A trade in my league prompted me to once again take a look at some relatively available stolen base guys. The trade was Michael Bourn for Carlos Quentin and Andre Ethier. I thought that was way too steep of a price to pay for runs and stolen bases.

I’m not saying the following guys are better than Bourn, but they can be had for a much cheaper bounty. The stats are based on the past 15 days. He has the added benefit of shortstop and second base eligibility. That allows you to use sluggers in your outfield slots.

  • Michael Bourn, Houston Astros:  .308 average, 16 hits, seven runs, three RBI, seven stolen bases
  • Jordan Schafer, Atlanta Braves:  .245 average, 13 hits, 10 runs, one home run, three RBI, six stolen bases
  • Alcides Escobar, Kansas City Royals:  .392, 20 hits, 11 runs, three RBI, six stolen bases
  • Alexi Casilla, Minnesota Twins:  .373, 19 hits, eight runs, six RBI, five stolen bases
  • Charlie Blackmon, Colorado Rockies:  .410, 16 hits, five runs, six RBI, five stolen bases

I realize that Bourn is the superior option of this quintet, but he’s not good enough in my mind to justify trading two sluggers away. Not when stolen bases are available on the waiver wire.

Casilla, for instance, has been hitting .320 with 19 runs, 11 RBI, and eight stolen bases since the beginning of May.

I don’t have an issue with shaking up your lineup to improve a particular category, but you’re basically robbing Peter to pay Paul when you give up that much power to add to your speed categories.

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