It seems like in fantasy baseball we are always chasing steals. The old way of thinking was always chasing steals and saves, but the fantasy community as a whole has really zeroed in on saves to a point where anyone who is playing is keenly keeping an eye on closers.
The same cannot be said for steals. Since the bases have been altered and the rules now allow for a lot more stolen bases, it seems the fantasy community is still behind in terms of what is a solid steals number to move you up in the rankings. Finding that steal merchant can literally make or break your season and it leaves many owners asking themselves if investing a roster spot in a one category contributor is in fact worth it.
If you missed out on the big steals' guys like Oneil Cruz and PCA, or even the one cat darlings like Jose Caballero, you could make up ground in a hurry in the category with some good in season moves. Now is the time to adjust your roster, and for many of you, you're thinking, and grab some speed. Most fantasy experts like to give you lists of who to go grab, only to find most are not on your waiver wire.
Instead, I want you to look at steals like you find spot starters. Let's call it spot speed. Targeting weak teams and weak catchers can be a big advantage. The worst teams in the league have the worst catchers throwing out runners and that has continued for the majority of the season. The Marlins and Rockies are first and third respectively, in the league as far as other team's ability to steal bases off of them. Teams are running like crazy on their inexperienced or just not good catchers behind the plate and that will continue.
If you see a slate of games where you can grab a waiver wire pickup for 3 or 4 games against the Rockies or Marlins, grab those speed merchants and enjoy the boost in steals. Over the next week the Rockies take on the Dodgers and Brewers. Dodgers players are likely rostered across the board, but you might be able to grab someone like Caleb Durbin from the Brewers. Durbin was renowned for his speed in the minors. Also keep an eye on a player like Isaac Collins.
The Marlins are the big team to target, and if you can target Sandy Alcantara. He leads the majors in steals against him when he's on the bump. Miami takes on the Giants and Arizona this week. That presents plenty of spot speed starters like Tyler Fitzgerald, Tim Tawa and Alek Thomas.
This is out of the box thinking that can boost your team up in the standings, go grab some spot speed.