SAGNOF Report: Replacing Turner’s Overdrive

The fastest answer to the title is that no, you can not just fix what Trea Turner was giving you and the lack thereof for the next few weeks.  Dude was a man among spatulas.  Twenty two steals in the month of June alone was more then four teams in the entire majors.  For fantasy, he was the only person over 20 in the last 30 games, only person in double digits in the last 15, and now he will get you zero for the next, presumably, six weeks…  So where do you turn?  The answer is: I wish I knew, because the waiver wire is not going to give you that type of production.  Trade?  Sure, if you have the assets, or you can just plain ignore the stat.  Interestingly enough is that if he is gone from the league, it kind of evens the playing field for steals across the board.  Billy hasn’t been Billy in some time, Dee is probably the most prestigious thief left right now is universally owned, and the waiver wire is littered with 2-3 steal guys every 10-game types.  I am not saying that losing Trea Turner is a good thing… it is an excellent thing for everyone that doesn’t own him.  If you are the sad owner of him, replacing Turner is not the biggest need.  In reality, you just need to maintain the fort ion the steals department.  That’s where me and this column come in.  SAGNOF to your wildest content.  The waivers are now your oyster at the SS, OF, or wherever you had TT employed.  Moves a plenty should be made and don’t be afraid to play match-ups versus catchers or pitchers or both.  Luckily for you, I have supplied one after the bump.  Happy post-Independence day.  Cheers!

Danny Santana – Getting some holiday burn with the Bravos.  Three steals in his last two games is decent enough to buy him an edible arrangement.  Don’t fall in love though, as he may get squeezed for at bats with the health, and playing time in the ATL outfield is not going to be consistent.

Manuel Margot – Spitting hot fire right now.  Batting over .400 with 4 steals since his return to regular activity, and I like him because he has some former big prospect appeal and is going to get all day at at bats for a Padres team that isn’t doing much but showing off it’s youth.

Tommy Pham – He may be the most owned, dropped and re-owned player this year.  Gets hot, then loses at bats.  Then gets injured and has to prove himself again.  Doesn’t look like he is going to woo you in all five categories, but the guy knows how to play ball.  12 runs (which is the 5th most in baseball) and 9 steaks with 3 steals in last 15 with regular at bats is good enough for me.

Denard Span – When looking for SAGNOF-ness, I want a guy hitting lead off regardless of his swagger or ability to steal.  Span is the guy who starts the Giants engine.  Unfortunately, the Giants have been stuck in neutral since Mad Bum went down.  Scoring 13 runs with 3 steals in last 15 makes him shiner then other middling no power guys.

Whit Merrifield – Sounds like a guy who writes about the development of tulips in a secondary growing source other then dirt.  What I love is that in games that he has lead off, the Royals are 16-9.  Since that date in June, 5 steals and 10 runs.  The Royals were the worst scoring team in baseball through the first 30 games, last 40 they are top-6.  Just saying.

Matt Bush – The bush has been trimmed, and the Rangers are going with a landscaper by committee.  LeClerc, Claudio, and Kela (although with his shoulder issue back to backs seem impossible).  Kela is the grab, but if you get stuck with Leclerc, I would be le-Ok.

Bruce Rondon – Seems changed since being re-promotes.  Three appearances, all unscored upon with no more than one hit in each.  The Wilsons’ are not an awesome bunch and look better as trade candidates rather than foundation blocks.