Even with the functional change proposed, i would say your chances of getting such a relatively "complex" change actually reviewed and merged are lower though,

Even with the functional change proposed, i would say your chances of getting such a relatively "complex" change actually reviewed and merged are lower though, than if you just proposed the smallest change that would result in function; and your investment higher, for higher risk of it just sitting there. I think for this reason and similar, open source code especially can end up subject to accretion of things people are reluctant to change or seriously refactor. Committed non-burnt-out steward(s) can mitigate.