Overvalued in 2014

[DJBeasties]

Yeah, you are right. Not the best way to phrase myself. I'm not sure how to articulate my point but I just think i'm going to open with him and his price will get out of control because everyone wants the illusion of a guarantee. If he doesn't go out of control, I'll price enforce but just something about the shiny new option always seems to have inflated price tag and that's what I'm interested in uncovering early.

[cavebird]

We're not talking about chasing pitches way outside the zone, at least where Votto is concerned. We're talking about pitches that are reasonably close and very "drivable", perhaps not for a home run but enough for a moderately deep fly ball. No one is asking him to turn into Vlad Guerrero, but there are many, many times when he takes pitches that he could hit for a lazy fly that would get the run home. Sometimes a walk does little or no good (my frequent argument with the "OBA is everything" folks).

When a walk does little or no good---in close late situations with a runner on third and first or second base open or a runner on second with first base open---Votto is not failing to swing at borderline pitches. Instead, he is standing there while the catcher sticks his arm out and the pitcher throws well wide. He has led the NL outright or tied for the lead in intentional walks the past two years---leading outright in 2012 despite only playing 110 or so games. When there is a runner on third and zero or one out early in a game, a walk, generally, is better than a sac fly because while the walk does not bring the run in, it leads to greater chances of a big inning, which in the long run will get the team more runs.