Can Taveras Swipe 100? The Red’s Leadoff Man Thinks So!

This guy can move! Seriously, I highly doubt he will reach his goal, but hey, you never know….

Last season, Taveras stole both an ML and career high 68 bags during a disappointing offensive season for the Rockies. This year, Taveras is gunning on stealing 100 bases.

“To go over 100, if your on-base percentage is .350, that can be possible,” Taveras said on Monday. “It can happen.”

Garnering 600-700 plate appearances may help his ambition, getting 100 steals would only mean that the center fielder has to be on base a lot more this year, considering that his OBP was just .308 last year.

The Reds are rebuilding this season; translating their team into a much more offensive focus bunch that stresses on speed rather than power, want Taveras to use his agility.

“Bunting helps my game a lot,” Taveras said. “To be honest, I will try to bunt once a game. The more I can put the pressure on the infield, I can’t let them forget I can bunt or steal.”

Taveras batted only .251 last season, 18 of his 120 hits on extra bases. He had an ML leading 2007 infield hits since 2005, brining the total to 37 percent of his overall career hits. .

“In 2007 I was more consistent with hitting, plus I was more consistent being in the lineup than I was in Colorado last year,” Taveras said. “There was no reason. It was what the manager felt like. It was an awesome year in 2007.”

Taveras hit .320 with a .367 on-base percentage in 97 games two seasons ago, as the Rockies went on to the World Series. Colorado released Taveras last year, and the Reds readily signed him to a two year $6.25 million deal.

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