Is Votto The Reason We Aren't Signing Fielder?

[LBJSeizedMyID]

Perhaps, but you're also moving to a more hitter friendly environment and while Braun is a very nice guy to hit in front of you, you'd have a guy that walked twice as much as him.

[U_Mad]

Quite possibly but traditional #4 hitters are the big boppers. I want a guy that will instill the fear of "if you walk Bautista there's a good chance you're going to surrender a homerun."

With Votto its "if you walk Bautista there's a good chance you're going to surrender a base hit. Possibly a homerun." Unless you ask Bautista to move to the four spot.

As for JPA, all depends if he can take another step forward.

Fielder has averaged about 7 - 8 more homeruns per year than Votto over the last 4 seasons

I'm not sure an extra HR per month is that big a deal

but its the fear that makes the biggest difference Fielder has a rep as a bomber (even looks like a HR machine) more so than Votto, and in the pitches mind that 1HR difference a month you're talking about really won't come into play

[Raps in 4]

No, cheap ownership is.

[silverhill27]

Is signing Votto two years later when he's 30 years old to a 7 year contract better than signing Fielder now to a 7 year contract when he's 27 years old? Factor in Bautista's age and prime years into this. If they're opposed to signing Fielder now, why would they sign Votto later? (unless of course home-town discount)...

[UN-Owen]

Is signing Votto two years later when he's 30 years old to a 7 year contract better than signing Fielder now to a 7 year contract when he's 27 years old? Factor in Bautista's age and prime years into this. If they're opposed to signing Fielder now, why would they sign Votto later? (unless of course home-town discount)...

Why would they sign Votto later?

Because he would become the most popular athlete in Toronto and generate considerable revenue for the team

I'm not sure how many more times it needs to be said

Votto = good for business


That's not to say Fielder wouldn't significantly increase local interest in the team, but certainly not to the extent that Votto would

And again, I'm just viewing things from the perspective of the front office

Personally, I'm not opposed to signing Fielder and then targeting Votto in a couple of years

[-MetA4-]

Quite possibly but traditional #4 hitters are the big boppers. I want a guy that will instill the fear of "if you walk Bautista there's a good chance you're going to surrender a homerun."

With Votto its "if you walk Bautista there's a good chance you're going to surrender a base hit. Possibly a homerun." Unless you ask Bautista to move to the four spot.

No offense; but this is a whole lot of archaic BS...similar to the stuff that "Moneyball" killed. You should want the best hitter you can find. Joey Votto's 2010 season was better offensively than anything Fielder has ever done...yes, it was even better than Fielder's 50 HR season.

[LBJSeizedMyID]

No offense taken - usually you and I agree on most topics so its kinda refreshing

I'm not basing this on fact obviously; just the sense you get when you or anybody else plays ball. You walk the #3 batter you're going to have to face the masher; both are good hitters; I just think Fielder is more feared.

Obviously Votto's season was a better offensive season, but he's going to get a lot better pitches to see as the #3 hitter. Would he have put up the same type of numbers had he batted fourth all year?

[wbbfan]

AA isnt signing fielder because he isnt the GM of the marlins with un limited money. And even he's not the evil empire type of GM.

[CPT]

If they aren't signing Fielder it's because they are cheap, not because they have their sights set on Votto.

I'm sure they would love it if fans believed that's why.

Fielder is available now, and it seems like he'll come if the offer is right. Most importantly, he's available for cash, not the type of prospect package they would have to cough up to get Votto now.

In two years, Votto will be looking for the same type of deal as Fielder is now (probably more). If they feel it is worth it, sign him and move Fielder (if you have to). I'm sure there would still be teams willing to take him in two years. Even if you have to sweeten the deal as a salary dump, it would still cost less than what it would take to bring in Votto now.

Or even keep Fielder and move Bautista (who would be 33 if I'm not mistaken) at that point.