One stat often overlooked when analyzing the Reds offense is how many times they've been caught stealing.  Here are some facts...

Reds stats (Rank)

SB - 61 (8th)
CS - 31 (2nd most)
SB% - .66 (15th)

- The only NL team with more CS than the Reds (31) is Houston (32).  Houston has 23 more SB than the Reds.

- The only NL team with a lower SB% than the Reds (66.3%) is Arizona (66.0%).  Arizona has attempted 45 fewer steals than the Reds.  (SABR guys will tell you that it takes a success rate of 75% for an attempt to be worth the risk.)

The bottom line is, guys are trying to steal bases who have no business trying to.  Now, I think I know who is responsible for this, but I shall let him remain nameless.

I propose a few new team rules:

1. If your name isn't Brandon Phillips (19 SB/4 CS, 83%) or Jerry Hairston, Jr. (15 SB/3 CS, 83%), you are not allowed to attempt a steal unless the pitcher forgets what he's doing and goes from the full windup.

2. If you are the manager, you are not allowed to give the third base coach the steal sign unless the runner on first base is named Brandon Phillips (19 SB/4 CS, 83%) or Jerry Hairston, Jr. (15 SB/3 CS, 83%).

3. If you are the third base coach, you are not allowed to relay any steal sign given by the manager to any player who isn't named Brandon Phillips (19 SB/4 CS, 83%) or Jerry Hairston, Jr. (15 SB/3 CS, 83%).

4. If you are the first base coach and see that the third base coach has relayed a steal sign from the manager for anyone who isn't named Brandon Phillips (19 SB/4 CS, 83%) or Jerry Hairston, Jr. (15 SB/3 CS, 83%), you must whisper into the baserunner's ear "don't do it", or shout "HE'S GOING TO STEAL!!!" to encourage the sign to be taken off.

There you go.  That's four layers of security to keep your team away from several unnecessary and wasted outs.

Thoughts?