A little speed could go a long way to offset the potentially homer-happy Yankees

Last year, if John did a daily Yankee Indian Point Speed Report, it would go this way: 

Yankee 2017 Stolen Bases Leader Board

1. Brett Gardner - 23.
2. Jacoby Ellsbury - 22.
3. Aaron Hicks - 10.
4. Chase Headley - 9.
    Aaron Judge - 9.
6. Didi Gregorius - 3.
7. Starlin Castro, Rob Refsnyder, Gary Sanchez, Ronald Torreyes, Mason Williams - 2.
12. Miguel Andujar, Clint Frazier, Matt Holliday, Tyler Wade - 1.
15. 28 players tied - 0.

As a team, the Yankees finished 12th, with 90 SBs. They blew 22 attempts, an 80 percent success rate, which, by the way, was the best in baseball. They ran smartly, efficiently and infrequently. They caught defenses napping. But they didn't scare anybody.

At 34, our twine thieving bolts of lightning - Gardy and the Chief - no longer terrorize catchers in the way that Francis McDormand would Ryan Seacrest in a stopped elevator. It's been seven years (2011) since Gardy peaked with 49 SBs. He's never since pilfered more than 25 and last year was 80 percent successful - no better than the team's average. Ellsbury peaked in 2009 (70), and he's been running uphill ever since. It's been four years (2014) since he grabbed more than 25. Last year, with a 90 percent success rate, he was our best base-stealer. Still, when he runs, it's like watching YES-Mo.

Wouldn't it be nice to have a pinch runner in the ninth who blows the gaskets of the defense? The Curse of the Bambino ended because Boston had Dave Roberts. Last year, the Astros Cameron Maybin and Jose Altuve both stole more than 30. I still suffer PTSD from Altuve on first; he seemed to be always running. 

I mention this because the Yankees might have such a player, if he doesn't get lost in the shuffle. In his minor league career, 23-year-old Tyler Wade has never stolen fewer than 25 in a season. Last year, in half a season, he swiped 26 at Scranton, (then went 1 for 2 in NYC, playing once a week and looking - frankly - over-matched in every way.) 

Wade is the lone speed player on our potential opening day roster. (Yeah, if healthy, Ellsbury can run - more on guile than speed. But he's hurt, and visions of a comeback season are floating out the window.) 

The Yankee Indian Point Speed Report for this spring would show the team leader - with 2 - as Estevan Florial. He'll soon ship out to Charleston. Nine Yanks, including Wade, have one SB. Of course, it's March 8, so - really - who gives a shit? 

Still, we have one speed guy. One. He's competing for 2B short term with Jace Peterson and Danny Espinosa, and long-term with Gleyber Torres (who is not known for speed.) The next three weeks will decide, but I'm hoping that one slot has already been filled. 

Tyler Wade needs to be our 25th man, even if all he does is run, Tyler, run.