Should Votto move to LF to make room for Yonder Alonso?

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justincredible

Nick Mangold

32,056 posts
Aug 18, 2011 3:28 PM
Votto is getting ripped by some locally, mainly Lance McCallister, for not moving to LF so that Yonder can play 1B. He brings up that Pujols moved to 3B after not playing their in 9 years and that Votto played 41 games in LF in 2007. Says it's not about the individual but about the team.

What he fails to mention is that Alonso has roughly twice as many starts in his career in LF, including over 60 starts in LF this season alone. Why in the world should Votto move to a position that he hasn't played in 4 years for a kid who's played a lot there already this season? Not to mention, Votto wasn't very good in LF 4 YEARS AGO. Why would he be any better now after committing all of his time to learning 1B?
Aug 18, 2011 3:28pm
se-alum's avatar

se-alum

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Aug 18, 2011 3:42 PM
justincredible;866670 wrote:Votto is getting ripped by some locally, mainly Lance McCallister, for not moving to LF so that Yonder can play 1B. He brings up that Pujols moved to 3B after not playing their in 9 years and that Votto played 41 games in LF in 2007. Says it's not about the individual but about the team.

What he fails to mention is that Alonso has roughly twice as many starts in his career in LF, including over 60 starts in LF this season alone. Why in the world should Votto move to a position that he hasn't played in 4 years for a kid who's played a lot there already this season? Not to mention, Votto wasn't very good in LF 4 YEARS AGO. Why would he be any better now after committing all of his time to learning 1B?
No, I'd rather have Votto happy at a position he's pretty good at, as opposed to him being pissed at a position that he hasn't been good at in the past. The right move would be trading Alonso for a 3rd basemen or left fielder.
Aug 18, 2011 3:42pm
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Azubuike24

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Aug 18, 2011 3:58 PM
Absolutely not. Votto is a very above average fielder, and possibly a gold glove caliber first baseman. Alonso, at-best, is an average first baseman. Votto is also by far the better player, more proven and already established. He shouldn't move. The Reds have dropped the ball on this situation. They groomed Alonso, he's turned into a fabulous hitter, but the franchise has yet to accept the fact that he isn't useful as a bench player. They should have either traded him for full value before he was exposed as a terrible fielder (which people are starting to consider him) or made a commitment, that regardless of defense, HE would get a significant shot in LF. They did neither, and now he's rotting on the bench, barely playing and his value has plummeted. Add to that, the trade deadline has passed and he won't be eligible to be moved until the off-season.

Lance might be ripping Votto, but he should be ripping the franchise.
Aug 18, 2011 3:58pm
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thavoice

Senior Member

14,376 posts
Aug 18, 2011 4:24 PM
You dont fuck with guy who is the MVP and the cornerstone of the future of the franchise.

You move him to the OF and I bet his production goes down, and for what...so maybe some rookie can play first base?
Aug 18, 2011 4:24pm
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thavoice

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14,376 posts
Aug 18, 2011 4:45 PM
I have to ask.....

...has he been asked by the team to move to LF? Or is this just something a media type is suggesting?


JV is an above average first baseman, and I wouldnt doubt that some day he finished high or wins the GG at first base. Kid is just a diligent worker and I think will keep getting better. If they put him in left...he will do the same thing, no doubt, but I dont think he coudl ever become as good a LF as he will be a first basemenn.
Aug 18, 2011 4:45pm
se-alum's avatar

se-alum

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Aug 18, 2011 4:53 PM
thavoice;866733 wrote:I have to ask.....

...has he been asked by the team to move to LF? Or is this just something a media type is suggesting?


JV is an above average first baseman, and I wouldnt doubt that some day he finished high or wins the GG at first base. Kid is just a diligent worker and I think will keep getting better. If they put him in left...he will do the same thing, no doubt, but I dont think he coudl ever become as good a LF as he will be a first basemenn.
Don't know if the team has asked or not, he was asked by a reporter last week, and his response made it sound like he wouldn't be keen on the idea.
Aug 18, 2011 4:53pm
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thavoice

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Aug 18, 2011 5:07 PM
the pujols to third base thing.........that never was mean to be a permanent type of thing was it? When did that happen...jog my memory because I dont recall.

I can see how he would be offended to do such a thing...to move from a spot he is doing well in for an untested, unproven rookie. It is kind of a slap in the face to ask the reigning MVP to move positions for a rookie.

It would be different if the reds were trying to bring in a stud first basemen and it would make the team so much better. ARod went to third base....which really sint that much diff than SS...but he did so because they already had a HOF at his position and why mess that up?

If I was votto I would scoff at it too. 1B to LF.........at the far ends of the spectrum. It isnt like asking an AS SS to move to 3B, or 2B, to make room for a proven player, or becuase maybe his skills at SS have eroded a bit so a move is necessary to bring someone else in.
Aug 18, 2011 5:07pm
justincredible's avatar

justincredible

Nick Mangold

32,056 posts
Aug 18, 2011 5:07 PM
Pujols played 3B in only 4 games, and it was only because of injuries.
Aug 18, 2011 5:07pm
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thavoice

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14,376 posts
Aug 18, 2011 5:12 PM
justincredible;866747 wrote:Pujols played 3B in only 4 games, and it was only because of injuries.

Exactly. I thought it was for just a small bit of time, to get by for the betterment of the team, and not a permanant move. I would be Votto, placed in the same situation such as that case, would be more receptive of the idea but to do what this reporter is suggesting........Nah.

let the rookie learn and grow in the OF, nor your MVP and cornerstone of teh franchise for the next 10 years. If ya wanna ensure JV doesnt resign with Cincy in a couple of years, then move him or the reporters keep hounding and bashing him for it.
Aug 18, 2011 5:12pm
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dave

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4,558 posts
Aug 18, 2011 5:23 PM
Votto should not do it on his own, but the Reds should make him next spring if he isn't willing to sign long term. Bob and Walt should put the best team on the field. Yonder is good defensively at 1B, Votto is overrated IMO. There wouldn't be much of a drop-off.
Aug 18, 2011 5:23pm
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TigerNation10

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Aug 18, 2011 5:46 PM
No, Votto should not move. And no, the Reds should not trade Alonso. I still think Alono will be decent enough at 3B, probably not until next season, to play regularly. Him working out there everyday with Spier and Rolen and the reports of him saying that he is more comfortable there than anywhere else makes me believe it could work. If Pablo Sandoval can play over there, then I think Alonso can too.
Aug 18, 2011 5:46pm
se-alum's avatar

se-alum

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Aug 18, 2011 5:53 PM
TigerNation10;866780 wrote:No, Votto should not move. And no, the Reds should not trade Alonso. I still think Alono will be decent enough at 3B, probably not until next season, to play regularly. Him working out there everyday with Spier and Rolen and the reports of him saying that he is more comfortable there than anywhere else makes me believe it could work. If Pablo Sandoval can play over there, then I think Alonso can too.
Based on??
Aug 18, 2011 5:53pm
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TigerNation10

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Aug 18, 2011 5:54 PM
se-alum;866784 wrote:Based on??

The next sentence in my post.
Aug 18, 2011 5:54pm
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se-alum

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Aug 18, 2011 6:21 PM
TigerNation10;866786 wrote:The next sentence in my post.

I certainly hope your right, but his inability to even become serviceable in LF after 60+ games there, scares me.
Aug 18, 2011 6:21pm
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dave

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Aug 18, 2011 6:49 PM
The Reds have 2 solid options at 3b already who will be cheap and aren't real valuable trade pieces like Alonso. They need one of them to pan out there. Rolen is also signed through next year.
Aug 18, 2011 6:49pm
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SportsAndLady

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Aug 18, 2011 6:52 PM
dave;866759 wrote:Votto should not do it on his own, but the Reds should make him next spring if he isn't willing to sign long term. Bob and Walt should put the best team on the field. Yonder is good defensively at 1B, Votto is overrated IMO. There wouldn't be much of a drop-off.

+1
Aug 18, 2011 6:52pm
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Little Danny

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Aug 18, 2011 8:23 PM
I have always believed Lance to be a tool. This suggestion confirms it for me.
Aug 18, 2011 8:23pm
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jordo212000

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Aug 18, 2011 8:36 PM
dave;866813 wrote: Rolen is also signed through next year.
Too bad that contracts are guaranteed in baseball
Aug 18, 2011 8:36pm
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Ironman92

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Aug 18, 2011 10:10 PM
Not sure here. He is excellent at scooping the bad throws....he is very good at attacking the short hit/bunt....but he is below average at getting the ball to the pitcher at first, maximizing the stretch to the ball and foot placement on the base. He is solid on the grounders and not great at blocking slightly errant throws from the pickoff....overall I think he slightly above average.....better than Alonso...I'd say a decent bit...but there is zilch offense in LF without even Heisey. Votto in left is going to probably be Fred Lewis like with slower Jonny Gomes potential....which I'd bet on.....I don't think for 1 second that the lesser defense at 1st and LF would even come close to the benefits of having Alonso in the lineup over Sappelt or whoever.
Aug 18, 2011 10:10pm
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Ironman92

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Aug 18, 2011 10:15 PM
Also....

Michael Young
Craig Biggio
Alex Rodriguez
Joe Mauer
And some guy named Pete Rose

To name a few. Mauer is in RF as I'm typing this.
Aug 18, 2011 10:15pm
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wildcats20

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Aug 18, 2011 10:16 PM
If they ask Votto to move, that all but guarantees he won't be in a Reds uni for long.
Aug 18, 2011 10:16pm
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Ironman92

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Aug 18, 2011 10:21 PM
wildcats20;867048 wrote:If they ask Votto to move, that all but guarantees he won't be in a Reds uni for long.

Agree....but the offense is bad and they need a 4 hitter....spare me the runs scored stats

Cozart
Phillips
Votto
Alonso
Bruce
Mesoraco
Rolen
Stubbs

Eh?
Aug 18, 2011 10:21pm
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Laley23

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Aug 18, 2011 10:32 PM
Ironman92;867054 wrote:Agree....but the offense is bad and they need a 4 hitter....spare me the runs scored stats

Cozart
Phillips
Votto
Alonso
Bruce
Mesoraco
Rolen
Stubbs

Eh?

If Cozart and Alonso pan out, that is a scary line-up. Your 5 hitter has proven to be able to carry an offense for weeks at a time, not to mention an MVP in there as well.
Aug 18, 2011 10:32pm
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justincredible

Nick Mangold

32,056 posts
Aug 18, 2011 10:49 PM
Ironman92;867044 wrote:Also....

Michael Young
Craig Biggio
Alex Rodriguez
Joe Mauer
And some guy named Pete Rose

To name a few. Mauer is in RF as I'm typing this.

Who did they move for?

Mauer moved for health reasons.
Didn't Pete Rose move for George Foster (who already had 1000 career PAs)?
Aug 18, 2011 10:49pm
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Laley23

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Aug 18, 2011 10:50 PM
justincredible;867091 wrote:Who did they move for?

Mauer moved for health reasons.
Didn't Pete Rose move for George Foster (who already had 1000 career PAs)?

A-Rod for Jeter
Young for Andrus
Aug 18, 2011 10:50pm