Should Orioles try to steal more wins?

The Orioles stole 19 bases this season, the lowest total in club history. Which brings us to today's debate, and one that won't be parodied on SNL.

Does it matter?

Manager Buck Showalter wants a new leadoff hitter. Executive vice president Dan Duquette again will place emphasis on improving the team's on-base percentage, which plummeted in the second half. But what about the stolen bases?

Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard led the Orioles with four steals and he didn't play after July 20. Michael Bourn had two steals and he didn't join the organization until Aug. 31. Ryan Flaherty also had two and he appeared in only 74 games.

Adam Jones and Mark Trumbo also had two stolen bases. Pedro Alvarez, Chris Davis, Hyun Soo Kim, Nolan Reimold, Jonathan Schoop, Matt Wieters and Drew Stubbs each had one. Manny Machado went 0-for-3 after swiping 20 bags in 2015.

I'd love to know how many players had a 20-steal dropoff, especially finishing with none, without injury or demotion.

The importance attached to stolen bases is reduced if you consider that the Orioles made the playoffs this season despite being last in the majors in thefts. The top three teams were the Brewers (181), Reds (139) and Diamondbacks (137). The Padres were fifth with 125 and the Royals were tied for sixth with 121. The Pirates were eighth with 110 and the Astros were ninth with 102.

Guess what they all had in common.

The Orioles also were last in 2014 with 44 and they won the American League East. They were last in 2012 with 58 and won the wild card game. They were second in 2007 with 144, trailing only the Mets (200) and went 69-93.

The 1997 wire-to-wire team ranked 28th with 63 steals. The 1996 playoff team ranked 26th with 76. The 1983 team that won the franchise's last World Series ranked 23rd with 61. The 1979 team that won the American League pennant ranked 17th with 99.

The Orioles have been last in the majors in four of the last five seasons, finishing 16th in 2013 with 79. It's just not part of their game. It's not how they're built. And they can't force it and run themselves out of innings with hitters who can influence the outcome with one swing.

It's hard to believe that the Orioles were second in 2007, but Brian Roberts was 50-for-57, Corey Patterson was 37-for-46 and Nick Markakis was 18-for-24.

Delino DeShields led the club in steals in 2000 with 37. Jerry Hairston was first in 2001 with 29 and 2002 with 21 - one more than outfielder Chris Singleton. Brian Roberts was first in 2003 with 23, 2004 with 29 and 2005 with 27. Roberts also led in 2007, 2008 (40) and 2009 (30).

It must fall upon the second baseman to handle those duties. This means you, Mr. Schoop.

But seriously, the Orioles would benefit from finding a table-setter for the top of the order, someone who could get on base and at least pose a threat. Jones could move down where he belongs. Kim looks like an ideal No. 2 hitter. But is it really important if the Orioles can steal more bases?

The 1971 team that won the AL pennant ranked 14th with 66. The 1970 championship team ranked 10th with 84. The 1969 team that lost to the Mets in the World Series was ninth with 82, and the 1966 team that delivered the city's first championship was 13th with 55.

The Dodgers were 27th this year with 45 steals and they seem to be doing just fine. The Blue Jays were 25th with 54 and the Cubs were 20th with 66 and they're still playing.

I just can't accept 19. I can't live in a world where the leader has four and didn't see the field after July 20.

Maybe it's just me.