Ok, ok…for the past two years, I have heard about the Atlanta Braves’ leftfield problem. You know, the position that Matt Diaz currently occupies.

I’ve read that the Braves “need more power” from that position that is why they went out and signed Garrett Anderson last year. Well, that talk has come up again since Anderson is a free agent.

What’s wrong with Matt Diaz? I will agree that he doesn’t have much power, but his other numbers are quite good. In four years with the Braves, Diaz has hit .316, 34 HRs, 149 RBIs,.336 OBP and .466 slugging.

Besides what’s up with this need for power? Have the Braves suddenly moved to the AL? What’s wrong with getting players that can run and steal bases? Waiting for a guy to hit a homerun, you might be waiting for a long time. But get a guy on base and he has a chance to turn a single into a double and most importantly, disrupt the pitcher’s rhythm and stay out of the double play.

Obviously, the Braves don’t agree with me, because as a team they only stole 58 bases last year (Diaz had 12 of them) and that puts them 15th out of 16 NL teams.

These NL teams had more than 100 SBs last year: Arizona (102), Colorado (106), Houston (113), Dodgers (116), Mets (122) and Philadelphia (119).

So, three of the four playoff teams in the NL were in the top of the league in steals. St. Louis, by the way, had 75. Now, I’m not saying that if the Braves stole more they would have been in last year’s playoffs, but it sure wouldn’t have hurt.

So, if stealing bases combined with the power the Braves already have, makes you a better and well-rounded team, why depend on any one element (power, speed, etc.)?

My point is teach the Braves how to steal bases, give Diaz the LF job and don’t worry about it. Focus on the bullpen, that’s where we need the most help.