Christian Encarnacion-Strand

[CJD]

(07-17-2023, 11:15 AM)samhain Wrote: I think India is going to be in trouble if his bat doesn't wake up soon.

The team definitely wants him and views him as a starter, but you can't justify wedging his bat into the lineup as the young studs continue to flow in from Louisville.  

If it were up to me, I'd give him more days off.  He's played more than anyone on the team, and he looks tired.  Give him a breather 2 or 3 times a week and let him take a crack at DH.  He's still a major asset when at full strength.  It would be bad business to let him waste away on the bench for too long and decrease his value.  

I think India is great as a locker room presence/leader, but He's never been an elite hitter or fielder. He's generally regarded as the weakest defensive player on the infield and his career OPS is .768. If it weren't for his Rookie of the Year campaign in 2021 (which may not even be a top 5 finish in this year's rookie of the year race), I don't know if we'd feel like he must be a central piece to this team.

I would love to get 2021 India back, but the more he plays, the more I wonder if that was just an one year wonder kind of season.