It’s a song as old as time… When a team is just not good, see what the younger players have to offer. The Royals are no different in this approach right now as they sit on a whole 22 wins and a crisp 23 games behind the division leading Astros. They are going to be making a slew of changes, and that has already started with the promotion of Adalberto Mondesi and Rosell Herrera. Small intricate parts, but that is what SAGNOF is capitalizing on opportunities for at-bats. With the injury to Jorge Soler, the trade of John Jay and the maybe a few days off for Whit Merrifield, the one-to-two day commitment for guys that will get semi-regular at bats like Mondesi, who had 10 steals in the minors or Herrera who has had three 20 plus stolen base seasons in the minors. The Royals are just the first team to be looking toward the future, as they should be. Because this season looks like a wash for real baseball, but for fake baseball there will still be pickings to choose from, especially from the SAGNOF perspective. In the upcoming weeks, we will know who is a pretender and more teams will follow suit, (cough, cough ORIOLES). But until then, look for guys replacing players on rebuilds, or even youngsters that are up to make a name for themselves in the stead of an injured player. More SAGNOF goodies to follow my friends, stick around. Cheers!
| Team | SB’s Against | Week’s opponents (Team Steals) |
|---|---|---|
| Mets | 57 | @Col (39), vs. LAD (24) |
| Blue Jays | 54 | vs. Atl (42), @LAA (35) |
| White Sox | 48 | @Cle (43), vs. Oak (12) |
| Orioles | 46 | @Was (54), vs. Atl (42) |
| A’s | 46 | @SD (41), @CHW (57) |
| Giants | 44 | vs. Mia (16), vs. SD (41) |
| Tigers | 39 | @Cin (27), @ Cle (43) |
| Phillies | 38 | vs. STL (26), @ Was (54) |
| Rangers | 37 | @KC (32), @Min (23) |
| Padres | 36 | vs. Oak (12), @SF (27) |
Michael Taylor – 4 steals on Sunday. Just sayin’ that Juan Soto didn’t. At-bats are still being scattered with Eaton and Soto. So while he has the goods to give you 50 steals, the heartache will be hard to deal with.
Cory Spangenberg – Decent pop/speed combo and has multi-positional eligibility in some leagues. Two steals and OBP of .360 in last 11 games. Good streamer for the Giants end of week.
Javier Baez – Has 5 thefts in the last week, what really is the problem is that he is a drain batting .177 and OPS under .500 over last 13 games. I get that he has 14 and 12 as counting stats, but that’s an expensive drain.
Jarrod Dyson – Three steals, and I think only three hits in his last 40 plate appearances. I’d rather own Rajai for opposite reasons, as he doesn’t get at-bats but gets steals.
Hector Neris – Got save, thrn almost puked another. Nothing to see with Jake Thompson getting the save. Kapler is more complicated than calculus. All I know about math is you plus me equals us. Seranthony is the own, regardless of save totals.
Wade Davis – Awful June continues, 16-plus ERA and another blown save Sunday. Ottavino just got back from DL, a change isn’t looming but a day off or two could be coming in the save category for someone other than Davis.
Robert Gsellman – Even with Familia back from DL, Bobby G got the save for the Metropolitans on Sunday. Familia should be back in the saddle by week’s end, so hold Gsellmen until than, or longer if that S does things for ya.
