With the trade deadline come and gone, we will see a small influx of new full-time players. Often, these replacement players tend to be fringe big leaguers as opposed to superstar prospects. However, this player group is often one of the best sources of flawed stolen base threats. Likely the biggest beneficiary of a deadline move is Jake McCarthy. McCarthy has posted multiple 15+ stolen base minor league seasons and has only five in 47 games thus far in 2022. With the David Peralta trade, he should find himself playing almost every day and could add another five stolen bases rest of season. He likely will not provide much more than speed but if you need bags you could definitely do worse on the wire.
- Adam Frazier (SEA) – Frazier might not fit into the newfound PT category but he is an everyday player who is likely available in most leagues. Frazier provides a bit outside of the speed, mostly with a serviceable BA and some runs scored hitting atop the order for the Mariners
- Nicky Lopez (KC) – With the Whit Merrifield trade, Lopez is likely the everyday second baseman for the Royals. We are not too far removed from Lopez swiping 22 bags in 2021 so it would not shock me if he came near the league lead in SBs from here on out.
- David Fletcher (LAA) – This is another one who did not regain PT as a function of a trade, but Fletcher is back and healthy finally. He had 15 steals last season and will hit for a high average but nothing else. He will hit leadoff mostly for the Angels and could find himself as a decent three-category contributor.
- Mickey Moniak/Magneuris Sierra (LAA) – I combined the two Angels OFs together as they likely find themselves playing about 2/3 of the time each along with Jo Adell. Sierra is a true burner and Moniak has not run much since 2019 in the minors. However, both of them see added playing time until Trout returns and could end up being contributors for those in need of speed. Moniak’s PT is more secure but the speed is less, but Sierra could be a game changer in SBs if there’s enough playing time.
At this point in the season, these small edges become even more valuable and important. Especially in H2H leagues with the playoffs likely coming soon, one SB could be the difference between a win and a loss. Stallings and Heim continue to be the players to target as they are allowing more SBs than any other catcher.
