Monday, March 22, 2010
With most fantasy drafts already completed, or soon to be underway, many owners will find themselves lacking in a particular category. If that category is speed, the below three players are cheap, highly reliable options to solidify your steals, and can often be found on most waiver wires. Don’t start trading away your pitching and power for speed, and see if you can “steal away” one of these three for next to nothing.
Julio Borbon:
Borbon was given an opportunity towards the latter half of his rookie season in 09’ due to the struggles and injuries of Josh Hamilton, and it paid off in great fashion for the Rangers. The speedster hit .312 with 4 homeruns and 19 swipes in 157 at-bats, and enters his 2010 campaign as the starting centerfielder. Borbon will also handle the leadoff duties, as he showed great promise in the spot, and in a lineup as stacked as the Rangers now is, you should expect a lot of runs coming your way. I would be shocked if Borbon did not steal more than 40 bases this year—with his speed I see that as the bare minimum.
Rajai Davis:
The A’s outfielder came out of nowhere last season and went absolutely nuts in the second half. Rajai hit a very respectable .325 and stole 30 bases in 68 games post all-star break. Don’t expect him to hit very many out—he only has 7 in his entire career—but if you’re looking for a cheap way to bolster your steals, expect to snag him in the later rounds. With the addition of Coco Crisp, Davis is slotted to move to a corner spot in the outfield, but will receive the nod over fellow speedster Eric Patterson.
Nyjer Morgan:
Morgan exploded last season with both the Pirates and Nationals before a freak hand injury sidelined him for the rest of the season. In only 120 games the speedster posted 42 stolen bases, with 24 of them coming in a 49 game span with the Nats. He is poised to be the starting center fielder and leadoff man for Washington on opening day and should be available on most waiver wires. Look for Morgan to swipe 50-58 bags this year—given he stays healthy.








