One of the perks of getting burned by the same player year after year (in this case Cameron Maybin) is that I get to come up with a different pun for a title each season. This one wasn’t my brainchild, though. It comes to us courtesy of Rudy Gamble. He’s not just a stat guy. He’s pretty hilarious, especially on Twitter. Maybin burns me every year because I get sucked in to the youth (he’s still just 27) and the glimpses of upside he still flashes from time to time. Take last year for example, when he came back to the field for what ended up being just a handful of games, but still stole four bases. Maybin was one of my offseason choices for SAGNOF outfielders simply because he still has that 30-40 stolen base potential in his legs. He’ll have to hit and hit well to earn his keep in the crowded San Diego outfield, and health is obviously a major concern, but when he’s on the field he’s still a good steals play. The center fielder will draw the Giants and Diamondbacks this week. Both teams are in the top-10 in baseball this season for steals allowed. Lots of options for steals with some recent injuries so let’s get to it…
Outfield
Jarrod Dyson – TOR, DET
Dyson was my lede last week thanks to a great SB/PA ratio and new-found opportunity with the Cain injury. He promptly swiped two bags, which isn’t eye-popping, but steals beggars can’t be choosers. Dyson will likely platoon at center field with Justin Maxwell (who can also run by the way) but he’s still a great option for some cheap speed until Cain gets healthy. Both the Blue Jays and Tigers are among the top six teams in stolen bases allowed this year. This is as close to a green light special as I’m going to get at this point in the season.
Nate McLouth – @HOU, @PHI
The Harper injury opens the door for McLouth to see more playing time. He was one of the bigger surprises last year as far as stolen bases are concerned. He swiped 24 bags in the first half of 2013 for the Orioles and he’s worth watching since the Nationals will likely roll him out there the majority of the time Harper is shelved. I’m not in love for a weekly pick-up because the Nats only have five games on the schedule.
Gregory Polanco – @BAL, TOR
The buzz is getting stronger and both Scott and Guru wrote him up over the weekend. He’s no slouch on the basepaths with 77 steals over the past two minor league seasons (241 games) and 4 already this season. It’s only a matter of time before the Pirates call on him, and he’s got 30-steal potential in the majors. The 22-year-old outfielder is obviously a great stash and I’d say the time is now to grab him. I picked him up a week ago in the writer’s league.
Middle Infield
Jemile Weeks – PIT, @MIN
With the injury to Chris Davis, Weeks got the call and will see some time at second base. He was hitting well in Triple-A to start the year and he’s already 3-for-8 with a triple in two games leading off for the Orioles. His time could be limited again once Manny Machado returns, but in deeper leagues where you’re hurting for a spark at MI, Weeks is worth a look for the short term. The Pirates have allowed the 2nd-most steals in baseball this year.
Marcus Semien – DET, @CLE
Remember that Rudy Gamble wit I told you about in the lede? That’s the same wit that pointed out the White Sox are rocking a 1-2 punch of Eaton Semien on their lineup card every night. This is comedy gold guys. Seriously, Semien has shown a knack for getting the big hits and it’s earned him a longer look with the White Sox even though Gordon Beckham has returned. He’s not a burner, but he gets a favorable matchup for two games with the Tigers early in the week. The Tigers aren’t the worst in the league, but they’ve still allowed 22 steals on the year thus far.
Eric Sogard – @TEX, @BOS
I own Sogard in a dynasty league as sort of a stop-gap player, but I was pleasantly surprised to see that he has three steals on the season already. We’re talking deep leagues or AL-only leagues since he’ll sit once in a while and just isn’t very good. “Specs” gets a decent match-up for steals later this week against Boston though. The Sox are currently in the top ten for steals allowed (18).
Mike’s on Twitter @643ball
Hey Mike,
Was offered Alex Gordon for Heyward straight up. 10 team, h2h keeper league..H, Avg, Hr, steals, RBI, and Runs are the offensive categories. I’m considering it just bc JHey’s avg, and lack of runs is killing me. I have Braun, McCutchen, Pagan, and Castellanos as my OF along with JHey….good trade? Would it be a panick move considering how early it is?
I’d hold on a little longer, Still early.
I’m looking to move Nick Swisher. Preferably for any type of pitching that would help me. What type of pitcher should I be looking to trade for. Swisher’s value is pretty freakin’ low right now.
Hard to say without knowing your league, but I’d be happy to get anybody that’s in the Top 75 on JB’s list for him.
Would you rather pick up Maybin than Denorfia in a 12 team H2H with OBP league?
Thanks!
Yup
10 team NL only h2h points league… just offered laroche for g polanco. i have gonzo and trumbo also. bad move?
No, as long as you’re prepared to stash Polanco if the Pirates decide to wait.
Who would you trade for Eaton-Bucholz-Seimen? I’m thinking of Fister-Rendon.
Lot of great names in that trade. If this isn’t a prank call, I like the Rendon side.
Bababoey.
haha
Mike: Shuck of the Halos has disappointing so far. Thought he would be swiping bases like mad – ( yeah I know you can’t steal first) But normally he’s a hit machine and runs well. I was hoping he would be a swiper.
Poor Villar is having trouble getting to first too – his projected numbers are starting to look like they might have been tout pipe-dreams. It was my thinking too to be fair.
Nunez will swipe a bunch – if he ever gets called up in Twinkieland – Yu-r darn toot’n, he will Ya Ya, Ya betcha, he will
I would add the oft forgotten Gentry to your list – He is a great game day if he’s stating add player for SB coverage — Solid BA too
Hey Ghost
Good call on Gentry. So oft-forgotten that I forgot to mention him ;)
@Mike: Mike
Where Mr. Gentry ranked on ABs to SB list last year. Must have been up there.
He’s at 1 SB for 10 ABs this year Was 1 for 12 last year. Raj was off the charts last year 1 for 8 = He’s at 1 for 10 this year.
I’ve got him at 1 per 12 PA last year.
My man Dyson was 1 per 7!
@Mike: Dyson is having a BA start this year WOW just looked…
But in the limited history of the 2 – Gentry brings FBB winning BA with him too.
Again with both these special SB guys, It is knowing when they are going to start that is the biggest factor in rostering them
@Ghost of the Disappeared:
Hard to count on pinch running for these guys …
And with, Gentry he is late inning D replacement – so he games played is higher than most
Yeah, Gentry had about 50 more PAs than Dyson last year.
I will have an open spot open up soon to add a player as I just completed a trade in my league – i get xander boegarts(ss/3b), I give Billy butler(dh) and matt joyce (of/dh).
I’m hurting at third and catcher (Santana) and just put headley on the dl. My only ss is alcides Escobar. The horrendous gyorko is manning the mi spot for me.
Your thoughts on the trade?
Like it. I’m a Bogaerts fan.
Got another question about a slumping player we both know all too well – Carlos Santana. Its got to the point where im considering benching him until he comes around. I’m in the rcl 12 team and there’s a ton of catchers available.
Pinto, salty, ramos, gomes, arencibia, Ruiz, Navarro, grandal, Castillo, d’arnaud.
Would you recommend any of the above as a placeholder or would you do daily batty calls using the hitter-tron based on match ups?
Batty calls probably the most productive but also the most work on your part. If I was gonna bench him, I’d take Pinto for a spin.
@Mike: not worried about the timeshare with Suzuki?
Nah, cuz he’s DHing a lot too
@Mike: thats a bit depressing that Minnesota starts 3 catchers almost every game (admittedly one former catcher). I wonder if they miss ryan doumit and Wilson Ramos?
Oprah voice: “you get a catcher, you get a catcher, you get a catcher! “
Ha!
I drafted Jonathan Villar for stolen bases but I’m not seeing much. Was I mistaken in my expectations or is there more theft on the way?
I think they’ll come. I know last year the Stros were caught a lot so it might be a matter of being more selective. Maybe not 40+, but I still think he passes 30.
Hey mike,
What’s up with granderson? I prepared myself for a drop in home runs as he was playing in metco but thought he’d at least steal a few bags.
Did he fall off a cliff statistically or do you see a slight bounce back? What stat line do you see from him ros?
Good question. He got dropped and quickly scooped up in one league I’m in.
15-18 homers, 10-12 steals ROS?
@gareth: 230, 14 hr, 60 rbo, 49 r, 7 sb
Cant decide for my speed this week, revere (5 games – niese, colon, stras, t jordan, roark) or pagan (6 games – ross, stults, erlin, minor, teheran, wood)
Thanks!
Revere
rank in order ros, maybin,tony campana,d span
need to cut one thanks
Tony C gets the axe according to ROS player rater
Should I drop Bonifacio and get Maybin?
Thanks
I would.
The site just told me I’m posting comments too quickly.
Shove it WordPress.
Villar vs Bonifacio in a keeper league? First year for both guys at roughly same price – 3 year keepers. Who should I trade away?
Villar
Hi Grey. Villar.
Oops, my bad… Was on my phone and thought I was in my post… Carry on!
haha. no worries. I like when you stop by!
Drop Joyce or Yelich for Collabello or Pagan ? Please rank em ROS…
What do you see Maybin producing the rest of the season?
In a perfect world…10 homers, 30 steals. Realistically..5-8 homers, 20-25 steals if healthy.
Mike, I’m holding Springer as my 4th of right now. My of is cutch, billy Hamilton and Myers. Would you recommend stashing Polanco over Springer based on Springers start?
I’d hold Springer. Can you stash him on your bench?
@Mike:
Sorry, the question was poorly worded. Springers on my bench. I can only keep one offensive bench bat due to injuries. Thanks!!
no worries. I’d hold Springer.
Anyone think I should sell high on Krod? I need another OF– currently starting Adam Jones, Rios, Beltran, Yelich, Matt Joyce (streaming)
If so, what tier of OF to target? Alex Gordon type? God I have no clue I just know Fielder and Adam Jones are taint punching me into mediocrity
I’d be all over it if I could get Gordon for K-Rod right now
Hey mike , I’m in a 10 tm w/ ESPN h2h, with harpers injury would you look to add polanco?
I’d drop either prado , sal Perez , Carlos Santana , Dee Gordon .
My of now is Holliday, pence, Victorino and prado not that strong but I guess could be worse – keep or drop Victorino?
Thanks
I’d cut Sal Perez for him unless it’s a 2-catcher league.
and I’d hold Victorino
@Mike:
Thanks mike- we start 1 catcher in this league. I’m liking what I’m hearing about polanco just didn’t want to lose out,
Here’s the rest of my team
C- Carlos Santana
1b- goldy
2b- pedroia
3b- David wright
SS- Alexi Ramirez
IF- Andrelton Simmons
Just mentioned OF above
DH – Adam Dunn, was thinking of dropping him but he’s still a power threat, plus the free agent DH’s aren’t better than Dunn so might as well stand pat
Utility – dee Gordon
Bench- Eric Hosmer, sal Perez
SP- Strasberg
SP- tanaka
SP- Bumgarner
RP- papelbon
RP- Alex wood, wood is eligible at both RP & SP
Bench- cueto, zach wheeler & Gerrit cole
– I like dee Gordon but would you drop him to add one of these names;
Michael Brantley (who I could play instead of prado), Dayan Viciedo, khris Davis, rajai Davis, will middlebrooks (who I could play at IF of utility), Carlos Ruiz (could play until Santana gets out of his funk), Miguel montero (could also play until Santana wakes up)
Thanks again mike! Have a great one!
anytime. Yeah, I’d lose Perez. No reason to carry two catchers.
@Mike:
Thanks mike!
Which one would you do add polanco as a stash or someone for now like a Michael Brantley , khris davis , rajai Davis or Dayan Viciedo?
10-teamer I’d go Davis
@Mike:
Thanks again mike! Which Davis, & you wouldn’t add polanco as a stash ?
Sorry. Khris. Yeah do both if you can. If not, I’d rather have Khris.
Mike, would you think about dropping slumping Brad Miller for Maybin? I am 4 of 14 in steals, so it could help.
Unfortunately, it is probably time to start cutting bait with Miller in 12-team mixed. I’m holding onto him in one only because it is a keeper and he’s cheap.
I have headley and kolten wong. Wong just got sent to AAA and headley is on the DL. I was thinking adding semien and dropping wong. He would then be my CI. Do you think he’ll lose playing time when gillaspie returns? This is a 12 team mixed roto keeper league.
Semien is hitting, so I just picked him up in a 12-team mixed league for the short term. Tough to say what happens when Gillaspie gets back though. Probably safe to drop Wong for him though.
@Chris: hehe – adding semien and dropping Wong.
I picked up Dyson for this weekend hoping to get a few swipes. He did not disappoint.
But this morning I dropped him for Maybin. With Harper getting hurt, I feel like Maybin will get a little more playing time than Dyson (especially since the Padres are paying him a decent amount and want their money’s worth). Right decision?
I picked up both Oscar T and Polanco in an RCL league last week. Decided to drop Oscar T and hold onto Polanco. I think Polanco has more of an impact this year. The Pirates can’t ignore him for too much longer. They need to change the arbitration/super 2 status rules at some point. Tabata and Snider are craptastic.
Hey Shake.
I think both are smart moves. Dyson is more of a short term value while Cain is hurt, whereas Maybin could be more of a help all year and will contribute in other categories besides steals if he can stay healthy.
Sorry about the double post blame it on my DUMB phone
No worries. I’d go with Pinto.
@Mike:
Yo Mike of these 3 catchers who do you like going forward Dioneer Navarro, Pinto, or Ramos. MUCHOS gracias senior Mike
Yo Mike of these 3 catchers who do you like going forward Dioneer Navarro, Pinto, or Ramos. MUCHOS gracias senior Mike