Reds July Game Thread 2024

[CJD]

(07-09-2024, 01:06 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Let's hope that he's got some genuine physical longevity in his genetics, the Reds don't need another Joey Votto type of situation where they're still paying a player long after he's started to decline.

Votto signed his contract extension when he was 29. His first complete major league season was 2008 (he was called up in September 2007, right before he turned 24), so he signed his extension prior to his 5th full season in the majors.

If Elly signed a 10 year extension prior to his 5th major league season, which would be 2028, he'd be 35 in that final season of 2037.

At 35, Joey Votto was still an elite player. He didn't start going downhill until 2022 when he was 38.

The question I would have is does Elly age as well as Votto di? What makes Elly so special is his speed and speed does degrade over time. He will be 28 at the beginning of the 2030 season, which is the first season that he will be a free agent. If he turns into what we expect him to be, a 28 year old super star will want a long term deal, so they'd have to decide in that moment if they're willing to risk that down turn as he ages into his 30s.

We obviously have a lot of time to see how he develops, but I wouldn't bet against him.