FLB: Speed Report

Updated: March 16, 2006, 4:13 PM ET
By Tristan H. Cockcroft | ESPN Fantasy Games
Stolen bases can be a tricky investment in fantasy leagues, both due to the overall decline in production in the category during the past decade as well as the fluctuation between a player's steals total from season to season. With the exception of saves, there might not be a category that can change more radically each year, making it important to seek bargain candidates to bolster your fantasy team.

In order to help guide you in that department, let's take a closer look at each of the 30 major-league teams' managerial strategies regarding the stolen base, as well as the best basestealing options for each squad:

Arizona: Manager Bob Melvin has ranked near the league average in terms of stolen-base frequency in his two years in Seattle and one year in Arizona, and only two members of his 2005 team cracked double digits in the category, Craig Counsell (26) and Royce Clayton (13). Clayton's gone, though the Diamondbacks did bring in Eric Byrnes, who swiped 27 bags from 2003-04, and Jeff DaVanon, who managed 46 steals from 2003-05, to share the center-field duties. Counsell still finds himself in the leadoff spot and remains this team's only true chance at a 20-steal performer, but expect mild contributions from Melvin's new center-field duo.


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Tristan H. Cockcroft | email

Fantasy
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