Figgins Has Plenty of Good Leads

TORONTO — As Chone Figgins has learned this season, it takes more than a thief -- and more than speed and a good jump -- to steal bases.

While studying tapes last winter, Figgins and his buddy Juan Pierre, the Florida Marlins’ speedy leadoff man, noticed a trend in their unsuccessful stolen-base attempts.

“More times than not, we were thrown out because we didn’t have an aggressive enough lead,” said Figgins, the Angels’ super-utility player and leadoff hitter. “You have to get a good lead. Sometimes you’re going to get picked off. But if you’re thinking stolen base, you’re going to get a good jump.”

Figgins’ winter work, as well as his growing knowledge of opposing pitchers and overall experience, has paid off. In addition to hitting .291 with a respectable .348 on-base percentage, Figgins has been successful on 34 of 40 stolen-base attempts and leads the team with 68 runs.

With two steals against the New York Yankees on Sunday, Figgins has equaled his career high for stolen bases, and he is on pace to become the first Angel with 50 stolen bases since Luis Polonia had 55 in 1993.

“The size of the lead depends on who’s pitching,” Figgins said. “Is he quick with his pickoff move? Is he slower? You always get as much a lead as possible, but you can get more of a lead on some guys than others. It’s not going to be the same exact lead every time.”

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The term super-utility player began to pop up in the 1990s when players such as Tony Phillips and Jose Oquendo moved around the field while remaining in the lineup every day. But if Figgins remains injury-free, he probably will finish this season with the most at-bats in baseball history for a player without a primary position.

Figgins has started all but four games this season at seven positions -- second base, third base, shortstop, left field, center field, right field and designated hitter -- building on the reputation he developed in 2004 as one of the game’s most versatile players. He has been more than capable defensively and has made only seven errors.

“He’s the ultimate teammate,” first baseman Darin Erstad said. “It’s huge for him to not complain, to fill in at any position. I don’t think any team has a guy like that, who hits leadoff, plays every day and can play anywhere. It’s a great luxury for [Manager Mike] Scioscia to have.”

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The Angels will get a firsthand look beginning today at Toronto third baseman Shea Hillenbrand, who is batting .297 with 12 homers and 54 runs batted in and has been the subject of trade rumors involving the Angels, who could be looking to bolster their offense with a right-handed bat before Sunday’s non-waiver trade deadline.

But with Toronto in the thick of the playoff race, ace Roy Halladay expected back from the disabled list soon and the team reportedly pursuing Florida pitcher A.J. Burnett, the Blue Jays appear to be in more of a buying than selling mode, and it’s doubtful they would part with one of their most productive hitters for prospects.

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Left fielder Garret Anderson still leads the team with 66 RBIs but has driven in only one run in his last 13 games. Part of his drought can be attributed to the struggles of the batter in front of him, right fielder Vladimir Guerrero, who is seven for 58 in his last 15 games, his average falling from .348 to .305.... Blue Jay third baseman Corey Koskie completed a minor league rehab assignment Sunday and is expected to be activated from the disabled list today after sitting out more than two months because of a broken right thumb.... Center fielder Vernon Wells, Toronto’s leading power hitter with 19 home runs and 60 RBIs, is day to day because of a bruised shin suffered when he fouled a ball off his leg Sunday.