It is more simple then just correlating the “every stolen base is essential” represents a swipe to the right. It goes farther the that, for some guys. it is like fish in a barrel… for others. it is a game they just don’t play. Anyone that has partaken in the chicanery that is Tinder, gets the other far deeper references here because there are endless similarities. Over the past seven games of play, there have been 13 teams with one steal or less, on the contrary to that, there was only four teams that swiped more than five. That does not add up to a ton of stats to go around, especially when players like Cody Asche, owned in 0.6% of ESPN leagues, and Marwin Gonzalez (3.0%) are toeing the line of stolen base leaders for the week. Only being one behind the leader for the week, of a mass total of three. The sexy factor of steals is like a 2 AM special at the bar: dark, desperate, and a crap shoot. So I am not here to tell you to not shoot for the moon with guessing with stolen bases, I am just saying that it is a game of haves and have-nots. So be heady my good friends, as you search the waiver wires for good situations, pay attention to the pitchers who allow the most steals. Pay Attention to the last 14 days of OBP, and of course with lesser owned fellas, watch general playing time. Here are some fish in the barrel types for this week…
Ketel Marte – He may or may not be owned due to his returning from injury recently… Three steals in his last week of games makes that shininess that was shed on him in preseason look just about right. Everyone likes the MI shuffle and there are always spots for him to fit, he plays the East coast swing with games versus the Sawx and Rays. Runs could be harder to come by for the Mariners, so look for his speed to be a factor from the bottom of the order.
Paulo Orlando – I was a little iffy at putting him because the Royals like to shuffle the OF around, but given the fact that he has 22 ABs and batting .300 during that time. I think that he is sorta worthy. Two steals in those 22 ABs is nice considering that it, like I said above, is one less then the leader for the week had. It’s slim pickens minus him riding the nuclear warhead.
Scooter Gennett – At some point, the Brewers are going to deal as many assets as possible giving more and more opportunities for upstart players like Gennett. His .408 BA this week is why he is here. Don’t mind the schedule, as the Giants and Dodgers are right about league average in SBs against.
Jake McGee – The Rockies closer hit the DL in between my reliever post and now. Boone Logan got the first save chance and I expect there to be multiple head in the save Hydara for the Rocks. Carlos Estevez, Chad Qualls, and Jason Motte are all lingering around the save carcass.
Huston Street – Has not looked great since his DL stint. Four appearances, 2 K/9, and an ERA over six. Not good for any road, boulevard, or hell, a street. Bigger problem is the main set-up man Joe Smith is on the DL currently. A change isn’t imminent but a chance save for Deolis Guerra or Cam Bedrosian may come this week.
