MLB Fantasy Baseball: Is It Time to Give Up on Chone Figgins?

You knew when you drafted Chone Figgins that you weren't looking for power numbers.

After all, he had 32 career homer runs entering the season. His career high in RBI is 62, but he had just 35 last season in his first year with the Mariners. 

In part, you got him for the runs scored. From 2004 to 2009, Figgins averaged 92.7 runs per season. Of course, he had just 62 for the M's last year.

In part, you got him for his batting average. He hit .292 over that same span. Of course, he it .259 for the M's last year. The return to third base (from second) was expected to help—it hasn't. Chone is hitting just .165 with eight runs, a home run and nine runs.

The main reason you went with Figgins was the stolen bases. Even when his average dipped to .259 last year, he still managed 42 stolen bases. He's averaged 45.5 stolen bases over the past six seasons.

That hasn't been the case this year.

Figgins has just two stolen bases through 24 games. Averaged out to 162 games, that's just 13.5 stolen bases. He attempted a 57 stolen bases in 161 games last year, or one every 2.8 games. He has three attempts in 22 games played, which is one every 7.3 games.

Obviously, his .165 average and .209 on-base percentage come into play.

One thing to keep in mind is the fact that he's been a slow starter the past few years. In 2010, he hit .200 in April and .220 in May before finishing .280 the rest of the way, including .286 after the All-Star break. In 2009, he hit .244 in April and .305 the rest of the way.

For his career, he has hit .254 before June and .297 after.

I know it's hard to hang onto a guy batting so poorly, but his stolen bases will start to come. If you're in a bind, I can see letting him go—but if you have a roster spot, I'd try to stash him for a little while longer.


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