Is Ichiro worth the cost? Kevin says, "not exactly..."

As we look to the Major Leagues to see who is performing on the base paths this past week, we take a look at it strictly from a fantasy sport perspective. Here is my take on the price of the stolen base.

Cost: An Arm and a Leg (or, “you have no chance at this guy”)

Lance Berkman: Stealing two bases this past week is not the only reason to honor this player, but it certainly adds to his net-worth. Over the past 27 at-bats, Berkman has smashed four home runs, knocked in eight runs and eight runs batted in, all while maintaining an amazing .482 batting average.

If you are in a keeper league, he is currently listed as “untouchable”. You could sell the farm and the seller would not budge.

Jimmy Rollins: Fresh of the disabled list, Rollins has demonstrated that the ankle injury is fine. Rollins joins Ichiro Suzuki and Ian Kinsler with four stolen bases last week. He has not found the pop in his bat yet, but with a .462 batting average, six runs, and four runs batted in with only 26 at-bats, it appears that he is back to the active roster and ready to have an impact.

Fantasy managers have likely struggled to date without Rollins and it is highly unlikely that they are willing to sell without receiving value enough for Rollins future and the statistics lost to injury.

David Wright: David Wright has the potential to steal upwards of 25+ bases in a season and finally took some steps forward to meeting that expectation. Wright swiped two bags this past week, increased his batting average by posting a .346 batting average in his last 26 at-bats, and began to increase his slugging by adding two doubles and two home runs.

With the batting average up, the increase in power, and the addition of stolen bases, it is unlikely that you are going to wrangle this player away from a team without paying dearly.

Cost: More Than You Are Willing to Give (or, “expect to dig deep to get this deal done”)

Ian Kinsler: He continues to do two things, avoid injury, and steal bases with consistency. Adding four bases this past week, Kinsler is clearly moving into the upper echelon of fantasy second basemen. Many jumped early to get Robinson Cano who is still bouncing in and out of a rut at the plate, while others grabbed Brian Roberts who is continuing to watch his stolen bases total as well as his batting average drop. With players like Kelly Johnson and B.J. Upton finally coming back to earth, it looks like those fantasy managers that held out and took a chance at Kinsler has had the last laugh.

As long as Kinsler stays healthy, they are likely to laugh the whole season long and are unwilling to trade Kinsler because of the “ego-factor”. (You know the old “I knew all along, that is why I waited to draft him.”)

Mike Napoli: He has always demonstrated that he has power in the lumber he carried, but he is starting to lose the stigma of having no plate presence. Through the past week, Napoli had an impressive .294 batting average, hitting two home runs and stealing two bases. Although he did strike out seven times, that is still a decrease in frequency and even walked twice which is even less likely.

Although he does struggle in batting average, Napoli brings enough to the table with power and speed that he will likely require more than a break-even trade at this time.

Corey C. Hart: Hart increased his selling power just by stealing three bases this past week. A player that is expected to have a breakout year, Hart has been mired in mediocrity to this point. Many considered him to be a draft-day sleeper, even jumping earlier than they possibly intended to, just to have him on the roster. With an increase in plate presence (.308 batting average this past week) and the stolen bases, he has just gone from a player sale to “sell high”.

There is no doubt that fantasy managers are still fawning over Hart’s potential to produce, but with the recent surge in statistics, he increases interested parties and potentially drive up the price. There may be more sellers out there than you think.

Cost: More Than They Are Worth (or, “sell, sell, SELL!”)

Ichiro Suzuki: I realize that he has been in the league for only a few seasons, but the man is still old. He did manage to steal four bases this past week; however, the .200 batting average he put up in the same time period has many fantasy owners questioning the high draft pick they paid for this player. Add in the inability for Seattle to generate offense and you have a problem. When Corey Patterson is out-producing, likely, your top outfielder, it is time to see who is excited about the prospect for Ichiro to be on their team.

There are two sides to this coin. One, you could hold on to him, pray he comes back to life and either reap the rewards or wallow in the “name-recognition” and “high pick” effect. Or Two, you can sell, taking the best offer all while trying to meet the needs of other areas that your team struggles with while trying to retain some of the steals with a speedy outfielder. In my opinion, it is time to sell.

Carlos Beltran: I am the first to admit that I was in love with this player when he was a Kansas City Royal. No one really knew of him yet and I was able to scoop him up early and often. Since his departure from the Royals’ organization, I have completely flipped to the other side, as he became over-valued, over-hyped, and over-priced. Beltran did manage to steal two bases last week and hit .308 at the plate, but with no home runs and only one triple with no doubles in 26 at-bats, I just do not see anything but a decline from this player.

With injury always a risk and the decline of speed and power, it is time to sell for “name recognition” that he brings. Look for two solid players who is above average at many statistics in the same position (Ryan Church, Mark Kotsay) as well as a under-performing first-tier pitcher (Jeff Francis, Jeremy Guthrie) or a second-tier pitcher to increase your wins, innings pitched, and/or strike outs (Mark Hendrickson, Aaron Cook, Andy Sonnanstine).

Grady Sizemore: He had a fantastic rookie season and has been better than average for last season and this one; however, when you consider the up-and-downs that his batting average and statistics are, you cannot count on him week to week. A player that may produce slightly less at each category but do it with consistency is going to be more beneficial to your team. Sizemore stole two more bags this week, but in the process, batted .200 with 10 strikeouts.

With only six hits in 30 at-bats, it may be time to make the trade when you know there are buyers out there who will overpay, as you did. Like Beltran, try and package for two players that will bring you closer on statistics that may be stopping you from pulling off more statistical wins.