Maicer Izturis brings a little bit of everything in terms of positions, and he's red hot too.

One thing I love about Rotisserie leagues is that they force you to field a balanced team to compete in all the scoring categories. Stolen bases are one of the more challenging categories since the leaders are often highly specialized. Houston’s Michael Bourne is a perfect example: 24 steals, but with only a .224 average and a .590 OPS. It’s a rare gem that can help you in steals as well as in home runs or OPS. If you are lucky, your base thieves will also help you with runs scored and batting average. If you are very lucky you will generate steals out of lighter hitting middle-infield positions. That’s what makes B.J. Upton much more valuable as a second basemen than as an outfielder.

At this point of the season, there are only a few players available with some stolen base credentials. If you need help in the steals category, look for the following pluses:

• Players with ability to help at additional Roto categories
• Middle infielders


• Position versatility


• Some upside

If you can, target a speedster with one of the above assets (“for better”.) Let’s take a look at some that are potentially available, depending on your league’s depth and competitiveness.

For Better

Fred Lewis, Outfield, San Francisco Giants: Lewis’ reputation is that of a speedster with little pop. His numbers may surprise you, however. He has four home runs and a .450 slugging percentage to go along with 11 steals. Lewis is on a pace to score 100+ runs for bad team. The 27-year-old is getting a chance to play full time and he is making the most of it. Lewis is available in most leagues, but won’t be for long.

Kazuo Matsui, Second Base, Houston Astros: Matsui provides consistent production at a thin position. The 32-year-old Japanese import is on his way to another season of 30+ steals, 80+ runs scored, and a .280 average. That’s not bad at second base. Matsui started the season on the disabled list, with hemorrhoids, but now that’s behind him. Matsui is available in about 10% of leagues. If your league is one of them, pick him up.

Willy Taveras, Outfield, Colorado Rockies: Taveras, 26, is slumping lately, seeing his average drop to .233. That explains why someone with 21 steals is still available in about 14% of leagues. Taveras is very streaky for a singles hitter. He is a lifetime .286 hitter and has stolen at least 33 bases in three consecutive seasons. Taveras has virtually no power so you should only expect help in steals, runs and maybe average. Based on past history, Taveras figures to improve.

Delmon Young, Outfield, Minnesota Twins: Young got off to a slow start in every category except steals. He has nine stolen bases, which is just one less than he had in 162 games last season. On Saturday Young hit his first homer of the season, which is surprising. He has more power than that. Young is available in about 12% of leagues. If one of those leagues is yours, take a chance on Young.

Maicer Izturis, Second/Short/Third, Los Angeles Angels: The 27-year-old Venezuelan is playing everyday and batting lead-off while Erick Aybar is on the disabled list. Izturis brings versatility (at three positions) and speed (eight steals in limited action). Izturis is hot, raising his average 52 points since May 30th. He is available in 80% of leagues.

For Worse

Lastings Milledge, Outfield, Washington Nationals: When the season started, Milledge was owned in about 75% of leagues. We noted at the time that his ownership far exceeded his 2008 fantasy value. Now suffering in a prolonged slump, Milledge’s ownership stands at 31%. His one bright spot is 10 steals, which projects to about 25 for the season. The rest of his numbers don’t live up to his potential: .248 average, .680 OPS and four home runs. Milledge is only 23, so this could be a learning year for him.

Jerry Hairston Jr., Short/Second/Third/Outfield, Cincinnati Reds: Cincinnati began the season without starting shortstop Alex Gonzalez. His knee injury will keep him out for a few more weeks. Jeff Keppinger was fantastic filling in for Gonzalez. Keppinger was hitting .324 before he too went down with a knee-injury. Veteran Jerry Hairston got a chance when Keppinger went down and he was even better: a .336 average with 12 steals. Hairston was just starting to generate some fantasy buzz when he broke his thumb on Monday. He will be out long enough let Keppinger take the job back. Cut him.

Corey Patterson, Outfield, Cincinnati Reds: Patterson was an interesting project coming into the 2008 season. Patterson displayed speed and power with the Orioles. He stole as many as 45 bases (in 2006) and hit as many as 24 home runs (in 2004) while in Baltimore. Patterson has five home runs and eight stolen bases with the Reds, but overall his season has been a bust. He is hitting only .203 and his OPS is a lowly .607. What’s worse is that he is out of the outfield mix now that sensational rookie Jay Bruce is doing his Roy Hobbs imitation. Patterson has no upside unless Adam Dunn or Ken Griffey, Jr. is traded.

Joey Gathright, Outfield, Royals: The 27-year old speedster is part of the Kansas City outfield rotation with David DeJesús, Mark Teahen, and Jose Guillen. Gathright is available in about 80% of leagues. With 16 steals, Gathright is on his way to a career-best mark. Last season he hit .307 in 228 at-bats, though even then he was not much help in fantasy. His career OPS is .630. Gathright will hurt you everywhere but in steals, so it’s best to pursue other options.

Jason Bartlett, Shortstop, Tampa Bay Rays: Bartlett has 12 steals so far, which puts him at a pace to beat last season’s 23. Bartlett is a light hitter (.243), but he brings a bit of speed as a middle infielder. I would like him better if he had some versatility or if he could help in any other category.

Luis Castillo, Second Base, New York Mets: Castillo is 32, but plays like a much older player. His achy knees require regular rest. It’s surprising that he still steals bases on bad wheels, but he does. He has 11 so far. His average is at .259, well below his career mark. A switch-hitter, Castillo struggles batting left-handed, and he hits .224 from the left side. At this stage of his career, Castillo is a one-category contributor with a high risk of injury.