I would never try to tell someone how JV could be better at his craft. But......

[M2]

We're not making nearly enough The Craft references here. Time to rectify that.

[OGB]

Everyone on RZ has been addressing this for years. Don't act like you're a pioneer. There are very good posters who once claimed Votto's knee was full of gravel.

I'm not so sure we'll see more of 2018 Votto or worse in the coming years, but it's likely we will see diminishing returns from here on out. But I wouldn't be surprised if he's just in a slump.

The good news is the Reds no longer live or die with peak Votto. PV is something this team could very well use, but 2018 JV could be enough.

Fun fact: Votto's knee is actually filled with cheese curds and gravy

[M2]

Fun fact: Votto's knee is actually filled with cheese curds and gravy

He's a poutine that walks like a man!

[Kc61]

Not worried about Votto, he sometimes has a slow start.

But I wonder if he’s happy and comfortable hitting second instead of third.

With a long-standing vet like Joey, I probably would have batted him third, his typical spot over his career.

[Ron Madden]

Yep. Post #2 I said the OP would be flamed for daring to criticize Votto. And I was right!

Just because someone disagrees with your opinion and post their opinion of why they disagree it doesn’t mean they are flaming on you.

[redsfanmia]

Just because someone disagrees with your opinion and post their opinion of why they disagree it doesn’t mean they are flaming on you.

In his defense on this board if you speak ill of Votto you typically get “flamed”.

[UPRedsFan]

I’m just spitballing here, but maybe old Mr. Kemp should try the Votto choke up approach.
Not worried at all about Votto choking up.

[klw]

So if he was a pitcher would we complain that Votto Nibbles around the plate?

[Ironman92]

Without reading much of this thread I will say that I don’t love what Votto does at the plate as most others do on here. What I do fully respect is his wiring. I’m not sure Joey has any ability to change what he does with his approach. He’s not driving in the runner on 2nd with 2 outs on a pitch he’s not liking in the strike zone...he’s just not, he can’t (I feel). I know exactly what I’m getting with Joey. He holds himself to the upmost highest standing. I can’t ask any more of him and I can’t ask him not to be what he is.

[Ben Zinger]

I went through a phase in college where I didn't like the feel of the bat without choking up. The knob felt like it filled up my lower hand and slowed the turning over of my wrists. Could it be that he simply likes the slimmer feel of the bat right now? I mean, he swings a 34/32. Louisville slugger would send him shorter bats the moment he requests it. Maybe he's experimenting? Dude is entitled to evolve as a hitter, even how he grips the bat!

But have you seen how he's wearing his hat a bit differently? Let's talk about that next.

[Cooper]

Historically people get flamed when they get negative re JV.

Would you expect less? He's been a really good player and performs well: expecting a pass when complaining about him is odd.

[Sea Ray]

The problem that I see is that up until now in Votto’s career, pitchers were afraid to pitch to him and that is why he has been able to draw so many walks. But pitchers are going to begin to realize that they can pitch in the strike zone to Votto and his walks are going to start dropping.

I do think it’s a little early to panic over Votto. He might not hit 25 HR’s this year, but he doesn’t have to. There are other hitters who can pick up the power difference.

This is exactly the point I've been making all Spring. Votto had a very mediocre yr last year except for his walks. As pitchers and scouting reports see that he's no longer a power threat, they'll pitch less cautiously and his walks will go down. If his walks go down then what is there left that he can contribute?

[Sea Ray]

Historically people get flamed when they get negative re JV.

Would you expect less? He's been a really good player and performs well: expecting a pass when complaining about him is odd.

No one expects a pass. If one wants to defend Joey, do it...but responding with sarcastic comments doesn't advance the discussion. Talk of things like "it's early" or "he's a slow starter" is not flaming and is welcome to the conversation. It's possible to defend him w/o flaming.

[Cooper]

I would think it incumbent on the poster who goes negative to make their point wrt to a player with a track record of success.

I go negative at times ... i feel like when i do i've got to make a really strong case. The case re Votto is just not there. It may be. but players like Votto get a lot of rope. They've earned it.

[Kirito-Sama]

I would think it incumbent on the poster who goes negative to make their point wrt to a player with a track record of success.

I go negative at times ... i feel like when i do i've got to make a really strong case. The case re Votto is just not there. It may be. but players like Votto get a lot of rope. They've earned it.

The case re: Votto in what regard? That he's declined? That he's becoming a one dimensional player?