Votto and India

[IndiaCaravan]

It's very common in Reds country to want to "move on" from Votto and India.  I think 2023 is a very rare case of an embarrassment of riches for the Reds in the youth department and it has grown crowded in the infield.  I just think there's something unsavory about a perennially bad to middling team finding success and then dumping on guys who have been good performers on bad or rebuilding teams.  In India's case, he hasn't reached his age-27 season and I think too many have decided that he has maxed out his potential.  It's possible but not as certain as people seem to be thinking.  In Votto's case, there are some reasons to plug him into the lineup beyond just the loyalty and optics.  His hard hit rate is competitive.  He has adapted to the shift rules by becoming almost totally center to pull (oppo rate way down).  I think this is good for him to give him one less thing to traverse in his busy baseball brain.  He is striking out more than ever but I think they appear more to be caused by mental concerns (like what am I trying to do in this at-bat against this guy) rather than physical decline.  That's just my perception from watching.  His slg is up.  His baserunning is surprisingly in the positive this year, despite him being the slow man.  Perhaps it is rose-colored glasses, but I'm still thinking he's a key player for the remainder of 2023.

[jeremiah]

Jul 31, 2023 19:44:24 GMT -5 IndiaCaravan said:

It's very common in Reds country to want to "move on" from Votto and India.  I think 2023 is a very rare case of an embarrassment of riches for the Reds in the youth department and it has grown crowded in the infield.  I just think there's something unsavory about a perennially bad to middling team finding success and then dumping on guys who have been good performers on bad or rebuilding teams.  In India's case, he hasn't reached his age-27 season and I think too many have decided that he has maxed out his potential.  It's possible but not as certain as people seem to be thinking.  In Votto's case, there are some reasons to plug him into the lineup beyond just the loyalty and optics.  His hard hit rate is competitive.  He has adapted to the shift rules by becoming almost totally center to pull (oppo rate way down).  I think this is good for him to give him one less thing to traverse in his busy baseball brain.  He is striking out more than ever but I think they appear more to be caused by mental concerns (like what am I trying to do in this at-bat against this guy) rather than physical decline.  That's just my perception from watching.  His slg is up.  His baserunning is surprisingly in the positive this year, despite him being the slow man.  Perhaps it is rose-colored glasses, but I'm still thinking he's a key player for the remainder of 2023.

Votto is contributing in key ways this season and I'm happy for him. This is an important year for HoF consideration. After dismantling the team for the 22 season, I'm glad he has at least one more good chance to contend in the post season.

I appreciate all India has done. Overall he's a great player and well deserved fan favorite. Part of me would really hate to see him go, but there's no need to rush it. McLain, Cruz and CES are already here. It would take all 3 of them performing better than India to warrant trading him.