The theory of SAGNOF is capitalizing on the chances in front of your face. The “polish sausage” king of steals has returned from the minors and re-established his presence in the stead of others. Travis Jankowski started the year out of favor, not just based on ability, just on talent. With Manuel Margot struggling and injured and Hunter Renfroe basically doing the same exact thing (but getting Pipped by Franchy), Travis has jumped from AAA and shown his best SAGNOF face. Hitting .368, with 2 steals and OBP of .455 over 12 games since his return. We all know of his one sided ability in the SAGNOF game because that is what makes him the prince of this and basically the west coast Rajai. His availability in leagues is less than 5% owned across most formats and should steadily climb until the outfield situation is a muck. An OF of Margot, Franchy, and Travis is of the extremely light-hitting variety. It is using Travis now before the likes of Wil Myers, whose return is the question. With Myers eventual return a few weeks off to possibly 10 days, using Jankowski now for the steals affect isn’t a bad idea as his stats say that he can hit, get on base and effectively get on base. The 30-steal year just two years ago shows that he has a penchant for the swipe, just has to avoid attrition, replacement and the inevitable return of better talent. He has the gig for the next week to 10 days so now is the time to see if you can steal, pun intended, a few bases to pad your stats and move along. That is what SAGNOF is, hit and move. Don’t fall in love. get what you want out of it and than throw it to the waiver wire dogs. It is a sad world we live in and there is no cuddling in the quest for steals world. I don’t care how great the big spoon feels. More saves and steals ain’t got no face goodies after the bump.
| Team | SB’s Against | Week’s opponents (Team Steals) |
|---|---|---|
| Mets | 34 | Vs. Tor (18), Vs. Ari(24) |
| A’s | 30 | @Bos(21), @Tor(18) |
| Padres | 27 | vs. Col(26), @Pit(17) |
| Giants | 27 | vs. Cin(16), vs. Col(26) |
| Blue Jays | 27 | @NYM(15), vs. Oak(7) |
| White Sox | 25 | @Pit(17), vs. Tex(16) |
| Phillies | 25 | @Bal(15), @StL(18) |
| Reds | 23 | @SF(19), vs. CHC(8) |
| Orioles | 22 | vs. Phi(21), @Bos(21) |
| Rockies | 21 | @SD(22), @SF(19) |
Jorge Soler – He has gone from a HR prospect to a must own to a possible SB threat. I am hesitant on the SB threat, but if he can mix in 3-4 a month that is something and the Royals in the past have shown the propensity to steal. He is probably owned because he is scorching, but if he isn’t by some comatose way, the HRs are nice and the steals may be a coupe.
Whit Merrifield – I told you. Leads baseball in steals the last two weeks. I said this would happen, no one listens to me ever. It’s not an overwhelming number, 6, but its still is more than Trea and others.
Trea Turner – Speaking of which… he just got the teams first steal in 11 games on Sunday. The stolen base game is a measure of stupidity and inconsistency that will haunt your soul if you stare at the stats long enough.
Orlando Arcia – Finally the steals training wheels for the year have come off. Notched his first two steals of the year these past 8 games. Let’s hope that it is a sign of things to come. I had him penciled in as a sneaky 15-20 guy in preseason, thank god it’s still early to not make me look stupid.
Keynan Middleton – Was removed from the game Sunday after just being reinstated from the DL. The Angels have bloated the stat column in saves during his 14 games off (Sarcasm). One whole save and it was to Jim Johnson. We all know how the Angels bullpen does with saves under their skipper. So I tentatively have it as Justin Anderson, Cam Bedrosian, Jim Johnson and Blake Parker. But don’t expect consistency one iota.
Tommy Hunter – Awesome since return from DL. The bridge between holds and saves starts with him. Seranthony Dominguez is in the convo but that is a ways away.
Mychal Givens – Got the save on Saturday as the Orioles are thin basically everywheres/ Brach isn’t what he was last year and O’Day is day to day on DL.
