What does it mean for the 2023 Cincinnati Reds?
Joey Votto doing... whatever it is that Joey Votto does. Photo via Instagram, @joeyvotto.
#19 Back in the Fold
Cincinnati Reds legend Joey Votto has yet to make his season debut in 2023. Recovering from surgery that repaired tears in both the rotator cuff and biceps in his left shoulder has been a laborious process for the 39-year-old Votto, but his return to the Reds lineup is imminent. After a second rehab stint in Louisville, Votto appears to be ready for Major League action. He pledged not to return until he felt fully healthy and ready to contribute, and it appears the time has come.
So, what does that mean for the *HALF GAME out of First Place* Cincinnati Reds?
Nobody knows exactly what to expect. Roster moves, lineup decisions, and playing time will all be impacted. However, we know this: Joey Votto will be in the lineup, he will play nearly every day he is able, and he will likely bat in the top half of the order. If you don't believe this, you just have not been paying attention. The man will be given the benefit of every doubt. This is typically what happens when a player builds a Hall of Fame caliber career. David Bell is not the type of manager to hide Votto low in the order or relegate him to DH duty if he feels he can play first base. Frankly, Bell is likely excited to pencil in a veteran presence that is not named Wil Myers.
Be Excited!
Of what, exactly, are we trying to convince our readers? It certainly is not that Joey Votto isn't eccentric or interesting. He's both, and a lot more. A fascination with bus driving and playing chess makes for some very intriguing social media posts.
Votto either actually driving or pretending to be driving a bus. Photo via Instagram, @joeyvotto.
Perhaps we are trying to convince you to be excited. By all statistical measures, Votto is one of the greatest players in franchise history. When he returns and slots into a nearly-first-place lineup, that is reason enough to be excited. It is acceptable to doubt he will perform at a high level. It is also acceptable to believe his return will take away at-bats from up-and-coming players. Still, it is highly acceptable to hope and believe Joey will contribute to this team in ways beyond what the box score can show. Has he not earned at least that?
I have seen some conjecture that Votto's return will ruin the team chemistry, or something to that effect. I have never been in a Major League clubhouse, but I can almost assure this: the young team is dying to play alongside a player like Joey Votto. At the same time, Joey Votto is starving for competitive baseball, something he has gone without most of his career as he has remained loyal to the Cincinnati Reds. Mess up team chemistry? No chance. Votto is going to provide leadership, veteran presence, and on-field production. Look at the first two pictures in this post. Does that look like a guy who is going to come in with an ego and ruin what is developing? You know you can't wait to see Votto in a Viking helmet.
Some Numbers
We believe Votto has a real chance to produce for this team. You can come back and laugh at us if we are wrong, but you will have to excuse us for being optimistic about this team for once. Joey has never played with the new shift rules. Many of his lineouts and groundouts will now be base hits. The pitch clock rules likely benefit Votto, who has famously remained locked in the box at times in his career. He puts pressure on pitchers, even at his advanced age.
Look no further than the 2021 season. In only 129 games, Votto hit 36 home runs, drove in 99 runs, had 60 extra-base hits, and had an OPS of .938. This was his age-37 season. We have no reason to believe Joey cannot produce at this stage in his career, especially with a repaired shoulder that apparently plagued him for years.
The Lineup
Again, we have no idea how David Bell intends to manage his lineup. We know that the Reds feature more good hitters now than they have in many years. One of the national writers for the Reds suggested Votto could bat sixth, citing his lack of speed ahead of young stars as one reason. The idea of bases being "clogged up" is a bit more hyperbole than actual baseball problem. People being on base is a good thing, and leads to runs scored (which is, by the way, how baseball games are won). We also cannot forget that Votto has reached base at a higher percentage than any active player, and at a higher rate than ALL players in the history of the game aside from the 31 listed below. This will be considered when making a lineup.
We are clearly not Major League managers, but if it were up to us, we would run out something like this:
TK's Preferred Lineup
1. Matt McLain - SS
2. Elly De La Cruz - 3B
3. Joey Votto - 1B
4. Jonathan India - 2B
5. Spencer Steer - LF
6. Tyler Stephenson - DH
7. Jake Fraley - RF
8. Luke Maile/Curt Casali - C
9. TJ Friedl - CF
Bench: Senzel, Newman, Maile/Casali, Benson
For the record, we think Bell's lineup will look different. EDLC will likely remain at 4, with India in the top 3. But, in our version with two dynamic speedsters and OBP legend Votto at the top, the thump of India, Steer, and Stephenson can bring them all around. Fraley from the 7 slot is a highly competitive bat, and Friedl at 9 serves as a secondary leadoff man of sorts. Who says no?!
In our estimation, Nick Senzel, Kevin Newman, Luke Maile, Jose Barrero, and Wil Myers are potential trade candidates for the Reds. With Christian Encarnacion-Strand knocking at the door and Wil Myers set to return from the injured list with Votto, something will have to shake out with the 26 slots available in the team. We're on the edge of our seats.
Final Thoughts
The Reds are fortunate to have Joey Votto. We can't as fans complain that the Reds "trade everyone," and then bark and moan when an all-time great Reds player remains loyal to the team and tries to ride out his twilight years gracefully. He does not have to be your favorite player, but, we should respect what he means to the organization. Oh, and by the way...
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