MLB Props - Stolen Bases and Home Runs

I think the stolen base is the most underused device in the major leagues. Imagine that the catcher who can throw out more than 35% of runners trying to steal is a rare commodity, and managers aren't making more use of a component of offense that has a great chance of success? That simply doesn't make sense for me. The player who can hit AND steal is a tremendous weapon, and we'll take a look at how some of these guys compare to each other.

Carl Crawford vs. Jose Reyes - Regular Season Steals

Reyes -6.5 -300

Crawford +6.5 +200

-- Crawford's stolen bases were down by half last year, dipping from 50 to 25. Part of that was obviously due to injuries; he's still just 27 years old and has dedicated this season to rebound in all categories, including his batting average, which was down to .273 in 2008. Still, Reyes' totals of 64, 78 and 56 in the last three seasons are far better than any three-year period Crawford's ever had. JAY'S PLAY: REYES -6.5 (-300)

Carlos Beltran vs. Matt Holliday - Regular Season Steals

Beltran -3.5 -110

Holliday +3.5 -120

-- Beltran is a power hitter primarily, but he is also going to be anywhere from 22-25 steals, giving him an added dimension. Holliday busted out for 28 steals with Colorado last year, though his power numbers were way down. I'm not sure this means he's transformed himself as a player. but what makes this an interesting proposition is that we know he can do those kind of numbers, and the way Oakland plays, and in the ballpark it plays it, they may be looking for him to continue supplying that speed component. JAY'S PLAY: HOLLIDAY +3.5 (-120)

Jacoby Ellsbury vs. Jimmy Rollins - Regular Season Steals

Ellsbury -3.5 -120

Rollins +3.5 -110

-- Ellsbury had 50 steals last year, based on a .280 average and .336 on-base percentage. I am expecting those figures to both be up this season, which means Ellsbury should find himself in the 50's once again. Rollins had a career high of 47 last year, and if he winds up regaining some of his power numbers (homers were down to 11 after 30 the year before), I wouldn't be looking for an increase on steals. JAY'S PLAY: ELLSBURY -3.5 (-120)

Curtis Granderson vs. Russell Martin - Regular Season Steals

Granderson -2.5 Even

Martin +2.5 -130

-- What makes this one interesting is that Martin is a catcher, and there have not been too many catchers in modern baseball history who are a threat to steal. The last two years he's stolen 39 bases, but if there is anything that becomes a casualty as a result of the wear and tear a backstop faces, it's going to be the stolen bases. I just don't know if the 26-year-old Martin is at that point yet, When you look at Granderson's career, he had that one season of 26 stolen bases, but only eight the year before and 12 the year after. I'm not sure that is a major area of interest for him. JAY'S PLAY: MARTIN +2.5 (-130)

Just for the hell of it, I thought I'd use a couple of head-to-head home run props too: