If a discount is on top of “a sort of” discount, does that make it free? The title this week is twice as nice with meaning, because everyone like to go Winona on their lineup, especially late in drafts. And going double Winona, when a steal may be a steal, is SAGNOF gold. So that’s where we are going today folks, the land of misfit outfielders, and one infielder. The steals category is a fickle one that you either go all in on, or just basically change lanes without your blinker type stat. This year there seems to be an abundance of “steals mainly, other stats to be desired” types. These guys aren’t the elite of the elite in steals, but also aren’t the fantasy stalwart you may want to over-draft. They still hold a ton of value, and most of them are familiar names. I just think with outfielders, the best theory is to roster three studs, a guy with multi-position eligibility, and one that is a steals-only guy that won’t, or you hope won’t just lay eggs in other categories. The Billy Hamilton’s, Villar’s and Dee Gordon’s are long gone before these names even show up on the drop down menu on the draft app and every single one of these fellas can be had after the 180th pick currently. It is all about value kids. Although the steals category is a dropping number, stat-wise, from years gone by, it still is a stat that you garner points in. So check out what Igotta say, say hello… or don’t. Cheers!
Kevin Kiermaier -The reason I have no fear leading off with KK is that he plays defense. Period. That alone keeps him in the lineup on an every day basis. Add in the fact that his numbers spiked in the second half of last year all across the board… HR’s were up, steals were tripled from first half, and most importantly his OBP went up 36 points. Things are looking up and his current value slot on draft day should come down when dumb asses actually pay attention to my typing skills.
Rajai Davis -The unheralded King of SAGNOF. Davis returns to Oakland where, for all intents and purposes, he had the best years of his career. The bottom teams in the league like to run, it’s a proven model of basic fighting. If you can’t win the fight, run from it. The lineup behind him is questionable, so runs and other counting stats are bleak. Forty-plus steals is a given. We come for the steals, we stay for the only team left in Oakland in all sports.
Jarrod Dyson – Has never eclipsed 350 plate appearances in his career with KC. Now moves north to the land of the Tehol’s. If he can maintain a .330 OBP, he is going to get you 35-plus steals easily. I may go on record that he will be in the top-3 in steals in the AL.
Matt Duffy – I personally love him late in drafts where you get stuck at either the the middle infidel spot or a punt play at corner. He isn’t going to wow you with dozens of homers, well if he gets to his 2015 total of 12 it would be a great thing… The thing I admire here is that he has the capability to get you a double digit return on steals. Which if you are skipping the whole rest of this article and starting with Matt here, then we have problems or you just lack the attention span required for my posts.
Travis Jankowski – I was trying to think of a nickname for him, best I came up with is the Polish Plunderer. Feel free to insert yours into comments. Dude swiped thirty bags last year and the go-go Padres should be free wheeling again with Trav and Margot manning most of the spots of speed in their line-up all year. It’s easy for me to say that he will solve his K-rate problem, become a better OBP guy and he will bloom into a .280 type hitter. I don’t think he will and his value is tied to steals. Currently being drafted in the same neighborhood as Angel Pagan and Brandon Moss, that should tell you all you need to know. At basically 250 or above, overall, he is a SAGNOF delight.
Ender Inciarte – New contract, same boring yet unexciting stat line. Much like Kiermaier, he is a defense wunderkind, and will be in lineups more often then not. His stats are only going to grow with his confidence and his ability to buy nicer clothes now that he has more money in his pockets. His stats basically flat-line after his steal additive your roster so don’t go blowing your load early and then forgetting to cuddle. Makes all of us look bad when it’s our turn. Is being a bit over-drafted right now because his name was in the papers recently, patience is a virtue, virtue is a grace. Put them together and it makes a 4-5th OF.
Kevin Pillar – When can you trust a guy with a career OBP of just north of .300, when it’s your pick and you need a fifth outfielder that can get you 10/10 returns. Best part is that he isn’t the complete stat sap that the rest of these guys are. He will drive in some runs and score his share with a stouter line-up then most.
