierre is a stolen base machine and is owned in nearly every
league. I would not suggest trading for him because he of how
one-dimensional he is – he has no power, no RBI ability and
his highest run scoring season was 108 his second year with Colorado
– but if all you need is pure stolen base ability, then Juan
Pierre is your guy. He does do his one thing very well.
Russell Martin, C, Dodgers:
Who would have thought that a catcher would be second on a team in
stolen bases? Martin has nine steals this season and is putting
together one of the best campaigns among the leagues young catchers. His ceiling in
steals isn't very high, however; his minor league best was just 15,
though he has 10 in just 121 games last year while with the Dodgers.
Rafael Furcal, SS, Dodgers:
Furcal's steals increased dramatically in his final season with
Atlanta, and stayed high in his first campaign with the Dodgers. However,
this season has seen a marked decline. He was hurt earlier this spring and the sprained ankle has obviously hindered his ability to run during the colder months.
He only has one stolen base his last 15 games, and none in his last
five. It’s not that the Dodgers are unwilling to run, as
Pierre and Martin clearly say otherwise, so temper expectations the
rest of the way concerning Furcal. He will have value for his
position, but not necessarily for his once abundant steals.
Mike Cameron, CF, Padres:
Cameron has had a dismal season thus far for San Diego, but he does
have seven stolen bases, and he should finish with around the 20 he
has averaged over the last three years. Cameron does a little bit of
everything, but excels in none. There are better options available,
especially at the outfield position.
Eric Byrnes, LF, Diamondbacks:
Talking about players who don't really stand out in any particular
category. Byrnes is in the midst of his best season. He is very good in
every major category this year, but his speed has been a big plus. He
has 12 steals and is on pace for 30 on the year. He also has nine
homers, putting on pace for 22, and is hitting .319. Byrnes definitely
should not be floating around in any league’s free agent
pool, and chances are he isn't going to be available in your league via
trade either, not with his current numbers accross the board.
Next week, we will check out the speedsters of the NL Central.
Derek, a graduate of the University of Missouri, is a fantasy baseball veteran entering his first season with Sports Grumblings after previously covering high school sports for the Columbia Daily Tribune.
